Woodall's Eastern Campground Directory: I Like the Website Better

Way back when I was a young girl, my parents rented an RV and we toured parts of the United States in it. It was thrilling! The only source we had for campground information at the time was a comprehensive campground directory. There was no Internet as a source of information, and if AAA had campground information than, we did not know since we weren't members. 

Fast-forward to last summer when we decided to take the plunge and invest our $600 bribe from the person in the White House in camping gear. One of the first purchases I made was Woodall's Eastern Campground Directory. 

My first read through was wonderful. There is a section on the Biggest & Bestwhich features things to see in each state of the union - as well as Canada. It was nice that even though this is the Eastern Directory, Woodall's put in information about much more than just that area. Each state featured in the directory also has its own travel section which goes more in-depth than the Biggest & Best section. I found all of this to be very helpful locating different events and sights to see. However, when I purchased the directory for this year, I found much of the information to be duplicated. 

The main function of this book is a directory. Woodall's does a good job creating a comprehensive listing for each campground. I found that there was a great deal of good information. 

The book covers campgrounds in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of COlumbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

It also covers the following areas of Eastern Canada: New Brusnwick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. 

Woodall's rates the facilities (such as hookups, dump stations, laundry, groceries and firewood) and recreation (such as activities, swimming, rec hall, fishing and arcade) at each campground. There is an explanation of how they arrive at the ratings - 1 to 5 W's. Woodall's representatives make personal inspections of privately owned RV parks & campgrounds every year to be sure the information is accurate. 

Next, there is an explanation for how to read the listing for each campground. All listings contains directions to the campground and a descriptive phrase to begin with. Each campground's facilities are rated first and there is usually a listing of what is available to campers. If tent, RV or cabin rentals are available at the campground, that information is given. The campground's recreational program is then rated with a listing given of what is available. 

The rate information for each campground is listed as a range of rates - no specific breakdown is given as to what the various rates are for the sites. The low end could be a rustic site with no hookups, or a site with minimal hookups. There is also no telling what the rates in the middle of the range are for either. If the campground accepts credit cards, that too is listed. 

Information about the acceptance of pets and handicapped accessibility is also given, as well as any restriction in the size of an RV. If the campground has an advertisement in the directory, that is referenced here. 

I do like the directory and enjoy using it. In this case, I find the advertisements to be a plus. Many of them are in color and contain pictures so I have some idea of exactly what is available and what the place looks like. The ads usually contain website addresses for the campgrounds as well. 

For RV'ers, there is information on places to have your RV serviced, as well as dealers. Woodall's also checks these places out to give some of the best information available. For RV'ers, this is a big plus to have a reliable place to get their RV serviced in unfamiliar territory. 

Although I like the directory, I would not go out an purchase it anymore year after year. One time every three to four years would probably be enough. The www.woodalls.com website has a great deal of the same information. Since many of the campgrounds also have their own websites, that is also a good source of information. However, this book is a great place to start from and get an idea of where to look.