What is it with campgrounds nowadays?
Well we've been on the road now for about 2 months. It's been a few years since we've rv'd and boy have things changed with the campgrounds. Not only are they more expensive (like everything else in t...
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Depending upon the campground, those empty sites may already be in use by seasonal campers, who have paid for the spot for the entire season, but are currently away. So the campground cannot double book them, as they technically are already rented by someone else.
Or, those campsites may already be reserved and paid for, but the "tenant" has not arrived yet.
And about KOA, I don't see any difference in KOA's over the years. The OP was not very specific what the problem was with the KOA's other than the price difference. You've got to remember, each KOA is independently owned and set's the price for their own campground. It's not standardized there.
My "dislike" for (most) KOA's we've visited is their close proximity to very busy roads or interstates and road noise is uncomfortable for me. We still use KOA's over overnights, don't even unhitch. But not for "visiting". Because of their close proximity to busy roads, they are easily accessible, and almost always have pull through spots available for overnight's. So, there's the big plus and the big minus at the same time.
We started using Good Sam campgrounds. They are very similar to KOA's, except they are located with some distance between the interstate and the campground. Much quieter there, but still provide full hook-up and even WIFI that worked! The last 3 Good Sam's we stayed at, we were there at each one for 3 days (2 nights) and had a great time.
Yes, the cost of campgrounds has gone up. It's not cheap any more. Someone finally figured it out there's a market for camping, and like everyone else, has jumped in and started charging more and more to get their piece of the "American Pie" too! (your and my $$$)!!!!
About "the only spot left". We've been to a couple "seasonal" campgrounds this year, not knowing they were "seasonal". And yes, we got the "only spot available" which turned out to an area set aside for "transient" campers, people passing through or just need a quick over-night. Yes, it probably is the "last site" available as their focus is on full time-seasonal camping and not "transient" camping.
Or, those campsites may already be reserved and paid for, but the "tenant" has not arrived yet.
And about KOA, I don't see any difference in KOA's over the years. The OP was not very specific what the problem was with the KOA's other than the price difference. You've got to remember, each KOA is independently owned and set's the price for their own campground. It's not standardized there.
My "dislike" for (most) KOA's we've visited is their close proximity to very busy roads or interstates and road noise is uncomfortable for me. We still use KOA's over overnights, don't even unhitch. But not for "visiting". Because of their close proximity to busy roads, they are easily accessible, and almost always have pull through spots available for overnight's. So, there's the big plus and the big minus at the same time.
We started using Good Sam campgrounds. They are very similar to KOA's, except they are located with some distance between the interstate and the campground. Much quieter there, but still provide full hook-up and even WIFI that worked! The last 3 Good Sam's we stayed at, we were there at each one for 3 days (2 nights) and had a great time.
Yes, the cost of campgrounds has gone up. It's not cheap any more. Someone finally figured it out there's a market for camping, and like everyone else, has jumped in and started charging more and more to get their piece of the "American Pie" too! (your and my $$$)!!!!
About "the only spot left". We've been to a couple "seasonal" campgrounds this year, not knowing they were "seasonal". And yes, we got the "only spot available" which turned out to an area set aside for "transient" campers, people passing through or just need a quick over-night. Yes, it probably is the "last site" available as their focus is on full time-seasonal camping and not "transient" camping.
