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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Don’t hit the road without a little guidance

Julianne Crane The Spokesman-Review

Before heading out on any extended summer trips, most RVers make sure they pack along at least one up-to-date national campground directory and a current truck or RV road atlas.

When traveling to visit relatives in Oklahoma, Sue Kendrick of Davenport, Wash., takes along her Trailer Life directory.

“Normally I check the areas that I will be passing through to see what is available,” says Kendrick, who travels in a 1999 Coachman camper van.

“It is important to have some type of directory instead of just driving around looking for a campground,” she says. “You don’t want to get caught out after dark with no place to park but the local Wal-Mart.”

The popular national RV campground directories have the look of a telephone book and weigh in at a hefty 4 pounds. Both Trailer Life and Woodall’s are available in a CD format.

While information varies with each book, it usually includes some sort of rating system, campground sizes and amenities, prices and nearby recreational activities, plus reservation phone numbers, Web sites and e-mail addresses.

Top directories

Here are six of the best-selling national campground directories. Whichever one you choose, take time to understand the rating system and consider it along with other factors that are important to you.

“”2007 Trailer Life Campgrounds, RV Parks & Services Directory” (Trailer Life Books, 1,772 pages, $24.95); and “2007 RV Parks & Campground Navigator, 2 CD-ROM Set” ($59.95, Tldirectory.com).

This edition profiles nearly 12,000 private and public campgrounds. It lists ZIP codes for GPS and satellite users.

Trailer Life rates campgrounds on a 10-point scale in three areas: facilities, cleanliness of restrooms and attractiveness.

“”Woodall’s 2007 North American Campground Directory with CD” (Woodall Publishing, 2,000 pages, $29.95, Woodalls.com).

More than 15,000 government and privately-owned facilities are listed including RV service centers and attractions.

Woodall assigns two ratings on a scale of 1 to 5, one for the facility and the other for recreation.

Woodall’s also publishes a separate “Western” and “Eastern America Campground Directory” for $17.95/each.

“”Frommer’s Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in the U.S.A.” (2004, Wiley, 1,095 pages, $24.99, Frommers.com).

This directory covers campgrounds in every state except Hawaii. There are reviews of nearly 5,000 campgrounds that accommodate RVers.

Frommer’s gives 1- to 5-star ratings for beauty, privacy, quiet, cleanliness, security, spaciousness, facilities and even insect control.

“”Coleman National Forest Campground and Recreation Directory: The Only Complete Guide to All 4,300+ National Forest Campgrounds” (Globe Pequot Press, 624 pages, 2003).

This directory features campgrounds that are “tucked in remote canyons, among dense forests, alongside lakes and streams or on mountaintops.” A photo and map accompanies campground information (including camp altitudes) from every national forest.

The original list price is $19.95; however, finding one at that cost would be a small miracle. Amazon has both new and used copies selling for $49 and up.

“”Don Wright’s Guide to Free Campgrounds: Western Edition” by Don Wright (2007, Cottage Publications, 448 pages, $18.95) and “Eastern Edition” (2005, Cottage Publications, 350 pages, $18.95, Cottagepub.com, 800-272-5518).

If you are “camping on a shoestring,” Wright’s guides are worth a close look. The two editions (Western and Eastern) list thousands of campgrounds where RVers can stay for free or under $12.

Many of the campgrounds are operated by state fishing agencies and state parks, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, regional and local utility companies, and small county parks.

“”2007 the RVer’s Friend: North America Diesel/Parking Directory” (T R Information Publishers, $14.95, Truckstops.com).

This directory lists 6,600 travel centers (truck stops) in the U.S., along with what services each provides to RVers.

The guide gives information on which truck stops allow RVs to park overnight, if there is a dump station, propane and Internet access or utility hookups. It also has information on available RV mechanical services.

Maps, Milepost

“”2007 Road Master: Campground & RV Park Road Atlas” by MapQuest (Barnes & Noble Books, $19.95, Barnesnoble.com).

A comprehensive listing of more than 3,700 campgrounds and RV parks, including United States national and state parks and Canadian provincial parks. This large-size atlas features side spiral binding for convenient flat viewing.

“”Rand McNally 2007 Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas” (Rand McNally, 158 pages, $19.95, Randmcnally.com).

This large-size (approximately 15- by 11-inch) atlas covers the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is ideal for RVers with tall or long rigs; it features more than 500 new changes to low clearance, weigh station and restricted route listings.

A 22-page section lists 40,000 city-to-city routes with route-specific mileages. There are Web and hotline resources for information including revised road construction and conditions.

“”The Milepost 2007” edited by Kris Valencia (Morris Communications, 800 pages, $27.95, Milepost.com).

Technically not an atlas, this “Alaska travel bible” provides maps, photographs and diagrams of what you can expect to encounter along the major roads of the North Country.

It’s billed as the “legendary Alaska trip planner and Alaska travel guide to the highways, roads, ferries, lodgings, recreation, sightseeing attractions and services along the Alaska Highway to and within Alaska, including Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories and the Yukon.”

Where to get them

“Most of these resources are available through local booksellers, including the NorthTown Barnes & Noble and Auntie’s, and online at RVbookstore.com and Amazon.com.

“The Spokane Public Library has back copies of the Woodall’s and Trailer Life directories.

Wheel question

Which of the leading directories is your favorite and why? Let us know if you use a different directory, road atlas or online source.