Cell Phone Service while Camping

[Thats Camping!]

Gary reminded me that I wanted to post this topic.

What cell phone service to you have, and do you have issues w/ service while camping?

Both Mike and I have Verizon Wireless phones, and we rarely ever have a problem. Mike used to have Nextel, and it wasn't always as reliable, but I have to admit it did get better right before he got rid of it.

I am thinking of switching to AT&T, but I am nervous about the lack of service up North. Their map looks pretty bad for connectivity...but I am wondering if anyone has personal experience w/ AT&T or any cell service.

[GaryWT]

I have Verizon and the rest of the family had A T & T, they just switched to my plan and the service if OK, not great in Weare NH.  Seems better than their old service.

[wersilly]

We have AT&T, but we live in PA, so our coverage here will be different.  We usually get pretty good reception whereever we go.  When we vacationed in NH two years ago, I really do not remember having trouble getting reception.  I specifically remember having coverage at the summit of Mt. Washington because my daughter was on the phone with her friend who was on the 90+ degree beach!  However, just last weekend, we had little or no reception at the campground we were visiting.  My daughter did get one bar in her bed, but my hubby and I got nothing.  He and I have the same phone, a Sony Ericson.  She has a Motorola Razor.  I have had several different phones, and I think the phone you choose also has a lot to do with reception.  

Maybe you could include a section in the campground reviews for cell coverage?  Just a thought.  

[campne]

We have Verizon.  Coverage is spotty in western NH, and parts of VT and the ME coast.

FWIW...we consider it a plus if there's no coverage at the cg we're staying.  One less distraction.

[NH Camping Family]

We also have verizon, and the only place I remember having a problem was at Goose Hollow in NH. 

Someday I'll be able to pack my cell phone away while we are camping - it will be nice with one less beeping machine around me.  But for now, with 2 teens out and about, and one driving to and from the campground, cell phone service is a MUST for us.

We were in PA last week, and had NO problems with reception anywhere we went.

(Although, on another subject, our GPS kept losing signal while we were on the road, specifically around the Gettysburg area)

[Thats Camping!]

Maybe you could include a section in the campground reviews for cell coverage?  Just a thought.  

That is a fantastic idea! I am going to add it to the review form. Thanks Wersilly. Super idea!

[Sandlapper Camper]

We always know that we're not going to have any service at all at Papoose Pond in Maine.  I've talked to Rocky about it and he's been approached about a tower going up on or near the camprgound but he's against it.  If we want to use our cell we have to wait until we're closer to Waterford.  Emergencies can be phoned into the office though.

[GaryWT]

It is weird going places that do not have service, it is amazing that things have changed so over the years.  I do not like being contacted but we use them almost like radios to see where the kids are or call them home to dinner or whatever so if you go someplace without service then one has to go back to plan B.

[wersilly]

Yes, how things have changed.  We still use the walkie talkies with our younger daughters, but our oldest has a cell, so we just call her when we need her.

[NewEnglandCamper]

We had Cingular (AT&T) with horrible service at our site in 2006. We switched to Verizon and never had a problem at Danforth Bay. It is not perfect as I at times have to dial into meetings and have been told that my reception is staticy.

When asked about Danforth Bay access (Freedom/Ossipee coverage), the Cingular rep told us that they typically go where the people are and not up in the "boonies". From there it was a NO BRAINER to us to change. Things could have changed since they switched to AT&T

I do have to say Verizon is not cheap.

[wersilly]

That is a fantastic idea! I am going to add it to the review form. Thanks Wersilly. Super idea!

Glad you thought it was a good idea...Once in a while the light bulb lights up...lol...

I know from personal experience, two years ago when we were planning our vacation, I was taking online grad classes.  We looked for campgrounds based on them having Wi-Fi access because I needed to keep up with my classwork.  At the time I was in the middle of a group project and also needed to be able to talk to my partners throughout the week we were going to be away.  It would have been a great benefit for me to know if I would have cell coverage or not.  BTW, that year we visited Danforth Bay! 

[Thats Camping!]

Well it's been added to the form, and hopefully people will share their info!
thanks for your idea!!

[Lucas874]

I find while traveling during camping season and snowmobile season with my verizon cell phone, service north of Tilton on Rt 93 is spotty and from Twin Mountain on North, none existant.

[steved28]

Our camp in Maine is on the edge of Verizon service. Officially service does not exist there according to their coverage maps. I purchased on of these http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=07&PROD=YX510-PCS/CEL and we have full bars now. If you are a seasonal, or you frequent a place where cell coverage is important, you might look into it. In my case my company paid for it because they wanted to be able to get a hold of me when i was at my camp.

[NewEnglandCamper]

Well it's been added to the form, and hopefully people will share their info!
thanks for your idea!!

You know -- some people may want to go where there is NO CELL PHONE coverage so I think this topic on your page is great and should not be taken as a negative if there is no coverage. After all it is vacation!