I just read the posting on " What do you think about your state parks?" and I am curious -- as a new camper and as a " little old lady" who has never camped at a state park -- why do you prefer state parks to private CG s? I will admit that even though I do enjoy camping I like as many of the comforts of home as I can get. My PU has a shower, port-a-pottie and AC so I try for a full hook up whenever possible although I rarely ever use the AC. I ve contacted a few SP s and my sense is there are not too many that have more than a few camp sites with full hook ups -- is that generally the case? I ve stayed at some nice private CG s and have also stayed at some where I was just out in the middle of a big field and I really didn t like it much at all. At the risk of being booed off the board -- what do state parks have that private campgrounds don t and are most of them safe for " little old ladies" who travel alone or with their grandkids??
Thanks!
C. HainsGood question here. We like state parks because they are less expensive and dont cram you in like sardines. The purpose of camping for us is to get away from crowds and concrete. Most state parks and other public campgrounds are on some acerage which allows for more private sites and natural beauty. We dont particularly like to leave the campground so to have access to hiking trails, lakes or streams that we can walk to or ride bikes to is a major plus. Few private campgrounds have this to offer. For now, our children are content with this arr
angement.
Sandy and the gang
C. HainsI have to agree with Sandy. Most of the time public parks have bigger, more private sites and the price is better. Most of the private campgrounds I have checked out cost more and are more open. I don t really want to camp looking at other campers all day long. I love having a view of nature.
If private campgrounds are what you enjoy than that is where you should camp. Everyone has different reasons for camping. For us the public parks are what we like.
C. HainsWe ve been to one private campground that is just the opposite of your typical private campground. The sites are larger than most state parks and they all have electric & water hook-ups, but no sewer. The cost is not much more than the state parks.
But I ll agree that most private campgrounds are packed in there.
C. HainsHamburger.Why would you consider private campgrounds safer?In California,at least,you have law enforcement officers working in the State Parks,as rangers.I did not say that all private parks are no good;in fact I have made posts praising our local KOA.Fort Wilderness is cool,too.Our general impression of many of the privately owned parks that we have seen is that there is a tendency to squeeze people in-to maximize profit.Many lack nature exhibits,or programs too.We like those exhibits and programs-kind of like art or music appreciation classes,they tend to make the world more comprehensible,and enjoyable. As far as hook ups are concerned-We like hook ups sometimes;sometimes we like to rough it.Sometimes it is nice to get away from televisions,microwaves..... We like both styles of camping.We hope that you continue to enjoy your private campgrounds.Maybe you would also enjoy state park camping too.May we suggest that you give it a try ?
C. HainsHi All,
We ve stayed at both private and public campgrounds and have had more positive experiences at the public (state parks) than we have at the private campgrounds.
DW and I perfer our Texas State Parks. They offer us more room, and we feel, better facilities.
Its just up to the individual on what they perfer.
C. HainsAs for hookups in state parks, the farther south you go the better chance of having at least electric and water. If you ve got an 8 month summer you need electric and if you don t have much of a winter it lot s easier to maintain a water system.
Some of our extended camping family HAVE to have a pool. No lake, river or stream, A POOL when they camp.
Others wouldn t dream of camping with out flushers and showers. Yet others ask about a game room for the kids. Some REQUIRE a place to fish.
We prefer some body of water, be it river, creek, pond or lake, at least nearby. A couple of the family don t care what s there as long as there are antique shops within driving distance for their toad.
I can t remember over 25 years of us all ever agreeing on a campground together, so we all camp where we want and it we meet up it s fun, and if we don t we still have a good time.
C. Hains
QuoteWhy would you consider private campgrounds safer?
I didn t mean to imply that private campgrounds are safer -- I have never camped in a state park and was curious as to why they might be preferrable. I can certainly agree that private CG s are crowded.
I am very new at camping and plan to give state parks a try -- I just know very little about them. Cook Forest in PA is a state park, I believe. While driving through PA this summer I spent some time there (not camping but " reunioning" ) and I plan to return with the camper if not this year, then next summer.
C. HainsThe SPs in Delaware have campsites that are not much bigger than some of the commercial campgrounds that I go to.
Jeffrey (age 14) needs to be busy, he wants campgrounds that have a pool and a gameroom. I like to be able not to cook if I so choose, and a lot of commercial campgrounds have at the very least, fast food in an easy driving distance. a lot of the SPs I have seen are sorta out there...which is OK if I am prepared for that.
I go to relax, to get away from the big house and all that goes along with that. We have been looking towards the future and having a travel trailer on a lot somewhere...full hook up...but that will be after Jeffrey leaves. I do not have to have the pool and the gameroom, I like a lake or river, an awning and a lawn chair. but for now I like my water and electric on site (a lot of SPs only offer electric, water is a communitee thing), sewer is nice, especially if I am going to be there for more than a weekend. I do have a tote tank, but that is one big thing to carry around.
