Campgrounds for large families

[el_jefe1]

Finding a few other families here that are as large as mine it's got me wondering, where do the large families camp? I wonder if we could post some of our favorite campgrounds that don't charge an extra $5-$10 for each of the kids? Thinking a little bigger, some kind of online directory for where families such as ours can go would be useful to me, I wonder would it be of use to anyone else? Or does such a thing exist already?

I find a lot of camgrounds with a base rate of $50-$60, but that that only includes 2 or at most 4 kids. If I pay $5 per person over 4 kids, that's as much as $30 per night extra depending on how many we have with us for that trip. I do understand campgrounds wanting to keep large groups from getting a single site and packing it full, but we end up paying $80-$100 a night for just an average campground unless we do a lot of research ahead of time to find places that just let us park our big trailer full of our own kids on a site just like everyone else.

Anybody else run into this problem, or are we just so few and far between that it's only a couple of us that this kind of thing is a problem for?

And no, I'm not talking about "resort fees", though the term "resort" is often used quite generously by the campgrounds themselves. If there are extra amenities and things that are included that makes perfect sense. I'm willing to pay extra for those, paying for extra people is fair. I'm talking about your average run of the mill campground with a playground and maybe a pool who wants the extra $30 per night from us with no real added benefit, or to whom at least we are a negligible burden.

[2gypsies1]

A quick Google of RVing with Large Families turned up this. There are more....

http://ourtravelingtribe.com/

https://www.kelloggshow.com/about/

Also keep in mind that camping is allowed at many fairgrounds - if a event is not going on at that time. We've used them a lot as we traveled. A lot of them have hookups and dump station along with restrooms. Here's the Mason County Fairgrounds, Michigan web site. There are many more in Michigan... and everywhere.

https://www.masoncountyfairgrounds.com/non-fair/camping/

Also wondering what your RV is that sleeps so many! Good luck.

[SDcampowneroper]

Been reading and following since the first post. Every post since has value. The vast majority seem to be of opinion that additional persons equate more usage, costs, lower value to the other guests with fewer persons.
I'll chip in with a simple concept. Say the camp has an extra fee amenity, be it waterpark, paddleboats, mini golf pick your fun. Along comes a mom and asks ' why cant you make it free?'
Our reply is how could we make it free, we would have to raise our rates to cover the cost which would not be fair to those who do not use that amenity, in effect having them pay- subsidize your family.

I congratulate the OP on his family and choice to travel in this way, teaching the children the joys of outdoor fun. We commiserate with the fiscal burden that is associated with a large family.
how far can any entity offer its facilities without limitation on usage? How can an an entity justify a rate for up to 4 persons yet permit the next with 12 which trebles the camp cost risks usage at the same rate while lessening enjoyment for those others?
If any one has the answer to these questions, please speak up.

[K_and_I]

Here is a family of 12 children full time rv'ing:

https://www.kelloggshow.com/about/

They seem to find places to camp.

[Campfire_Time]

el.jefe wrote:

That's what I was originally thinking, but I wouldn't want people to avoid a campground that is friendly toward big families because of people not wanting to camp with us.

If they are avoiding a given CG because of your list, they probably already were avoiding it because it caters to families, which usually translates to noisy.

[DrewE]

el.jefe wrote:

Campfire Time wrote:
Why not compile a list and make it available? You aren't saying anything bad necessarily, just pointing out some facts that may be useful to others.

That's what I was originally thinking, but I wouldn't want people to avoid a campground that is friendly toward big families because of people not wanting to camp with us.

If they don't want to be camping in a campground that tends to cater towards families (and families with lots of kids), then I think you'd be doing both them and yourself a favor by compiling a list of campgrounds for them to avoid. It isn't fun to camp next to people who would rather be someplace else with a different ambiance, and that's not a reflection on you or your family--it's just not the sort of camping that they'd prefer, and a good reason why there are a variety of campgrounds with varied rules and regulations and amenities.

Here's one (pair of) campground to get you started that's not a public campground: Knoebels campground in Pennsylvania, associated with the seriously cool amusement park (which is also quite affordable as amusement parks go, especially if you don't want to go on too many rides and use the pay as you go plan). Families of any size are permitted for the usual site fees.

