What brings you back to a particular campground each time?

For me it would the space between the sites, how level and solid the pads are, and the friendliness of the management and the other campers. And the condition of the roads leading to and in the park. I don't like too many trees right over the camp site I've had to get on a ladder too many times to remove walnuts and limbs and such. We've got a rear slide and can't get an awning that will fit it. And I'm not worried about the rest rooms and showers we use our own.

We have been to over 160 private RV parks in 16 years; many of them several times.

We don't need frills but like good clean sites - pull thru preferred.

More than anything that brings us back is honesty of the park ownership and staff and good customer relations.

Personality. Location. Great View.

By personality, I am thinking of places like 7th Ranch RV in Garryowen, MT that is a working ranch practically on the Little Big Horn battlefield (see other thread underway.)

Another is Trailer Ranch in Santa Fe, been there forever, adobe atmosphere and right on the bus line direct to the Plaza. Love that place.

Chaco Canyon's no frills campground where you camp beside petroglyphs and ruins of dwellings carved into the cliff.

And of course, any state/national/private park on the Atlantic Coast or in the Keys, where we are headed at this very moment. Hunting Island, SC tonight - I don't care if it IS 34 degrees, we'll be in site 47 by the ocean.

Location, and low-to-no on the riff-raff scale.

A big priority for me is easy access and a large private site. Don't get me wrong I have wiggled my rig into some tight spaces, but I prefer not to fight it.
Once I'm in I prefer not to have my neighbor 10 feet away!
Next on my list is somewhere near water preferably a beach,lake or river. A pool can also count as water. Good hiking can be a substitute for water.
Sadly I think I'm getting a bit soft and now prefer 50 amp electric as well!

From there I can create my own fun,relaxation and enjoyment,

ericsmith32 wrote:
Stayed at one in Jeff City that was nice but nothing for the kids to do! It was beyond miserable with a 5 and 2 year old!

Two words: old school. Board games; sing-a-longs (off key is ok); walks; talks; s'mores; etc.
Our grands were happy just walking and talking with us at those ages. They had our complete attention and that was enough.

We've only stayed at one campground more than once and that was due to family. Main things for us is price and a decent playground or somewhere the kids can play. Stayed at one in Jeff City that was nice but nothing for the kids to do! It was beyond miserable with a 5 and 2 year old!

We will return to a CG for it's amenities. That might be a state park on Lake Michigan where we can swim and fish, or a private CG in the middle of nowhere but it has a waterpark for the kids.
If a CG has large shaded sites (our favorite) but nothing to do, it's a dud for us.

Same as most of the others. Trees, green grass, level site, some space between sites , clean facilities and clear signs directing you.

As mentioned before large private sites but for me it's not an absolute most as long as I know my camping neighbors will be respectful.

Mike