Will camprgounds ever fit hospitality standards?

It seems to me they should be able to narrow down the rules to just a few common sense ones, rather than posting a "No xxxx" everytime someone does something they don't like. I mean, a hotel doesn't have to expressly prohibit me from nailing things to the wall, right?

Something like:
1) Quiet Hours, generator hours, checkin/out time
2) Follow the golden rule
3) Leave no trace. Remember that hundreds of people use your site yearly, for dozens of years on end. If they all dug a hole, nailed something into a tree, and dumped their table scraps in the bushes how do you think it would look?
4) Don't be a pinhead, forcing us to post a dozen "NO this and that" signs or raise fees to cover extra maintenance.

I wonder if having to put a credit card on file to cover incidentals like a hotel room does would be a good idea?

ScottG wrote:
I know what the OP is talking about. If the first thing that hits you is a bunch of rules telling you what you can't do then it just isn't very welcoming.
Rules are fine when posted on the back of the CG map but a billboard or some other in-your-face posting just isn't inviting.

All those rules are the result of idiot campers that the campground owner has had to deal with over the years before your visit. How do they know you are any different? Put yourself in the shoes of others before ranting about how they come off to you... Open your own campround sans rules, and see how it works out. Anyone ever compare the lack of rules with the state of the campground?

I've read every post on this thread and can see and understand everyone's opinion.

Let me add another thought to this mix please?

If everyone could get along, and if everyone did exactly the same thing, and if we all thought alike, there would never be any kind of conflict in this world.

Until there is some kind of "conflict" there is never any need for any "rules" in the first place. There is an expected behavior that we as humans live by. Call it an unwritten code, or whatever. I call it common decency. But it only takes one person who thinks the don't have to live or follow the concept of "common decency", to they end up doing things that are truly offensive, harmful, or destructive to the rest of "society." So, the rest of "society" has to get together and make a "rule" with a form of repercussion or consequence if the "expected" behavior is violated.

Thus, a "rule" is formed!

Now, whenever you enter a campground, a motel, a restaurant, store, amusement park, sporting event, or whatever, just be reminded when you see the "signage" with "don't do this" or "don't do that", or "This is not allowed", the sign is posted because someone thought they didn't have to follow the "rules" of acceptable behavior and could do anything they wanted, even at the expense, inconvenience, and danger of everyone around them.

The signage is there for YOUR protection. Not your inconvenience.

"No campfires - burn ban alert - RED!" Why such a sign? Because some idiot did not use commonsense and though only about themselves and thought common decency did not apply to them and a million acres of forest and billions of dollars worth of homes was burned down! That's why!

See those rules posted? It means there's been problems in the past and someone is trying very hard to prevent those problems from occurring again, so EVERYONE can have a nice visit. I don't see any wrong with that!

Campground signage unfriendly? Only because there's been a problem that some people don't know how to be decent and common decency doesn't apply to them!

The OP stated that she doesn't like all the rules yet she strives for nicely-rated campgrounds. How does a campground stay nice if there weren't any rules?

She stated that in her state parks there are drunken fishermen but there are no rules posted. So drunken fishermen don't bother her?

It's hard to understand just what she wants in a campground. If she wants a nice one then there are going to be rules to get it to be nice.

I think she needs a volunteering gig in a campground so she can get a real feel on how difficult it is to have a nice campground. If she had to do some of the dirty work behind the scenes she might want to have rules.

I don't have a problem with a campground posting it operating rules.
That way everyone knows (or should know) where they stand.
I just wish these same campgrounds would enforce these rules.
Speeding, dogs not a leash, loud music after quiet hour, etc.
Fortunately, we don't have these very often.

NurseBetty wrote:
I think the cg owners should raise the bar and strive to provide more of the exceptionals, that's all...but it seems from the responses here that most folks are happy with the status quo, so I guess that ain't gonna happen.

Your opinion of what constitutes an exceptional campground is subjective. And based on responses found here, it appears that you are out of the mainstream as to what is acceptable for RV'ers with respect to campground hospitality.

I will grant you that some people here have totally misunderstood what you were asking.

wbwood wrote:
I would suggest that maybe you step out of your comfort zone and maybe try campgrounds you normally wouldn't in search of what you are looking for, lower your expectations or raise your budget for more $100/night resort type of places.

From your original post, I thought I understood what you were talking about, but the more you post on this subject I get confused.

I agree, it's amazing how welcome they make you feel at $100 per night Resorts vs $15 per night Passport America campgrounds. If it don't have Resort in it's name, I just move on down the road. :B

BigRabbitMan wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
Wow, this is a new one! RV'ers who don't like the CG rules?

Go back and re-read this thread. The OP did not say anything about not liking or wanting rules. She has no problem with there being rules and understands the need for them.

What she is wondering about is why the "Welcome" can't be the prdominate presentation when checking in and around the campground rather than the "presentation" of the rules. She has NOT questioned the actual need for rules.

I don't need to go back and read the OP. Perhaps you need to go back and read ALL the posts. :R

The OP did not like the fact that CG rules are posted when entering a CG instead of a big welcome sign. First of all here's a big flash, all CG's have them, thank God.

Come on, why would anyone that is an RV'er, be offended by being faced with camp ground rules and signs when entering the CG? :S

I would suggest that maybe you step out of your comfort zone and maybe try campgrounds you normally wouldn't in search of what you are looking for, lower your expectations or raise your budget for more $100/night resort type of places.

From your original post, I thought I understood what you were talking about, but the more you post on this subject I get confused.

Hey wbwood, I have read that about Ocean Lakes and agree I would not want to go there! Why is everyone so against making the camping experience better for everyone? I don't get it. We spend the time to look through the review sites and buy the Trailer Life directory in order to find the "best" campgrounds, which I assume means we are looking for exactly the kind of experience I am looking for. However, what we really get for the most part is mediocrity, with a few exceptionals sprinkled in. I think the cg owners should raise the bar and strive to provide more of the exceptionals, that's all...but it seems from the responses here that most folks are happy with the status quo, so I guess that ain't gonna happen.
So much for elevating the camping experience to another level; as more and more people spend really big bucks on their rigs I think it's time to do so.