Bottom line is that everybody is different, some of us like creature comforts, others like getting away from it all, you just have to find your niche...what is right for you.
From one
Quote" little old lady"
to another...
By the way I grew up camping at free State/Federal Wildlife management area, no electricity, water was a hand pump and the toilets were true latrines...no pool, but we did have the Withlacoochee River to swim in and we were happy (we just did not know no better), we spoiled Jeffrey by taking him to commercial campgrounds from the start and he did not have to find his own fun, it was there waiting for him.
C. HainsWhat?? -- never been to East Fork -- that s almost in your back yard.
All kidding aside, we love East Fork. We also love Cedarbrook in Lebanon. It is about $10 higher, but is a fanstastic place.
East Fork does offer discounts to seniors. Since we have not gotten to that point yet (slowly reaching it), we did opt for the " Cardinal Card" which does give us a 10% discount during the summer and 15% in the winter at all OH state parks.
As far as full hookups, when we get to East Fork, we fill out water tank at the bath house and use the gray water tank. This usually lasts us at least 3 days before we have to empty it.
Let us know when you would like to try East Fork and we ll try to schedule a trip also.
C. HainsAs far as myself, I have absolutely no beef at all with private campgrounds. We will often utilize both on our big trips. Staying in the roadside private campgrounds for a quick one nighter, until we get to our final destination. Even then, our final destination may be a private campgrounds, just a matter of convenience and location.
I will use private campgrounds for the big road trips, and we make at least one of those trips every year.
But, for the weekend getaways, I will head out to one of the state parks. Our weekend getaways the majority of our time is spent at the camper, so having a lake or river nearby while we are reading the latest R.A. Salvatore novel kicked back in an old worn out lawn chair, is a must.
We do get out and do some hiking etc, and to be quite honest, I think our children have a lot more fun at our state parks than they do at a private CG.
As far as peace and quiet.....well, the only real difference is that you more than likely won t get that interstate traffic noise at a state park. Some campers are rowdy, no matter where they choose to park it.
JR
C. HainsWe camp mostly at private CG s.
Our decision depends more on what we want to do, and what s close by.
To us hook-ups don t matter.
angelsmom10
QuoteLet us know when you would like to try East Fork and we ll try to schedule a trip also.
I will take you up on that sometime -- perhaps this fall! Thanks for the invitation.
To all of the rest of you who responded -- thanks. It is good to get other perspectives -- it helps to fill in some of the many blanks I have about camping issues!!
C. HainsI have to echo statements above concerning the more rustic appeal of State Parks. They are usually centered around a " theme" whether it be a lake, river, mountain, or just someplace with a great view of something. But they are also generally located on some incredible acreage, site s usually spaced out very well, and heavily shaded. My parents kind of planted that seed in me, they always preferred State/Provincial Parks over commercial parks.
I do stay at commercial campgrounds, about 50% of the time. Sometimes it s the only thing available with the amenities I need, like Cape Hatteras in the summer one MUST HAVE an electric hook-up. There are no State Park campgrounds there, and the National Park Service campgrounds offer no Hook-up s.
Here in Va, most (not all) of the State Parks offer various hook-ups which usually include water & electric. Kiptopeke State Park offers Sewer & Cable TV hook-up s too!
Commercial parks are usually about how many rigs they pack into a given area, and that s usually translated into " Awning to awning" camping...
Frankly, I m surprised you haven t tried the State Park system yet?!?! I ve only been to one in Ohio (Wolf Run) but it was an excellent park, had electric hook-up s...OK the pit toilets left a little to be desired, but I have my own bathroom now!!!
Gone-Camping
QuoteFrankly, I m surprised you haven t tried the State Park system yet?!?!
I m getting braver as time goes on but so far I ve really approached this adventure very timidly!! I just started camping a little over a year ago -- I had never camped in my life before that so venturing out on my own is a big deal to me!![&:] I don t like to admit it but to be totally honest I ll have to say my approach to camping has been kind of the " stick your toe in the water" approach as opposed to just jumping right in. I usually study the amenities offered at various campgrounds and then make my choice. I don t know that that is the best approach -- it s just what I have done.
I m planning a couple of outings this fall and this discussion has definitely piqued my curiosity so I m sure I will try some state parks. I appreciate everyones input.
C. Hains
QuoteORIGINAL: C. Hains
QuoteLet us know when you would like to try East Fork and we ll try to schedule a trip also.
I will take you up on that sometime -- perhaps this fall! Thanks for the invitation.
