There’s An APP For That
Help Is In Your Pocket
One of my favorite lines is, “There’s an app for that.” When it comes to RV travel, there certainly seems to be an app for just about everything. Here is a list of some of the ones we have found and use. Most are free or offer a free level of service, while others have an upfront fee.
From locating campgrounds and planning routes to finding fuel and food along the way, these apps can make traveling much easier. Just don’t forget to pack the maps. If you find yourself in an area without cell service, some of those apps may not be much help.
Each app has its own unique features, and we often use several of them during a trip depending on what we need at the time. We will continue adding new ones as we find and use them.
Waze
This isn’t really a camping app, but it is a very useful trip planning and navigation tool. Waze uses live information from other users to help with routing and can suggest alternate routes when there are major traffic problems ahead.
It also provides alerts for road hazards, accidents, traffic issues, and law enforcement activity, along with fuel and food locations along your route.
Waze also offers ways to share information with other users. While we haven’t used all of these features, real time information from drivers on the road can be helpful when traveling.
One feature I wish they would add is RV specific routing, particularly warnings for low clearances. For that reason, I would not rely on Waze alone when routing a larger RV.
RVParky
This is a very popular app with a lot of useful features. You can search for campgrounds in an area and click on a campground icon to see amenities, reported prices, and reviews. From there, you can find additional information, contact details, links to the campground website, photos, and more reviews.
The app also includes route planning, expense tracking, and a journaling feature for documenting your trip. We really like this app and use it regularly.
My only criticism is that some campground reviews are quite dated. Since the reviews are user driven, if you use the app, take a few minutes to leave a review. It helps all of us.
YouTube
We have been using YouTube for a long time, not just for RVing but for just about everything. Whatever the reason people have for making videos, the rest of us can certainly benefit from their experience.
If you have a question about how to fix or do something, search YouTube online or through the app. Chances are someone, and probably several people, has made a video about it.
Some videos are great, some are bad, and some are just entertaining, but most offer something useful. You quickly learn to find the ones that get right to the point rather than watching a 10 minute explanation for a one minute fix.
I’ve been told I have a face for radio, so you probably won’t be seeing any videos from me. Besides, chances are someone else has already done it!
AllStays APP
This is a very robust RVing app. It includes GPS, campground locations, links to campgrounds, and a variety of information about businesses and services along your route. They also offer several versions of the app, including one for tent camping and another featuring military campgrounds for eligible military travelers.
The app includes the common filters you would expect for campground amenities and businesses along your route. One particularly useful feature is its offline database, which can come in handy when traveling through areas with limited or no cell service.
There is also a Pro version for about $34 a year that offers more detailed maps, additional offline capabilities, and no ads. For us, as casual campers, the free version provides more than enough of what we need.
Good Sam App
This is a good one if you want to find Good Sam associated parks. It has filters so you can only see parks that are offering 50 amp service, or has a pool for example. The search is based on a radius, that you select, from your location. You can also manage your membership and seek out service and food. You can also make notes on your stays or plans within the app. Free to install, some features need Good Sam membership
Harvest Hosts – Boondockers Welcome
I found the Boondockers Welcome app just before they joined with Harvest Hosts. I really liked the concept and was a little disappointed to see that it now requires a paid membership.
The app helps you find hosts who have space for RVers to stay overnight or for a short visit. Depending on the location, some hosts may offer power or other amenities for a small fee or donation. When the host is a business, there is generally an expectation that you support the business during your stay.
This type of camping can be a great option, particularly when traveling through more rural areas. For us, the annual membership makes the most sense when we are taking an extended trip and know we will use it several times. If that fits the way you travel, it may be worth checking out. A few overnight stays could easily offset the cost of the membership.
RV Life
This was one of the first RV apps I installed. They also publish a newsletter that I have enjoyed reading for quite some time. It includes campground reviews from around the country, and I actually find myself enjoying the newsletter even more than the app.
The app includes GPS and mapping features along with links to campground listings, making it another useful tool when planning a trip or looking for a place to stay along the way.
Give the app a try. It works well, and be sure to check out the newsletter too. I think it is worth the time.
KOA
This is pretty much what you would expect from KOA. It is an app version of their website that makes it easy to find KOA campgrounds, make and manage reservations, and keep track of your KOA Rewards.
It is a simple, easy to use app without a lot of extras. If you stay at KOA campgrounds, it is definitely one worth having on your phone.
Open Roads and Mudflap
Open Roads and Mudflap both offer ways for diesel users to save money at participating truck stops. While the programs work in a similar way, they use different formulas to determine their fees and discounts, and each works with different brands and locations of truck stops.
We use both because the best price can vary depending on where you are traveling and which truck stops are available along your route. Having both apps gives us more options when it is time to fill up.
For more information, check out the Open Roads and Mudflap apps or visit Our Blog for a more in depth look at how the programs work and how we use them to save on fuel.
Found a Great App?
We are always looking for the next great app. If you have one you think we should check out, click below and send us your suggestion along with what you like about it. We’ll give it a try and may add it to our list.