Visiting camgrounds

Tell them just that. Why make it more difficult??? :h

You just say "hi, I'm interested in staying at your campground sometime in the future, can I take a drive around"? Any that I would want to stay at will say, here's a map of the park, stop by or call if you have any questions.

jarata1 wrote:
Is it ok to visit campgrounds your intrested in staying in for the future.If so what do you tell the people at the main office

Just pull in and check in at the office and tell them you'd like to see the CG. Most will have no problem some of the more secure CG's may not let you.

rockhillmanor wrote:
Most will have no problem some of the more secure CG's may not let you.

Keep in mind though that public campgrounds - i.e. state, COE, provincial, conservation areas, etc - are likely to insist on charging a normal day use fee that applies to everyone else entering for the day.

We have asked for permission to drive through and look at many public campgrounds (State Parks, COE, NFS, etc.) We have never been asked for a fee and have always been made to feel welcome.

Yes, stop in the office and check in. We have signage (three actually, sign at entry gate saying all guests must register in the office, 2nd sign at registration parking area stating the same and a third sign stating registered guests only beyond this point)expressly stating all visitors must check in at the office and have ZERO tolerance for people who cannot follow that simple rule.
One of the reasons our guests stay with us is we provide them with a measure of security. Random people driving thru lessens that security. Our guests are comfortable enough to leave valuable items sitting on picnic tables and the like. Driving around the park a person is likely to see an $800 fly rod or a $3000 camera and lens sitting on a table. Those can be taken in an instant. If a thief wanted to spend 30 extra seconds, they could pick up a top line bicycle or carryout satellite.
You know you are not a thief, we do not. If you drive into my parks, ignore the signage, fail to check in at the office, we WILL stop you and request you leave and never return.

We usually check out the state parks in the vicinity of others we are staying at. Since we have already paid the fee (included in our campsite registration $$), we can and do check out the nearby parks. We get a campground map and mark the sites we might be interested in. Having those really help when it comes time to make a reservation.

CWDoc115 wrote:
Tell them just that. Why make it more difficult??? :h

Simple correct answer to your question.

Have only found two state parks that were adamant on no access without actually camping there - one would charge us a fee if we wanted to look around, though.

Many state park, COE etc. places have no one at the entrance, so if we do go in, we look for the camp host site and tell them that we are looking around.

lgarcia wrote:
Have only found two state parks that were adamant on no access without actually camping there - one would charge us a fee if we wanted to look around, though.

Many state park, COE etc. places have no one at the entrance, so if we do go in, we look for the camp host site and tell them that we are looking around.

Some states, such as Illinois do not charge an entrance fee, but most do. If there is no one at the entrance, there is almost ALWAYS a self-registration kiosk for both overnight camping and for a day-use permit. If you are entering a state park you should stop at the kiosk and get a day use permit and leave your payment in the payment slot or tube.

The campground host is there to provide assistance in the campground. They are not running the state park and are not policing the entry permits. Just because there is no one at the entrance station doesn't mean that the entrance fee is waived.