I Just Don’t Get Commercial RV Parks

[John&Vicki]

I’m presently in a highly reviewed RV “Resort” in Salem, Oregon (they have a pool). We’re hanging out here for a couple of days before a foray into Portland.

We have a pull-through site in a long line of similar sites. I’d guess we’re 10’ from the large motorhomes on each side. The site on our street side has their picnic table right under our side window, about 5’ from our sewer hookup (which I don’t use until I leave). Our table is squeezed between ours and the neighbors tow vehicles.

There’s no such thing as having a private conversation outside. Although I’m grateful that the folks on our street side are French, giving me a chance to brush up. You do have to speak loudly though to be heard over the traffic noise from a close-by highway.

And we’re paying $51.00 a night!

Maybe I’m spoiled to live in the beautiful state of Oregon with so many outstanding State Parks, USFS parks, BLM parks, and even County parks. But there is just no comparison between those venues and commercial parks. As a former California State Park Ranger, I realize “camping” is a weak term for what we do in an Airstream, but parks other than commercial ones do seem to bring us a bit closer to nature.

It’s usually much, much quieter as you are usually surrounded by lots of open space as you are in the middle of an actual park. And you encounter fewer powered devices such as the leaf blower currently roaring outside my window.

It’s usually much more spacious as the sites are typically larger with vegetation for privacy.

There’s a greater possibility of a camping experience with the possibility of a campfire, the smell of burning wood - and s’mores. (I know, I know, some hate campfires, read the thread).

It’s always cheaper as the state parks are around $30.00 and the NFS and BLM parks are around $10.00 with the senior discount.

There may or not be hook-ups. But I suspect your Airstream, like mine, is self-contained.

Is it simple? Are commercial RV parks meant for MoHo’s and non-commercial Parks meant for trailers? And folks who hate campfires?

Cheers,
John

[skyguyscott]

It may help to understand the difference and to bring serenity if you remember to use the following formula:

Commercial RV Parks = RV Parking = Parking Lot - convenience of Wal-Mart.

[Acheron2010]

I just posted a pic of the guy next to me in a state park campground that just fired up his own leaf blower. I could not believe it.

[John&Vicki]

Originally Posted by Acheron2010

I just posted a pic of the guy next to me in a state park campground that just fired up his own leaf blower. I could not believe it.

Now that’s funny!

[mojo]

I have been in many overcrowded, crappy tight state and national parks and have been in some very spacious, quiet commercial parks. It's all the luck of the draw when you're traveling without pre-reserved spots and scheduled destinations.

[John&Vicki]

Originally Posted by mojo

I have been in many overcrowded, crappy tight state and national parks and have been in some very spacious, quiet commercial parks. It's all the luck of the draw when you're traveling without pre-reserved spots and scheduled destinations.

Again, I think that I’m spoiled living in Oregon. Our state parks are uniformly great. As are many of our NFS parks. I have encountered one really nice commercial park though, as long as you avoid the pull-throughs (good rule for commercial parks I think), Seven Feathers in Canyonville, Oregon.

I’ve been disappointed by the camping facilities at many national parks.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by John&Vicki

Are commercial RV parks meant for MoHo’s and non-commercial Parks meant for trailers? And folks who hate campfires?

Perhaps. In my former RV, I always ended up in commercial parks. I wanted water, electric, and occasionally a sewer hookup. If I pulled in for one night, I wanted it close to my highway for easy on/off. Fuel nearby was a plus.
I found state parks difficult to navigate, especially since I tended to arrive after dark. I didn't want tree limbs scraping my A/C off.

And yes, I hate campfires. Why do I want everything to smell like I've been fighting a forest fire for the rest of my trip? I'd rather listen to your generator one night than stink like wood smoke forever.

Oh, and aren't the "first come, first served" public campgrounds a great idea?
Get up at 4am so you can sit in line half the day like a chimp begging for a treat?
I like the concept of calling, talking to a human, and knowing if I had a spot.

[MontyV]

we try to look at the photos and google earth to see the set up. some are truly crowded, when just a few more feet would make a big difference.

[John&Vicki]

There’s a plus for commercial parks - availability. We needed a last minute place to stay not too far from Portland and every single state park was booked. Seems like we can usually get into a commercial park at the last minute.

I shouldn’t be telling everyone how great Oregon State Parks are! I probably exaggerate.

John

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Perhaps. In my former RV, I always ended up in commercial parks. I wanted water, electric, and occasionally a sewer hookup. If I pulled in for one night, I wanted it close to my highway for easy on/off. Fuel nearby was a plus.
I found state parks difficult to navigate, especially since I tended to arrive after dark. I didn't want tree limbs scraping my A/C off.

And yes, I hate campfires. Why do I want everything to smell like I've been fighting a forest fire for the rest of my trip? I'd rather listen to your generator one night than stink like wood smoke forever.

Oh, and aren't the "first come, first served" public campgrounds a great idea?
Get up at 4am so you can sit in line half the day like a chimp begging for a treat?
I like the concept of calling, talking to a human, and knowing if I had a spot.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

State parks can range from horrible to insanely great.

