We just got back from our once a year camp with my immediate family. My parents like the convenience of a National Park campground in Arizona called Christopher Creek. For a campground it is nice, but I do not know how folks camp in campgrounds!! The cars driving in and out, the neighbors, the stinky bathrooms, the lights out at 10pm, noise ending at 9:30, and to topper, the diesel truck that shows up Sunday morning to deliver the wood to the camp host for the campers to buy.
Now, I really understand why I only boondock, except the once a year campground trip for the family reunion.
No problems here in Va. lights out whenever you want,keep the noise down after 11:00 but we're still up to who knows when.There are cars in and out but as long as there not speeding around I don't care.When we go to bed the a/c blocks out most all the outside noise and a box fan does even better.Most places I've been in Va. except for this old resort cg,all the bathrooms very clean.
I can say I have camped at a Corps of Engineers site, with similar rules, but not demanded.
Cars drive around a campground, try finding a spot off the main path.
Lights out, yes, but it does not mean you must turn in.
Stinky facilities? Well, this speaks or smells as it may for itself
Sunday morning diesel problem? Wait until Bubba pulls his 32ft travel trailer past your site, with his F-350 belching diesel exhaust as he negotiates the turn and the hill right after he passes your campsite. Catch a good downwind from the johns, and make sure it all happens at 10:02PM. If what you had was better than that, you really have no reason to complain.
Actually though, I would speak to the manager, or maybe his district boss. Beauraucrats hat folks stirring the pot.
Be glad there are places to boon dock near your house. In the Midwest I would not have any idea where to go. Too many people, I guess. So my wife and I chase the bicycle trails in the area especially Rails to Trails.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
You haven't stayed in a GOOD campground then. I too am sorry you don't have good ones where you are! We don't have any good boondocking spots, but have great campgrounds. Guess we are even!
campingrandma wrote: You haven't stayed in a GOOD campground then. I too am sorry you don't have good ones where you are! We don't have any good boondocking spots, but have great campgrounds. Guess we are even!
Yup. I'll second (or third) that. We have no problems with our campgrounds.
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
Christopher creek is about the worst place you can go. Camp hosts are usually older people and the forest service caters to them more than anything. Thats about to change, they are offering up all the forest run campgrounds to private management! who knows what it will be like when that happens. Good job for making the best of it!
campingrandma wrote: You haven't stayed in a GOOD campground then. I too am sorry you don't have good ones where you are! We don't have any good boondocking spots, but have great campgrounds. Guess we are even!
Yup. I'll second (or third) that. We have no problems with our campgrounds.
The OP is a boondocker and compared to boondocking, there is no such thing as a "good campground." As soon as one other person shows up, your relationship with the environment is irrevocably altered.
Wright and Penny
Tundra 4X4
Starcraft 2107
"Remember to keep it simple. You can't get away from it all if you take it all with you."
Nights camped in '07 = 48
Nights camped in '08 = 43 http://www.webshots.com/user/awellis3
I am well aware of the fact that the OP is a boondocker. I do know what that means. IF you had really read my post, you would see that I mentioned we don't have any good BOONDOCKING spots, campgrounds are our only choice. That said, we have some really nice ones around us where the sites are so large you don't see your camping neighbors unless you want too. Most everyone has respect for the others around them (there can and probably will be exceptions but that is what the park rangers are there for, to handle those situations). Also, do you realize the stinky toilets he is talking about are VAULT/PIT toilets? Of course they stink. But then, I haven't used a pit toilet when I camp where there is one since I got a a porta-potti!
There also aren't a lot of cars in and out where we camp, everyone walks or rides bikes. No trucks delivering firewood either. I have no problem with being quiet after 10 p.m. (quiet time in our parks) as I don't go camping to raise hell all night though we do stay up well past midnight most of the time; and we don't have to turn our lights out at anytime, we keep them on all night if we want too! (We don't camp in private parks at all, only state, ACOE, and NF/NP campgrounds).
The whole point is that the OP stayed in a "bad" campground compared to many out there so of course he had a bad experience. He shouldn't base his view of campgrounds on just one stay in a campground that is apparently not so nice!
* This post was
edited 07/21/08 08:59am by campingrandma *
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