Is there anyone that just will not go to private campgrounds

Two MHs and two TTs over 30+ years and many campgrounds I can count only 15-20 private ones we have stayed at and only did that as a last resort.

First choice is SP, COE, NP, County, even a town CG. Private CGs are for when WIFI is needed or it is laundry day. Being packed in like eggs in a carton is not our idea of fun.

I think you might be a boondocker at heart. If so, the National Forests and BLM lands are your friend, free camping anywhere you want to set up. Not sure how much access to those lands you have being on the east coast though, maybe you need to come out West

2chiefsRus wrote:
just remember that all of the campgrounds across the country

may not be like the part of the country you have been camping in.

X10!
I took my MH to Boston area, ONCE! Never again. That area compared to the Midwest is IMHO, JMHO not RV friendly! :B

We try to avoid private, commercial campgrounds - but use them when there aren't good alternatives. We stay in state and National Forest campgrounds whenever we can (have been volunteer hosts in a NF campground). We are members of the Escapees RV club and use their co-ops and resorts whenever possible. We also have the advantage of being able to use military FamCamps and resorts (I'm retired Army). We have never stayed in a KOA and, when we DO have to settle for a private, commercial campground, we look for "mom-and-pop" operations off the beaten track. There are a few pearls out there in that category.

It really boils down to what RVing phase you are currently in as to your preferred choices. Most get into RVing when their kids are very young and most excursions are specific to the activities involved in that area. It figures that in many cases state, federal, and other public campgrounds are primary targets during this phase.

As the kids mature parents start seeking activities that lead them to staying at private parks since many of these venues geared toward teens are located within major cities. They spend little time around the campsite as their major focus is to attend the nearby attractions for the entire day utilizing their rig primarily as a space to sleep and shower.

As the kids grow into early adulthood and begin their lives parents realize that RVing is taking on a new meaning. Most change RVs in order to find one more suitable for their mature tastes and intended future RVing endeavors. This progression often leads to a different camping style where amenities and simplification of the RVing process takes precedent.

Upon retirement some will initially travel extensively, moving weekly or more often attempting to see the entire country. After some time many will seek preferred locations where they can stay for extended periods of time. Whether it's just snowbirding or to be near family, these scenarios routinely involve private parks or resorts.

The RVing phase we are currently in is our last kid has graduated from high school and joining her siblings in college. We are looking to change out rigs here in the near future finding one more suitable for couple's living. Although in the past, private parks have typically been a last resort option, I can see where we might be frequenting them more often.

We have always enjoyed using our rig and all it's amenities to the fullest and have done so whether camping with full hookups or an hour away from the nearest paved road. Being fully self-contained we can glamp anywhere and everywhere we choose and go, for us that is the beauty of RVing. No matter what phase we are in, we will always be adverse to parking lot style parks.

As others have already stated, it depends on the reason I am in the RV. If I am going "camping" to get away from things, I will usually opt for a state park. Hiking trails is my thing. I have not found very many private RV parks that have enough trails to satisfy me, although there are some exceptions.

If I am traveling and just want a place to stay for the night, I prefer an RV park. My reason being that I want a pull in site big enough to stay hitched. I also like the opportunity it provides me to dump, in cases where I have not had full hookups along the way. My tanks are so small that I need to dump the black tank after 4 nights, no matter how I try to conserve my flushes.

On the whole, I don't like being parked side by side where all I can see out of my windows are my neighbors' rigs. I feel like I am in a fishbowl being observed the whole time, which kind of creeps me out. For an overnight stay when traveling, I can deal with that.

We do them all. We love the resort-style camping on the water in San Diego's Chula Vista RV Resort where we get to know our neighbors and the social environment is outstanding. We also like more remote camping like Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, GA where the spaces are very long and your neighbors aren't close. We don't boondock.

Just as some folks drive a mini others prefer a big honking SUV. Just as some prefer diesel over gasoline and an A Class versus a C, B, or fifth wheel, you will find different strokes for different folks when it comes to how they travel and where they chose to stay. First and foremost will be based on the locale you want to be in what is available at the time and you will likely start with your ideal preference, working backwards.

By choice we chose to boondock and dry camp as we like to feel free as birds, but on occasion we have to book into a park because of high density areas we chose to explore.

As someone else said, you'll get a myriad of answers based on the individuals personality and choice of how they like to roll.

korbe wrote:
When we go camping, where the intent is to enjoy the surroundings of the campground environment, we use FS and state campgrounds. When we are traveling, using our rig as a private motel, and need a place to stay, we consider it RVing and will stay in an RV park, or a trailer park that says it's an RV park.

And yes, the layout of the different parks has a lot to do with profits. :)

X2. I think there is a difference between "camping" and "RVing". And there is a difference between "campground" and "RV park".

If I am camping, I don't go to an rv park. If I am RVing, an RV park may be the best place to stay. I find people are disappointed when they expect "camping" and "RVing" or "campground" and "RV park" to be the same thing.