Summer is 2/3rds over. What impact have gas prices had? Do you think there are less, more or about the same number of people camping? I don't know if it's my imagination, but it seems like there are less campers on the roads, RV's for sure. How has the volume of campers been in campsites, I've heard and seen a lot of mixed reports.
2004 F250 PSD 6.0
2006 Wildcat 5ver 31QBH
Me, the wife and 2 great kids
Ready to Camp!
There seems to be a lot of rvs on the road here in the Northwest. I think also that people are camping closer to home to save on fuel costs. I know we have done this and still enjoy our rig.
Our State Parks are still full. We still boondock, even more than last year. RV park prices seem to be higher, but it's been months since we were in one.
For us, not much of an impact. We are fulltiming and have been in Fredericksburg, Tx. for 3 months. Will go to Tucson the first week of October for two weeks, then to Gulf Shores, Alabama for 6 months. The park we are staying at has three other rigs besides ours, and averages 7 or 8 per weekday and 25 on weekends. Was to a couple of rv dealers today and they kept wanting to show us Class A motorhomes because they are not moving. They told me they are selling a lot of travel trailers and small 5ers, plus a load of pop-ups, but not many motorhomes. Did buy diesel at $4.39 today, which was pleasant change from $4.69. So got 65 gals. of it.
I feel the traditional destinations, like Mt. Rushmore, were a lot less crowded. However, the closer to home state parks and CGs were very full!
We did travel less this year, mileage-wise. We kept our trips shorter and closer to home, with only one longer trip thrown in. Still had a great time and it's not done yet!
-Lab
2008 Nissan Titan LE Crew 4x4, DOHC 5.6 V8 w/VVT, Big Tow Pkg.
2006 Jayco JayFlight 29FBS
Equal-i-zer 10K Hitch
Prodigy Brake Control
Member of clubtitan.org
"Hershey" the Chocolate Lab!
"I asked God for a true friend: He sent me a Labrador Retriever."
I've got probably 150 nights in the camper so far this year... with business travel. My work is not conducive to making reservations, so I never do. Winter camping, there's hardly anyone in the campgrounds, government parks or Passport America parks. But that's normal.
Years past from Memorial Day through Labor Day, although it's slow during the week, it can be a real challenge getting into campgrounds on a weekend in many areas. Often, I've had to resort to my second or third choice of campgrounds in the area.
This season has been different. I have had no problems getting into a campground yet. I've been in a State Recreation Area campground on Lake Hartwell, SC for a week. 115 heavily wooded and paved sites and a few cabins on the lake. I've shared this entire park with no more than 8 RVs and one cabin dweller for the whole week. The downside is I had to use the Ford-O-Mat for laundry this weekend, 'cause the laundromat is about 14 miles from my site.
The showers are spotless. But, I'm the only one using it. I've actually had to set an alarm clock, because no one is slamming car doors or going fishing at 6 am. And worst of all... I missed my Sunday morning nap. I slept right through that booger.
Maybe it's just been the areas I'm spending time in. Or perhaps there are fewer people camping this season, for whatever reason. I dunno... but it is different. Kinda enjoying it, myself.
Our best and most used campgrounds went up about 10 dollars my my now we get the best spots to camp !!! not all bad for 10 dollars a night more we are kinda likin it!!!! rvtommy
it seems there was a time most campgrounds were fairly cheap. then camping became a big boom. then many campgrounds remodeled, added on, added pools, club houses, arcades some even added water parks! with that they added employees, general costs and so fourth. with all these added expenditures prices went up. i must think with some camping manufacturers going out of business...campgrounds will have problems soon too. here in MI, yes, fuel prices has caused problems too all. what i wonder is now that prices are going down, will everyone lower there rates for the consumer...or just keep the profits?
07 Chevy 2500HD D-Max!
05 Forest River Wildcat 31 QBH
We are like a lot of you. Fuel prices have caused us to camp closer to home. But we still are planning several long trips, so I decided to generate more revenue by substitute teaching. This way we can keep our freedom and still make a little fuel money.
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