RE: Campground Guides/book form

[CampinCrazy]

 
Okay, how do the pro s find good campgrounds?  Is there a guide that is better than others?  I ve been looking around and settled on " The Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds"  it is by Frommers and you can purchase them for specific areas.  They do not accept ads from campgrounds, nor has the guide been edited or reviewed by the campgrounds profiled - or at least so says the intro.  I want something that lets me know about bathrooms (must flush and have hot water!) and the availability of playgrounds, along with site size, privacy and setting.  What do you use when deciding where to try next?
 
 Or, do you find word of mouth (ie this forum) to be the best bet?

[garym053]

 CampinCrazy
I always USED to buy Woodalls directory, but since the " Unofficial Guides"  came out, I like them better! I like the idea that they are not influenced by advertising like I believe Woodalls is. I also like a book on New England Camping that rates the CG s by scenic beauty, but as far as I can tell this is a local (New England) book.

[tlhdoc]

 CampinCrazy
One thing that I do if I am going to a new campground is to call and ask about the sites.  The staff is often willing to help you pick the site that is right for you.[]

[got woody?]

 CampinCrazy
I was interested in learning more about the book mentioned above

The Unofficial Guide to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds

, so I plugged the title into my handy-dandy google search and got this:
 
 http://www.wiley.com/cda/product/0,,0764565877%7Cdesc%7C4628,00.html
 
 The Unofficial Guide? to the Best RV and Tent Campgrounds in the U.S.A., 1st Edition
 Menasha Ridge
 ISBN: 0-7645-6587-7
 Paperback 1184 Pages
 April 2002
 US $21.99
  The Unofficial Guide to the Best RV & Tent Campgrounds in the U.S.A. features candid reviews and ratings of over 2500 campgrounds and listings and locations of more than 5500 others across the country. It includes:
 
 Detailed profiles and overall quality ratings of the best campgrounds for both RVers and tent campers
 Complete information on rates, hook-ups, and facilities
 Campgrounds rated for beauty, quiet, privacy, security, and amenities
 The only campground series with candid ratings for quality and value
 Easy-to-follow directions to each campground
 Tips on fun things to see and do near each campground
 Practical advice on RV repairs and maintenance
 
 

[NCSunshine]

 CampinCrazy
I have always used the Trailer Life Directory.  Gives me all the info I need, and I like the rating system they use.

[gr8grandpa]

 CampinCrazy
I use AAA tour books and campground guides. I allso use Trailer Life Directory.

[slowpez]

 CampinCrazy
We use both Trailer Life and the Unofficial Guide directories.  One caution, there are some errors in the Unofficial Guide, one campground was listed in the wrong state.  Overall, the Unofficial Guide is easier for me to use; there is no extraneous information floating around that makes it hard to read.  I have not always agreed with their ratings but I don t always agree with Trailer Life either.  Seems to me rating bathrooms (especially for cleanliness) depends on when you are there.  I ve gone to the same campground at different times and would have rated the condition of the bathrooms entirely differently each time.
 This board has helped us a lot in finding a campground but it is still somewhat a game of chance.  No one knows what floats your boat so it is hard to make a recommendation for someone who has kids and want lots of entertainment available for instance and for old folks like us who don t need a playground or pool.
 
 Susan

[Trlrboy]

 CampinCrazy
We have never used a campground guide and have seldom been disappointed in where we ve gone.  There is so much information on the web now about places to go, things to do, etc., that it seems easier and quicker to work that way.  For example, we are planning a week up in Colorado and worked everything up on the internet including finding pictures, campground reviews and specific sites to try to get in Ridgway SP.  One call to the park confirmed that the sites I was going to try to reserve (yes, you can reserve specific sites in CO... that s great) were pretty good and were what we were looking for.
 
 I think any combination of information campground directory tied together with a little research will get you what you want, from a secluded forest service site to a highway KOA.

[globalconcepts]

 CampinCrazy
I ve used them all but my favorite was andersons. Unfortunately they only covered a small area in the east. They recently sold out to Coleman and their new directory is not available. Nothing like the web as a resource though.