How to avoid bad campgrounds

[jaydub74]

My family and I just begun our trip down the 101 on the west coast? We've just left a Campground and found it rather sketchy. There appears to be a number of people who live full time in some of the spaces, and many of them were worry some looking. Very intimidating.

Just wondering how to avoid these types of campgrounds in the future? Looking for tips from more experienced campers then I.

Also looking for 101 campground suggestions!

Thanks
Josh

[rockhillmanor]

I have found The park review sites to be of no value. First of all they are not going to list how many residents are in that particular CG. AND IMHO, JMHO that alone tells me what to expect. Phone call to CG is what will give you that information.

And come on, a CG has how many thousands of people staying there a year and on average there will be 4 or 5 reviews or sometimes there are 10 or 12 reviews? I don't find that to be the pulse of any CG.

I started reading the reviews of the CG's I had stayed at and found most of them to be nothing further than the truth. Usually disgruntled campers feeling the need to vent. You will miss out on some very nice CG's if you base your decisions on rvparkreviews.

If you are a destination RV'er with a limited time slot for an enjoyable weekend or week with your family? CALL and ask the CG all the questions you need to decide if that CG is for you!

That said. I full time and don't make reservations anymore. Heck I don't even bother calling them either. I pull in. If it's THAT bad I pull out and move down the road. One of the perks of being a full timer. :C

[B_s_Bunch]

You know sometimes you just can't tell. I hire on a weekly basis there are people needing help. Some are not. You really need to check out where you choose to stay. I have hired a couple of people in this predicament and have been excellent employees. Times are not what they used to be. No need to condemn anyone. Chill and be aware!!! Larry

[magnusfide]

coolbreeze01 wrote:

EsoxLucius wrote:
What is it about permanent or semi-permanent residents in an RV park that bothers you people?

People don't bother me. I just don't care to live with freaks and zombies.

Get out the garlic, silver bullets, mirrors, and crucifixes.... 😉

[coolbreeze01]

EsoxLucius wrote:
What is it about permanent or semi-permanent residents in an RV park that bothers you people?

People don't bother me. I just don't care to live with freaks and zombies.

[cyntdon2010]

2oldman wrote:
Go to a more expensive park.

you hit the nail on the HEAD !!!

[Doug33]

Roy&Lynne wrote:
We stick to National, State, Military and even country parks fall, winter and spring and I have yet to be disappointed. Since we are self contained, I'd much rather dry camp than be plugged in into a "sketchy" RV park or any RV park as they are mostly parking lots.

I'm beginning to do the same. Unfortunately there are few national or COE CGs in my area, and I don't qualify for military parks. Also, NJ state parks don't offer any utilities, which is problematic when you need heat or A/C. I'm going to a MD state park this weekend that has electric, so we'll see how it goes. Neighboring PA and DE CGs offer some utilities as well.

I'm not quite ready to invest in solar/generator to be self sufficient. But I may re-evaluate the situation.

[2012Coleman]

jaydub74 wrote:
Thanks for the responses. I'll use the review site as suggested going forward.

I suspect the state parks have less people living in them but will we be alone. We're kind of sheep and prefer the company of others. It's laye oct, what will the crowds be like on the coast?

OOOHHH watch what you say/do... Some folks dion't like it when you pull in next to them in an empty campground. On here, you will get called a "herd beast".

State parks would be the way to go - if not close to one, then the advice given on the review site is sound.

[Roy_Lynne]

We stick to National, State, Military and even country parks fall, winter and spring and I have yet to be disappointed. Since we are self contained, I'd much rather dry camp than be plugged in into a "sketchy" RV park or any RV park as they are mostly parking lots.

[Francesca_Knowl]

2oldman wrote:
Go to a more expensive park.

Or a Public one. (State, Federal, County, City) The only fulltimers you'll likely encounter in those will be Camp Hosts.

Especially this time of year, Highway 101 can be traversed its entire length with all overnights spent in a Public park.

[goducks10]

I can't imagine any CG's along 101 in Oregon having really bad clientele. There's a 14 day limit in St parks in Oregon. And most every CG on 101 is a St park. If the OP is talking about RV parks then that's a different story. There are definitely some shady ones along 101 in Oregon. You're going to get more FT's in an RV park.

[Major_Dad]

jplante4 wrote:

fireman93514 wrote:
X2, I like to take alook around the area. Sometimes its bad, sometimes you find it at the end of a runway or railroad tracks right behind.

Now see, I would consider this to be a cool spot.

The you'd LOVE the Amarillo KOA. End of runway, next to major rail line, and next to major highway and in sight of IH-40. It's a well-run park and the folks are super nice, but that right there is a hat trick!

BTW, I LOVE the smell of JP-8 in the morning and the "sound of freedom"...

[jplante4]

fireman93514 wrote:
X2, I like to take alook around the area. Sometimes its bad, sometimes you find it at the end of a runway or railroad tracks right behind.

Now see, I would consider this to be a cool spot.

[jplante4]

Dick_B wrote:
We use the Good Sam and Trailer Life directories to choose campgrounds and like KOA's for their relatively consistent quality.

This is the DW's answer, although part of the adventure for me is a little variety. There are a lot of people here that don't like KOA for one reason or another. I think consistency = boring.

[fireman93514]

sdianel wrote:
First I plan our stops in a general area. I then look on www.woodalls.com and make a note of a couple and note the town where they are located.
Then I check those out on www.rvparkreviews.com to make the final choice. If it's on Friday or Saturday night, a holiday or a popular tourist area, I make reservations.
I also locate their address on www.googlemaps.com earth view and zoom to check out the entrance and where the sites are located. Works for us.

X2, I like to take alook around the area. Sometimes its bad, sometimes you find it at the end of a runway or railroad tracks right behind.

[jplante4]

2oldman wrote:
Go to a more expensive park.

This...