Best Campground Atlas?? - Montana Owners Club

Dano · 03-28-2006, 10:53 AM

Hi All ! Okay, we're going to be taking our first "real" trip away from home this coming Memorial Day Weekend in the Monty (Acually we're taking 10 days

) and can anyone suggest the best campground/road atlas to get? We've seen a couple, but which one gives you the most information about everything?

joe2speed · 03-28-2006, 11:50 AM

We have used the Trailor Life Directory since we have been camping. A little pricey ($24.95) at a book store. If you get them pre published you get 2 for $24 from Trailor Life. Thats how we get ours.

Montana Sky · 03-28-2006, 12:49 PM

I also have the Trailer life directory along with that I usually check out Woodalls.com and look through their directory as well. If either of those dont work, I usually google camping in the city I am going to and that will also bring up campgrounds. Finally if those dont work, try the MOC under campgrounds. I am sure that at least one of our members has used a campground in that location.

Parrothead · 03-28-2006, 03:12 PM

We've pretty much relied on Trailer Life's book since we started - then if the CG has a web site I go there. If I can't find anything that way, I do a search. I have established a good list just from here on the MOC. I have an Access data base started but haven't finished it yet. Got interupted with deaths and heart attacks. It will get finished before we go full time. I think the best reference is from the people that have been there.
Happy trails.....................

fredb54 · 03-28-2006, 08:07 PM

Just got the TL CD set RV Parks/ Campgrounds Navigator. I really enjoy how easy it is to plan the route and all the info is right there for you.
I think it's well worth the price.
Have the hard copy (printed version) of it, think I'll return it.

Fred

Joyce H · 03-29-2006, 01:05 AM

We have always used Trailer Life. We also take advantage of pre ordering the two for the price of one each year. This way we can keep one in the Montana and one in the truck. We pass our older ones on to new campers we meet along the way or leave them in a campground activities center.

Dano · 03-29-2006, 04:21 AM

Well, so far it looks like Trailer Life is the way to go. The CD set sounds really easy. I like the idea of getting 2 for 1 too! Once we decide on where we're headed for sure, we'll ask for recommendations from the MOC family on the best places that y'all have actually stayed at. We are "moving back into our brick house", as the remodeling has gotten far enough along to do so. We need to clean everything good, get all in order and close up the Monty for now so that when our vacation comes, it will seem new again. Also so we can acually get the "brick house" finished by then. It's nice to know that we are able to feel very comfortable "LIVING" in our Monty - for the day when we can retire from the everyday work and shift to everyday play. Thanks so much for your input on this.

Dano & Wife of Dano

Rocky2 · 03-30-2006, 01:08 PM

We have the 2006 TL Navigator (I liked the 2005 version better - but gave it away to a needy soul). They have changed some things on the new version that makes it harder to plan a trip but still a great way to see what's available wherever you are headed.
We also use the TL book and the Woodall's book.

Laura

Mac · 03-30-2006, 01:14 PM

It's been TrailerLife for us as well.

mac

cindik · 03-30-2006, 01:17 PM

Another suggestion for cg suggestions is to go to RV.net and then go to RV park reviews to see how the cg is rated. Any area or cg you want info on someone on these sites have been there and can give good recommendations. We always go to these sites and ask for recommendations before we take a trip. Have always gotten good advice.

sreigle · 03-31-2006, 08:33 AM

First I check Passport America (50% discount). Then I check Escapees (15% discount). Then I check Trailer Life. I still have an old Woodall's that I'll consult if I don't find what I want in the others. I haven't tried the CD's yet but am thinking about it. If you are weekending an vacationing then Passport America and Escapees may not hold enough value for you. I usually buy a new Trailer Life directory every two to three years. Lately they've been updating with wifi information so I may break down and update earlier than usual.

padredw · 03-31-2006, 09:06 AM

Steve and Dano, I've used the last two Trailer Life Campground Navigators (The software versions). I think you will enjoy using them. I keep the latest version of the printed directory in the pickup, and the previous year in the RV (OK, I'll admit it -- I keep the third year past in the house). I use them all and the Atlas as well. I have the software on my desktop at home for advance planning and on my laptop to take on RV trips.

I have found a couple of serious errors of map location on the software (one in Texas and the other in Georgia), but that's all. The software is much more useful in the actual location of the campgrounds than the atlas (which only locates the town of record on the map).

I like the trip planning process as well as any, and you will find the GPS connection useful. I am one of those not in the GPS, and not intending to be

Dano · 04-05-2006, 03:09 AM

We ordered our copy of Trailer Life on Monday and should receive it tomorrow. I'm sure we won't get much else done once it gets here. Cindik - I checked out the RV.net, thanks. Also have been checking on the campground forum. This is just too much fun!

sreigle · 04-05-2006, 10:12 AM

I know this thread is about CG directories but since we're talking atlases I'd like to go slightly off topic and comment, for those who do not already know, at Walmart you can buy a $5 Walmart Atlas (by Rand-McNally). On the inside front and back covers and first couple of pages are listings for all walmarts at the time of print, their addresses, phone numbers, and what services they have (supercenter, pharmacy, photo, etc.). This is one atlas we update every year or two.

CountryGuy · 04-05-2006, 10:56 AM

Steve,

Isn't that the one that also lists which Walley's you can overnight at???

sreigle · 04-06-2006, 08:46 AM

Carol, I don't see that info in this atlas. It does show where there are Sam's Clubs, Walmart/Sams gas stations, etc., but nothing about overnight rv parking. That would be a nice addition to the atlas for those who do Walmart overnights.

Dano · 04-06-2006, 09:49 AM

We received our TL Directory!! Just glancing thru it, everything looks great - lots of good info. Steve & Carol, I'm thinking Wal-Mart probably wouldn't say if you can overnite in "Print" cause before you knew it, they would be having their own campgrounds complete with a "Mini" Wal-Mart in the middle! Oh my gosh!! I don't think my brain could handle that !!

CountryGuy · 04-06-2006, 12:17 PM

Dano,

In some Walleys we have seen in the last week, EVEN here in Fredericksburg where there are a number of good campgrounds WITH open sites, there are rigs parked, sometimes LOTS of rigs.

The Walley down the street, when we drove past there yesterday, 4 or 5 rigs parked on the outside perimeter. We saw the same thing in the Rio Grande Valley, and there are like hundreds of campgrounds there! And, NOOO, they were not all full, there were campsites to be had, maybe not at the place you wanted to go, but somewhere.

I think it is pretty common knowledge in the RVing world that you can overnight in many Walleys. Everyone I know has heard it, maybe not done it, but heard it.

Glenn and Lorraine · 04-06-2006, 01:17 PM

Our travel atlas is our laptop. With the aircard we can access the internet while on the road. We'll check out Passport America first and if they have one, we go to the campgrounds own website. For mapping our way we use the Microsoft Streets and Trips.
BUT we also keep the hard copies of Passport America and Trailer Life directories handy just in case.

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