skippingbrooksPlanning your next family vacation by camping in a travel trailer? Feeling stuck on what to pack and all the things that go along with camping? From campgrounds, keeping the kids entertained while traveling, laundry, food, and more. This article will help you plan your next camping trip with tips and tricks for camping with a travel trailer.
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First Steps Camping With a Travel Trailer
Rent vs Own
When my family started camping we started with a pop-up camper to see if we even liked camping as the initial investment if not camping with a tent can add up pretty quickly. After many years in our pop-up to then upgrading to a couple of larger campers, we had decided to sell our huge 43-foot travel trailer. Our family of 5 was too busy to justify keeping the monster and it was taking up most of our driveway.
A few years after selling our travel trailer we missed the trips we took camping with a travel trailer but knew we didn’t want to buy another one. How do we travel without buying one? Thank goodness for Facebook and a quick ask for help from friends because it was suggested to rent with Outdoorsy.com. Brillant!
Outdoorsy.com
So how does it work? Simple. Search for the type of camper you are interested in renting within your local area or destination. You can choose to have the camper delivered or pick it up at a designated location. Insurance is included in most rentals and is worth the worry of something happening. Also, 24/7 help and roadside assistance are included. It’s better than owning! In addition, get $50 off your RV rental of $200 or more on your first rental!
Planning Campground Reservations
Since the beginning of 2020 camping has become increasingly popular therefore campgrounds have been filling up fast. So it’s so important you are well prepared before hitting the road when camping with a travel trailer.
If you have ever camped, especially near popular destinations like National Parks you will find nightly camping costs within private campgrounds to be quite high. Don’t get me wrong, I am willing to pay the higher prices if the amenities are quality and close to popular attractions. However, there are times when paying those high fees just doesn’t work out.
National and State Park Camping
Some of the most beautiful camping is located within National and State Parks however advanced planning is a must. These parks typically have minimal facilities and limited amenities like water and sewer hookups which keep nightly rates lower.
Most National Park camping reservations can be booked 6 months in advance except for Yosemite National Park. Plan to book as soon as the booking window opens for popular destinations as they typically fill up fast.
With that said, some campgrounds are first come first serve yet these have become less and less since 2020.
Bureau of Land Management Camping (BLM)
What is BLM Land?
Typically I think of BLM land as FREE camping in which you get as close to Mother Nature as possible. However, it has other purposes. According to the BLM mission the land is used “to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations”. It’s not just for camping. It’s used for ranching, mining, hiking, climbing, hunting, fishing, shooting, mountain biking, and off-highway vehicle usage.
Most BLM land can be found in the western half of the US varying from forest to desert land.
Developed Campgrounds in BLM
Some locations offer developed campgrounds which may include a variety of facilities, such as restrooms, potable water, electrical hookups, picnic areas, garbage cans, tent pads, and group shelters. Check the BLM website for rules and regulations before planning your trip.
Dispersed Campgrounds
If skipping all the amenities and FREE is the type of camping you are looking for then dispersed camping is the best camping for you! Also known as boondocking or “roughing it”. However, not ideal for some campers as roads to the locations can be bumpy and rough. Finding a spot within dispersed camping is usually pretty easy and typically you can see where others have stayed.
With that said, dispersed camping is available on public land for a maximum of 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. In other words, if you move around to multiple locations you can only stay for 14 total between them all. Keep in mind that after 14 days you must move outside a 25-mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. See the Bureau of Land Management website for full details on using public land to camp.
Finding dispersed camping is easy through the free Campendium. Type your location in the search area. In filters, choose FREE. Green trees on the map indicate free dispersed parking. After clicking on a “tree” the app enables the capability to open in maps for directions. So easy!
Parking Lots
Yep, parking lots. Again, FREE! We have spent many nights in Walmart parking lots alongside other travelers when traveling through multiple states. Be sure to check each location for overnight parking as some do not allow it. For example, last summer my family and I were traveling through Colorado from Utah when we found ourselves in a large detour off a major interstate due to mudslides. Campgrounds were full wherever we looked. We ended up staying in a Walmart parking lot (with permission, under the circumstances as they do not allow overnight parking) in Steamboat Springs, CO with many other stranded travelers.
Be sure when staying overnight in parking lots you have a full tank of water and full propane tanks as you will probably need to use them both.
More Free Camping
Always check with a Ranger or park staff before camping or sleeping in a vehicle overnight if no signs are present. Other locations for free camping include:
- National Forests
- Wildlife Management Areas (WMA)
- National Grasslands
- Some County Parks & City Parks
- Some trailheads
Preparing Your Travel Trailer
Packing The Amenities
Packing and having all the supplies needed can be the hardest part of planning a camping trip. Grab my checklist to help you pack.
Travel Trailer Essentials
- A full tank of water- Never leave home without water in your tank. Roadside pit stops for bathroom breaks or lunch breaks are one of the most convenient reasons to traveling with a camper.
- Full Propane Gas tanks- Filling you propane tanks locally before heading out can be most cost effective. Gas can be used for heating the camper if you do not have electical hookups. Also, gas is used for the stove and to keep your fridge running while on the road.
- Toolbox- Things happen when traveling with a camper, tools always come in handy. Also, throw in a roll of duct tape!
- Chairs- Camping with a travel trailer wouldn’t be complete without chairs to sit by the fire.
- Mat- Camping can be messy and the dirt and grass will be drug right into the camper. Mats help keep things cleaner.
- A Broom- For sweeping the mat of course.
- Leveling Blocks- A must have. No one wants to sleep with their head slanting downhill or doors that do not shut because your camper is uneven.
- A Level- Yes, you WILL NEED this!
Packing Food When Camping With a Travel Trailer
For me, this is the most stressful task when camping with a travel trailer. It never fails that something is forgotten and I have yet to master this. However, here are some pointers that we have found helpful.
- Pack extra grocery items into totes. It keeps everything organized and out of way.
- Have one large cooler for perishable items packed away with dry ice. Tip– Dry ice will keep items cold longer. A 5 pound solid brick of dry ice will stay cold 18-24 hours. Dry ice can be found at many local grocery stores and gas stations.
- If you own your camper I suggest buying non perishable items to keep in your camping year round.
- Pre-cook meals at home before leaving. Ground hamburger, soups, etc. can be frozen after preparing for easier transportation.
More Tips When Camping With a Travel Trailer
- Laundry soap- Trust me, for long trips you will more than likely want to wash some items of clothing, especially if traveling with young boys! Many campgrounds have laundry facilities. Throw a load in while getting supper ready for the evening.
- Rain gear- It’s a given. Camping=rain. Plan to get wet at some point in your trip!
- Board games and cards- For those rainy days. Some of the best family time happens around a table.
- Zip lock bags- For left overs, stinky socks or whatever needs sealing.
- Command Hooks- Campers are never equipped with enough hooks!
- Make the beds before you leave home- Having the sleeping areas ready to go is a must. It’s the last thing you want to do after traveling all day and unpacking the camper at your destination.
Best Family Trips for Camping With a Travel Trailer
- Grand Teton National Park- Don’t miss Best things To Do in Grand Teton National Park
- Yellowstone National Park- Check out my awesome 4 day guide
- Jackson Hole Wyoming- A 3 day itinerary
- Arches National Park- Discover new experiences in the desert.
- Badlands National Park- Score amazing sites in dispersed camping.
Safe adventures,
Brooke
