Hello there everyone! This is my first post on this message board. I have a big family. There are seven of us total. My wife and I have five great kids ranging in age from 12 down to 3. I guess most peopl would think of this as a big family. For me it feels kind of small. I am the oldest of 10 kids. Life was a little crazy growing up. Anyway, I digress...We are planning our first family vacation with a motorhome this summer. The kids are SUPER excited about it. We have figured we will dip our 'toe' in the water by renting a 30' class C motor home to see how we like it. If all goes well we are considereing buying one.There is one RV campground I really want to stay at (the location shall remain nameless). I tried to make a reservation on their website and it kept giving me an error message, so I called to talk to someone. I was informed that the occupancy limit for their park was six people. The lady on the phone was very polite but wouldn't budge and said they could not make a reservation for an RV pull through spot with more than six people at the location.Now, as I mentioned I am very new to this. I have done lots of camping in my life in Boy Scouts and with my family, but it has mostly been dispersed camping in the National Forest in Arizona somewhere, so I am not very familiar with formal campgrounds, but this just seems weird to me. There are seven of us, and we are going to be in the RV. Why does it matter? And on top of that the two younger ones are three and six years old!!!! This just seems bizare.So the question is, is this normal? Should I expect this at every RV park? I should say that the first place we are staying had was similar. Their website would not allow me to reserve a spot with more than six people. I called them up on the phone and the lady I spoke with (after I explained the family situation and the age of my kids) said that it wasn't a problem.At this point what are my options? I guess I can just try and find a different spot. I am halfway considering making the reservation for six and just assuming they won't check how many people I have in the RV, but I am a little warry that if they realize how many of us are there we'll get kicked out.Sorry for the long winded post. We are really excited about our RV adventure! I appreciate any candid and open feedback you all might have!

Limits in WA State Parks is 8 per site. It's more than enough when you're camping next door.

Usually there is a limit imposed on the campsites. That can be from 6-8 depending on the park. Most parks will make exceptions but may charge an extra fee for the extra person(s). That said, it's entirely up to the park...their park, their rules. Simple answer is find another park. I understand why the rules in place, think spring break, but most parks have leeway in it's enforcement. I'd rather have a FAMILY of 7 or 8 camped next to me than a rowdy bunch of drunks numbering 6.....best of luck...BTW, that 30' camper is going to feel like a 10' camper real quickly...Dennis

I paid for 2 sites once, when I was going camping with friends. Just depends on how much you want to stay there.Or don't tell them about the little one, and hope they do not count well... If you are quiet, and keep to yourselves, normally the camp host will not stop by and bother to count everyone. Make the reservation for 6, you will be fine. Fred.

I agree with the others. I just finished a gig as a campground host, and counting heads was NOT one of my duties. I, too, much prefer to camp next to a family of a dozen that manages to get quiet when quiet hours come, and who behave more or less civilized vs. even two loud drunks.Every institution has rules that are essential for proper functioning of the whole, and rules that are there primarily to be pointed to when a problem arises. Number of campers per site is one of the latter. I'm astonished the lady you talked to would take that position, but so be it. There are other campgrounds, and when asked how many folks to expect, just say "oh, just me and the wife and our kids." It is NOT their business to limit the size of your brood.But there are campgrounds more or less kid friendly, as there are ones more or less dog friendly.

bigfamily wrote:Hello there everyone! This is my first post on this message board. I have a big family. There are seven of us total. My wife and I have five great kids ranging in age from 12 down to 3. I was informed that the occupancy limit for their park was six people. The lady on the phone was very polite but wouldn't budge and said they could not make a reservation for an RV pull through spot with more than six people at the location.So the question is, is this normal? Should I expect this at every RV park? I should say that the first place we are staying had was similar. Their website would not allow me to reserve a spot with more than six people. I called them up on the phone and the lady I spoke with (after I explained the family situation and the age of my kids) said that it wasn't a problem.Go on line to the TLDirectory, find the RV park you want and confirm the limit of people in a site. If necessary, call the RV Park. Stay away from KOA RV parks, nothing but asinine rules and exorbitant prices. The camp sites themselves tend to old and small.:(

Seven People | Good Sam Community

johnwalkerpa1
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
boondockdad wrote:
We had the awning down, slide out, grill setup and generator running.
Only thing missing was the pink flamingos 'cause I couldn't get the standing rod thru the asphalt.

Next time you stay at Home Depot, pickup a Hammer Drill....that's what I use to drill holes for my pink flamingos at Wal-Mart :)
boondockdad
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
We had the awning down, slide out, grill setup and generator running.
Only thing missing was the pink flamingos 'cause I couldn't get the standing rod thru the asphalt.

j/k

It was an overnighter.
If we needed more than that, I would've found a Home Depot
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 26, 2015
boondockdad wrote:
, we just rolled on down the road, and boondocked for free at a Walmart.

Wal Mart is not a CG. I firmly believe Wal Mart stays are for overnighting only. Wal Mart should not be used as a substitute for a CG especially when a CG is available.
Abusing Wal Mart's policies will ultimately lead to a RV ban at all Wal Marts
boondockdad
Explorer
Jun 26, 2015
As a camping family of eight, I've found there's basically two kinds of CG.

The seasoned citizen resort, and the family campground.

The former don't want noisy children interrupting their "TV-time" of Matlock and Murder She Wrote.

If the place has a "hard and fast" rule of 6 occupants/site- fine. We'll take our money elsewhere.
Same goes for "per child" surcharges.

I mean, that's the beauty of camping, right? Go where-ever, explore!

