July 09 Roadtrip - help please!

[maryk]

We are a family of five (kids aged 15, 13 and 9) planning a road trip in July. We fly into and out of Toronto. The plan so far is; 4th and 5th in Toronto, pick up 22ft motorhome, 6th and 7th in Niagara, full day drive to Baltimore where we will stay with friends (8th and 9th), day trip to Washington (10th), two nights in NY (11th and 12th) and then a drive up to Ottowa or Montreal via ????? We have to be in Ottawa or Montreal on 17th July where we will swap the RV for a car and go to stay with friends.

So, can anyone help with good places to stay in Niagara, Washington (or perhaps somewhere in between Washington and NY) and NY and then anywhere after that on drive up to Canada. Something scenic.

I have looked at KOA website but it seems expensive and would prefer to use private campsites. We do not necessarily need the range of facilities offered by a KOA.

Also, where do we leave the motorhome when we go to Washington?

Is there a place to stay near NY where we can use public transport to get in and out of the city?

Route suggestions are also very, very welcome.... THANKS!

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

I'll just offer two bits of advice. The first is, if you are unhappy with KOA and other commercial campgrounds, you are not alone. Such places cater to a certain type of traveler but others, like you, prefer fewer amenities and a quieter camping experience. For them state parks offer a wonderful resource. They often have minimal (but not nonexistent) facilities and are relatively low cost. To find them, you can simply do a web search on {statename state parks} and see what's available in areas where you'd like to stay.As for routes and attractions in the area you'll be visiting, have a read through this discussion.

AZBuck