How would you rate the State Parks in your state?

[Campaholics]

I voted OK, but like the parks in a another state.

Illinois has some excellent parks, Starved Rock, White Pines for example.
 
But, we live next to Wisconsin.  We have camped in almost all of the parks in south end of the state, plus a few farther north.  With one exception, all excellent.  
 
The real problem with Illinois parks is thou shalt not have a frosty beverage around the campfire, or a glass of wine with dinner, or a splash of Bailey's in the coffee.  Wisconsin allows alcohol; but they will not tollerate rowdy people.
 
Wisconsin uses Reserve America for its reservation system.  IMHO, a vast improvement over the days when we had to post mark are reservations on Jan 2.  
 
The last time I looked at Indiania, you mailed the reservations and everthing they got from Jan2 through April 1 was opened on April one and awarded lottery style.
 
Some Illinois parks have reservations, some don't, and not the same ones every year.  They don't use a common reservation form either.
 
The state employees running both the Wisconsin and Illinois state parks are uniformly excellent.
Bob

[sewserious]

We currently live in SC and the parks have a lot of nice things but they need some improvements.  We haven't lived here but two years and have only camped at two but have looked at many more.

We camped at Table Rock in the White Oak section, don't like the other loops as I feel like a sardine in a can.  Way too close for my comfort.  The bathhouses are okay, clean enough, but old.

We also have stayed at Hamilton Branch State Park.  The sites are much better there, much more spacious and picture perfect views; however, I was so glad we had our 'outhouse' with the porti potti and solar showers.  The toilets themselves were clean, but the showers were gross.  Mold and mildew and soap scum everywhere!  Not enough bathhouses for that size campground either.  We had at least 20 to 30 sites using one bathhouse and there were only two commodes and ONE shower!!!!!

Never saw a ranger except right after we checked in, they came to see if we were checking in or leaving and once while we were packing up to leave.  We were the only ones on our loop, but I felt there wasn't enough security there.

I can also give a thumbs up to one state park in NC, where we lived before we moved to SC.  Morrow Mountain State Park near Charlotte.  Large, spacious sites.  Four person crew came to empty trash (there is a trash can at each site) once a day and to clean the bathhouses twice a day.  The bathhouses are old but in excellent condition.

[kimrb266]

We love state parks.  Have stayed at a variety, mountain to oceans.  Unfortunately in CA getting a reservation @ A beach campground is nearly impossible from May thru Sept.  Other campgrounds vary in availability.  We too use Reserve America.

Some of our campgrounds need much improvement, but others show very recent upgrades.  About 2/3's of state parks are dry camping, the other vary between FHU and just WE, most have a dump station.
 
The cost is usually B/T $16 and $30, much better deal than private campgrounds. The rangers patrol regularly and we haven't had any problems with unruly folks.
 
I tent camped all over CA as a kid with my folks, so I have a specal place for state parks.  Besides it seems so much more like camping that many of those "resort" places.

[archer]

FL state parks are great, Next to Fort Wilderness Disney they are the best the state has to offer. Federal parks in Florida are excellent as well.

[curryp]

NYS campgrounds are quite good in my opinion. In regards to comments from the other NYers' postings - I have never heard that people on public assistance can camp for free. I do know that disabled veterans are able to obtain a state park pass which allows them free access to day use, camping and historical sites in NYS.  As far as the noise goes that is poor management of the specific campsite and not a philosophy of NYS.  

There are two governing agencies for NYS parks - The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks and Recreation. Back in the 1980's I used to work as security for the Office of Parks and Rec. I know back then noise and underage drinking were not allowed. If I had problems with either I would call the Park Police to come to the campground. They patrolled between two parks about 15 miles apart. Most of the police were either active or retired city police and had the same jurisdiction as a city police officer. If the park police were not available the state police would respond. I can recall watching quite a few people packing up camp at 1 am.  The DEC campgrounds are patrolled by rangers who call DEC officers which have the same authority of a state trooper plus can enforce environmental laws.

A NY responder mentioned ReserveAmerica. I am not real fond of that booking system. I live near two state parks now and often see empty sites that if checked online come up as reserved.

My husband and I  spent this weekend in private campground in central NY. Thankfully we had some family activities in the area to attend and were not at the campground much. The campers were packed right in with no privacy at all. Living in the Adirondacks I may be spoiled but parking a PU with a camper 10' away on either side of me is not my idea of camping.

[AustinBoston]

A NY responder mentioned ReserveAmerica. I am not real fond of that booking system. I live near two state parks now and often see empty sites that if checked online come up as reserved.

None of us are fond of ReserveAmerica, but they are not to blame for the empty campsites, no-shows are responsible for them.  A few states will cite & fine you for reserving and not using a campsite.  They never have reserved sites that go empty.

Austin

[curryp]

None of us are fond of ReserveAmerica, but they are not to blame for the empty campsites, no-shows are responsible for them.  A few states will cite & fine you for reserving and not using a campsite.  They never have reserved sites that go empty.

Austin

I agree. I was not against ReserveAmerica per se but more against the whole idea of booking campsites. Not sure if this is national policy, but in NY reservations can be done nine months prior to the first day of arrival. I think a lot of people make reservations and then something comes up and they can't honor the reservation.  I am not sure what the alternative is. One of the campgrounds near me has sites along the highway that are right on the lake. These used to be first come first serve and now they are reserve as well. This takes away the possibility of getting a decent site at the last minute.

Fining is a good idea for not canceling a reservation. What is the policy if the person(s) who reserved the site don't show up? Can the campground rent it out after a grace period?