RV Park Reviews

Reviews are a tool that can be helpful

Rvparkreviews.com is an excellent tool to use, but it's only as good as the reviewer makes it. It's one thing to read the reviews, quite another to post there. I've posted what I think have been fair and accurate reviews, that are CURRENT. I try to post reviews there shortly after my last visit to a park, and sometimes I'll post more than one review, if there's been a change, positive or negative.

And that is a key element. Are the reviews posted somewhat current? Oct/Nov of 2015 would be what I consider current, as an example. That's the general end of the season for a lot of places around the country that close around that time (there are, of course, exceptions). If there's not been a review of a park since 2012 or 2013, that's not current in my book, and not really relevant. If that's when the last review was posted, then that's a red flag to me.

WE use rvparkreviews regularly. But use it with common sense. You read a review that gives a super nasty rating, because their TV reception was bad, their 35' 5er couldn't maneuver the turns. No full hook ups at their site, trees were too low and no room for their slides, etc. Remember all YOU want to do is pitch your tent and enjoy nature. You have to read these reviews with your individual way of camping.
And yes we do post our reviews. Plan on using campsitephotos more, as we find the photos of great value.

I have used RVParkReviews for years. I don't go back more than two years and toss out the high and the low. I will also use this Forum for specifics; lots of good and knowledgeable people on here. I have done well over 100 reviews.

It is one of a number that I use & contribute to. (The others include Campendium, rvparky, TripAdvisor & Yelp. I've also tried to post on Good Sam, but there's a password issue I haven't taken the time to rectify.) The different sites definitely reflect the personalities of different types of users. I will share that twice now rvparkreviews has rejected reviews that I have posted (& I have reviewed quite a few parks). In both instances I had reviewed popular parks very low. Without going off on a separate tangent it did remind me of how important it is to check a variety of websites to get the best possible information.

I find RV Park Reviews to be quite helpful. The map feature gives me a good idea of the overnight options near my preferred stopping point on longer trips, and the the search function lets me see the options at my destination, and/or select possible future destinations that have good campground options.

The state pages give you a pretty good idea of the options in your own state, or others that you plan on visiting. My pet peeve is that RV Park Reviews doesn't let you search by rating (like Amazaon) or even type of campground, but if you like State Parks, just type "State Park" into the search for a particular state, and you'll see how the state parks in that state are rated. Unfortunately, getting the info on all the city or county parks isn't that easy.

EDIT TO ADD: I try to review most of the campgrounds I stay at within a day or two of leaving, and put considerable effort into it - more than just a couple of sentences.

RV Park reviews is pretty much the best review site, with Trip Advisor probably the next best. I take ALL photos with a grain of salt, since they are nothing more than an attempt to confirm the photographers position. The photos on the websites and other photos provided by the park ownership should always show the park in the best light. The only value you can place on those photos is if the park looks crappy in those photos, it probably is crappy. As for the fact that most of those park provided photos show people at play and the like, that is advertising. They post those photos for the same reason beer advertisers show people have a great time, and don't show some drunk fat slob, in his doublewide, beating his wife because she didn't make him a baloney sandwich.
As for photos by guests, I trust them even less. Those photos are also taken to prove their point. Heck, what is to say they are even actual photos taken at that park? I could go to the Ritz and toss a few pieces of toilet paper on the ground, take a photo and legitimately post a review saying this is what my room looked like. Just don't say you were the one who trashed it. They are of no value to me, whatsoever.

I use it to survey CG's in an area we are considering to visit, I use it to HELP me choose a CG, and I also submit reviews. Like many others have said, it is best to "read between the lines." One or two crank reviews out of a dozen is not a deal breaker. Rather, I look for consistent themes, like rude office personnel, out-of-control golf cart traffic, rules not enforced, etc. And yes, good things, too.

I've often used the TL Campground Guide and I almost always solicit opinions here on the Forum.

We always use rvparkreviews.com

I almost always use rvparkreviews.com to evaluate RV parks in a new area we plan to stay. I go with the general trend of the reviews. If most are high with a very few poor, I mostly disregard the poor. Inversely, if the majority are poor and a very few very good, I mostly disregard the good. If the are balanced between good and poor, I generally look at other options.