Sabluka wrote:
I may try some of the state and Fed sites. I wld imagine the state sites are not well screened so to speak. Safety is a concern for me.
Actually the opposite is true.
Commercial campgrounds are a privately owned for profit endeavor. The owner will almost always allow anyone to camp who has the money and follows some very minimal loosely enforced rules. The long term, semi-permanent campers are the bread and butter of any campground. They supply a known revenue stream month in and month out. Security is usually supplied by local law enforcement who only respond when called. Evicting a camper is usually not done because then revenue is lost.
Most government run campgrounds usually have on site law enforcement, often living in housing within the park. Routine patrols are common and rule violations are almost always dealt with severely. Often the on site rangers have arrest powers and can issue citations. A revenue stream is not an issue with the rangers; maintaining a neat park with non-problem campers is important. Many government parks have entrance gates or stations with controlled access.