[el_jefe1]

Campfire Time wrote:
Why not compile a list and make it available? You aren't saying anything bad necessarily, just pointing out some facts that may be useful to others.

That's what I was originally thinking, but I wouldn't want people to avoid a campground that is friendly toward big families because of people not wanting to camp with us.

[Campfire_Time]

Why not compile a list and make it available? You aren't saying anything bad necessarily, just pointing out some facts that may be useful to others.

[el_jefe1]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
it is our unfortunate experience that a large percentage of the population will stretch the truth when it serves their wants and needs. The nuclear family with four children suddenly becomes a family with 12 kids if each child is bringing a couple of friends along on the weekend trip. What can the park do? Call them liars? Ask for birth certificates? Just let it go, rewarding the dishonest at while turning away the honest? I don't think there is an easy answer.

And I'm a white guy and two of my sons are black, so I understand it's hard to tell from appearances. Though I might almost keep a file of birth certificate copies in the camper if it would help:)

[hawkeye-08]

Here in Washington, when my daughter and SIL and their 5 kids (2 their own, 3 fosters), they can get state park sites for $5 per night and the foster kid(s) have to be present. Their foster id also works for our "Discover Pass" which is needed to visit certain areas (day use areas).

[westernrvparkow]

el.jefe wrote:
To a certain point I totally understand the restrictions on capacity. You can't just pack a site in with 4 tents and 25 people. It just seems like that's really what those capacities are designed to prevent. But then there are just a few of us who are just looking for a site for 2 parents and their minor kids. I have 1 camping unit that comfortably sleeps 12, but then it's hard to find campsites that allow my whole family to stay together in our trailer which fits in the site and accommodates us all.

I've been looking for a campsite in the Silver Lake area of Michigan, and there are a few of the campgrounds who have the posted policy of "1 camping unit per site, includes 2 parents and their minor children". Extra adults and guests would then be extra. That's exactly what I'm looking for, and they are out there, but they seem few and far between. Seeing that in writing is what has got me thinking about this.

But I guess there may be another side to this, and that's that there are also campgrounds that really don't want us there. And again I totally respect that, if you'd rather not deal with big families and lots of kids, and the pricing policy is designed to discourage us from camping there, then that's ok too. It's just good to know that up front. That's part of what I'm getting at, I need to compile a list of big family friendly parks. Though I'm wondering now if it would be a bad idea to publish such a list, as I wouldn't want to hurt their business.

I'm serious, I mean no disrespect to anybody about that. Just not every park is designed with everybody in mind, and I respect that we often make people uncomfortable when we show up. Believe me, when we roll up in the 15 passenger van and 10 kids get out, we get a lot of stares, just about everywhere actually. It's a normal part of our lives, and that's ok. We know we kind of look like freaks:) And we know it's not always a welcome sight when we pull up in the site next to yours.

But there are other places that are ok with us, and we've had many neighbors who looked at us more with amusement than with fear. And we've even had some who have been really encouraging to us and have said they enjoyed camping near us. We do try to be aware of our neighbors and make sure the kids are respectful and their volume is reasonable.

So I guess I'm saying, there are places we can camp, there are places that we either can't or it's much more expensive for us to camp, and maybe there are campgrounds that really don't want us to camp there. All of those things are true and I'm ok with all of those. I'm just wanting to compile something of a list of which is which.

Publish away. If, against all odds, it becomes a highly used resource they only entity you would likely harm would be your own interests. Those parks that welcome the rare family of ten children would likely reconsider that policy should your publication lead to multiple such groups arriving on a regular basis.
As for the suggestion of exceptions for all minor children in the family, it is our unfortunate experience that a large percentage of the population will stretch the truth when it serves their wants and needs. The nuclear family with four children suddenly becomes a family with 12 kids if each child is bringing a couple of friends along on the weekend trip. What can the park do? Call them liars? Ask for birth certificates? Just let it go, rewarding the dishonest at while turning away the honest? I don't think there is an easy answer.

[WTP-GC]

Ralph Cramden wrote:
This thread is a fine example of the RV.Net creed........

