Questionable Campground Ratings
I don't know how Good Sam arrives at its rating, but my experience differs from the published ratings. We full-timed for 2 years in our Class A diesel pusher and covered a good part of the country. ...
Forum Discussion
Actually, it's very easy to see how GS rates a campground.
The ratings are explained in the front of the GS campground directory. It is an objective system that scores points for features and amenities. I don't remember all criteria and our book is in our RV so I can't look it up right now. I recall they get points for a pool and another point for pool maintenance. They are scored on the number of toilets (I think) compared to the number of full hookups. Other points are awarded for paved sites, overall appearance and signage. We like the fact that a very clean restroom will get a star beside the restroom rating. That is one of the things we look for when choosing. I think someone else noted that the cleanest restroom may be a mess at the end of a holiday weekend. Wile my examples may be flawed, my point is there are many criteria and a high rating in one may give the campground a higher rating than you or I think it deserves. Occasionally we'll take the scoring sheets out of the book and score a campground ourselves. We've always come out within two points of the GS rating. It would be worthwhile for GS to post the rating system on this site so those who don't use the campground guide could at least see the rating system without buying the book which, by the way, is a bargain at $6.95.
The ratings are explained in the front of the GS campground directory. It is an objective system that scores points for features and amenities. I don't remember all criteria and our book is in our RV so I can't look it up right now. I recall they get points for a pool and another point for pool maintenance. They are scored on the number of toilets (I think) compared to the number of full hookups. Other points are awarded for paved sites, overall appearance and signage. We like the fact that a very clean restroom will get a star beside the restroom rating. That is one of the things we look for when choosing. I think someone else noted that the cleanest restroom may be a mess at the end of a holiday weekend. Wile my examples may be flawed, my point is there are many criteria and a high rating in one may give the campground a higher rating than you or I think it deserves. Occasionally we'll take the scoring sheets out of the book and score a campground ourselves. We've always come out within two points of the GS rating. It would be worthwhile for GS to post the rating system on this site so those who don't use the campground guide could at least see the rating system without buying the book which, by the way, is a bargain at $6.95.
