Put another way, it means that we need to be aware that we are caretakers of our environment for our children, and grandchildren. What should you look for in a sustainable campground?

Leave the land as undisturbed as possible

When building a campground, the ultimate goal should be to maintain and support the natural environment.

o There should be a sense of seclusion for each hookup with greenery providing privacy screening.
o Walkways should be wooden boardwalks above the ground level to avoid disturbing the eco-system as little as possible.
o Ideally, waste from the toilets, and gray water from showers should be used to nourish the plants.
o Any buildings on the campground should be prefabricated, and heavy equipment activity kept to a minimum.

Conscientious use of energy and resources

Look for energy efficient electric lights and appliances – and use them in your own motorhome.

o Do you see any labor saving devices being used that conserve energy?
o Do they use solar paneling as a power source?
o Have you begun using solar paneling instead of a generator in your toy hauler?
o Check for the quality of air indoors, and for signs of water conservation such as showerheads that help reduce water use.
o How pure is the water?
o Does the campground recycle organic matter into compost to be used in the plantings, and reusable containers?

Cultural and local preservation – an important part of being green

On a green campground, safety for wildlife and people will be visibly important. Respect for both the earth, and the people who live in the area will be evident.

o Does the campground store demonstrate that they encourage the local economy?
o Fresh produce and other food should be purchased as locally as possible to be cooked while fresh in your Class C motorhome.

The more aware you are of what it means to support sustainable campgrounds and camping, the more things you will find to incorporate into your own camping routines. Being “green” is no longer a fad. It’s a way of life for many people who have discovered how much richer it makes them feel.

Northern Oregon’s coastal campgrounds include an amazing variety of photogenic sites. In fact, the Oregon coast is one of the most photographed places in the world. From the hundred-year-old wreck of the Peter Irdale sea schooner at Ft. Stevens State Park to horseback riders on the beach at Nehalem Bay State Park to the gorgeous overlooks at Cape Lookout State Park, picturesque locations abound.

Whether you’re a luxury RV camper, a tenter, or somewhere in-between, there are many campgrounds to choose from. The following list of campgrounds from north to south is not exhaustive, but highlights some of the best camping spots on the northern Oregon coast.

The northernmost state park on the Oregon coast and not to be missed is Fort Stevens State Park. One of the nation’s largest public campgrounds, Fort Stevens State Park has many recreation opportunities including lake swimming, beach-combing, nine miles of bicycle trails, six miles of hiking trails, and a museum with displays dating back to the Civil War.

If your number one campground criteria is full hookups for your RV, Kampers West RV Park is surrounded by natural wooded habitat and has full RV services. For fishermen there are complete facilities for cleaning and storing your catch, plus a crab cooking and cleaning station. A large clubroom accommodating up to 100 people and a smaller clubroom with capacity of 35 people are also available for your family reunions.

As you make your way south down the coast, Thousand Trails campground in Seaside, Oregon may appeal to you. It is a membership facility that may offer a free night for visiting. With its indoor and outdoor recreation facilities it is a year-round destination. Surrounded by scenic and historic sites in Seaside, you can go whale watching, hiking, biking, salt-water fishing, and swimming in the summer. Or visit the Lewis and Clark historical sites, the air museum, the Seaside Aquarium and the factory outlet stores in the cooler months. A highlight of this campground is an indoor pool and spa.

Continuing south to Cannon Beach is Cannon Beach RV Resort which is also a full-service, full-hookup facility with an indoor pool and spa that can accommodate campers from tent-trailer to RVs. Escape to the coast and stay in your home at the beach!

Although state parks don’t usually have full RV hookups, they offer the advantage of lots of open space and beaches. A serene, long, sandy ocean beach and recreation activities including crabbing, fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding make picturesque Nehalem Bay State Park a great camping destination.

A few miles south of Rockaway Beach on the north shore of Tillamook Bay is Barview Jetty County Park. Here you’ll find a surprisingly large campground with 69 full hookup RV sites and over 200 tent sites. From this campground you’ll have easy access to the beach.

To finish out the survey of the great campgrounds on the north Oregon coast I can’t fail to mention Cape Lookout State Park. Located on a sand spit on the Oregon coast between Netarts Bay and the ocean, Cape Lookout State Park has a popular campground and day-use area with a terrific view of the Pacific Ocean and easy access to the beach. There are two walking trails and beach-combing is also popular there.

These are some of the best Oregon coast campgrounds but there are many others. There is so much beauty in this region I’m sure whichever you choose you’ll relish the memories of your visit to the Oregon coast.

People visiting an RV campground for the first time will often discover a tremendous camaraderie among all the campers. The chances are you can meet people that share your love of the great outdoors. As a matter of fact, many vacationers say that they have made many life-long friends while camping in an RV and now go on trips with their friends year in and year out.

At RV camps you can find many of the most desirable vacation possibilities around, such as breathtaking scenery, challenging hiking trails, and many offer a full selection of water sports. Of course, there are also just the simple joys of camping such as gazing at the sunrise and sunset, watching birds flying in flocks, and just simply smelling the fresh cool night air.

There are over 1,000,000 people each year that spend at least part of their vacation in an RV. They often engage in many outdoor activities as well such as hiking on trails, riding horses, snowboarding and kayaking.

Finding RV campgrounds is very easy online, where there is a lot of information for you. Just enter the keywords into the search box at your favorite search engine: “RV Campgrounds” (without the quotes). Many sites will be listed, and it is suggested you try a few of the sites out. Many sites will have helpful hints for first-time campers, let you find and get detailed information on parks, find rentals, let you find camping events happening in your area and even help you plan your trip.

