Finding Campsites

jage · 05-12-2007, 07:47 PM

I'm planning a trip in a few months, basically Tucson to Indianapolis. What I'm wondering is, how do I find those away from everybody camps along the way?

geoffff · 05-13-2007, 11:00 AM

We usually just scout ahead in our DeLorme Gazetteer map book for National Forest, BLM, or other public lands where we can hide on some little dirt backroad for the night. I'm usually especially a fan of lookout tower sites, or other roads that seem to be climbing peaks. We haven't tried this closer to the east coast where the land is more populated, however.

-- Geoff

Colorado Ken · 05-17-2007, 07:53 AM

Jage, What's your route? I may be able to help with some places in CO and MO (used to live in MO). Are you sticking to back roads or interstate? There aren't as many hidden areas near the interstates in the Midwest...they may require a little drive. Like Geoff said, look for National Forests; they are filled with forest/fire/logging roads.

jage · 05-17-2007, 08:37 AM

The route is Tucson, AZ to Indianapolis, IN. Yahoo maps gives 25 hours via Interstate.

I'm planning on up to 5 days 4 nights on the road, and won't stay more than one night anywhere. Once I hit the midwest, the final night, I'm resolved to be in a normal campground 3-4 hours from Indianapolis so the final day is an easy one.

Otherwise I'm looking for memorable drives, vistas and campsites without wasting to much time. I wouldn't pass up a worlds biggest whatever either.

I'll be the only driver, so I'd like to do about 10 hours the first day, 8, 8, 6-7, and 3-4.

Which leaves a lot of fluff and wiggle room, but that's the max. I'm probably better off doing it in 4 days, 11,9,7 and 3 or something. That's as much as is planned right now.

kenkillsr · 05-21-2007, 02:18 AM

Jage;
You'll soon realize that those lonnnnnng days take too great a toll.

And You'll miss a lot of scenery/attractions.

You only live ONCE!

Take time to enjoy the ride.

BTW, What WILL You be driving?

,

, OR

??

jage · 05-21-2007, 08:48 AM

Well it's not

for sure...

And the trip is utilitarian, so I'm trying to put as much dawdle and wander in as possible and still get there in an ostensibly responsible manner.

The general idea is to mix great, varied, memorable, and out of the way camping spots (that aren't too out of the way) with Interstate travel that eats up the miles.

If it were up to me I'd go via Alaska.

Colorado Ken · 05-22-2007, 10:14 PM

I suggest spending about 4 days in Colorado and then drive the final 20 hours straight through.

jage · 05-22-2007, 10:19 PM

I'll bet. I'm actually going to be picking up my SMB there next week and then in September camping for about a week around Meeker with my parents and brother's family.

Colorado Ken · 05-22-2007, 10:29 PM

Let me know when you'll be coming through. Will Glenwood will be on the route?

jage · 05-22-2007, 10:45 PM

It's 30 miles away, which is 1 hour 4 minutes according to Yahoo maps.

[edit]Huh, brilliant Yahoo Maps substituded the EXACT CENTER of Colorado because it didn't recognize Glenwood[/edit]

The plan is to drive be there on the 2nd (which means driving June 1st), but if the title and money are both there it could be as soon as this Friday (25th)... you can imagine I'm prepared to cut out the instant I can get it!