Gone are the days when you had to lug around an actual book that would show campgrounds and RV parks in your area or to the area you were headed to. But today, there are a multitude of trip planner apps and websites that have done all the work for you – you just plug in where you want to go, and it will do the rest from suggesting stops along the way, recommended campgrounds or RV parks and even show you availability and the ability to make reservations without having to go to each individual campground.
Some apps and sites are free to use while others require a fee to use or only offer limited features in their free versions. The good news is there are a variety of trip planning tools for your next RV trip even if you are only going a few hours away or if you are planning a six month jaunt across the country sightseeing. And with the variety of websites and apps, you can easily find one (or multiples) that work for you.
Here are some of the best trip planning apps for your next RV and camping trip.
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RV Trip Wizard
This site has a yearly fee, but they offer a free 7-day trial along with a demo. This one has long been a favorite of many RVers.
RV Trip Wizard allows you to plan both short trips and long multi-month cross-country trips as well. Includes campgrounds, RV parks as well as places such as rest stops, truck stops, Walmarts and other points of interest. They also include reviews for campgrounds and parks.
RV Trip Wizard is available as both an app and on the website.
Road Trippers
Road Trippers is both a website and an app and helps build your trip by setting a starting point and a destination. You can plan on the website and then export it to the app as well, if you like to plan things on your computer first.
It is free with limited features, such as planning a trip with fewer waypoints in your trip plan. You can upgrade to a yearly subscription for a fee (currently $29.99) to unlock all the premium features.
Campendium
Campendium features not only traditional paid campgrounds but also free ones. But one of my favorite features is the included information about cell signal and internet availability for those of us who work on the road. Offers both a website and an app.
One nice feature of Campendium is they are trying to keep on top of campgrounds that are opening and closing due to the pandemic, as well as seasonal openings and closings.
All Stays
All Stays covers all the pitstops you might need when you are on the road, such as truck stops, gas stations, rest stops and more. Also includes campgrounds and RV parks with filters to allow you to see only what you need.
If you are on Android however, you are out of luck, as their app is available for iOS only.
RV Life’s Campground Reviews
This campground review website features over 20k campgrounds and RV parks throughout the US with plenty of reviews and feedback about every campground and park.
Even if you use another trip planner, this site is great to check on reviews for every campground or RV park before you book.
RV Parky
The RV Parky app covers just RV parks, they do not list information about free campgrounds or other types of boondocking sites. Their app is available for both Android and iOS.
KOA Trip Planner
If you are a fan of KOAs, the KOA Trip Planner allows you to plan your trip with stops at local KOAs. Lists all the KOAs that are available in both Canada and the US. This is available on their website.
Harvest Hosts
Harvest Hosts is also another paid yearly subscription, but it gives you access to vineyards, breweries, hobby farms and other types of unique places to stay. Most have no amenities (although a few do) and they highly suggest you purchase something from each place you stay, such as having appys in their restaurant or cafe or purchasing a bottle of wine.
You are only allowed to stay one night in each place (although some allow more if you ask politely) and you need to phone before you arrive to check for space. While not a trip planner itself, you won’t see these locations as potential stops on any of the other trip planners.
Boondockers Welcome
If you are looking for boondocking sites (sites without hookups), Boondockers Welcome is another membership site that lists places that allow you to stay. Some places to allow longer than a single night stay.
Passport America
If you travel frequently during the offseason, the Passport America membership might be worth it as it offers 50% discounts on stays at many campgrounds for short duration stays. Most are only available during the off-season, however.
Gas Buddy
Not specifically an RV planner, but Gas Buddy will help you stop at gas stations with lower-priced gas or diesel on the road. Enter in your start and end point for your trip each day and it will help you plan your gas stops based on the cheapest prices that day. It also includes an estimator for how much gas it will cost each day for travelling by simply entering your start/stop points as well as the make and model of your vehicle. A website as well as an app.
US Public Lands App
If you like to boondock on BLM land, the US Public Lands app is a must as it will check for you that you are on BLM land and haven’t accidentally crossed over the border onto someone’s private property. Also includes listings and maps for all BLM land in the US. Available for Android and iOS.
Free Campsites.Net
Free Campsites is a popular website but they do not have an app available. However, you need to read the descriptions for each campground carefully as not all take RVs and some are restricted by tent camping only.
Did we miss any of your favorite trip planning tools?
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