Layovers when traveling A to B

[Champness]

Hi, we're a bit new to RVing on the northern part of the East Coast and I have some questions about finding layover spots in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. When I'm looking at RVLife and other sources for campground info, I am not finding much in the way of places to lay over in northeast Pennsylvania and southwestern Connecticut. Where can you go when you have to find a place to layover for a night and there are no suitable campgrounds in range? We are planning a trip from northeast Georgia to southwest New Hampshire with 5 layovers along the way. The first three were easy to set up with reservations, but finding spots in northeast Pennsylvania and southwest Connecticut is looking iffy. We might need to boondock, but we don't have a membership in any of the boondocking clubs. Twenty years ago we used a converted cargo trailer to camp in, going from Florida to Alaska. Out west, finding places without having reservations was easy, but this New England RVing thing looks kinda daunting!

 

[DutchmenSport]

You are absolutely correct. The farther East you go across the USA the less opportunity there is for boondocking. Folks traveling West of the Mississippi River have a hard time comprehending this, but public, open space is just non-existent on the East Coast (actually, almost anywhere East of the Mississippi River).

The best you can do is do a Google Search for campgrounds that are within close proximity of the roads you are traveling. You may have to drive a distance off your intended route to reach them, though. And book your reservations now. This may mean changing your driving route.

The New England states are beautiful, once you get out of the big cities. Driving off your chosen route will be rewarding, so don't consider it an inconvenience. Enjoy the moment and have a safe trip.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I've not encountered many areas where there was not some sort of suitable overnight campground in an area where I wanted/needed it. However, my standard for "suitable for overnight" are very low. Enough space for my rig and some minimal electric is OK. And even no electric is manageable. Sometimes we had to stop a bit earlier or later than we might have liked, but that wasn't a big deal for us (we rarely had a tight schedule to keep).

Once in a while we would boondock at a Walmart or other business that welcomed RVers. Yes, choices for that are rather limited in the eastern USA. But there are websites and directories that can help. Google 'free overnight camping' and check out place along your travel route. There are also websites that list Walmarts & others that allow overnights, and phone apps like Allstays RV and RVParky can help too.

 

[Laura & Charles]

Like Gary, we’ve not had trouble finding places to overnight, anymore we don’t care to stay at Walmarts so much. Cracker Barrels often allow RVs to overnight as well as Cabelas/Bass Pro shops as well.

Harvest Host/Boondockers Welcome are available more in the east than west. We use those fairly often and have had nothing but good experiences. There is an annual subscription cost, but we find it worth it.

Also, Loves truck stops have built full service RV sites at some locations… I have no idea how much they’ve got those east, but they’re pretty common in Ohio and west.

 

[Ray-IN]

Check out Casinos. Then there are many websites available to help find free camping/overnighting. FWIW, calling ahead to confirm that business actually does offer this service is a very good idea.

 

[Champness]

Wow, so much good info from y'all. I really appreciate it.

 

[Utclmjmpr]

RV Parky is my go to when looking in a strange area..>>>Dan

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

We like COE camping when not at a state park. Looking at their map, there are some spots in Pennsylvania and Connecticut: https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/visitors/visitors.cfm

 

[A Traveler]

RV Trip Wizard shows a lot of ‘em…

 

[darsben]

If you plan to be on I 81 to avoid the Washington dc, Baltimore etc mess, (and I highly recommend it) then Carlisle PA has campgrounds and Wilkes Barre has a casino, also you will be going very near Hershey Park. Once near Scranton then take I 84 and miss the NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK MESS as well. Unless you want to see the cities

 

[LMHS]

We travel mainly on US, State and County highways. Interstates are not our favourite roads but we do use them. We stay overnight in freebie/cheapie campgrounds if close to our route. For overnight stays (ONS) we choose to stay in Sam's Clubs (member perk, plus we usually get fuel there along with a meal to eat in the camper before settling in for the night) or Cracker Barrel (supper then breakfast the next morning). The truck camper is set up for ONSs with no hookups. The ability to not need hookups opens up a lot of options.

 

[Ray-IN]

We travel mainly on US, State and County highways. Interstates are not our favourite roads but we do use them. We stay overnight in freebie/cheapie campgrounds if close to our route. For overnight stays (ONS) we choose to stay in Sam's Clubs (member perk, plus we usually get fuel there along with a meal to eat in the camper before settling in for the night) or Cracker Barrel (supper then breakfast the next morning). The truck camper is set up for ONSs with no hookups. The ability to not need hookups opens up a lot of options.

Our local Sams Club has their parking lot posted, no overnight parking. Yes they own the parking lot, which is outside city limits.
However, right next door is a Rural King with a huge parking lot that is not posted.(former WM building)