Parking cycle - two weeks or two months?

[offroad]

Well it seems that parking, while traveling with a boondocking theme, is to stay a short time.  Maybe overnight and move.  That's a great lifestyle if you are in motion to get to a new destination.

If you want to use BLM land or even go to paid state parks or paid private parks, you end up in a two week cycle.  Moving 26 times a year seems pretty tough, and people do what they have to.

Are there any that are doing long term parking?  What are your secrets and tips for finding a place for two to four months?  Am speculating that the changing seasons would warrant a move.  But can you find places to stay for two months?  Is it crazy expensive?  Do people just end of buying a location?

 

[Almost There]

Where do you want to stay for a couple of months?

With that information, I'm sure people will chime in with what they've found.

 

[offroad]

Would like to follow the seasons. Three months in a nice weather area. Then move to a new location. Not sure that can be done, as many places tend to limit to two weeks. Unless you are paying a lot. Will need to research long term stay costs at private campgrounds maybe, versus finding some creative property owner who is good on a three month stay

 

[Sameer]

Flagstaff and Williams are wonderful for the Summer. By Friday Phoenix will be 115 and here in Flag we will be in the low 80's. Williams you can camp 'forever' in the right spot. Here in Flag is is a little bit different, depending on the enforcement. After 14 days I want so see a new view around me so it is no problem to pack it up and move. There are many good places to Boondock in this area. I don't stay in campgrounds because I will not leash my dog. Come to Arizona and find a wonderful place. It is a most beautiful State...year round!

 

[compassrose]

From a non-stealther & non-boondocker who prefers to stay on full hookups (cheaper), so you may want to ignore....

Public parks are not necessarily cheaper than private parks. Not all county parks are two weeks. We were in Chester Frost (Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN) for 28 days then would bounce to Harrison Bay SP for 14 days then back to Chester Frost for 28 days. We had to be out of Chester Frost for 7 days before we could pull back in. Ended up in private parks because monthly site rent was cheaper than public parks. We eventually ended up in Racoon Mtn. This was back when we were living in a hardsided popup. I was very surprised to find that it was cheaper to stay in a private park on a monthly rate compared to a public park for the same time frame. I have discovered that I pay roughly the same amount for a 2-3 week stay in a w/e public park as I do for a monthly stay in a full hookup private park. Public parks are not the bargain they used to be. Monthly stays (yes, I have stayed in state parks for over a month at a time) costs me well over $600 per month. When I start traveling again, I plan on staying for a month at a time in one place, low-cost (50% off passport america parks) or freedom parking where I can between destination points. Not sure how long I will keep that up.


Current prices for a 4 week (monthly) stay (no taxes added + TN has 9.25% tax rate):
Chester Frost - $658 (23.50 w/e non-resident X 28)
Harrison Bay SP - $770 (27.50 w/e X 28 yes, I know it's a 14 day max stay)
Racoon Mtn - $615. 72  (21.99 is the daily rate for full hookup I don't know what the monthly rates are as they are not published but probably about $300 - $400)

Part of the reason that monthly rates in private parks are so much cheaper is due to the taxes. A daily/weekly site is subject to the same high county/state bed and tourism taxes that hotels/motels charge (and often hidden in the nightly rate so you don't know how much bed tax you are paying) . Monthly sites are considered in the same category as rental apartments and houses, so those high county/state bed and tourism taxes are not levied.

 

[offroad]

Great information Sameer. As long as I can move. I would be good in AZ

Thanks compass rose !!

 

[Almost There]

Here's the link to the Long Term Visitors Area campgrounds in AZ and CA that might be what you're looking for, for at least part of the year.

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ltvas.html

 

[akrvbob]

Where I camp in Az, there are homeless people who have lived in the same spot for many years on BLM land. Every year when I go back they are still there. There are some Canadians here who spend 5 1/2 months in the exact same spot every year--they are only allowed 6 months in the USA.

You can live year around at the Slabs.

AZ and CA it's easy to do.
Bob

 

[blars]

While the Colorado river area winter LTVAs are more well known, there are summer LTVA campgrounds in the Bishop, CA area.