In one state, "economy" is the big deal. Nothing is manned, there is nobody to check this or that with. Sites are pretty basic. Prices are high. Parks tend to be on busy roads so you can listen to truck's doing engine braking all night long. Yes, I ... err.... know a lot about a state like that.

Move a state or two south and they seem to like the idea of parks. Everything is manned. There is a very real presence in the park. People are out taking care of this and that. Prices are lower. The parks are quieter and the sites better set up. Go a bit west from there and they will even let you get packages at the park (plus all the same other plusses ...).

In some cases "resort" and "state park" are not mutually exclusive. I'm sitting in a full hookup campsite right now. There's a golf course up the way, a lodge, a marina, and a restaurant. All on site in the state park. All at darn good prices .... welcome to Kentucky

Lots of differences between states ....

Bob

[DBinSD]

Comercial parks are convenient and have easy hook ups. They also have laundry facilities. You pay for that convenience with tight quarters.

If you don’t like those amenities, don’t stay there!

My guess is, you dove in because it was on your way convenient.

Here is a pic of one of those “commercial” parks.

[DBinSD]

Commercial

[dmac]

The commercial parks I have visited are as described in the original post. Sites are way too close together (owner maximizing revenue per acre and minimizing utility costs). They resemble a mobile home park, and many are to a degree. One notable exception is Fort Wilderness at Disney World... wow, and priced accordingly.

The Forest Service and Park Service campgrounds that we have used have been beautiful. Often not enough capacity for the demand though.

[tberg]

Originally Posted by MontyV

we try to look at the photos and google earth to see the set up. some are truly crowded, when just a few more feet would make a big difference.

+1 to Google Earth. Easy to tell if it's a "parking lot".

Timing also matters. We've stayed at parks on weekdays where there are only a few campers in a 100+ site park. I'm sure on weekends this same park would be wall to wall the way you describe.

[Daquenzer]

This is why early spring and fall camping is good. Especially in Wisconsin and Michigan. We have been to campgrounds where we were the only ones. But we were in a UP commercial campground for 35 a night with a view of Lake Michigan and great spacing. Couldn’t beat the quiet serenity.

[alphamale49]

Unless there is an attraction, like the beach, or an event that I want to attend I avoid commercial parks. Way overpriced. If I have to I'll stay a month to get the best rate. I am not interested in horse shoes, corn mazes, or bingo. I use senior discounts for state and county parks, blms, etc., usually around $15 or even less and that includes hookups. If I don't need shore power for air when traveling I stay at overnight rest stops for free. Out west there are quite a few city parks with hookups that are free for a few days. The occasional week of boondocking with my 30 amp generator also keeps average costs down.

[HHPJ]

I use commercial parks as a home base to visit the local area and roadside attractions. I love the Thousand Trails membership for this reason. Three months camping so far, 85% has been Thousand Trails parks for $500 a year. Staying two weeks five miles outside Yosemite last month gave me the time to really explore the park and gold rush towns. Now at Mt. Hood, it is roomy with lots of trees. The $500 a year has more than paid for itself, instead of 50-70 a night...

Other times I stay at Elks clubs, 20 a night, usually full hookups, great club dinners, 3 dollar drinks and fellowship.

Casinos are a good place to stay to visit an area, free up to three nights. Now and then I like to play Texas Hold’em.

Now and then I find a few places to Boondock for solitude.

Here is a photo of my spot outside Yosemite... not bad!!

[HHPJ]

My view from my Airstream at TT campground Yosemite.

[Rgentum]

Spring a year ago, my sweetie and I ventured out from Seattle to visit her sister in Pueblo, CO, my son in San Antonio, and my daughter in Los Angeles. I knew dealing with the Ram/Cummins and its 28 ft AS would be problematic in LA, so I looked for an RV park on its outskirts and found what I recall was named California RV Resort, on the LA side of Lancaster/Palmdale, in the Antelope Valley, north of LA (and the San Fernando Valley). A little pricey, but we didn't have much in the way of alternatives.

The RV park was huge, consisting on one side of a hundred plus sites for drive-in RVs and on an adjacent side of a hundred plus sites of permanently placed, long-term RVs --- all on one side of a rather steep hill. All of the sites, both transient and permanent, were cheek by jowl; you almost had to turn right or left immediately upon exiting your RV not to bump into the next RV over. And, yup, the "resort" had a swimming pool, perhaps around 10 ft x 15 ft. The place was clean and pleasant, and the women in the office were bubbly and sparkling.

All in all, however, I prefer the national, state, & county parks in the NW, particularly those in OR. The powers that be in OR go out of their way in supporting an outdoor lifestyle. Would you believe that decades ago, the OR legislature past a bill, signed by the governor, making the entire OR coastline, beaches and all, a public highway. None of this east coast or California "private beach" with no trespassing signs and restricting fences. In OR, its beaches belong to all, and there are numerous and remarkable state parks along the coast from the Columbia River (the northern OR/WA boundary) to the CA border.

[3wd67rg]

Every park, County State, National, or Commercial, can be great or crappy, can come with or without hook-ups.

The reason for being at the side of a hwy is a quick exit and entrance. These parks are for travelers. I do find more people living in some of them now.

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