Seasonal sites

[Mmpfox]

Hi. I was wondering people's opinions on seasonal campsites plus and minuses. We haven't used our trailer at all this summer and my husband isn't a big fan of towing. My son works at a camp in upstate New York for the Summer, so thinking if there was a seasonal spot maybe we would use it more. Let me know what you think?

[Mmpfox]

Do any of you know a good campground near livingston manor ny that has seasonal sites?

[valhalla360]

Lots of variables:
- What is the campground like? Is it trailerpark trash or a nice community?
- Do you "buy" a spot vs just rent for the season?
- Do you mind towing? Will you tow at all?

We probably would never "buy" a site. Seen too many people do that and then life changes and they can't sell the site. This summer and last, life got in the way and it's just not convenient to stay on the move, so we rented a seasonal site for the summer.

We are still in the RV for 4-5months, so definitely works out much cheaper than nightly site rentals even with a small electric bill (and we don't hesitate to use the air/con).

Biggest issue is resisting the pressure to build decks and other add-ons. Also, we are expected to mow our lot. The park does supply a push mower and it only takes 10 min but it's one of the things I loved getting away from by moving to the traveling lifestyle.

One thing I do dislike is we have made a lot of friends...but since they are all there, every weekend...you start getting drama...so and so said this or his stuff is encroaching on my lot...

If a place looks good, try renting for a season. I would hold off buying for a at least a year maybe even 2-3yrs to see if it gets old.

[2gypsies1]

We think it's more interesting to travel and explore different areas.

[colliehauler]

Love my lake front seasonal site. I've had it for 11 years and plan on keeping it. Where I'm at the other seasonals are like family as well as the owners. People take pride in there site as well. I also have a dock space. They allow a small shed that I keep stuff for the boat. They have covered storage for the boat available as well.

I keep a RV back at home to travel. I have the best of both worlds. If I ever gave it up I would have to get on a list for a site. Management hand picks their clientele. It might not be everyone's cup of tea and some people may become bored going to the same place.

[rjf7g]

I love seasonal campsites so much that I lease two of them! We have the "big house" and the "guest quarters" on adjacent sites at Smith Mountain Lake (VA). We also lease a boat slip - $6,000 total for the who season and we do at least 2 weeks vacation there and camp another 60+ nights. The guest quarters are not used as often as they were before my brother-in-law died but it sure is nice to be able to afford that luxury.

We also have a class B that we tool around in during the off season and for special events during the camping season. The last time we took that out was Thanksgiving...seems this winter brought either bad health or bad weather most every weekend we weren't booked with something.

[WallynDiane]

We have been seasonal since 2002. We had 5th wheels until 2016 when we purchased a Kropf Park Model.

We are on Chautauqua Lake in western NY. Super area with lots of things to do including great fishing. Loving the area is critical. Our camp is 95% seasonal sites so we have many good freinds there. We have a large deck with Aluminum foam filled awning. Have a shed for storage. Absolutely love the convenience. Check out Park Models as they are very cost effective.

When we were young, I enjoyed setting up camp. Now give me the convenience of a seasonal home. Dish tv, steelhead fishing in the spring and fall, great bass fishing in the summer, Chautauqua Institution and 15 miles from Lake Erie, many many wineries and great food. Pure heaven for us.

[jplante4]

If I were going to do the same place all the time, then I'd probably do a cabin (now called "tiny houses") or a park model. They have more insulation and can be used during the shoulder seasons. Other than initial costs, there's really no need for a rolling stock trailer. If you buy a travel trailer etc and stick it on a seasonal site all year, the tires will be junk in a few years and it ain't going anywhere anyway.

[DownTheAvenue]

Mmpfox wrote:
Hi. I was wondering people's opinions on seasonal campsites plus and minuses. We haven't used our trailer at all this summer and my husband isn't a big fan of towing. My son works at a camp in upstate New York for the Summer, so thinking if there was a seasonal spot maybe we would use it more. Let me know what you think?

Pros
1. Always have a site available.
2. Can go at a moment's notice.
3. No setup or takedown.
4. No towing.
5. Can leave RV always stocked and refrigerator cool.
Cons:
1. Always the same place.
2. Can't get away from obnoxious neighbors.
3. Monthly costs, including electricity.

[DutchmenSport]

No right or wrong here. It's really your choice. The question you need to ask yourself is, "how much will it get used? if you get a seasonal site. Of course, if you use it every day, you are truly getting your money's worth. If you use it only one time, you're just wasting your resources.

Personally, I am not a seasonal campsite camper at all. We may return to the same State Park (which we have many times), but find it most satisfying to have a new spot each time. However, I enjoy towing, driving, the set-up, breaking camp, and even clean-up once home. I would find it very boring to just show up and go home at the same place every time (personally).

But for those who do enjoy the seasonal site, they enjoy the ease of no repetitive set-up or breaking camp, towing, driving, and all the logistics of finding new campsites every time you go out.

Maybe another advantage for a season site are better rates over a long term, (when you think of how much one night costs), opposed to someone who is using the same campground for just one night. But, there again, if you don't use it except for 1 night a week, at (say) $10 a night for seasonal, and you're there only 1 night a week, you've paid $70 for that one night. So is the cost for not having to set up and take down, and drive and clean up worth $60? Opposed to someone who shows up for a single night and their rent is $20 for one night and they are gone? There again, the cost is a factor and savings the more you camp there on a seasonal site.

Either way, seasonal or transient, neither one will have to mow grass or tend to the maintenance of the property.

It's really your call. But seriously, only you can make that call, "How much will the seasonal site be used to maximize the cost involved?"

[Community Alumni]

drsteve wrote:
A lot depends on the campground and it's chosen clientele. Are the seasonal sites full of summer vacationers, or is it year round residents with tarps over their disheveled trailers, dogs running loose, and junk all over the place?

This can be true. Where we are it's a real campground with 175 sites and only 5 of us seasonals. There was a management decision a few years back to allow for more weekenders/vacationers. We were the lucky ones and they are not taking any new seasonals.

We are not permitted any add-owns except for flat decks and our rv's must be removed each Fall.

... Eric

[STBRetired]

When we couldn't travel much while I was working, we had a seasonal site and loved it. They did not allow full year camping so no worries like drsteve. When I retired, we could travel so gave up the TT and bought a motorhome. They weren't allowed at the seasonal site so we gave that up as well.

[darsben1]

Had a seasonal site in the Thousand Islands for over 20 years. Would still have it but life changes.

[gbopp]

drsteve wrote:
Are the seasonal sites full of summer vacationers, or is it year round residents with tarps over their disheveled trailers, dogs running loose, and junk all over the place?

You make that sound like it's a bad thing.. :B

[drsteve]

A lot depends on the campground and it's chosen clientele. Are the seasonal sites full of summer vacationers, or is it year round residents with tarps over their disheveled trailers, dogs running loose, and junk all over the place?