RRUGG wrote: Earlier this week we stayed in one of Michigan's state parks. The camping fee was $27. For that we got an electric hookup. We've stayed in many private parks with full hookups for as much as $10 less....
I've never seen a private campground that can come close to the offerings of a state park for anywhere near the price, let alone $10 less. We look for large sites, scenic hiking trails, beautiful beaches, and plenty of trees. Many private parks offer none of these, yet charge $40-$50. For what? Plumbing?!? No thanks -- our trailer has holding tanks. We'll take the beauty of nature and use the extra $20 for something else.
You gotta be kidding! Private campground for $17.00! No way Jose!
State parks are still the best bargains and places to stay, especially if you like to camp and not just be in an amusement park. Sites are almost without exception larger and better than private campgrounds.
billyboy wrote: if your an out of state camper, michigan state parks really screw you, more then any other state does.
Explain please.
well they charged us a registration fee per day for the car and a registration fee per day for the motorhome which was only going to sit there while we used the car, plus the campground fee for the site. the private parks would have been cheaper.
Non-Resident "DAILY" State Park Motor Vehicle Permit $8
Towed Vehicle Permit (only available to individuals who tow a second motor vehicle with a motor home) $6--WHEN YOU STAY IN A STATE PARK HERE IN MD, YOU AS A NON RESIDENT PAY THE SAME AS I DO. Michigan Rip off
* This post was
edited 05/08/08 02:51pm by billyboy *
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Does that extra $2 a day really make it a "rip off"? How touchy are you?
The last time we were in Maryland or to be more specific; DC, Annapolis, Hagerstown, Cumberland, Baltimore, nothing was cheap! Very expensive state to visit or RV in. Actually the whole East Coast is very pricey.
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redhawk23229 wrote: You gotta be kidding! Private campground for $17.00! No way Jose!
State parks are still the best bargains and places to stay, especially if you like to camp and not just be in an amusement park. Sites are almost without exception larger and better than private campgrounds.
WAY,Speaking SOLELY, about PRICE, it's very easily done, using PA or CC, there are hundreds even less than that.
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Hard to beat michigan state parks and PLEASE someone tell me where I can get a campsite in a private park for under $40 and those parks usually stink!
Our camping club often goes to Cedar Oaks RV Resort on Grand Lake O the Cherokees, $18 a day for full hookups and use of boat slips and launching ramp is included.
But I agree that the state parks are nicer, with more room and a more natural setting. Our state park campgrounds offer "modern RV" sites as low as $14 a night (less for campsites with electric only or water and electric) depending on the park. No entrance fees, most parks, but sometimes a launching ramp fee. We have city and county parks, on rivers and lakes, with camping fees under $5 a night.
Private parks do what they have to, to compete.
But then again, our median incomes are way below those in the rust belt states, we expect to be able to buy a decent house for under $50K, and live comfortably on $2000 a month, and nobody tells us that our economy is depressed, because our standard of living has never been any higher than it is now.
I'm from Michigan, go back every year. IMHO considering the difference in average incomes (for the people that actually work), standard of living, level of consumption in other areas, $27 a night for camping in Michigan state parks sounds like a pretty good deal.
Does that extra $2 a day really make it a "rip off"? How touchy are you?
The last time we were in Maryland or to be more specific; DC, Annapolis, Hagerstown, Cumberland, Baltimore, nothing was cheap! Very expensive state to visit or RV in. Actually the whole East Coast is very pricey.
Its not 2.00, its 8.00 extra each day for each vehicle plus the camp fee. you won't pay that on the east coast. also in md., if you have a golden age pass, you get the campsite for half price,try that im michigan.
I have a Golden Age Passport and DW has a Disability Pass and we only pay half price in many Michigan CG's. DW's had her Disability Pass for over 7 years now. We surely know how it works! The senior YEARLY vehicle pass for State Park and/or CG entrance is $6 per registered vehicle. That's YEARLY! We have 3 vehicles with annual passes on each year. Not $6 per day or $24 per year each. Toads are included at $6. per year as we used to have a large Allegro basement MH along with our 5'ers. Wisely sold the 6 1/2 MPG hog just before the fuel price crunch hit and got an excellent $$$ for it. Couldn't get half that price now!
Some states have beautiful State Parks etc and a lot of them, as we know, are not very nice at all. We've been using them all over 49 states (Alaska 4 times) as well as so many of Canada's Provincial Parks for the last 40+ years. Look at our signature map. Many state's have State Parks with NO hookup of any kind and a couple are with only pit toilets to boot. Also, many have sites that resemble a parking lot slot while being in very open country, very small sized park for usage, side charges for any thing you want to do inside the park, building entrance fees, pay showers, etc. A long list! Sure these parks may charge less but you only get what you pay for. They don't appeal to us at any price!
If YOU don't want to pay the fee required, then don't camp or use State Parks in Michigan or and other state you deem too expensive for your pallet! That's what we've done and you can be assured expensive Maryland and the East Coast is off our desirable list. It's not just for the CG or park fees because that's such a small part of visiting or staying in an area. But also for Food, commodities, sales taxes, attractions, all the hidden costs/charges etc add up to much more than the difference in CG/park costs. Having stayed in several Maryland State Park CG's, It's a no brainer that they are a far cry from the Michigan State Parks/CG's. The residents of the State of Michigan have paid for the State Park system thru their taxes as that's how they got there in the first place. Yes, we get a $2 break as we deserve it. I see nothing out of place by charging a little extra for non-payers/contributors to a states tax coffers for the use of their facilities. We always expect to and do willingly pay the extra to any state park for the temporary use of their amenities. It only make good sense and is fair.
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