Charging fees for cg visitors

I am strictly talking about private parks in my post.

I like visitors fees. If I have only my family using the site but my neighbor has tons of his "closest friends" using his site, then who is using more of the parks resources? If they are using more, shouldn't they pay more? The park has to cover their expenses so they have two choices. Raise all of the rates or charge for visitors. I shouldn't have to pay more because my neighbor wants to have visitors.

Charging only the people using the facilities doesn't make any sense. Every single person there is using the facilities. Sure, some visitors use the pool/playground but the others are adding wear and tear too. They are also probably using the bathroom and using water/sewer. Those things aren't free to the park.

I'm sorry but quibbling about a $3 or $5 day per person is sad. People always want something for nothing. My tax dollars do not go to support private parks. I pay a use fee. I am fine with that. Why in the world should a private facility let anyone use it for free? Just because you rented a site for the night does not give you free access to use the heck out of their property. Besides a public tax payer supported entity, where can you go and pay such a tiny amount to enjoy a place for the entire day? Can't golf for free. Can't watch a movie for free. I guess you could walk through a mall and use their bathrooms for free.

weathershak wrote:


I couldnt agree more. Sorry, I dont like the idea of someone cruising around that does not belong there.

Agreed. But the staff needed to exercise more courtesy in explaining the rules as well as applying them (in that other thread).

westernrvparkowner wrote:

Doug33 wrote:

weathershak wrote:


X2 One thing I like about Delaware State Parks. Most will let you walk in, but not drive in. Full means full, no options to stay that night, besides, most folks at the gates are volunteers and dont need to be keeping tabs on everyone, they got enough to do.

We drove to the gate at around 8 pm at night after we had eaten dinner locally. I asked if we'd still have to pay the per day fee to go through the gate and he said yes. When I told him we just want to see the CG, he said we can't go in. So they were going to charge me the per car fee to come in at 8 pm, and then not let me drive through the CG?

I can't imagine this guy was a volunteer. Why wouldn't they have paid employees manning a booth that brings in thousands in fees every day??

And you don't see how it would be a little unsettling for the people staying in the campground if people who were not staying there were allowed to just drive around at night?

I couldnt agree more. Sorry, I dont like the idea of someone cruising around that does not belong there.

Doug33 wrote:

weathershak wrote:


X2 One thing I like about Delaware State Parks. Most will let you walk in, but not drive in. Full means full, no options to stay that night, besides, most folks at the gates are volunteers and dont need to be keeping tabs on everyone, they got enough to do.

We drove to the gate at around 8 pm at night after we had eaten dinner locally. I asked if we'd still have to pay the per day fee to go through the gate and he said yes. When I told him we just want to see the CG, he said we can't go in. So they were going to charge me the per car fee to come in at 8 pm, and then not let me drive through the CG?

I can't imagine this guy was a volunteer. Why wouldn't they have paid employees manning a booth that brings in thousands in fees every day??

There are 2 fee booths to allow folks into the 5500 + acre state park. The CG is in a different section and NEVER allows folks to drive thru unless they are camping there. There is a seperate fee booth at the enterance of the CG. When the CG is full, the attendants are instructed not to allow anyone but registered campers there. It is a great setup, nice and quiet. You could have paid the day use fee, parked at the nature center and walked the 3/4 mile to the CG. Or, could have parked at the observation tower, which borders the CG and have walked thru there.And yes, they are volunteers. Fees are $6.00 for the park and up to $35.00 for the CG, which includes the $6.00 enterance fee. (out of state residents)

Bob & Ann wrote:
We all need to read the rules as you do and make a decision at that point. I do understand that a camper can check in and invite a bunch of friends for the day. Yes I can see the CGs point as it does cost them in utilities etc. From the other campers standpoint it is not a bad idea either as it prevents the park from getting out of hand. I have found that if I explain to the owner what we are doing they have always been fair to us. In general they have let guests in without charge to drop something off for us even if they stay an hour or so. In other cases if somebody comes by for supper or something like that they have charged a reduced amount. I have no problem with the fee if they are fair with their practices.

In my experience, if you are up front with the park office, they are usually fair about charges of this kind. Like the 10 year old RV rule, this rule is put in place to protect the park owner and give him a way to control situations that may cost him money or customers.

Doug33 wrote:

fla-gypsy wrote:
I always get a kick out of people whining about how much a park charges for anything, particularly when they are staying in a RV that cost plenty of money. If you don't want to stay somewhere then don't! It is really that simple.

Try living in NJ - there aren't a whole lot of options. I don't live anywhere near COE CGs and state CGs here offer no utilities. Hopefully some day I'll get to the western part of the country with my TT, and then I'll probably never want to camp in NJ again!

Come down to Florida, we have some great state park CG's.

A simple plan...arrange with your friends to meet at a local day-use facility (some public park campgrounds even have a day-use area), restrooms are provided, have a potluck and let the kids and dogs play in a big open space, have your radio going along with ample conversations and have a very enjoyable afternoon. Or...meet at a local restaurant for a nice meal. But please don't have your group meet up at the campsite next to us. :)

Doug33 wrote:

weathershak wrote:


X2 One thing I like about Delaware State Parks. Most will let you walk in, but not drive in. Full means full, no options to stay that night, besides, most folks at the gates are volunteers and dont need to be keeping tabs on everyone, they got enough to do.

We drove to the gate at around 8 pm at night after we had eaten dinner locally. I asked if we'd still have to pay the per day fee to go through the gate and he said yes. When I told him we just want to see the CG, he said we can't go in. So they were going to charge me the per car fee to come in at 8 pm, and then not let me drive through the CG?

I can't imagine this guy was a volunteer. Why wouldn't they have paid employees manning a booth that brings in thousands in fees every day??

And you don't see how it would be a little unsettling for the people staying in the campground if people who were not staying there were allowed to just drive around at night?

weathershak wrote:


X2 One thing I like about Delaware State Parks. Most will let you walk in, but not drive in. Full means full, no options to stay that night, besides, most folks at the gates are volunteers and dont need to be keeping tabs on everyone, they got enough to do.

We drove to the gate at around 8 pm at night after we had eaten dinner locally. I asked if we'd still have to pay the per day fee to go through the gate and he said yes. When I told him we just want to see the CG, he said we can't go in. So they were going to charge me the per car fee to come in at 8 pm, and then not let me drive through the CG?

I can't imagine this guy was a volunteer. Why wouldn't they have paid employees manning a booth that brings in thousands in fees every day??

Doug33 wrote:
There should be a difference in cost for a 0-3 hour visitor and a 3+ hour visitor. I could see charging $3 or so for a short-term visitor and then $7+ for a long-term visitor. I'm willing to fork over $12 to have our friend's or relative's family over for a campfire and s'mores. No way am I spending $32 for that. As someone else mentioned, keep a sign in log so you can track how long they have been there. If the guests don't sign out or pay, then it gets added to the site renter's tab.

And then the park has to go out and check to see if the person is still there at closing time. I think westernrvparkowner is right on this.