Hello and I have newbie questions

[MikeO]

I found this link at sport-touring.net and I'm glad that I did. Seems like a great bunch of guys here and I've read through a lot of great info.

Well, before I go any further. I am a college student and I want to learn more about moto-camping. I've been having dreams about running away on my bike and cruising across the country. I think this will be my last layed-back summer and want to take advantage of it while it's here.

I have a 2002 Katana 750 that I take a lot of day trips on. I've taken a few multi-day trips but they have all involved staying at friends/family house or meeting my folks in their RV to stay the night. No real camping trips.

I have looked online for campsites and they all require a reservation -- Is this true for most campsites?

I've heard some people say they prefer, "rural camping," and that they dont pay for their campsite. Where are these people camping and how do they find these places? I remember camping at places that definitley weren't campsites, but this was part of a group when I was in highschool.

How much should I expect to spend per day of a trip.

Any recommended reading to get started would be helpful. I have all the luggage and am ready to go I guess. I'm looking at campsite's a day's trip away from me in New Hampshire's White Mountain region but every campsite I've found takes a reservation and seems like a semi-crowded deal with 50+ spots.

Nice to meet you all.

[dannyk]

Reservations may be needed in lots of the more RV type campgrounds here is a link that might help you out.
http://www.freecampgrounds.com

[Mellow]

MikeO, welcome to the site.

Sounds like you have a great adventure ahead of you.

As far as campsites, the free link above is a good one.

Typically, I'll hit state or national parks and they are around $10-15 per night. KOAs are convenient but usually cost as much as a Motel-6.

Above that, you'll just spend as much as you want to eat, if you bring your own food it can be cheaper but with your bike you'll probably want to keep things as light as possible. I can live for months on sandwiches.

Always have water with you, whether it's a camelbak or just a container, it's a necessity.

There will be many more suggestions, great guys there.

[mongo]

Hello MikeO. I have crossed the country several times and have never reserved a campsite. Like Mellow said State parks, National forests sites (there are links on this forum for them) are usually what I like. There are M/C only campgrounds that are nice. On multi week trips I usually stay at least once at KOA's for clothes washing. My first trip across country I just winged it and always found campsites. You should have a ball.

[Trailace]

Welcome MikeO !
There has only been one time I could not find a place to camp in the last 6 years and that was off-season in Missouri. So if your going to the north in November do some research ad make a few calls first. I?m with Joe here as well State and Nat Parks work well but can get crowded on the Holidays. If you find somewhere but it is full you can always talk to the ranger and they will usually let you set your tent somewhere. Just tell them you have been riding all day and just can go any further.

[nomad dan]

A lot of the KOA types that are near freeways fill up with RV's, but not tents. I have found that there is often room for tent camping, even though they say they are full to RV's.

[Motocentaur]

If you ask local riders "Gee, is there any cool place to pitch a tent around here," you'll often get clued in to some great unofficial camping spots. I found a spot off a dirt road complete with a waterfall in New York's Finger Lakes region this way.