Ladies and Gents,
When traveling, we're often at the mercy of bill board ads, campground books like "Trailer life", "Goodall's" and more for info on a campground for our stay. In reading the write ups in the books, many say "Clean, well kept, nice campground w/spacious sites and long pull throughs, rec rooms, pools etc. But, upon arrival, we find many have live-ins, with broken cars, broken toys, hanging plants, hanging clothes, and more evidence of a "less than desirable" nice camp spot for the night/day/week etc.
We're not rich either so, we're not into the other end of the spectrum either. Like, the ones that are "RV Resorts". You know the ones I mean. Those are the ones that the very "affluent" hang around at. Not that there's anything wrong with that. We simply will never be in that environment due to the fact that we're not rich.
But, what we like is "SPACE" in between our camp sites. A clean environment, preferably paved roads and sites but, not mandated. Take for example, "Grizzly RV Park" in West Yellowstone. Now that park is incredibly clean, well kept, very nice roads/spaces and amenities. It's tad bit too close to the next site for my optimum liking but, it would certainly do for a while.
We like many USFS camp grounds too. There's usually LOTS of SPACE in between the sites in those. There's many time pine trees and more too. Like for instance, Colter Bay in the Tetons or, Grant Village in Yellowstone. Lots of room between campsites there and usually well kept.
Now, take for instance, Fishing Bridge at Yellowstone, that one is entirely toooooooooo close for us. We don't like being within "One foot" of other campers as we saw in many of those spots when we toured it a few times. Another one that we're not all that far from in our area is the Chula Vista Marina/RV resort in Chula Vista CA, (Close to San Diego). That one too is way too close for us. In many of those, we saw such diminished clearances in between the corners of two backed in trailers that only a little kid could get in between them. The park is clean and well kept but, it's an over grown sardine can in terms of trying to get too many campers/RVers into that area.
Now folks, this is all a matter of preference. Many of you have stayed in places like I've described, with tight quarters and it's not a problem with you. And that's perfectly fine. Yes, I'm sure it's a matter of money and space. Just like houses in a tract home area, the more you can squeeze into it, the more you (an owner of the tract or RV park) can make in income. It's business.
But, a nice, clean, well spread out, NON-LIVE-IN, camp ground/RV park is what we really like. I don't know how many of you have ever visited another camp ground/RV park fairly close to us called"
The Springs at Borrego but, talk about a flawless park, wow. That park is impeccable. And, it's not on the high end. The prices do get pricey in the optimum months (winter) but, the sites are not too close for the most part and they have many in other sections that are a lot farther apart. The only issue is, it's a thousand degrees there during the "off season". You have to spend your time "under water" in their pool. But, that park is fabulously clean and manicured. And, even though I'm not a golfer, it's got golf course that looks like it should be in the rain belt someplace. We've got a lot of golf courses in and around San Diego County and, of all the ones I've seen, that one is the GREENEST I've seen.
Well, anyway, I'd sure like to see a print-out of nice, clean, spaced out, multiple spaces, camp grounds/RV parks that is true to its print. We don't need lots of stuff to keep us busy, we can do that all on our own. We don't need games, or clubs, or activities as we manage to keep ourselves as "busy" as we think we need to be at any given time. We have carry a Honda Goldwing and can tour anywhere to keep our interests up while in any given area. We carry bicycles too for that kind of activity.
I don't know how many times I've seen a picture in Trailer life, Motor home magazine, Camping Worlds publication, and more of an RV in a very nice spot, NOT SARDINED, with water near by, or a meadow, or any other very nice looking environment and said, man, we'd sure like to be in that spot, I wonder where it is? But, most of the time, the publication never divulges where the picture was taken. Oh well, I guess we'll have just rely on the folks here and word of mouth on which ones were/are good and which ones to stay clear from.
Scott
Scott and Karla SDFD RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 White Honda CRV EX-L,4WD w/NAV Toad 2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing KI60ND
I agree 100%. We like a little space between us and the neighbor so we're not stacked on top of one another, however, we don't need all of the other amenities that some parks offer. We are perfectly capable of entertaining ourselves.
Grizzly RV is one of our favorite as well other than there are a few sections/sites that could have a couple more feet between sites.
I find this to be a better resource to RV Park specifics. I hesitate to call what we do camping although it make it sound a little more frontier like and that I am roughing it.
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We prefer boondocking and drycamping and try to stay away from private parks for same reasons stated above, but sometimes there are not any other workable choices in the area so RvParkReviews.com is normally our first step. If something catches our eye, we will do a Google skyshot of the RV park. If that proves suitable, we go to park website and check for more details, and if it measures up, we finally make a call for any questions we may have. This is why we rarely make reservations ahead of time as you never know what you'll get until you drive into the park. In our case, spacious sites trumps amenities since we already have all those things at home anyway.
Ditto RVParkreviews.com Also, I do searches here in these forums in the RVParks, National Parks, etc. section. I do the searches for a particular area using the current year and the past years. A wealth of information can be found there.
Marilyn w/ Joe, 2000 Xplorer Class B van, usually pulling a Ranger bass boat.
Smudge, (in photo) a Shih Tzu/Yorkie Mix and Gizmo is waiting at the Rainbow Bridge
I second everything and I mean EVERYTHING posted about the Grizzly RV park. I'll put up with the closeness because of all the nice stuff but about 50% more open space sure would be sweet there.
American RV Park in "Alfa Turkey" is another nice one.
I'll put up with some high cost because I can always parking lot or ?? a night or two to balance out the total $$$ laid out.
2000 Country Coach Allure; Cummins ISC 330 HP; 71/2 - 8 MPG regardless
2002 Jeep Liberty
We like the state parks (especially the state beaches) and prefer to stay there but there are a number of very nice RV parks we stay at too. We like Wine Country RV in Paso Robles, Pechanga RV Park in Temecula, Rancho Oso in the Santa Ynez mountains, and Ocean Mesa at Santa Barbara. Another which is has full hookups and we like is Carpenteria State Beach.
We too find that RV Park Reviews is our best tool. We find it in a book and then check it out in RV Park veviews. Thet gives you real comments by real live campers.
Bob and Ann
One HAPPY Schnauzer - Della
One FRISKY Chihuahua - Lola
2005 37 DB Allegro Bay
Workhorse Chassis
GM 8.1L (496 CID)
340 HP
Onan 7000 Watt
Double Slide
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Toad
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