Finding a campground

[bhh]

We've gotten back into camping after a nearly 20 year hiatus (life got in the way). We had a couple of trips earlier this year and just returned from a 3 campground, 9-day trip. We had mixed luck on campground selection.

Our trip style normally is to use the camper as a rolling motel/restaurant. That is, park somewhere, head out in the morning to see the sights, return in the afternoon and have dinner, a walk, and a nice evening in the campground.

Probably the worst choice this trip was a private campground that to our surprise was nearly all temporary residents there for transient work or with RVs that would give "trailer trash" a lowered status. One bath house's roof had fell in, the other was dirty, pool water looked like pea soup. Surprisingly, we drove past another as we were leaving that was similar. Sometimes, there are reviews that indicate this, but not reliably. I'd really prefer to flock with birds of a feather and have people that are there for a few days then move on (we found one like this, serendipitously).

I have used Google Earth to scope out the area but that does not help determine this, always.

So is there a rule that there are things that you should look for? Are semi-permanent sites common for independent campgrounds? I don't blame them for doing what they need to do to make a profit, but it's not my cup of tea.

[KarenS144]

I use the online reviews already mentioned, go to the websites & check out the campground on Google Earth. We've only stayed overnight in one place that made us uncomfortable.

We prefer to stay in state or national parks, BLM or Nat. Forest CGs rather than private CGs but sometimes that's not possible. We've had good luck at Good Sam's & KOA CGs but I still read reviews and utilize Google Earth before deciding.

[pitch]

We always check reviews for any stay more than overnite. On Rv park
reviews I always check the reviewers other submissions to get a handle on what they are about.
We usually pull in early enough to scope out a park, before committing. For just an overnite stay, we are happy with pot luck, place would need to be real bad to scare us off an overnite.

[Crowe]

I've used both RVNet and RV Park Reviews. TripAdvisor also has campground listings. I always throw out at least one glowing review and one bad review. I also look at what people complain about-is it they charge 50 cents for a shower or is it the fact the cg is located right next to train tracks? Raw number ratings don't tell the whole story-try to find comments and analyze them for yourself.

[wa8yxm]

Sometimes you just got to see it to believe it.. Where I am now is a nice little 24 site campground with next to nothing in amenities but the showers are clean and the laundry works (only one small washer and dryer but it works).

Just down the road, perhaps half an hour, is another much larger campground where about 3 years ago My daughter took me for a ride through it (We were campground shopping) and we decided... NOT to park there. (to put it simply) the place made me feel uncomfortable.

15 minutes the other way are a couple of nice CG's.. But recall I said "Next to nothing".. Well the one amenity it does have (A cowboy church) is worth parking here, not to mention a better monthly cost.

But sometimes you need to visit the place (if possible by car first) before you register.

Your description of the facilities (roof falling in).. one CG I once stayed in had both "new" and "Old" facilities, now the roof was not falling in but on the old it was not far from it.. The new were some of the nicest campground facilities I have ever seen... Both within 100 yards of each other.

[dahkota]

If you stick to public parks (COE, Fed, State, County, etc.) you will rarely find permanent residents (there are exceptions). There will also be larger sites, though often without sewer and sometimes water or electric. There will often be wonderful walking areas and hiking trails, but much less often, pools and mini golf.

USCampgrounds.info is one of the most comprehensive sites listing public campgrounds. One can also check Reserveamerica.com, which will list many public sites.

RVparkreviews is a good resource but don't rely on the ratings. Many people will mark a campground down 3-5 points for not having a sewer at their site, or not having a swimming pool, or wifi, or cable tv. Read the reviews themselves to get a better feel of the campground.

[sch911]

grampscamper wrote:
RV Park reviews

We use this to help us select RV campgrounds.

X 2

[grampscamper]

RV Park reviews

We use this to help us select RV campgrounds. This is only one option and not always 100% reliable. If you're planning a trip you have the option of posting here. You could ask what sites to see and campground recommendations for areas you plan to visit.