RV Parks - Where's the appeal?

[chiefly1]

Don't like parking two feet away from a neighbor no matter where we are but sometimes the location drives the stay. We camped on the beach with full hookups with a killer view but we were packed in... We tend to plan a bit ahead and reserve a destination site that gives up room. We use friends or places like this site to give referrals to good spots in whatever area we are passing through.

[Stg1]

We do Corps Parks mainly with a few state parks mixed in. We used to belong to a club that only would use private parks. I actually was the president at one time, but my love for nature led me to form a Good Sam chapter that does the state and corp parks. We still visit the other club sometimes but prefer the natural parks.

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by Rodney-the-Rock

As for me, RV parks are a place to stopover for the night and that's all. If we wanted to camp in a parking lot, we'd go to Walmart.

Ha. Walmart is quieter and roomier than some RV parks I've stayed in.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

Ha. Walmart is quieter and roomier than some RV parks I've stayed in.

Saw an example of this last night.
Motor home from NM was in the back of the lot all by themselves.

[Patches]

I can't stay in RV parks because my dogs are too big. Also in RV parks, if your neighbor has a holding tank issue you are close enough to smell it. If their genny is a bit loud, you will hear it. RV parks do offer running water for showers, laundry, and toilets. So do some state, and fed parks. Both offer some security. Both offer dump stations. State, and some fed parks rely on their hosts for security after the rangers go home. Some state, and fed parks offer more privacy. Both RV, and government parks are usually about even when it comes to cleanliness. Some can be bad, while most are acceptable. So it just depends on what you want when you park your rig for a night or so. Our state campgrounds have been full since the fed shut down. I send everyone who needs a place to camp to the free BLM land that is near by. I don't send them to the local RV parks if they have dogs. Those I have spoken to after the fact, seemed to have had a good time camping on the free lands, and will continue to use them. Quite a few visitors from Europe, and the Pacific Rim say they did not know about free camping on America's BLM lands, and will continue to use it where available. It's a cost saving measure for them.

[F and E Damp]

Not all "RV Parks" are wall to wall concrete and two feet between sites. There is one of that type just a couple of blocks from home and we took very careful note of the way it's described in the various camping guides. We figure anything that has a similar description is somewhere to avoid.

With two Labradors and a dislike of not having electricity and water, we gravitate to State, county and city parks, with a smallish number of private campgrounds we've stayed at and like. In unfamiliar territory, we might take a chance on available space at a private campground. After all, it's just one night, though we've rejected a few ideas when we got to the front gate!

One of our most favorite campgrounds is run by a county PUD. It's Beebe Bridge campground in Lake Chelan, Eastern Washington. It's on the bank of the Columbia River, has big sites with lots of space between, beautifully groomed and with boat-launch facilities. Best thing is, after Labor Day, the price for senior citizens is $10 a night! It's about 4 miles from downtown Lake Chelan.

We also have a favorite private CG in the eastern foothills of the Cascades. It's called Blue Shastin, run by a British couple. It's about 7 miles south along highway 97 from the junction with SR-20, just east of Leavenworth.

We also have a favorite State Park, near Richland, called Charbonneau SP. It's actually operated for the State by the Army COE. Again, sites with lots of room between them and on the water.

[John S]

BLM land is the way to boondock. I agree that the desert SW really is great for RV life and cheap RVing. On the road, Walmarts are a great place to stay along with truck stops and free city/county parks. Indian Casinos are a good place to park and some casinos provide mobile security in their free parking areas.

[Oaklevel]

I guess that it depends on the parks whether state federal or private..... Locally the Corp of Engineer and state parks have very small sites (Several of the COE park site will not accommodate any thing bigger than a 19 ft camper..... The state parks for weekend stays cost us over $40 per night / small sites & just water / electric (outdated run down bathhouses) OR We can go to a roomy private park near by & have 2-3 times the space & full hookups for $30 a night. When we go to the beach we do enjoy a concrete pad & a space that is 40 x 35 & in the off season not always someone beside us.......... not huge but big enough......

So for our area a run down State Park for more $ or a COE parks with very small sites.........OR private campground with larger sites full hookups cleaner.......

Would much rather camp than stay in a motel..............where ever it is........