What do you want in a campground?

After 10 years of family camping I evolved to strictly boondocking. Have state and national forests to disperse camp at my leisure now.

We generally camp at State, Corp, or National parks. We prefer that the campground roads be paved (but have camped in campgrounds whose roads were not - dusty!), the sites to be level (or at least close to level - paved or gravel preferred), shaded is a big bonus (we live in the south), electric and water required, sewer nice, but not necessary, as long as there's a dump station (we have an overflow tank).

We prefer to be near water: ocean first, lake, river, or stream second. Quiet hour rules need to be enforced. I enjoy kids having fun during the day - just please don't run/bike in front of me when I'm driving. :) If pet owners pick up their dog's poop, YAY! I've picked up more than my share of other dogs' poop - sigh...

Being retired, we now have the luxury of camping during the week and avoiding holidays, which is heaven! :)

Happy camping, whatever your style! If we were all the same, it would be a terribly boring world, wouldn't it?

Jayco-noslide wrote:
Main reason I got into camping over 40 years ago was to live in nature for awhile. No manicured campgrounds with a mowed lawn or pool. Wanted to camp in woods, desert or mountains. I've changed a bit over the years and can appreciate various settings hopefully with a level site, electric and water. Just spent a few days at Brown Co. SP in Indiana.Nice. I'd give the campground a B (no water hook-up). Then on to Shelbyville Lake in Illinois, USAC campground. Good. A mixture of woods and mowed grass. But no view of the water and still no water at the site. B-. Then to Meramec SP in MO. Big, wild park but the huge campground was featureless. Within 50 yards of the beautiful Meramec River but not even a glimpse because of the brushy shoreline. Real shame. C-. Honestly might have been effected by the heavy rain resulting in a humid mess because of the low position of the campground. What do you look for?

My ideas are basically the same as yours. Except for one. As long as water is available at the park I could care less about water hook ups. I have a tank and a pump and that is all I ever use. If the tank goes empty I haul some water to it. That is all I need. But, I am just a weekend camper, I hardly ever go out for more then 4 days at the most. A lot of the time it's just 2 or 3.

For me it depends on which side of the Mississippi I’m on.
East side it’s the standard clean, fairly level and a decent amount of room.
West! Ahh, West.
I like a place anywhere off the side of the road. Water, sewer, electric, WiFi all amenities I really don’t need. The amenity I like most is kind of level and my nearest neighbor a few hundred yards away. If you’re that far I’d love to have a cold brew at the bbq with youp but go home at night.
I love western USA!!!!! Can ya tell?
Happy travels y’all!

allen8106 wrote:

JRscooby wrote:
I was a host at Meramec for a month. Will never return. I have spent time in most of Mo state parks, and that was the worse managed I have been in.

Poorly managed state parks seems to be a running theme, I have the same opinion of Kansas state parks.

Most Mo parks I have been in have much better management than Meramec when I was there.
Once I was in Truman, and as I was walking past a site the Ranger was asking them to move the cars onto the pavement. On the way back, people where moving cars and witching in loud voices about moving the cars. Saw the plates on the cars, and asked if they all lived close to the Ks park I had been in the week before. Well, Yes. Why travel the distance? "This park has grass and shade" We park on the pavement to protect the grass and trees. That rectum, instead of asking you to move could of written tickets...

allen8106 wrote:

JRscooby wrote:
I was a host at Meramec for a month. Will never return. I have spent time in most of Mo state parks, and that was the worse managed I have been in.

Poorly managed state parks seems to be a running theme, I have the same opinion of Kansas state parks.

West Coast state parks, CA, OR and WA, are generally good. In fact, better than even the popular National Parks, post current administration's budget cuts.

JRscooby wrote:
I was a host at Meramec for a month. Will never return. I have spent time in most of Mo state parks, and that was the worse managed I have been in.

Poorly managed state parks seems to be a running theme, I have the same opinion of Kansas state parks.

Quiet with a scenic view, simple....

I look for A level or somewhat level site. Sites that aren't right on top of each other. Also amenities for my kids, cause let's face it when they are entertained then my camping trip is more relaxing.

peace and quiet