Mr."six-occupants-per-site-only" campground owner's attitude illustrates my point perfectly. Why would you want to put up with that?

btw- in nine years of camping, I've only run into one campground that had a "hard and fast" occupancy limit, and one that surcharged for children. At the "children are extra" campground, we just rolled on down the road, and boondocked for free at a Walmart.
johnwalkerpa1
Explorer
Jun 18, 2015
bigfamily wrote:
Well, in case anyone is wondering I have it all straightened out now.

I found a different spot a couple of miles down the road that had an opening and I took it. I called and spoke with them on the phone and the issue of occupancy never even came up. Maybe the very nice lady I spoke with forgot to ask.

I must confess, the thought of just registering at the first spot with six people did cross my mind. Like I mentioned before, I understand that "rules are rules" and I understand that it isn't my park and I don't get to make the rules. I guess in the end that's why I didn't spend any time arguing with them and just found a different spot that was more family friendly.

We have had the experience of travelling with 7 or 8 people before. In my experience, if the group is a mother and father and dependent children (esp. younger children), many (but not all) will make an exception. Some won't and that's ok...I just ask up front so I know for sure.

It is interesting that some have mentioned rental homes and the fair housing laws. I do own a rental property. I have also been discriminated against in a housing situation. About 10 years ago my wife and I (we had three kids then) were trying to rent a house. The landlord told our realtor point blank "We don't want to rent to you because your client has kids". This is a blatant violation of the fair housing law. Rather than rent to us the owner took the property off the market. I spent about 10 minutes being EXTREMELY upset about it. Then I decided that if the landlord really didn't want me in his house that much it was probably better that I didn't enter into a business relationship with him (or her).

I am sure I'll be back on here over the next couple of weeks with more questions as our big trip is approaching (it is the second and third week of July). I'll also get back on here to let everyone know how it goes, and whether or not my wife and I can maintain our sanity with five children in 30 foot long box for eight days.
Crossroadscampi
Explorer
Jun 13, 2015
Check around with Yogi Bear Jellystone campgrounds. They r great and very Family oriented. Another perk is if you join the Yogi. Ear rewards program you earn points that can be redeemed for free camping. Here is a link to help.

http://www.campjellystone.com/find-park/

Have fun and let us know how it goes.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 13, 2015
I agree completely.

I'll also add that I respect a company who makes a rule and holds to it more than a company that constantly makes exceptions to their own rules. The only reason to have a rule and not hold to it is because you want to use it to refuse people you deem "unworthy" to stay in your park. I don't want to stay at a park that plays that type of game.

While I may choose not to stay at a park that has a rule I can't follow (no dogs over 40lbs), I respect them for being honest with their guest preferences. I absolutely don't want to stay at a park that says "no dogs over 40 lbs" only to find out that they'll let some in based on their goodwill, bribery, looks, etc.
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2015
"Why does it matter if there are 12 people renting 2 sites and all sleeping in one rv "

Here we go again. :R

Would you care to post a picture of the RV that sleeps 12? I have yet to ever see one and most that supposedly sleep 6-8 are a joke, but I digress. WRVPO has stated simply and succinctly the reasons for his rule limiting the number of folk in a site. He explained the why's and where for's (which made perfect sense to me), but folks keep beating him up for it while trying to justify their own self absorbed agenda's. :S

Perhaps my confusion comes from not being in the "Rules are for other people" group. It has been said before "his park, his rules". What amazes me is that so many people here don't get that. :h

If the rule is no more than 2 dogs than two it is... regardless of how sweet, cute and adorable your puppies are. If the rule says all pets must be on a 6' leash then the 30' retractable leashes are NOT permitted. If the rule says no wood fires then don't build one.... no matter how carefully you can do it.

I am surprised this thread has lasted so long as the issues were clearly laid out in the first page or two. When you go to a CG or RV Park you are a guest... try and act like one and you will probably be welcome to return.

As always opinions and MMV.

:C
skrams
Explorer
Jun 12, 2015
Lantley wrote:
toedtoes wrote:
Skid Row Joe wrote:
skrams wrote:
I don't get what the issue is if two sites that allow 12 people in total are booked, and everyone sleeps in the one.
If there were two RV sites rented, then they would need two RVs to accommodate (12) people - (6) per site/RV.

To me, (4) people per RV is really the top-side number per site/RV. Six would be out of the question, in my opinion.

So basically you agree with Westernrvparkowner who has indicated that more people in one site is more expensive for the park than 6 or fewer.

I believe his point was the additional people place unwanted stress on the facilities, By clogging up the bathroom and hanging out in the common areas.
In the end the additional people erode the camping experience for everyone. Which ultimately means the CG does not meet the expectations of its regular campers or the management

That would be the facilities that they pay for with their site fees for the 2 sites? Why does it matter if there are 12 people renting 2 sites and all sleeping in one rv and using the facilities, or if there are 6 people in each of 2 sites, using the facilities? No difference.

We have a class A, we still will often use the facilities provided by the campground.
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 12, 2015
smkettner wrote:
Lantley wrote:
smkettner wrote:
May as well set occupancy at 4 or call.
Interestingly enough. I have been to a few places that are basing the standards rate on 4 people. Groups larger than 4 have to pay additional fee per person per day.
Plenty of times I have paid extra to have a single child. The base fee included 2 people only. I don't mind the fee. I am bothered by the exclusion of a larger family even though it does not affect me per say.

Larger family (to me) is parents and kids only. Cousins, uncles, adult siblings, grandparents and the rest can be subject to the limit and bring their own RV.

I do understand there has to be a limit and a cut off. I don't mind a la cart pricing per say as long as all the parameters are clearly stated up front.
I also understand there must be a maximum limit per site that maybe less than the size of the immediate family. CG 's has no definitive of determining who is part of the immediate family and must rely on the integrity/honesty of the camper which can be problematic

Forum Discussion

Seven People

About RV Families

Related Content

Tall People

New people

campers for 10 people

Small Camper for 2 people

where are the "B" people?