Something most people don't realize is that the more land a state owned and run park or CG has, the more it costs for employees to maintain the park, the roads, or the CG. States can't get away with mickey mouse plumbing or electrical wiring like privately owned property owners can. Not going to mention the pig pen bath houses we usually have experienced in more tha half the private CG's we've stayed at and they weren't cheap. Very few private CG's are larger than 10 acres in size and the CG's almost lack nature/hiking trails and usually have small campsites close together along with being surrounded by homes/residential or commercial operations etc or roads/highways often quite or very noisey. Several other factors also.
On the other hand, most state run parks/CG's are much larger in land area and usually found in more remote areas or on land with one side bordering on large lakes or useful rivers that fishing, boating, canoeing, kyaking, swimming, hiking, being in real nature, etc you name it are very popular daily activities. State parks/CG's certainly are more of a total self-contained area for and of the more desired activities for most families and active adults. Why pay so much for anything an RV offers as most families could actually stay right at home if a pool or near by pool or concentrated town or city living is their bag? They'll save a lot of money and won't even need an RV or a tow vehicle!
Private CG's counter with swimming pools and more of a structured location for those simply staying at your campsite a lot more or driving your vehicle etc out of the campground to find things to do in the local area. Private CG's are usually more expensive to stay at as someone has to pay for the most expensive amenity a CG can have, a properly maintained POOL.
I was on the board of directors of a large CG resort for nine years and nearly half of the entire yearly operating costs were associated with the POOL. Such as: Cost to build, constant daily chemicals and filters required for paying customer's usage - it's a business!, heating of the pool - required in most states, ongoing repairs to the pumps, pipes, and the electrical comsumption for running them constantly, pool deck and and fencing repairs and deck furniture purchase/repairs, cost of water itself if on a public water supply or treating if from a well, supervision personel mandated by state laws, property tax increase for having an in-ground pool, and a real biggie - Liability Insurance! Yes, there are even more! The costs are there regardless if one person a day uses to pool or if 200 a day use the pool. The costs associated with have a pool being used by the campers etc is staggering and guess who pays this cost?
RV'er and campers have different likes/dislikes and wants AND there's NO free lunch. You'll pay for it one way or the other! Our State's parks/CG's are head and shoulders above most private CG's! Sme states do not have nice parks and CGs and some have excellent state parks and CG's and in reality, they are a real bargin in fees charged!