When finding a campground for your RV, you need to make sure they offer a few facilities to make your experience more convenient. Ask if there is a water spigot in each camping slot for your RV to connect to, or find out if they only offer a water refilling station. Also find out if there is an electrical hookup to connect your RV to in the camping slots so that you do not have to exhaust your RV batteries or electrical generator fuel. Finally, decide if you will also want to take some mopeds or even your car along so that you can travel around at the campground or use it to see the sites instead of your RV to save fuel.

No matter what type of recreational vehicle you use from a folding camping trailer, travel trailer, van conversion, truck camper, mini-motorhome to a full-blown motorhome there are campgrounds that will be happy to help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest. Just make sure you check either online or by phone that the camp will support your specific type of RV first, and you will save yourself a lot of stress and aggravation later.

By Jay Aydelotte

Get an RV park and campground directory. You’ll find them at book and RV accessory stores. The directories list the RV parks and campgrounds by area. You simply open the book to the area where you want to stay to find the campgrounds available.

Each individual listing will include information about the campground, its facilities and fees. Owners of large rigs should pay particular attention to the campground’s size limitations.

Commercial directories don’t always list the government campgrounds. Try to obtain listings or directories of the National, State, County and City campgrounds in the areas you are visiting.

Reservations at campgrounds and RV parks should be made according to the location and time of year just as you would at a hotel or motel. If you want to stay on a holiday or summer weekend, reservations might be wise. If you will arrive during the middle of the week or during the off season, reservations may not be necessary.

Many RVers prefer to travel without the constraints of an itinerary. They don’t make reservations because they don’t know where they will be on any given day. Others, with a particular destination and time frame in mind, will secure their campsite by making reservations. RVing offers this freedom of choice.

Before stopping for the night, refer to your campground directory. Select a couple of RV parks or campgrounds that fit your needs and budget. It’s not a bad idea to personally check the facilities, especially the restroom and laundry, before registering. This can be important if you plan to use the showers or wash a load of clothes.

Government campgrounds frequently let you drive through, select an empty site and then return to register. Camping fees are generally the same for all the sites.

RV parks and commercial campgrounds will generally register you and assign you to a campsite immediately upon your arrival. Camping fees will vary according to the hookup facilities you request and, on occasion, the size and location of the site.

Most RV parks and campgrounds post their campsite rates on a board behind the registration desk. Typically, there is a basic overnight fee with additional charges for each hookup service. There may also be additional charges for more than two persons, pets, additional vehicles and use of air conditioners or electric heaters.

Many RVers want full hookups every night and are willing to pay for them, others may only request electric and water hookups. They will use the campground’s disposal station when they leave in the morning. Some RVers will ask for just a “dry” campsite.

A lot of RV parks and campgrounds offer discounts to members of RV clubs. Some offer weekly and monthly rates. Inquire about discounts and rates before registering.

Ask for:

• Use your campground directory(s) to compare the prices of campgrounds in the area you wish to spend the night.
• Take advantage of your RV or other club discounts.
• Select and only pay for the utility hookups you need.
• Ask about weekly or monthly rates.
• Don’t overlook the sometimes less expensive campgrounds in National, State, County and City parks.
• And our favorite, cultivate lots of friends with long driveways.

Missouri is a family vacation wonderland. From the riverboats that cruise the Mississippi River to the many historic attractions scattered throughout the state, Missouri offers families a place where they can enjoy the natural and historical wonders of the United States. Here, the Ozark Mountains offer outdoor lovers a place to climb, hike and explore, and the cities of Kansas City and St. Louis offer more urban and culture attractions. If you prefer the solitude of the woods or the bustle of a city, Missouri RV lodgings are located near all of the attractions of the state.

The beautiful Ozark Mountains cover much of the southern part of the state of Missouri, and they also provide a home to a little town that’s exploded into the entertainment capital of the area: Branson, Missouri. Known as both a location for natural exploration and wholesome family entertainment, Branson has become a very popular location for families to enjoy multiple facets of the state. Here, you can stay in your RV in a park that feels as if it is in complete wilderness, but you will still only be a small distance away from all that the city of Branson has to offer.

One of the popular Missouri RV lodgings located in this area of the state is the Branson Shenanigans RV Park, located within the city limits of Branson, Missouri. Many visitors to this park have listed as the best RV park or lodging they have been to, and from the list of amenities it is easy to see why. All of the 25 sites here are full hook-up, meaning that they include electricity, water and sewer. Cable TV hookup is also free at the lodging, and the spaces here are of the pull thru type for the ultimate in convenience. Handicap access to the facilities here means that everyone in your group can enjoy the park.

Also located at the Branson Shenanigans RV Park are laundry facilities, picnic tables, public phones, and impeccably clean restrooms – one visitor here described them as cleaner than the restrooms she had at home! Located close to the heart of Branson, visitors to this park can walk to many of the attractions and theaters, or they can choose to drive or use a shuttle provided by the city. The shady tree lined sites make you feel as if you are in the heart of the woods atop the Ozark Mountains, but you are really just a few minutes away from all of the city’s attractions.

The city of Branson, Missouri is a great choice for your next family vacation. With many Missouri RV lodgings located in the area, you can easily find the right choice for your stay.

(By Joe Russo)

Great lakefront spots. Fish from your rig if you want. Boating rental access for all types of boats right there on site. We rented a pontoon boat for $60/hr so that we could see the lake. There is a Small playground with a couple swings and some beat up golf carts lol. This was the end of season so it was pretty quiet. Just a long walk or short bicycle ride to Big Bear Village which was nice. We like to ride bikes with our Grandkids in child seats on the back. The scenery on the horizon was fantastic but up close the campground is a bit weathered and dated but perfectly acceptable to my standards. They have just installed 1″ rock in most of the campsites that it layed over landscape cloth so you are not right on the dirt. We will be back to stay again. We camped here in a large Class A Motorhome.