 

[ttpadilla]

Here's the link to the Long Term Visitors Area campgrounds in AZ and CA that might be what you're looking for, for at least part of the year.

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/elcentro/recreation/ltvas.html

Silly question: Does the LTVA pass only apply to one LTVA campground for the 7 month period, or can you move between sites as the urge to see new surroundings strikes? If mobile, does it apply from state to state, or just sites within a state? Either way, you can bet I bookmarked that link!!

 

[akrvbob]

It works at all LTVA sites, but they are all in the desert of CA and AZ except for the summer LTVAs which are along highway 395 near Bishop CA. Summer and winter don't mix.

I think they are all within 25 miles of the Colorado river except for Holtville which is about 50 miles due west of Yuma.

Not all of them have facilities, some have none.
Bob

 

[Almost There]

The LTVA pass allows winter camping of any length during the 'winter' time period on any of the LTVA campgrounds.

Some of the campgrounds only allow those of us without built in 10 gallon waste water tanks to camp in specific areas of some (not all) of the campgrounds.

During the summer they impose a 14 day rule on the LTVAs with a separate pass requirement.

I, of course, have never been to any of them but for someone who is looking for longer term really inexpensive camping in an organized campground as opposed to boondocking this may be a way to go.

 

[wayne49]

I'm looking at the web page for Tuttle Creek and the Fees are not clear to me. Does the LTVA still require $5 per night?


http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bishop/camping/tuttle.html

Fees:
First Come, First Served, No reservations accepted (except for the group campsite - see below).
$5.00/night per site, 
Long Term Visitor Area permits accepted, 
Golden Age and Golden Access passes accepted for daily fee discounts.

Thanks.

 

[blars]

Turtle creek is $5/night unless you have the summer LTVA pass.

 

[ttpadilla]

It works at all LTVA sites, but they are all in the desert of CA and AZ except for the summer LTVAs which are along highway 395 near Bishop CA. Summer and winter don't mix.

I think they are all within 25 miles of the Colorado river except for Holtville which is about 50 miles due west of Yuma.

Not all of them have facilities, some have none.
Bob

Thank you!  With my two youngest sons in San Diego, it would be nice to have a place to stay for a little while near enough to visit. The one near the border looks pretty close.

 

[ttpadilla]

The LTVA pass allows winter camping of any length during the 'winter' time period on any of the LTVA campgrounds.

Some of the campgrounds only allow those of us without built in 10 gallon waste water tanks to camp in specific areas of some (not all) of the campgrounds.

During the summer they impose a 14 day rule on the LTVAs with a separate pass requirement.

I, of course, have never been to any of them but for someone who is looking for longer term really inexpensive camping in an organized campground as opposed to boondocking this may be a way to go.

I would like the option of both, depending on where I go. I was sad to see large "No Overnight Parking" signs at the WalMart in San Diego, as well as the Rest Area near Oceanside. It seems that city ordinances will increasingly limit our options. Camping World in Roseville and Rocklin, although the Free Camping website says they allow overnight parking, do not, because of city ordinances.

 

[akrvbob]

Nana, I'm assuming you are talking about the Holtville LTVA, the Slabs is just north of it and you can live there for free year around. There is plenty of 14 day land around Holtville and I know people used to spend the whole winter there but there may be more enforcement now.

There is a free Hot Springs there which is it's big attraction.
Bob

 

[ttpadilla]

Nana, I'm assuming you are talking about the Holtville LTVA, the Slabs is just north of it and you can live there for free year around. There is plenty of 14 day land around Holtville and I know people used to spend the whole winter there but there may be more enforcement now.

There is a free Hot Springs there  which is it's big attraction.
Bob

Yessir, that's the one! For some reason I always thought the Slabs were in AZ. Thanks for setting me straight!

 

[blars]

There's a casino about 30 miles east of san diego where you can spend 3 nights free, check in with security. IIRC I got a free buffet for joining their club.

 

[Ken in Anaheim]

Regarding the LTVA areas and the requirement for a fixed waste tank of 10+ gallons (no porta-potties).  How have most van dwellers handled that ? Is it actually enforced ?
KinA