camp ground ratings

Roadpilot said " I suspect an CG that buys an ad gets a good rating in Trailer Life."
and some others also "suspect:".
And THAT is how rumours start! If you don't know/understand keep the 'wonderment' to your self!

What makes for a nice campground is so subjective that I don't know if any rating system could ever do more than give you a rough idea of what might appeal to you. We have camped in many places that were pretty well thought of in the various rating systems but we just didn't care for them.

One top 100 campground was almost totally paved over and looking up at a interstate freeway overpass. At best it was a place for a quick overnight stay before moving on up the road.

We take campground ratings with a big grain of salt (and GPS recommendations, too).

Perhaps they are big advertisers with GS? I have a feeling that helps with the ratings on those parks, just a thought.

Roadpilot wrote:
I gave up on them and now use rvparkreviews.com. If you read all their reviews you'll get a pretty accurate sense for the place. If that proves to be inaccurate, you can provide your own review. I suspect an CG that buys an ad gets a good rating in Trailer Life.

I just read reviews of two parks I stayed in recently that complained about the wifi. I didn't have a problem at either of those parks.I have noticed several other instances where the reviewer pointed out some problem that I didn't notice. Maybe I'm just not critical enough.
I think a lot of those reviews are based on how bad the traffic was that day or how the enchilada you had for lunch is settling.

Hello Bandaid,

Thank you for posting about your recent experiences. Our Triple-rating system is composed of the completeness of facilities, the cleanliness and appearance of the restrooms and showers, and the overall visual appearance. You can read more details here: http://www.trailerlifedirectory.com/HowToReadRatings.aspx

Veteran RVers visit the facilities and complete a detailed inspection report. We also make unannounced random visits to ensure continued qualification. As you feel that the rating we gave to these 2 facilites is inaccurate, please let me know vis PM who the Parks were, the dates you stayed at them, and any other information you feel is important, and we will look into it.

Wes Robinson
Marcus' Rapid Response Team
goodsamcs@goodsamfamily.com

In your directory there is a copy of the rating form used by the reviewers. They visit each year and go down that checklist. Very little of the checklist is opinion based. It is things like a point for a pool, a point for an entry sign, a point for a manned office. They are not supposed to rate if the pool is the right temperature, if the sign is pretty or if the staff is friendly and good looking. If you were to score the park you are in using only that scorecard, you will get a score very close to the score the reviewer gets. It is not meant to give you an all encompassing valuation of the experience you will get while at that park. It is but one ingredient is the overall receipe for what a park's overall experience will be like.

RATINGS are very subjective. One persons 'great" is someone elses version of terrible. Better to look at FACTS about a park and base your opinions on those facts rather than on someone elses opinion.
Good luck / Skip

I gave up on them and now use rvparkreviews.com. If you read all their reviews you'll get a pretty accurate sense for the place. If that proves to be inaccurate, you can provide your own review. I suspect an CG that buys an ad gets a good rating in Trailer Life.