State vs. County

[Mrs.Mod]

Hi all,
My husband and crew have scheduled a trip to Oregon at the end of the month. Specifically, we are staying at a campground named Schroeder near Grants Pass. When I made my reservation at reserveamerica.com, I noticed in the description that it specified that this campground is not a state-run facility but that is is run by the county.
When I went to Oregon a few years ago, we stayed at Honeyman State Park in a yurt and it was fabulous! It had free hot hot hot showers that were spotless, clean restrooms, and was overall very well kept.
So I'm wondering if the county-run campground are as well cared for as the state parks in Orgeon.
Here in California, it doesn't matter who runs them. They are nothing to brag about.
So, I'm not sure if I've ever stayed in a county-run campground. What's the difference? Special rules? Also, has anyone stayed at Schroeder and can give me a review?
Many thanks!

[Kamiak]

We haven't stayed at Schroeder, but I have stayed at many county parks in Oregon, including Josephine County where Schroeder is located. I found them all to be first class operations, attractive, large sites, many/most with full-hookups (or at least WE), attractively priced, and very RV friendly (unlike most CA parks). The same can be said for their State Park system.

[Lily&Me]

We have found county campgrounds around the country to be quite nice. It will probably be fine.

The nastiest places we have ever pulled into have all been private.



Maggie

[Mrs.Mod]

Kamiak, that is very helpful. Thank you! I am very excited to visit the Grant's Pass area. We are going to check out the handful of ghost towns in the area. Anything else in the area you recommend seeing?

[Mrs.Mod]

Doug & Maggie,
Do you recommend staying out of private campgrounds?

[Phoenix]

Just a comment: Private campgrounds are usually more expensive.

For example, many state, regional, county, etc. campgrounds are in the $15-25 per night range, while privately owned properties (e.g., KOA) can be $35 and up depending on the location and season (e.g., some private campgrounds along Pacific Coast Highway 1 approach $100 per night during the summer peak season).

And, price is no indication of quality. We have stayed at public campgrounds for as little as $4 per night. (White Spar National Forest Service Campground near Prescott, AZ. Regular rate $16, off season/no water = $8, half off with NPS Senior Pass = $4.

Link to American the Beautiful and Senior Passes: U.S. National Park Service America the Beautiful

And, we have stayed at some KOA-type "RV resorts" for $45-65 that have been real dumps.

[Kamiak]

Mrs. Mod,

You might enjoy Jacksonville, a little SE of Grants Pass, or Oregon Caves, a little SW on Hwy 199. Jacksonville is an old west town, somewhat like Jamestown, Angels Camp, or Sonora in CA. There's also the jet boat rides down the Rogue, and those you pick up in Grant's Pass.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Mod

Doug & Maggie,
Do you recommend staying out of private campgrounds?

Of course not.

We can handle anything for an overnight, but have learned to look carefully at any place we plan to stay a few days.



Maggie

[Jim Foster]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Mod

Anything else in the area you recommend seeing?

We have attended a Street Rod event in Grants Pass for several years. We always do the Helgate Excursions Jet Boat ride. We do the dinner ride. Well worth the money. Have a very light lunch. The dinner is family style ribs, chicken and lots of other good stuff. All the beer/wine/soft drinks you want and very nice Marion Berry cobbler for dessert.

[Mrs.Mod]

Hi again,
We do plan to see Jacksonville. Glad to hear it's worth going to. We're not familiar with this area in the least bit, but that was the point of purchasing the AS. ADVENTURE!


Marion Berry, who is she?