I am on a campaign to try and get level campsites. I would like to encourage everyone who ends up with a campsite that is not level, to say something to Ontario Parks. Why is that there are so many unlevel campsites. Surely in this day and age with the fees that most people are paying, it is not unreasonable to anticipate a campsite that will not only accomodate your rig, but also be somewhat level. This summer we have had a number of campsites that have required us to use every piece of board that we have to start to become level.
While I will admit that we have an additional requirement of wanting a clear view of a specific portion of the sky for our satellite dish, surely campers should be able to enjoy a level campsite. In one park, the sandy soil would only require a small road grader to move from the back of the site towards the front of the site about 4 inches of soil. (Yes we had about 10 inches of boards under the front wheels on that site.) Another campsite our slope was such that under one wheel we had 12 inches of boards. In both cases we were limited in our site availability for our satellite dish and ended up with these sites. Unfortunately until you have been in a campground and checked the tree situation you do not know whether or not the site is suitable for satellite service.
Recently I have observed that there appears to be more wheeled camping equipment than tenters and park staff that I have talked with, seem to feel that is something they are noticing also. I also noticed that even the smallest trailers are needing to add boards under one of the wheels (in once case recently, six inches of boards).
I know Ontario Parks is indicating that this is not on the list of priorities for funding, but in many cases, it is not so much funding as getting the maint. staff to do the work.
I'm for level campsites, how about you?
* This post was
edited 07/31/09 03:30pm by Anml_341 *
Frank Spence
Ontario Canada
Member: Explorer-RV Club (Canada)
Member: FMCA #F275853
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I would tend to think that Ontario Parks would not see this as a priority. I think that they cater to a different type of camper. If they were going to ensure that all their sites were level, then I would think that they would need to have water and sewer connections available at their serviced sites, and I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Family of four
2007 Ford Explorer 4.6 L
2008 Shamrock 23RS
Prodigy Brake Controller
It could be addressed as a safety issue. All it takes is one TT to fall off a stack of board
and injure or kill someone.
Most campgrounds are old and level areas were originally set up for tents. A picnic table and locking food box (animals), fire ring, and a nearby water source was available. Then came the TT and
the RV requiring personal electricity, water and longer parking spaces. Followed by the need for TV cable,
sewer connection, telephone, wifi, 50 amp service for air conditioners, extra width for multiple slide outs
and awnings, hot showers, pet runs, laundry rooms, a real lawn, and the topping of trees so people can
use a satellite to watch Opra, and total tree removal so the sun can reach solar panels.
Let's not forget the necessity for playgrounds, basketball courts, putt putt, horse shoe pits,
bachi ball, general stores, swimming pools, club houses, cvell towers, golf courses, activity directors
and dining halls for those too lazy to cook. There is a difference between Camping and RVing, Camping is for the young, Scouting, the military,
and those who want to get back to the basics like the cowboys and pioneers of past.
Yet I remember watching Tarzan movies where the elite camped in tents while on safari in the jungle
with tables, and chairs, silver candlesticks, bathtubs and enough items to furnish a house.
RVs brought about the need for RV Parks, Thousand Trails, Coast to Coast and CamperWorld.
I myself enjoy both. As a boy and an Asst Scoutmaster, I camped for over 15 years. And now I choose to RV as the ground is too hard and it gets more difficult to get up from low places.
Just my 2 cents. Happy trails to you.........
Given that we are not satellite TV people, I don't understand the correlation to getting a level site.
Having said that, I'd agree that the sites useable by RV's should be "reasonably" level.
We boycott the Provincial and National Parks because we feel the rates are ridiculous. I guess if they lower the rates, they won't be levelling the sites anytime soon.
I'd rather have cheaper rates, and use lots of blocks to make my rig level.
I think you are 'barking at the moon'. First off they are 'campgrounds' not RV parks and they could care less about your satellite reception. My suggestion. Stop going to Provincial Parks and start going to RV parks with open fields so you can get your tv.
Read his post, level for his 34 ' motorhome is going to be tough to find ,our parks are set up for pop-ups (single axel) or TT and 5th wheel where the wheels are close together,a small level area is enough.
It has nothing to do with TV , that is a tree issue.Barking indeed.
what is it a full moon? cant anybody read? Or we just have to dump on anyone who dont camp "your way"
99 F250 PSD bilstiens. bone stock otherwise
2002 Triple E 30' 5th
skrams wrote: I am all for level sites too, however I have not really noticed it being an issue in the PP's we have visited so far.
karead wrote: We boycott the Provincial and National Parks because we feel the rates are ridiculous.
I agree the rates are too high. But, any private campgrounds we have visited have been more costly than PP's.
Yeah, but we are quite happy dry camping. And the Provincial Parks want between $25.75 and $33.50 for that. Sorry, but that's too much for a parking space. I've said many times that they can charge what they want when the market will bear it, but to keep fees the same during off season when the parks are empty makes no sense to me at all.
And now, they want between $10 and $18 just for a day use fee so we can't even stop at a park and go for a hike anymore.
They could charge more .
The PP are booked full at midnight on the day reservations are open.
The vast majority disagree.
As do I.
They are worth every penny ,national parks too, we use the yearly pass and visit our local NP (Point Pelee) all the time.
Thank you for the boycott(one less in the crowd)
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Camping is for the young, Scouting, the military, 
