RV Park vs State Park

[sandys]

Took a trip from Oklahoma City to Sioux City, IA recently with a stop in Kansas City. We decided to make reservations for a place to spend the night in Kansas City so we found an RV park. Having never stayed in an
RV park I now know the difference. While the Walnut Grove RV park was very nice...it was definitely just a place to "park".

We're the filling in the RV Sandwich!

We decided to cancel our reservation for the return trip and stay at Weston Bend State Park on the way home. Definitley more of a relaxing "camping" experience!!

[sor126]

Ohhh we are so there with you. We do State Parks and RV Parks are just not for us. Check out County Parks as well they can be really nice!!!

[MtnGuy]

I much prefer state parks, federal parks, and Army Corp of Engineering campgrounds over RV parks.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by sandys

Having never stayed in an
RV park I now know the difference. While the Walnut Grove RV park was very nice...it was definitely just a place to "park".

For the life of me, I can't understand how camping with the RV's so close together that you can't open the awning would be at all enjoyable.

I'd rather camp in the driveway at home!

Dave

[sor126]

I am with you Dave but each to their own!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

For the life of me, I can't understand how camping with the RV's so close together that you can't open the awning would be at all enjoyable.

I'd rather camp in the driveway at home!

Dave

I'm with you my brother!

[wellcoman]

We also prefer state parks. We have looked at private campgrounds and RV parks and found that they seem to be too open, crowded and not enough privacy. We just overall enjoy camping in the woods.

[Old car]

Sandys, if you come through the Kansas City area again, hit Wallace State Park about an hour north of KC just a short distance off I-35. The lower loop has a lot of pull through sites and LOTS of spacing between sites. Bath/shower house is first class and two dump stations. We live on the south side of KC and use Wallace as often as possible for quick weekend getaways.

[Dave_Monica]

We stopped at a KOA just off I75 in Ohio on our way back from a trip to KY/TN a few years back. It was a Sunday night on Memorial weekend...great planning, eh. We drive through and all the RV's are packed tight...barely enough room to open the awning. The office said they're full, but have a 30A hook-up out in the field away from everything. The hosts didn't understand our delight!

Dave

[Old car]

RV parks/KOA's just line 'em up and pack 'em in. We have an upcoming trip to South Dakota and we have reservations at two different KOA's for one night each. Basically just using them as a break from driving. Won't even unhitch the TV from the trailer. They serve their purpose but I would not call it camping.

[OldCoot]

We primarily stay at Thousand Trails campgrounds which is about 1/2 way in between an rv park and a sp. Lots are much larger and some are out in the woods depending on the campgrounds. Otherwise we only use KOA type cg's going to or from FL. Being old folks, we like full hookups. While on the highway go to or from FL, we never unhook as it is just for the night.

[papap]

I have stay at some private parks that were nicer than state or national parks. Stayed at Yellowstone a few weeks ago. Spots where so close to eat other it was not funny.

[fast murray]

I'd only stayed in state parks as a kid until last year when we bought our own rig and took it from SD to TN for a the BBQ World Championships. We stayed overnight in a place that we never saw in the light and that's ok with me. The other one was near St. Joe and it was alright although it was dark there as well. We try to stay in state parks whenever possible. Having all the space is really nice.

[gbpacker]

Originally Posted by Old car

RV parks/KOA's just line 'em up and pack 'em in. We have an upcoming trip to South Dakota and we have reservations at two different KOA's for one night each. Basically just using them as a break from driving. Won't even unhitch the TV from the trailer. They serve their purpose but I would not call it camping.

I agree with Randy. RVing and camping can be two different things. When we want to relax, we much prefer SP's. But when we traveling across country, with no scheduled stops it is often more convenient to stay at RV parks. Public land, SP, BLM, Army Corp and SF often require reservations.

[Oakman]

If I’m going “camping” my first choice is a COE park, second choice is a state park, I don’t do NFS in my area because trees don’t always get trimmed and fifth wheels are tall.

When we travel around the country I always look for an RV park that is close to the highway we are using when we stop for the night. I don’t want to add more miles than I have to on an already long distance trip. When choosing a destination park I do a lot of research and try to find one that offers the best spacing between the sites.

On our recent trip to Colorado we stayed at Mountaindale RV park near Colorado Springs for one week. We had stayed at this campground in 2007 and thought it was the best of the RV parks in the area. We were surprised to find that the owners had actually taken out some of the sites to make the others more spacious. Not that’s rare.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by Oakman

If I’m going “camping” my first choice is a COE park, second choice is a state park, I don’t do NFS in my area because trees don’t always get trimmed and fifth wheels are tall.

Don't be bashful now...you've already told us of your tree trimming skills!

Dave

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

Don't be bashful now...you've already told us of your tree trimming skills!

Dave

Oops, I’ve been called out. You really did make me laugh out loud on that one.

Trimming trees with my trusty backpacking bow saw is just one of the services I provide to campgrounds that have allowed their trees to grow wild, bushy, and untamed over a campsite. I actually carry three different types of hand saws for trimming foliage.

[jsilvius]

We stay at the RV parks because none of the State Parks in VA have full hookups. :-(
I prefer the State Parks because they are so much nicer (and cheaper), but I prefer my full hookups to having to stress out with the dump station and the crowd there all trying to get out at the same time.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by jsilvius

We stay at the RV parks because none of the State Parks in VA have full hookups. :-(

Check out Kiptopeke State Park....that has some full hookups.

[bacageary]

State Parks for our family. We love the campier feeling!