When most people talk about generic vs. name brand it is in the context of the grocery store. Sure, the name brands always come in nicer packaging and are marketed by the fresh-faced people of the world (and have the cost that goes with that). But for the most part, generic brands are just as good, sometimes even made by the same factories as the name brands! Ah, the old school black and white packaging and the simple, non-glamorous names: Bran Cereal, Textured Soy Protein, Disinfectant, Brown Bags. However, in this case I am speaking in terms of parks…National Parks vs. Other Parks in the Area.

Just as new parents who buy nothing but organic, hand-sewn, lilac-infused diapers from Sweden…those same parents after another child or mounds of debt will use clean, slightly moist paper towels from the trash to wipe a hiney. And after waiting in line at 7:30 in the morning and paying $30 to enter a national park only to find no parking available at any of the hyped-up, bright and shiny, van life-YouTube influencer-touted spots…those same travelers will be just as satisfied enjoying the same geography, views and area history for next to nothing in quiet, calmer parks near that national park and throughout the country. It’s a shame that travelers ignore the rest of the state just to get to that Oz that is the national park!

One of the first things we do when we set up camp in any new campground is do a general Google search: parks near me or preserve near me. Most places we have visited have been found simply by those searches. And the most we have paid is $5 to park, actually near our current spot at South Yuba River State Park. Wow! Great trails, topography, remains of a resort from 80+ years ago, visitors’ center, birds, rolling rapids, teamster and gold rush history and the Bridgeport Bridge, the longest, single-span covered wooden bridge IN THE WORLD. Who knew?

There is so much more to say on the often overlooked  parks all around us at any time and any place. Even when we lived in Columbus for seven years we would meet people who had never gone to a single metro park in the city. Why not? They are free! And amazing! And you don’t even have to be a full-time RVer to enjoy them!

We plan on continuing our use of budget-friendly generic tofu, toilet paper and area parks as we do our best to save money and see as much as we can in life! And the cats enjoy their catio views regardless!