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SceneryChewer's avatar
May 16, 2024

What do you look for in a campground?

Hi All, I'm planning a trip from the LA area to Salt Lake City. It's been ages since I've done ANYTHING resembling camping and I don't want to screw up too badly. So I wanted to ask: Wha do you look for in a campground/RV park? What are the key ingredients for you? Thank you in advance!!

  • For an overnight stop, it's mostly price and ease of access from the route, so long as it appears reasonably safe.

    For a destination, price still plays a roll but we'll pay more for better location and nicer place. We often go on google maps and pull up the campground on streetview to see what it looks like.

    • Gene1953's avatar
      Gene1953
      Explorer III

      I agree but the final choice is what are you looking for

  • Yep, it depends. Different trips, different goals. Is it just us or are we taking grandkids or other family members?

  • I'm Kinda late to this party, but;

    I think many missed the point of the OP question. They asked what do you look for in a campground, not what should I look for in a campground.  As Valhalla360 suggests, how long we're staying may make a difference. That being said, even if we're in the travel mode and only staying overnight, I still look for the same things.  However, in Travel mode we will settle for a little less. 

    Reasonably level sites is one thing at the top of our list. I realize that water and snow runoff has to go somewhere, but you don't need a 1 foot drop to accomplish that.  Hook ups, E, W, S need to be in decent condition.  I hate being packed into an RV park like we are a sardine in a can. Stayed at a few where your slide out was up again you neighbors awning.  A place for our dogs to air is another big one. Things like shade, a convenience store and laundry are normally not deal breakers,, but all things being equal, we will stay at those parks over those who do not have them.  I am not a fan of the good sam rating system. Don't know who rates them and what kind of rig they run, but many of their 10 rated parks are not for us.  Like the rest of us, you will learn by trial and error, what fits your style. 

    Safe travels

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