RV.Net..........Complicating the uncomplicated since 1852 LOL.

Until I read this forum, I wasn't aware of the inherent risk of death I was taking each time I traveled down the highway on my chinese-made tires and with my fridge running on gas.

[Ralph_Cramden]

This thread is a fine example of the RV.Net creed........

RV.Net..........Complicating the uncomplicated since 1852 LOL.

[el_jefe1]

To a certain point I totally understand the restrictions on capacity. You can't just pack a site in with 4 tents and 25 people. It just seems like that's really what those capacities are designed to prevent. But then there are just a few of us who are just looking for a site for 2 parents and their minor kids. I have 1 camping unit that comfortably sleeps 12, but then it's hard to find campsites that allow my whole family to stay together in our trailer which fits in the site and accommodates us all.

I've been looking for a campsite in the Silver Lake area of Michigan, and there are a few of the campgrounds who have the posted policy of "1 camping unit per site, includes 2 parents and their minor children". Extra adults and guests would then be extra. That's exactly what I'm looking for, and they are out there, but they seem few and far between. Seeing that in writing is what has got me thinking about this.

But I guess there may be another side to this, and that's that there are also campgrounds that really don't want us there. And again I totally respect that, if you'd rather not deal with big families and lots of kids, and the pricing policy is designed to discourage us from camping there, then that's ok too. It's just good to know that up front. That's part of what I'm getting at, I need to compile a list of big family friendly parks. Though I'm wondering now if it would be a bad idea to publish such a list, as I wouldn't want to hurt their business.

I'm serious, I mean no disrespect to anybody about that. Just not every park is designed with everybody in mind, and I respect that we often make people uncomfortable when we show up. Believe me, when we roll up in the 15 passenger van and 10 kids get out, we get a lot of stares, just about everywhere actually. It's a normal part of our lives, and that's ok. We know we kind of look like freaks:) And we know it's not always a welcome sight when we pull up in the site next to yours.

But there are other places that are ok with us, and we've had many neighbors who looked at us more with amusement than with fear. And we've even had some who have been really encouraging to us and have said they enjoyed camping near us. We do try to be aware of our neighbors and make sure the kids are respectful and their volume is reasonable.

So I guess I'm saying, there are places we can camp, there are places that we either can't or it's much more expensive for us to camp, and maybe there are campgrounds that really don't want us to camp there. All of those things are true and I'm ok with all of those. I'm just wanting to compile something of a list of which is which.

[Crowe]

I don't buy that more people on a site is more work and therefore should pay more.

Do the math. 4 sets of feet vs. 8 sets of feet = more stress and disturbance on the ground. More trash to dump (even if it's in the barrel). More weight on a picnic table means it wears out faster. Aside from the "work" angle, it stress resources which cost more. More toilet flushing, more tooth brushing and more dishes to wash equate to more water usage whether or not they use the cg showers. If they don't, more tp used in the cg bathroom, etc. How often do you replace an item of clothing you wear only occasionally vs. one you wear daily?

In simple terms if you are having people over for dinner do they share plates, napkins and silverware? No, of course not. You use more. Extra dishes fill up your dishwasher faster so it may require you to run an extra load. Extra load means more water, more soap. It's subtle but it's real.

[toedtoes]

I think that private campgrounds and RV Parks are going to be more limiting and less flexible on this. Some, like WRVPO, will simply make a rule and enforce it to eliminate arguments and "exemption creep". Others will see it simply as a way to make more money.

Public campgrounds quite often have a "family" exemption. That is usually defined as 1 or 2 parents and their immediate children of various ages. It usually not mean grandparents, adult kids, and their individual families.

The concept is that most public campgrounds don't want a bunch of adults in one site (usually ends up as a "party") and they don't want kids under 18 unsupervised in a site (potential for accidents, etc.). So, if you are a true family (which the OP is), the campground will waive the person limit.

If the kids are all boys or girls and wearing funny uniforms, let they probably won't accept you as a family.


I would simply call before making reservations and ask if you would have to pay the extra fee. I suspect most public campgrounds will waive it. If they don't waive it, then you can choose to pay the extra fee or not. If you need a site last minute, then you may not have a choice for that moment.