Campground pricing.

[tomkaren13]

We just took a road trip. Just driving our truck, not with the TT. Got good MPG of about 18. Motels were expensive. Got a couple of good deals but some were outragous in price. Went this option because of gas prices.

Now to my question. Anyone have a good estimate of the average night rate of regular campgrounds, not state or federal places?

Trying to questimate our next trip and see what is the better option price wise.

(Oh the camper we know is more comfortable!)

[dgodinez]

From our most recent trip and also looking at camp sites around California it was between $45 - $55. I think the most expensive we have stayed at was the KOA camp on the West gate of Yellowstone.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

newman fulltimer wrote:
u can be pretty comfortable probably at 30.00 a night average

That's like asking if you dine out - what is the average cost?..:R

Steak and lobster at an upscale restaurant? - Mickey D's & Taco Bell?

All depends on what hook-ups & amenities *AND* - location, location, location!

IMO depending on the above - $30. may be *WAY* low!!..:(


Example:
Drove through Pismo Beach (CA) a week ago - private campgrounds (there are *lots* of 'em, big and small) *FULL* of RVs packed in like sardines - at least $50-$60 a night (+).

If you left L.A. with that as your destination - "overnighted" at Flying Flags on I-5 (Buellton/Solvang) another $50-$60. - *average* isn't cheap..:W

Continue (North) up the CA/OR/WA coast - and expect the same by private parks anywhere even remotely close to the ocean/beaches.

BTW - ditto that for motels / hotels.
In Huntington Beach (CA) you can find a motel a few miles from the beach for about $80-$90 per night.
The Hilton *at* the Beach will be about $200.
(The "kinfolk" deal -at the Hilton- when there's a retirement event wintertime is $144. per night)

Take your RV to Newport Dunes (Newport Beach, CA) - and expect to pay about $80-$90 (minimum) in the summer - *if* you made a reservation!

Maybe you would like to go South - like to San Diego.
Another "BOHICA" !!

The State Parks you don't want to know about: - CA in summer at the beaches - reservations made 6 mo in advance. OR State parks may be the same - they are always packed (even w/o hook-ups)

And *NO* such thing as $30. fees, ROTFL.


~

[mileshuff]

Desert Captain wrote:
Ok you win, all KOA's have huge sites in beautiful scenic locations far from the hustle and bustle of highways and railroads. They are always the cheapest RV parks in the area with few if any amenities for children which is why there are rarely any there. They are all held to the highest of standards, each with identical amenities and you will never have anything but a Zen like experience. :S

Buh bye.

Some KOA's are very nice, others are not. Some are low priced, some are high. I've found several I like and others that are dumps.

[wannavolunteerF]

As has been said previously, one of the greatest cost savings in using the RV is also a great convenience. That is the cost of meals. Just this past week, I was in a nice hotel in downtown Dallas and breakfast for myself and my 1 yr old granddaughter was right at $20. This was a cup of coffee (plain, nothing fancy), a cup of milk, a single egg and cheese croissant, and a cup of fruit. Had we been somewhere in the RV, i could have made a pot of coffee for what the one cup cost. I also could have fixed scrambled eggs, added some cheese, had an entire cantaloupe and some strawberries for everyday we were there for the same cost as the one morning.

although I prefer to drive and take my RV, sometimes I fly or just drive because of the time constraints.

[Desert_Captain]

Ok you win, all KOA's have huge sites in beautiful scenic locations far from the hustle and bustle of highways and railroads. They are always the cheapest RV parks in the area with few if any amenities for children which is why there are rarely any there. They are all held to the highest of standards, each with identical amenities and you will never have anything but a Zen like experience. :S

Buh bye.

[rockhillmanor]

Desert Captain wrote:
.... I object to their pricing, smallish sites, locations and the fact that they cater to and subsequently have a very high population (relative to other parks/cg's), of children.:C

Apparently you have not stayed at very many KOA's to make such an incorrect statement. Especially your fixation of 'catering' to kids and 'high concentration' of kids. :R
http://koa.com/campgrounds/

Just how many KOA's have you stayed at in your travels? One, two?

[Desert_Captain]

"And if that 7,360 mile journey was primarily along major highways, you would only see the KOAs that were on those highways. "

It wasn't. Where ever possible I am a "two lane blacktop guy". We did have very good luck using Passport America, most were $15 to $20 a night with at least water/electric and a DS but many had full hook ups. They tended to be off the beaten path, usually very nice to gorgeous (streams, lakes, lots of trees etc.), with excellent amenities.

I never said that KOA's weren't nice. I object to their pricing, smallish sites, locations and the fact that they cater to and subsequently have a very high population (relative to other parks/cg's), of children.

:C

[stetwood]

ktmrfs wrote:
we camp a lot, 3+ months/year.

BTW, in the last 3 years we've kept track of our RV expenses. Our total cost/day including fuel, campgrounds, food including occasional dining out, souveniors, entrance fees, etc. etc. averages $85/day.

