Choosing a camping experience
I hope Pnichols doesn't mind me highjacking something thoughtful that was said in another thread - but this is a great point:
It got me thinking that this is something to be considered in the purchase of an RV. IMO, the best, most "camping in the wilderness" experiences come from utilizing tent sites. They tend to be big, secluded, and quiet; can be tucked into scenic hillsides and forests. Some can only be accessed by hiking in to the site.
"Rustic", drive-in sites come close to duplicating this. My kayaking club tends to utilize these, which is how I came to own a pop-up truck camper; and I find others bring small teardrop trailers or offroading pop-ups. (In Michigan, many RVs are limited by overhead clearance in these forested, rustic sites) Since there are still few amenities other than a single water spigot and vault toilet, it's cheap and the spaces are still big.
In areas where forests don't limit the height of the vehicle, but terrain limits the accessibility, truck campers excel. Check out their forum to see amazing pictures of places where they have camped, completely off the grid.
State Parks have a nice mix (usually) of feeling "outdoors", but offering at least water and electric hookups, showers and restrooms. Most state parks can accommodate full height RVs, and mid-30' lengths? You're still camping in the dirt (or mud if it rains); but you will have lots of neighbors and some of them are noisy.
As your RV choice requires more amenities, as a rule, the sites that will accommodate it become "smaller"; the camping experience become more of an "outdoor neighborhood". There's nothing wrong with this - full service campgrounds offer more than just being "outdoors" - there's usually a pool and other activities for the kids. Camping sites are generally paved or gravel-covered
Finally, there are the beautiful RV resorts, that offer more of an "upscale condo" experience.
So anyway, my point in all this is that if you are pondering getting an RV, try to picture what your ideal camping experience will look like - and then seek the "vehicle" (even if it's just a tent in the back of a Subaru) that will get you there :-)
pnichols wrote:
One aspect of tent camping that I don't like is finding myself in an otherwise pristine, beautiful, and serene camping area ... only to have RV's (legally and complying with the rules) camping right there with me.
If you're going to tent camp, do it in fantastic spots where the RV'ers can't go. The same for backpack camping. If RV's are camping where tenters or backpackers are camping - assuming I can afford an RV - then I'd much rather be there in an RV.
It got me thinking that this is something to be considered in the purchase of an RV. IMO, the best, most "camping in the wilderness" experiences come from utilizing tent sites. They tend to be big, secluded, and quiet; can be tucked into scenic hillsides and forests. Some can only be accessed by hiking in to the site.
"Rustic", drive-in sites come close to duplicating this. My kayaking club tends to utilize these, which is how I came to own a pop-up truck camper; and I find others bring small teardrop trailers or offroading pop-ups. (In Michigan, many RVs are limited by overhead clearance in these forested, rustic sites) Since there are still few amenities other than a single water spigot and vault toilet, it's cheap and the spaces are still big.
In areas where forests don't limit the height of the vehicle, but terrain limits the accessibility, truck campers excel. Check out their forum to see amazing pictures of places where they have camped, completely off the grid.
State Parks have a nice mix (usually) of feeling "outdoors", but offering at least water and electric hookups, showers and restrooms. Most state parks can accommodate full height RVs, and mid-30' lengths? You're still camping in the dirt (or mud if it rains); but you will have lots of neighbors and some of them are noisy.
As your RV choice requires more amenities, as a rule, the sites that will accommodate it become "smaller"; the camping experience become more of an "outdoor neighborhood". There's nothing wrong with this - full service campgrounds offer more than just being "outdoors" - there's usually a pool and other activities for the kids. Camping sites are generally paved or gravel-covered
Finally, there are the beautiful RV resorts, that offer more of an "upscale condo" experience.
So anyway, my point in all this is that if you are pondering getting an RV, try to picture what your ideal camping experience will look like - and then seek the "vehicle" (even if it's just a tent in the back of a Subaru) that will get you there :-)