To all of the rest of you who responded -- thanks. It is good to get other perspectives -- it helps to fill in some of the many blanks I have about camping issues!!
Great just let me know about 1 1/2 week earlier if possible, if not, we ll swing it.
C. HainsIf you like to read...try the following books about women who camp or RV travel for a little inspiration. [;)]
RVing North America; Silver, Single, and Solo by Sharlene Marshall (she has several other good ones also)
How Can I Be Lost When I Don t Know Where I m Going? by Barbara Thacker
RV Traveling Tales - Women s Journey s on the Open Road by Jaimie Hall (Editor)
C. HainsYou ve had a lot of great replies, let me add my two cents:
We camp in State Parks because wildlife, site s are usually larger, people " usually" don t cut through your site to the BR & Showers, NO PLANNED activities, Quiet time MEANS quiet time, usually closer to the hiking and paddling we want to do. I could go on & on. No planned activities is a big one!
Even when we convince our children and their families to join us, we do the state parks. They have all the " Planned activities" they need at home in NJ and AZ, they need to get out into nature and experience all the beauty that they probably overlook every day.
I have never felt unsafe either from wildlife or Wild Life in a state park. I have heard a lot of noise and drunkeness at many of the private campgrounds we have visited. There have also been private CG s that are every bit as quiet and beautiful as the state parks.
I think it just boils down to the " mode" you go into when camping. Nature, hiking, biking, paddling, etc types seem to head for the state parks, social, entertaining types seem to go more for the private parks.
Like I said, just my two cents.
C. HainsWell... Here is my two cents worth. It ain t much so don t gripe if you don t get your moneys value out of the reply.
When we bought out camper, we got the proverbial free stay at a 1000 Trails resort. Now we made the decision many years ago that we did not want the condo time share type of thing. But camping was a different thing. We liked the idea of a large private " preserve" . Just about every site was secluded, there was at least one pool, or lake or both. All had horseshoes, putt-putt courses and playgrounds. Many have other things as well. All are a gated environment. The price was a little steep, but we were thinking that we would use it for many many years to come.
About one month after I joined 1000 Trails, I was doing some searching on the WEB for campgrounds and such. I found a site called Travel Resorts of America. They are affiliated with the Coast to Coast system. I asked for information and was contacted by a broker out of Columbus OH. TRoA is in N. Carolina and they have a sister park at Gettysburg, PA. It turned out that the broker had a membership to resell for $0.00 dollars. All I had to do was pick up the yearly membership. After that when I visited the campground I could activate the C2C membership reciprocal program. We did that this summer.
I wish I had found the second outfit before I signed up for the 1000 Trails. don t get me wrong, I really like the 1000 Trails, but we just have not been able to use it as much as I wanted to right now. Maybe later on we will.
All this said, there are wonderful State parks here in Ohio and surrounding states. I have spent many of camping nights in them. I have had good and bad experiences at all. Most do not afford the privacy that I really enjoy. It seems that many have been clear cut of trees and pads put down. That makes a very hot visit. I love the trees the most. And I seem to have gotten that in my own private memberships.
Now, I will not go to a KOA unless there is nothing else on God s green earth.
Just my two cents worth....
C. HainsWe camp at both types of campgrounds - public & private. It usually depends on where we are going, what amenities they have, how long we are staying and what we plan to do. For trips longer than a long weekend we usually go with a private CG - they usually have more for the kids to do (swimming pools, etc.) and elec/water hookups. For weekend trips it s usually a state park or Army Corps park which is nearby. We especially like places with hiking or bicycling opportunities. We prefer to have at least electric hookups whichever place we stay.
As others have said, it depends on what you are looking for. I like the feeling of being in nature that you seem to get more in the state parks than you do at the commercial campgrounds.
Either way - it s all about enjoyment!
Sharon
C. Hains
QuoteIf you like to read...try the following books about women who camp or RV travel for a little inspiration.
RVing North America; Silver, Single, and Solo by Sharlene Marshall (she has several other good ones also)
How Can I Be Lost When I Don t Know Where I m Going? by Barbara Thacker
RV Traveling Tales - Women s Journey s on the Open Road by Jaimie Hall (Editor)
I LOVE to read -- I will get these books and read them. Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks again to everyone for your " two cents" worth! You will get NO complaints from me -- all the comments are enlightening.[:)]
C. HainsWe mostly camp at public parks. We like the fact that they are usually more scenic, and have larger more private sites. Most of these trips are just weekends, but sometimes longer. But there are times when we really just want to use the camper as a portable hotel room. For these times the private campgrounds work well. They are often nearer to a major metro area, or are centrally located between other tourist things we want to see or do.
C. Hains
QuoteI LOVE to read
So do I!!! [:D] If you enjoy these, I have many more suggestions! LOL