We have a friend who has done 2 Three month around the country tours in his MH and he also kept track of all his expenses. His daily expense was in the same range, somthing like $88/day.

In both cases that's for two people, add a family and extra food is going to bump that up.

$85-88 per day are good numbers and probably means staying in one place for 3-4 days and also short drives between stops.

[mileshuff]

I have found a few KOA's that are decent and reasonably priced. Circle Pines KOA near Williams, AZ is a nice campground type RV park. Like many RV parks, there are some great spots and some not so great spots.

[kcmoedoe]

Desert Captain wrote:
"Respective disagree with you regarding the kids, all located on busy highways and railways.

I have no stock or interest in KOA but to make blanket statements like those is irresponsible info for other RV'ers.



Like I said opinions vary but facts do not... sometimes, like here and now, so called "blanket statements are simply true, case in point....


Yes we are are out west but just completed a 7,360 mile 22 state cross country trip and I still never saw a KOA that was not on a busy highway, not once.




:B

And if that 7,360 mile journey was primarily along major highways, you would only see the KOAs that were on those highways. And even the idea of "located on a busy highway" is subject to broad interpretation. If the park is a half mile off the interstate, it can be very quiet, yet it would qualify in most people's world as located on a busy highway. Being easily accessible is a plus when I travel. I often stay at KOAs because they do adhere to some standards and if I am in unfamiliar country and only need a place to stay, I find them a much safer option (by that I mean the power, the water and sewer system works) than the pot luck you can get at the non franchised, non affiliated with anything parks.

[Desert_Captain]

"Respective disagree with you regarding the kids, all located on busy highways and railways.

I have no stock or interest in KOA but to make blanket statements like those is irresponsible info for other RV'ers.



Like I said opinions vary but facts do not... sometimes, like here and now, so called "blanket statements are simply true, case in point....
KOA's actively promote a very "kid friendly" environment and thus are heavily populated with kids. Try and find one without a pool and extensive playground facilities. This is fact and denial is not just a river in Egypt. :S

Yes we are are out west but just completed a 7,360 mile 22 state cross country trip and I still never saw a KOA that was not on a busy highway, not once.


Again I can NOT speak for KOA's out west, but in the Midwest and south which is where I travel there is nothing further than the truth regarding your statements. ANY CG near an attraction is the exception to the rule regarding rates and sardine parking for obvious reasons.


I never mentioned attractions as a factor. Every KOA we have seen has small sites on not many acres and the highest prices in the area. You can say it is not true, and I can not speak for the south but that has been our rather extensive experience. One specific example if you like: Lava springs in Idaho, at least half a dozen RV parks in this small quaint tourist town. KOA on the edge of town, well away from the major attractions and the highest rates for the smallest sites, period. Yes they were on the main highway and the railroad tracks were right across the street. Like another? Try the KOA in Flagstaff.... but I hope you like trains. The only good news is that once you squeeze in at the highest rates in town the road noise (it's about 30' from the sites), helps to muffle the trains that run 24/7..... but only a little.


Any and ALL CG's can apply for a KOA franchise name. That means every CG tucked away in the woods, on a lake, and mom and pop CG's on acres and acres of land, huge sites, can become a KOA and benefit from advertising etc.


But not many do.

The plus side is that they must uphold the standards of KOA. Unlike many CG's that can be run down as they come and certainly don't look like the pictures in their ads and sadly you don't find this out until you are pulling off the road for the night dead tired and faced with staying in a run down CG.


No they don't. Franchise operations are no better than the local management chooses to be and having a franchise "name" is no guaranty of quality. I've seen many dumps listed as Good Sam Parks and like KOA all they have to do is pay a fee. Enforcement of standards is, at best a hit or miss proposition. I do think that most of the KOA's are pretty decent (albeit waaay overpriced for what you get), compared to many of the mom and pop's out there. I have never objected to the conditions found in KOA's just their pricing and usually questionable locations.


6+ years of full time RV'ing and I have found, and enjoyed staying at each and every KOA on the way to my destination.......which by the way my destination CG for the winter.......just turned into a KOA!


You love KOA's and I don't. I am sure you have your reasons and if KOA works for you hooray. I have given my very specific objections to KOA based upon our experience. Obviously you have plenty of money to spend and enjoy lots of kids in close proximity. Nothing wrong with that but some folks do not. If my criticisms alert folks that have never been then at least they can see and judge for themselves with their eyes wide open.

If nothing else this lively but reasonably civil discussion (and thank you for that), will give folks a couple of divergent perspectives and therein lies the value of this Forum. I hope you continue to enjoy every KOA you visit and I'll just keep driving on by content in the knowledge that I am not missing anything I care about. Works for me.

:B

[CavemanCharlie]

I wonder if some of this discussion is about what type of camping you do and where you want to do it. If your going to travel by interstate and never get more then a few miles off it then your prices are going to be more expensive. If you want to stay in a place with a pool, mini golf, and things like that then you have to pay more. It all depends on what you want to do and where you are going.

