Kris, you've asked what seems to be a pretty straightforward question, but I suspect there's more to it.
First of all, I think we can all agree that a crappy campground or RV park is just a crappy campground or RV park. End of story, or so it seems.
You see, I think it's also important to understand why you're in a given location and to weigh its importance.
Here are some examples from some of our recent trips:
1. We were thinking about seeing a small national monument located between Zion National Park and Fredonia, AZ. Presumably there was an RV park right next door. So we drove in and looked at the park: Bunches of gravel, some little trees, a servicably clean restroom for showers. Met by a guy wearing a dirty t-shirt, beer in hand, cigarette hanging out of mouth. Park was pretty sad, too. We decided that we'd just as soon come back to the national monument at some future point when we could just do it while passing through, not staying at that park.
2. On our way to Zion, we got a late start (doesn't everybody), so made as much headway as we could the first day out and landed in Farmington. Pulled into a small RV park next to a busy street with bunches of gravel, some little trees, a servicably clean restroom for showers. I wouldn't dream of staying there more than just one night, but it was worth it to get off the highway, rest, and pull out the next morning on our trek.
3. One of our favorite parks is a small one up in Bluff, UT. In reality, there isn't a lot to the park: Bunches of gravel, some little trees, a servicably clean restroom for showers. But it's location, location, location: Bluff is smack in beautiful red-rock canyon country! We spend a week if we can!
4. In Moab, we needed a night in a park to stock up, dump, resupply with water, take last showers before heading off to Deadhorse Point for a week. Pulled into a park with -- guess what? -- bunches of gravel, some little trees, a servicably clean restroom for showers. Spent a pleasant night and headed out the next morning.
So, then, when you read all of this, what's good and what's bad? Well, the only really bad one was the first one, though, in a sense, mainly because of the guy who came out to meet us.
However, you do discover a common thread in these little narratives: These parks can be somewhat equal, but a really important factor is what the surrounding area offers, and how the area's offerings can influence your decision on where to stay.
My advice, then, is always to look first at where you want to go, that is, at the area. If the area is really that great, you'd be surprised at how "easy" it becomes to locate a park!
Lynn
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