Campground Memberships and Trip Planning

[sterrell04]

We are putting the finishing touches on our rehab and should be taking our weekend "tester" trip of 2 days into the north Georgia mountains the first week in May. Afterwards and if all goes well (and/or we can tidy up the hopefully little things that might not go so well), we plan to map out and take a more extensive trip beginning in late May.

For doing an extensive trip, can one of you more experienced RV'ers give some insight on if we should purchase campground memberships (ie. KOA, Good Sam, etc.) and the benefits of doing so?

Also, with new technology (websites, apps, etc) what is the best method for planning a longer trip of up to several weeks and maybe a few months?

Lastly, we'd like to take our dog, so include thoughts on that if you have any as well.

Thanks in advance.
Shane

[offspringin]

Feels good to get her on the road.

As far as memberships go, we have never had one to multi state group. We do generally buy a state park pass for GA if we are camping enough in the year. Generally we stay at state parks, no matter what the state is. We prefer those because they always seem to be about the same in quality and what is provided etc etc.

As far as how to reserve, with the state park systems it has always been easy for us. I know some of the parks in SC and FL (and maybe now GA) are on the ReserveAmerica system so you can use one account to keep track of all of them. Some non-state parks do use this system as well. Its a real nice system, has photos loaded of each side, standard specs like how close to water, what kind of hook up and max length of site etc etc. Makes it real easy to pick a nice site based on your needs. Most campgrounds all you to book up to 11 months in advance. Busy campgrounds are already booked for peak months. I never go anywhere without reservations, i never trust the walk-up options.

We have never done a trip longer than 9 days but i think a long trip would be just the same. that being said some systems will not let you double book two parks with the same dates. Also there are fees involved with changing dates (usually 10 bucks or so) and even canceling with Florida i know its like 17.95 to cancel.

Most parks are dog friendly, depending on breed. Usually a 2 dog limit (sometimes a LB limit). Most have obvious leash laws etc, some parks have hitching posts outside bathhouses or offices which is nice. If you end up at a beach location make sure you know the rules before taking the dog on the beach. I think most beaches in GA and FL are no dogs (Ty-bee Island has a huge fine in fact). SC allows dogs on the beaches it seems and there are plenty of them out there.