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Flyingifr's avatar
Flyingifr
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014

What good are the "contact us" buttons

on a campground's website when they simply never respond?

Here are the facts: We are new to RV-ing. We own a 1988 Bounder and have a Golden Lab dog. Many campgrounds say on their website that because of the age of our RV we need their approval to enter their campground. I am not about to drive my RV hundreds of miles just to be told "no" so I send an email asking. The universal response I get is SILENCE - no response.

I call and leave a message. Once again... no response.

Many campgrounds pet pages prohibit a pet from being left alone in a site. I e-mail asking if this means if I bring my pet I cannot leave my campsite to see the area? No response.

Needless to say, I don't go to campgrounds that won't answer a simple question.

OK, veterans - what's the answer? How do you get them to respond to questions? Or is asking a question the sign of an unwanted "troublemaker"?

14 Replies

  • I would think the 'leaving a pet alone inside a rig' would correspond to 'constant barking'. At least in my overall experience.
  • First, I don't email. Second, I call during business hours and haven't had any problems.

    I know that some parks don't want broken down hulks polluting the landscape but will waive the requirement if the rig is in decent shape.

    As for the pets, we leave our two dogs alone all the time while we sight-see. I'm not aware of the 'don't leave pets alone policy'. Here is KOA's official policy, for example:

    "Some visitors enjoy sharing the pleasures of camping with their dogs or cats. To ensure that all guests have a safe and enjoyable experience, KOA has established some guidelines.

    Call ahead. Check with the campground about its specific pet policies. Some don't allow pets in Cabins, for example, or may have limited pet units. Others don't accept particular breeds that insurance providers have identified as having a history of aggression.

    Bring your helper. Service dogs are welcomed at all KOA Kampgrounds. (Leash and aggressive behavior rules apply.)

    Good behavior is required. Dogs of any breed that are hostile or aggressive will be asked to leave the campground, along with their owners.

    Bring the leash. Dogs must be kept on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside their owners' vehicles or rental units. Do not leave a tethered dog unattended.

    Remember manners. Constant barking bothers other campers. If your pet is too vocal, you'll need to find other accommodations."

    You'll notice no mention of leaving a pet alone inside a rig.
  • Probably best to just find another park if they don't respond to e-mail or voicemail. Only times we didn't get through to someone at a particular park usually meant that it was a small potatoes operation run entirely by a couple of people who didn't care to return calls or e-mails. These older parks usually have many long-term residents and just a few spots for those seeking a night or two stay.

    Private parks are always our last choice when visiting an area as we prefer federal, state, and county campgrounds whenever they are available. Rules against older RVs is uncalled for in most cases as many of these rigs have been well cared for, it's absurd to drive a distance to see if your rig makes the cut so to speak. Can't comment on the pet issue as we leave our dogs home unless we are boondocking where they can run free.
  • My answer is to mark them off your "go to" list......... You can't make them respond, their profit will be reflected when they have no one coming to their park. Generally, I feel most places have a clerk that is supposed to answer e-mails, and may not care or have the knowledge, therefore, no answer. Good luck! BTW -- I call most of the time, and if I leave a msg and don't have an answer within 4 hours (at the most), I write them off. You want my money, then your customer service starts the minute I call. I've never seen an RV park so busy that they can't answer phones.......eventually.