Customer Reviews

Don Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds: Western Edition (12th Edition)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We took this book out west through Colorado, New Mexico & Utah and had a blast finding these "out of the way" campgrounds. Great discriptions and directions to these sites and only 1 of the campgrounds we visited was not there any more. I would suggest everyone who likes to camp out of the crowded campgrounds and doesn't require hookups or showers to get this book. It's wonderful!

We are traveling the US for almost a year and have purchased the East as well as the West edition before we started. Besides the fact, that we found only a few nice spots described in those books so far, our comments are as follows:

1. The contents of both editions are outdated - certain camgrounds do
simply not exist any more for years!!
2. The directions are awful if not wrong
3. We spent more diesel on finding the described campgrounds than we saved
not to mention the hazzle, driving around in circles
4. Lots of directions seem to be copied from other books we have and are
as wrong as they are in those
5. Campgrounds indicated in the maps by numbers (icons) are not part of
the book anymore
6. The icons in the maps are close to impossible to read (use a
magnifier)

Overall we can absolutely NOT recommend those books to anybody.

This book does what it says. It lists low or no cost campgrounds, they may not be where you want to go or fit your mega motorhome, that's what commercial parks are for. I don't know if it is all-inclusive but it certainly has most of the campgrounds that I know of in areas in which I am familiar.

Can't agree with the gentleman who says it is only for the young. I am 65 with a 23 foot B+ and have found numerous out of the way as well as near the Interstate places to stay for peanuts. The information tends to get dated quickly, but seems to be OK when getting just the relative costs (what was $5 is now $10, etc.) Maps are a little primative but there is SO MUCH information in the text. I just ordered the 2005 editions (East and West) for my upcoming trips.

Most of the selected campsites are really really remote...especially if you have a motorhome. If you're under 30, on a limited budget, and love to camp, this book's for you. Unfortunately, I am 62, with arthritis, failing vision, and a motorhome that's a b*tch to maneuver. If you're in the latter category, there are better guidebooks to buy (you may have to pay more than $12 for a campsite but you'll have water, power and a dump station).

We have used this great little book many times to do overnight stays. Have found many very nice, town, city---sometimes free-- sometimes $5.00,sometimes with elec. And it nice to get off the hiway & not have to stay in a Walmart or truck stop. We do not like paying $25.00 to $30.00 just to park by 5 P.M. & be up & on our way by 7 A.M. the next morning! By finding only one park for one night, even with the price this book costs, you have already saved money!!! Highly recommend it!!

'nuff said.

(Though it could use better maps...)

Pretty much every campground I've been at in the last five years was found in here. It's a decent roundup of spots in each state. On the downside, the maps could be better, and the pages are the weak paper found in cheap novels. I'll continue to use it, and may buy the new edition before I go camping again.

Like some of the other reviewers, I was disappointed in finding erroneous info in some areas of this book. But the real value in buying it, is in learning about all these little known campgrounds, many on public lands. In fact, at the beginning of each state's listings, they list all the various agencies and their phone numbers so you can contact them ahead of time. We bought these books (Eastern & Western editions) after buying our new camper in 2007. Having the ability to be self-contained - and hating "parking lot camping" - we wanted to try boondocking. Instead, we discovered an amazing amount information on public lands with primitive campgrounds. The title is a little deceiving, as many of the reduced rates are limited to seniors. But the fact that they are listed at all, allows us to get on the Internet and track down more info. No, I wouldn't use this as a sole directory if I were on the road with camper in tow, looking for a place to pull off for the night. But we find it a great starting point for finding the most amazing places we never knew existed; and we've been having a great time checking them out. In fact, this book helped us find a fantastic destination again this summer. If you know how to use this book, it's well worth the investment.

We have enjoyed so many of the camping sites in this book when traveling in our motor home. We never would have found them otherwise. It is also an easy book to use.