Turned off by campgrounds

[Dream_Chaser_]

Each year, I start looking for new campgrounds either short trips or extended stays and I turn immediately to the internet.

First, I do a search for campgrounds in the area I want to visit. Click on their website for basic info, check for reviews of the park, do a Google earth look at the park and finally try to visit the park.

If the site says last updated in 2013 it is useless. When I visit the website, if I do not see prices posted, I am out of there. Or if their rates are a year or two old, I'm gone. Do their prices indicate taxes in or extra and what are they?

I like to see photos of the campground. Not a bunch of pictures of last year's Christmas party or a bunch of people playing shuffleboard -- I want to see the sites.

Wifi and cable are not priorities since I have my own services. But it would be nice to know if they are available either free or paid.

If they have activities and post a calendar of events it should be current. Showing January's events in the first week of February is a turn-off.

If I am still interested, I start checking for reviews. I don't expect to see raving reviews but helpful info is a must. I like to see pros and cons about the park. The overall condition of the park, the attitude of park workers, condition of the washrooms and laundromat are main concerns. I don't trust the "exceptional" reviews because there is something wrong in every park.

I don't know who does the Good Sam ratings but I don't put a lot of faith in them. One park I stayed in had a 10-10-10 rating by Good Sam but in reality it was more 2-2-2.

A look at the park using Google Earth always gives a good indication of the park. I have no interest in going to a so-called campground that is 90% park model permanent units and 5-6 transient sites scattered all over.

Finally, I drive to the campground for a final inspection and evaluation. I like to be able to drive around the park and if possible, chat with 1 or 2 residents.

Sorry for the long rant. I don't think my expectations are extremely high but if campgrounds want my business, the first thing they better do is make sure their website is current and has the information I need.

[Cdash]

When it comes to campground reviews, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I've been to places that I'd rate a 10, where our friends would rate a 2. We camp differently than they do. While some people love the apparent chaos of a KOA and the amenities, I for the most part, really don't like them, though they do serve a purpose from time to time.

I never look at the numbers, I read the comments. When I see a poor rating and the comments say that there wasn't a McDonalds next door, there wasn't a game room, and there wasn't a pool with a water slide then I don't consider that review in my judgement.

Not everyplace will be perfect....

[goducks10]

mockturtle wrote:
It sounds to me as if you are discussing RV Parks rather than campgrounds.

x2 Down here in the lower 48 we call them RV parks. Campgrounds are usually run by the state or independent firms. Only full time residents in CGs are the camp hosts. There's a 14 day stay limit at them.
Sounds like you need to boondock or get a Motel 6.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I agree with you totally, except for one small omission.

The thing you left off is that you print out your questions in your rant, and then when you visit, or even visit via internet checking, take the time to copy and paste your suggestions into an email or on a piece of paper, leaving your email in return.

If they return your email with comments, you have helped us all. If not, it was not to be.

[agesilaus]

K Charles wrote:
When we decide which way we want to go we go. When we decide to stop we stop. If we don't like the place then we leave. Sometimes we stay a week or two, sometimes only a day or two. Sometimes, not very often, we don't stay at all. We have found some very nice places that we go back to from time to time.

That's exactly what we do. If we drive in and don't like the looks of the place then we drive on. But our tolerance is calibrated by how long we plan to stay.

[path1]

I'd never get out of my driveway if I did all that.

[mockturtle]

It sounds to me as if you are discussing RV Parks rather than campgrounds.

[kohai]

I assume you're doing the level of research for somewhere you are staying a long time?

[K_Charles]

When we decide which way we want to go we go. When we decide to stop we stop. If we don't like the place then we leave. Sometimes we stay a week or two, sometimes only a day or two. Sometimes, not very often, we don't stay at all. We have found some very nice places that we go back to from time to time.

[paulcardoza]

You must have a tough time making ANY reservations! 😉