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RV CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN NATION'S FORESTS, PARKS AND CAMPGROUNDS

RESTON, Va. -- When planning your next family vacation or weekend getaway, why not combine the adventures of outdoor life with the comforts of home and go camping in a recreation vehicle (RV)?

There are 16,000 campgrounds throughout the U.S. on both public and private lands which accommodate RVs -- motorhomes, conversion vehicles, travel trailers, folding camping trailers and truck campers. Here's how to find the camping spot that's right for you.

  • Privately-Owned Campgrounds -- There are approximately 8,500 of these popular family-oriented properties located near national parks and forests, popular tourist attractions, along interstates and in cities and small towns. Many are also vacation destinations in their own right, offering pools, playgrounds, organized activities, convenience stores and much more to campers. Luxury RV resorts offers such amenities as golf courses, health clubs, tennis courts and whirlpools. More information about campgrounds can be obtained from the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC), 8605 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 201, Vienna, VA 22182.
  • Kampgrounds of America (KOA), North America's largest campground chain, offers a free Directory, Road Atlas & Camping Guide when you stop by any one of more than 550 campgrounds. To order the directory by mail, send $3 to cover postage to: KOA Directory, P.O. Box 30558, Billings, MT, 59114-0588.
  • National Parks --At the nation's 367 national parks there are over 440 developed campgrounds offering 29,000 campsites. Camping facilities are generally simple and rustic, but set amidst some of the nation's most spectacular scenery. A new toll-free number is available to make reservations at some of the busiest National Parks. The number is 1-800-36502267.
  • National Forests --The USDA Forest Service boasts more than 4,000 developed campgrounds in its 156 forests, covering more than 191 million acres of land with 124,629 miles of trails, 128,000 miles of streams and rivers, 16,500 miles of coasts and shorelines and 2.2 million acres of lakes. For information on camping in the national forests, write to individual forest supervisors. A list is available free by writing to the USDA Forest Service, Public Affairs Office, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 20090-6090. Site reservations can be made for many of the major national campgrounds by calling MISTIX at 1-800-280-CAMP.
  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Recreation Sites -- The BLM oversees 270 million acres of scenic outdoor recreation sites in the western United States, including Alaska. Recreation activities from hunting to hang gliding abound in BLM areas. For camping information, write to BLM, Department of Interior-MIB, 1849 C Street N.W., Room 5600, Washington, D.C. 20240.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects -- Corps projects have created 53,000 campsites at recreation areas near oceans, rivers, and lakes. For specific information about the campsites and a list of additional publications available, write to: OCE Publication, Depot, 2803 52nd Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781-1102.
  • National Wildlife Refuges -- The 504 National Wildlife Refuges are dedicated to wildlife conservation. Camping is allowed if compatible with conservation efforts at each location. A free list of refuges that permit camping is included in "National Wildlife Refuges -- A Visitor's Guide," which highlights facilities and activities offered on refuges. This publication is available from: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Publications Department, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 130 (WEBB), Arlington, VA 2203; include publication title with your our request.
  • State and Local Parks -- In addition to the federal and privately owned campgrounds, the nation is dotted with thousands of state and local-run facilities. To find out what's available in a particular area, contact the local travel and tourism bureau for camping information. For a free list of state travel directors send self-addressed, business-size envelope to the Travel Industry Association of America, 1100 New York Ave., N.W., Suite 450, Washington, DC, 20005.

A free booklet on "Choosing & Using Your RV" and a complete directory of RV shows, publications and clubs is available by writing to: RVIA, Dept. PR, P.O. Box 2999, Reston, VA 20195-0999.

Several companies publish national campground directories which list camping opportunities nationwide at both private and public campgrounds. The most widely known guides are: Trailer Life's RV Campground & Services Directory, Wheelers RV Resort & Campground Directory, and Woodall's Campground Directory. Campground directories divide their listings by state and include information about the campground's location, amenities offered, calendar of operations and a telephone number to call for reservations. These publications are available in many bookstores or as reference books in local libraries.