I totally agree about the pictures of the sites. I do get a TL Directory each year and like the rating system. However online they could offer pictures plus I believe there is a disk you can get with the same info. They could include pictures on that as well. I know here in MO you can see a site before you book it for our state park system and I love that. Now if only the COE site offered the same things for our COE parks.
MattC from MO
2003 Grand Caravan
2008 Palomino Yearling 4102
Wife and 4 kids
We use TL; mostly the on-line site as we find that they have more campgrounds than Woodalls. We still check Woodalls but only to make sure all options are being considered.
We also like to see picture of the actual campsites; not just the pool or the "club house". Far too many times we have been "tricked" into thinking the campground was much better than it actually was by deceptive use of photos. If a campground does not show photos of their sites we don't stay there.
2008 42' Tiffin Allegro Bus, Xantrex RS3000 Pure Sine inverter, Garmin 2730 GPS, Cobra CB, Toad-2001 Acura MDX, Blue Ox base, Blue Ox Alexus LX towbar, SMI Silent Partner.
Or is there soooooo much SNOW there in spokane, that Sandi has not let you out of the house? We all know how you like SNOW!
The real problem with ANY camping guide, is finding out the type of user you are trying to sell to, if that is the right way to put it. For me, asphalt campgrounds/RV parks, not the place I want to be, so many times guides like this are a waste of my money. Meanwhile, the NW campground book by Foghorn Press, with the 1600 or there about places of ALL types for just Wa and OR, that is a much better bang for my $$$ than TL, newlywed or not!
In the mean time, I have not found a guide for Puget sound as good as the campground guide, I am sure one exists........just need to find one that I can use with my floating RV!
Marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
"One thing I would really like to see is pictures of the sites."
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I've stayed at a few RV parks whose websites included pictures, and the pictures *rarely* matched the reality! Photos can be taken from "flattering" or misleading angles which indicate that a site is a lot bigger than it really is, photos can show only "premium" sites in an RV park, and even a moderately-skilled "photoshopper" can massage a photo to portray pretty much anything the RV park may want. From past experience, I pay very little attention to photos in a brochure, on a website, or in a campground guide; YMMV.
OK, many of you are saying that photos really help you decide about whether or not to visit a campground. Have any of you taken any of the "virtual" tours available at tldirectory.com? Not many of the parks have them set up yet, but wondered if you think they help or do you think those are manipulated, too?
Dee
Dee Reed
Former editor of Highways magazine
Now writing and living in St. Louis, MO
KIinda funny, I have seen some "virtual tours" that would make you think of the 5 1/2 star hotels and Sandals resorts. But when you get there, the sites are 1/4 what they appear, the grass is brown or non existent, the pool is green with algae instead of water etc.
How to choose a campground or park? Simply ask the educated in the parks and campground section of this forum. History has proven these people are the ones who know.
If you owned a magazine or book that made its living off the people you describe, would you emblish the truth?
If you owned a magazine or book that made its living off the people you describe, would you emblish the truth?
No, I actually don't think I would. I couldn't stand people showing up and being disappointed. I think that's where honest assessments made by campers/RVers are needed. So keep those comments coming to whatever URL you trust.
Having discovered the TL Directory online, I've used it several times, but never heeded any comments as I rely more on RVParkreviews.com's comments, etc. And only one of the campgrounds I've used has been listed on TL Dir.
"When their are websites like RV Park Reviews and RVThereYet why even use the paper directories?"
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For these reasons:
1. If one is on the road, needs/wants to find an "RV park", and has no cell service nor web access, a printed directory can come in pretty handy!
2. RV Park Reviews is far less comprehensive than the TL directory or its sister publication, Woodall's. (I don't pay much attention to "ratings" from any source.)
If someone is heading for (a) specific place(s) for a determined amount of time, e.g., as many RVers travel on a "vacation", pre-trip planning at home using online guides/directories is useful. Or, if one has constant web access while traveling, an online directory can help locate places to stay. But, for all those times when there's no opportunity to "pre-plan", I'll stick with the TL; it's not perfect by any means, but it works for me. YMMV.
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