Hi Geoff,
Welcome to IceInSpace
Congratulations on your new telescope and good luck with your dark sky travels.
You probably already know this, but I would recommend getting a copy of the latest (Camps 9) free camping publication - with photos preferably for me.
As you want to avoid the well lit traditional Caravan Parks and opt for the unlit Free Camping sites available if you can. Most of these are out of town a bit and normally grey nomads are in bed fairly early just as the sky starts getting interested.
Other recommendation is, of course, take good quality cold weather gear, snow clothing or better still a Freezer Suit. (available on this site
HERE 
BTW take some good binos and a comfortable chair for a wider field experience.
Enjoy