The person that spends 80000 dollars, or more, on a rig, I'm sure then they have the money and want to stay in a place that has all the amenities and therefore they don't care what it costs.

[rockhillmanor]

Desert Captain wrote:

Redterpos3 wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
... Avoid KOA's like the plague. They will always be the most expensive, full of kids and usually alongside a busy highway and or rail line. ....

I full time and I now stay at KOA's exclusively.

And no they are NOT always on a busy road and/or loaded with kids. Just like every other CG, if it is located near an attraction there are going to be tons of kids and close to a road for easy access to attraction.


After a long day driving I got tired of pulling into a crappy CG for the night. With KOA/franchise at least their is a standard required at all of them. I KNOW what I am going to be pulling into. Over the past 6 years I found their rates to be be right in line with other CG's within the same area. :C

BTW, the Nashville KOA is one of my favorites. Yes the rate is $65.00 for a huge pull thru WITH a concrete pad that comes complete with your very own patio furniture.......try and find a motel at that price!:W

We dont stay exclusive, but I know there is a standard, which works for me especially when I'm just moving down the road !!

KOA's will always be some of the most expensive parks other than the so called luxury resorts. if you can afford KOA's good on you but for what you pay and what you get, usually lots of sites on not many acres, I have consistently found better value elsewhere. Have yet to see a KOA that was not on a busy highway and often they are adjacent the local rail lines as well, no secret why, the land was cheaper.

KOA caters to families and have lots of kid friendly amenities but if you do not travel with children I see no reason to pay extra (and rest assured you do for those amenities), to surround myself with kids. I don't hate kids, I'm a former child myself but having long ago finished raising our daughter and given the often low level of parenting out there we choose not to seek out kid rich environments.

Lastly KOA's are a franchise operation and if you spend anytime on this forum you will know that the level of amenities and services can vary greatly. Also see RV Park Reviews for more than a few, less than favorable reviews of KOA's from coast to coast. We prefer campgrounds, larger sites in far more desirable locations and we simply don't need full hookups every night. If KOA makes you happy by all means plop down your money and enjoy but bang for the buck you can do a lot better.As always.... Opinions and YMMV.:C

Respective disagree with you regarding the kids, all located on busy highways and railways. :?

I have no stock or interest in KOA but to make blanket statements like those is irresponsible info for other RV'ers.

Again I can NOT speak for KOA's out west, but in the Midwest and south which is where I travel there is nothing further than the truth regarding your statements. ANY CG near an attraction is the exception to the rule regarding rates and sardine parking for obvious reasons.

Any and ALL CG's can apply for a KOA franchise name. That means every CG tucked away in the woods, on a lake, and mom and pop CG's on acres and acres of land, huge sites, can become a KOA and benefit from advertising etc.

The plus side is that they must uphold the standards of KOA. Unlike many CG's that can be run down as they come and certainly don't look like the pictures in their ads and sadly you don't find this out until you are pulling off the road for the night dead tired and faced with staying in a run down CG. 😞

6+ years of full time RV'ing and I have found, and enjoyed staying at each and every KOA on the way to my destination.......which by the way my destination CG for the winter.......just turned into a KOA! :B

[Desert_Captain]

Redterpos3 wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:
... Avoid KOA's like the plague. They will always be the most expensive, full of kids and usually alongside a busy highway and or rail line. ....

I full time and I now stay at KOA's exclusively.

And no they are NOT always on a busy road and/or loaded with kids. Just like every other CG, if it is located near an attraction there are going to be tons of kids and close to a road for easy access to attraction.


After a long day driving I got tired of pulling into a crappy CG for the night. With KOA/franchise at least their is a standard required at all of them. I KNOW what I am going to be pulling into. Over the past 6 years I found their rates to be be right in line with other CG's within the same area. :C

BTW, the Nashville KOA is one of my favorites. Yes the rate is $65.00 for a huge pull thru WITH a concrete pad that comes complete with your very own patio furniture.......try and find a motel at that price!:W

We dont stay exclusive, but I know there is a standard, which works for me especially when I'm just moving down the road !!

KOA's will always be some of the most expensive parks other than the so called luxury resorts. if you can afford KOA's good on you but for what you pay and what you get, usually lots of sites on not many acres, I have consistently found better value elsewhere. Have yet to see a KOA that was not on a busy highway and often they are adjacent the local rail lines as well, no secret why, the land was cheaper.

KOA caters to families and have lots of kid friendly amenities but if you do not travel with children I see no reason to pay extra (and rest assured you do for those amenities), to surround myself with kids. I don't hate kids, I'm a former child myself but having long ago finished raising our daughter and given the often low level of parenting out there we choose not to seek out kid rich environments.

Lastly KOA's are a franchise operation and if you spend anytime on this forum you will know that the level of amenities and services can vary greatly. Also see RV Park Reviews for more than a few, less than favorable reviews of KOA's from coast to coast. We prefer campgrounds, larger sites in far more desirable locations and we simply don't need full hookups every night. If KOA makes you happy by all means plop down your money and enjoy but bang for the buck you can do a lot better.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

:C