jules2go Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Hello all and happy almost springtime, I'm starting to plan a trip out west this year and will be working from my camper, so thought maybe some folks on this site could recommended their favorite campgrounds in the southwest vicinity (including CO) that have the best cell tower reception for internet. I have done a fair amount of homework on the topic of remote work and getting a good signal and many of the challenges it poses, and so I know there are a million variables involved. But can you recommend your favorite cg/blm where you've done remote work? Also let me know what aspects of the cg made it your favorite to work from please. If the cg is under 50.00/night that is a plus; BLM/free is great. Thank you. Quote Nucamp T@b 320S, Toyota Tacoma Asheville. NC Don't postpone joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 I've found the cell tower map site below to be helpful in determining the proximity of the towers to the park I'm in or planning to use. Use the "Location" drop down to enter the location of interest, and then enter 310 in the "Provider" box to select the T-Mobile and AT&T listings, or 311 for the Verizon listings. https://www.cellmapper.net/ Quote Dutch 2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS 2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 (edited) Southwest is a huge, huge, huge area and first we all have to agree on what is included. A lot of people include Texas. Can we get a little more specific about where you want to go. BTW, the temperatures are about to start their climb, so hope you like hot weather. Edited March 6, 2021 by Barbaraok Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Chance Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Try a campground locator like RVParky and then your carrier's coverage map. The close you are to a town and not up in the mountains, the better your chances are. We have Verizon and their map/locator is here (you can enter the specific address of the park you're considering): Verizon coverage map/locator. Rob Quote 2012 F350 CC LB DRW 6.7 2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows Full-time since 8/2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules2go Posted March 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 Great recommendation for tower location site, thanks. My itinerary is not set, and nor are my dates. I would need to get to the desert area before June or into the fall sometime. Getting to higher elevations to escape summer heat would likely result in weakened to no signal, I'm guessing. I'm traveling from NC and first destination might be something central like Denver area. I'm meeting family outside of Santa Fe, NM in late June and we'll be there for maybe 10 days, and after then will need to head northward for less heat I guess. We'll be traveling in tandem for the next month + and then head back eastward. Quote Nucamp T@b 320S, Toyota Tacoma Asheville. NC Don't postpone joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GR "Scott" Cundiff Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 One of the categories included in the listings of CampgroundReviews.com is cell service from various carriers. Researching potential campgrounds on that site might be helpful. https://www.campgroundreviews.com/ Quote Our "Here and There" Blog 2005 Safari Cheetah Motorhome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladimir Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 I not a fan of commercial campgrounds and have found that their internet connections and cell phone signals are generally not worth the money. It is disappointing to drop $40 on overnight site and find poor connectivity. I would just add a couple of points. Don't believe the cell coverage maps in mountain country. My home is in a sea of 4G signal according to their map. It is no service at my house. If your working I would get a phone with a hot spot from both ATT and Verizon. That will generally work in many places out west. I would stay away from T-Mobile. I assume you will be getting a phone amplifier. Generally, the cell phone coverage will get more "spotty" as you move north into the northern Rockies. If you stick to major highways that will be your best bet. The other is to go high. Get up on almost any major ridge line out west and you will have cell service. I would actually stop at BLM and Forest Service offices and ask about places to camp and boondock. I found one of my most favorite boondocks this way. BTW, the lady did mention that she didn't understand why people camped there (no trees). Also ask BLM and Forest Service employees you see working out in the field. These days they know the cell coverage areas, even though they have radio's. They also know great spots to camp in the area. I would get a couple of solar panels for use while working. It doesn't take much electricity to run a office from a RV and that will free you from generator noise during the day. I use this panel setup. Yes it is expensive, but well made and stores easily in a handy carrying case. You can get them in different wattages, but I would check the size of the carrying case and find a place for it in your RV. https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Solar-Panels/Go-Power/34282729.html There are so many great spots in the Rockies, I would hate to limit myself to campgrounds. Quote Vladimr Steblina Retired Forester...exploring the public lands. usbackroads.blogspot.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 You mentioned traveling north to avoid the heat. That isn't necessarily so. You need to concentrate on elevation or along the coastline. Some places north can be very hot, such as eastern Oregon and Washington and South Dakota, North Dakota. Instead, think of elevation and above 6000' elevation. We enjoyed 7500'-8000' in the summer or along the coast. Quote Full-timed for 16 YearsTraveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotoes Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 There are many Escapees campgrounds out west. NM, AZ, CA. Call them and ask about their cell coverage. Also as mentioned campground reviews.com has cell coverage information on their reviews. And you could call the BLM, COE etc where you may have interest and ask them about the cell coverage in their area. Quote 2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition 2021 Harley Street Glide Special Fulltimer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 3 hours ago, jules2go said: Great recommendation for tower location site, thanks. My itinerary is not set, and nor are my dates. I would need to get to the desert area before June or into the fall sometime. Getting to higher elevations to escape summer heat would likely result in weakened to no signal, I'm guessing. I'm traveling from NC and first destination might be something central like Denver area. I'm meeting family outside of Santa Fe, NM in late June and we'll be there for maybe 10 days, and after then will need to head northward for less heat I guess. We'll be traveling in tandem for the next month + and then head back eastward. It was 110 then middle of May in the desert last year. Didn't get under 100 until almost November. So you might want to rethink where you are going. Now higher altitude will be cooler. By June Santa Fe will be in the 90s. If you want to spend time in the desert you should be be on your way NOW. It will be ~82 today in the Phoenix area today and in the upper 80s tomorrow, then back into the 70s next week. Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules2go Posted March 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 One person in our caravan is a teacher and school isn't out until mid-June. Otherwise we'd be on the road now. Such as it is, we'll be in Santa Fe/Taos late June and then will head up into the Rockies. Just have to find places with the best signal. Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. Quote Nucamp T@b 320S, Toyota Tacoma Asheville. NC Don't postpone joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted March 6, 2021 Report Share Posted March 6, 2021 A mile could be difference in decent to poor reception. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules2go Posted March 7, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 19 hours ago, Barbaraok said: It was 110 then middle of May in the desert last year. Didn't get under 100 until almost November. So you might want to rethink where you are going. Now higher altitude will be cooler. By June Santa Fe will be in the 90s. If you want to spend time in the desert you should be be on your way NOW. It will be ~82 today in the Phoenix area today and in the upper 80s tomorrow, then back into the 70s next week. What about high desert 5-7k? That was my plan really, not lower than 5500. I know that I tolerate arid heat better than what we have in the easts. Thanks. Quote Nucamp T@b 320S, Toyota Tacoma Asheville. NC Don't postpone joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbaraok Posted March 7, 2021 Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 Most people think of desert in terms of cacti, etc. 5-7K feet and you are into scrub brush and pines in New Mexico, Arizona, Southern Colorado. Go to the Grand Canyon, both north and south rims. We really like the north rim. Quote Barb & Dave O'Keeffe 2002 Alpine 36 MDDS (Figment II), 2018 Ford C-Max HYBRID Blog: http://www.barbanddave.net SPK# 90761 FMCA #F337834 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules2go Posted March 9, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2021 Thank you everyone for the ideas. Quote Nucamp T@b 320S, Toyota Tacoma Asheville. NC Don't postpone joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NamMedevac 70 Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 (edited) See my reply to you on RV.Net good sam forum. Happy Statin user. https://www.facebook.com/Pilot-Bill-Perkins-Exotic-Living-And-Travels-in-Far-East-and-SE-Asia-1425108021122523 Edited March 12, 2021 by NamMedevac 70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.