Car Camping
Camping is a great American tradition, and it's an inexpensive way to rest en route. Use this program's National Parks Listings, National Forests Listings, and AAA information to plan a good camping trip. If you do plan on camping, be sure you have all the necessary gear before leaving. You'll need at least a tent and a sleeping bag.
As you plan the cost of the trip, consider that many national parks charge an entrance fee of $3 - $10 per passenger vehicle in addition to campsite fees of $3 - $15 per night. Accordingly, if you plan to stay within park boundaries for a day, you should count on spending up to $25. If you intend to stay in several national parks, consider buying a Golden Eagle Pass for $25; it's good for one year and will get you into all of the national parks without additional charges. If you're over 62, get a free Golden Age Passport, and you'll receive free admission and 50 percent discounts on user fees. The Golden Access Passport gives the same privileges to the blind or disabled. These passes are available at park entrances.
To find out about camping at national parks, contact the regional park offices. If you know where you want to camp and have a planned itinerary, you can make reservations by calling or writing:
Mistix Reservation System
P.O. Box 85705
San Diego, CA 92138-5705
(800) 365-CAMP
Mistix is open for reservations Monday - Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday - Sunday, 7am to 4pm. Mistix books for selected parks only. Advance campsite reservations can be made in season (beginning Memorial Day) and up to eight weeks ahead of time. The National Parks Camping Guide is a useful publication that can be purchased for a small fee by writing to:
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402
Free camping information is also available through any regional National Park Service office. Another fun way to get around, if you can afford it, is by RV or motorhome. Alaska RV trips allow travelers to be outdoors but to also escape the rain and mosquitos whenever they like.
If staying at national parks sounds too expensive, consider staying at state, county, private, or Forest Service campgrounds. The scenery and services are often less impressive than those at the national parks, but if you're on a tight budget and simply want to sleep, they're often a much better deal. You can almost always get by for less than $8 a night.
