State VS Private Camp Grounds

[rlh6805]

Anyone have a prefference for either? Pros and Cons of each?

I personally like state campgrounds. Here in Michigan we have
a wonderful state park system. See: http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/
And its is easy to make reservations too.
I have found that the privats usually cater to the larger
rv's and look like parking lots. They are usually much more
money per night too.
Thoughts?
Rob H

Rob & Cindy in Michigan
1999 Chevy Suburban
2000 Palomino Mustang

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!

[rnath]

We are in MI also and prefer State and National Parks (& Forests) over
private campgrounds. We went to Hartwick Pines SP over Memorial Day
Weekend - great sites and beautiful hiking trails. The sites in the
front of the campground are mostly pull-thru sites catering to big RVs
and look like a parking lot. But the sites in the back of the campground
are great (nestled in the forest offering a lot of privacy from your
neighbors). Other SPs planned for this summer - Maumee Bay (OH) and
Hoeft, Sleeper and Hoffmaster (MI).

--
rnath
00 Niagara
00 Mountaineer

In article <2379880b...@usw-ex0106-045.remarq.com>,

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

[Susan]

I agree...State Parks beat private hands down. We've found
facilities vary depending on the state too. For instance, we
feel Kentucky State parks are usually nicer than Ohio State
parks. We've also had great luck with Federal Parks, some of
the best we've stayed at!

Susan and Rob
00 Utah
98 Cherokee

[Mckenna36]

We love State Parks also (Yes, we also live in Michigan) Have had a few bad
experiences at private campgrounds....just donot like the atmosphere as
well...again, our familys personal opinion. We will be going to Ludington
State Park for 5 days in a week...Rain or Shine! CAN"T WAIT!

Lori

[Bill Coleman]

We like the state parks much better too. We have some very nice
state parks here in Alabama and they just pass a $100 million
bond issue for stste park improvements so they will be getting
better. As far as cost goes there simply is no comparison. We
pay $16.45 including tax a night here. There are no extra
charges for showers, AC, sewer, etc. We do not have cable TV
but maybe they will add that with the new renovations :-).

I have a hard time believing that some private parks charge $25
a night for a site with water and elec. Then carge $2 to $5 for
sewer, $2 to $5 for AC or elec heat and then charge you $.25 for
5 min in the shower! I know that all private parks are not that
unreasonable but how do the ones that are stay in business?

We find the sites in general are bigger in the state parks and
in many places have trees between the sites for privacy. Here
in Alabama they take reservations for half of the park and leave
half for FCFS. That seems to work out nice for everybody.

We will stay in private parks and have had a great time in them
but we always stay in a state park if we can.

Bill and Charlotte Coleman
Northern, Alabama
1999 Jayco 12UDST
1995 Dodge Dakota 4x4

[rlh6805]

In article <8h8vgj$3c8$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>, rnath
<rnat...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>... Other SPs planned for this summer - Maumee Bay (OH) and

>Hoeft, Sleeper and Hoffmaster (MI).
>
>--
>rnath
>00 Niagara
>00 Mountaineer

Yes, I have been to Hartwick Pines also. You will love
Sleeper. We have reservations there for Labor Day. Sleeper is a
very popular SP, you need to make reservations as soon as you
know the dates you plan on going. If you were thinking about a
holliday weekend, I think they are already booked up for the 4th
of July and Labor day.
Rob H

Rob & Cindy in Michigan
1999 Chevy Suburban
2000 Palomino Mustang

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *

[Craig]

Here in Southern California, there are a lot of Yahoos who drive
up for a quick weekend of drunken, loud, carousing with no regard
for others who are there for the peace & quiet and appreciation
of nature. I've spent many, many nights awake listening to card
playing, alcohol-induced language, and 2am camp setup.

Therefore, the missus and I elected to join a private campground
network (TTN) within a 45 minute drive from home. Yeah, it's not
cheap, but the rangers enforce "quiet-time", and keep thing under
control very well. It's once again a pleasure to camp. Not to
mention the well maintained (and heated) restrooms (with free
showers), security, and other amenities like adult and family
pools, and miniature golf. Not to discount a Forest Service
parks, but I don't have to sleep with "security" under my pillow
at night. I enjoy primitive camping as well, but it's nice to
enjoy resort-camping once in a while.
Just my 2 cents...

[Jim and Linda King]

>Anyone have a prefference for either? Pros and Cons of each?

I'll tell you what we look for in a camground:

1. a true campsite-not a parking space.

2. trees: lots of nice ones!

3.some privacy between campsites

4. other campers who respect others: quiet during quiet hours, not walking
through occupied sites, no loud boomboxes, etc.

5. a quiet enough location for the campground that we're not listening to loud
traffic all night from some highway.

6. reasonable clean bathrooms with nice hot showers.

Now, whether we get that at a private or state campground doesn't really
matter. When we go to Maine, we find all of the above, and even much more at a
private campground (Little Ponderosa, Boothbay, Maine). Around here,
Lackawanna State Park provides those elements of camping.

Also, we'd rather pay a few dollars more to get a nice campsite and a good
camping experience than pay less. We generally pay between $13 and $25 per
night overall.

Linda King
Fleetville, PA
'93 Chevy Suburban
'99 Coleman Bayside

[Huff]

It seems that many states, especially in the east, do not have state or federal
forest service land where you can open camp anywhere you want. We rarely camp at
any campground. We just drive along the back roads through the forests of Arizona,
until we find a nice spot to set up. We bring everything we need and our trailer
has a hot shower. We do bring alot of water because of no hookups! I like being
able to have that quiet campsite with no others around, or have my loud boombox if
I want to and not bother anyone else. It's the only way to camp! The best thing
is, that most of the Arizona forest is free to camp on...a few areas are by fee.

[3XBlessed]

Craig,
We just visited a nearby TTN over Memorial Weekend. We really
loved it. It had all the advantages of "real" camping -- large,
shaded sites in a wooded setting; with all the advantages of
private resort camping. And we really liked the staff.
What really could have been the camping trip from "You
Know Where" due to a long series of events turned out to
be one of our most pleasant because of the staff and
fellow campers. However, it's out of our price range so I guess
we won't be seeing you there anytime soon... *sigh*. Maybe
someday...

Danette
'95 Jayco 1206
'98 Chevy Express

[3XBlessed]

I forgot to add -- we usually camp in Texas state parks. They're
beautiful! :-)

[Huff]

> The primitive camping we do does not involve any yahoos at 2am!! Thats why we
> primitive camp mostly. Out by ourselves, maybe a small group of us, 2 or 3
> trailers at most. It allows us to do as we please without bothering anyone,
> and noone to bother us. Even with enforced quiet-times etc, I just have found
> camping right next to 50 other trailers less than relaxing. I need open
> space! We do camp at nicer resorts now and then, but only when city camping
> such as going to Disneyland, San Diego etc.

[Jim and Diane]

State Parks hands down are the winners. Here in Ohio the prices are somewhat
cheaper than privates and overall they are cleaner. All Ohio State Parks have
paved roads so the kids can skate and bike all they want. We have also used
Vt., Pa., Ny., Nh., state parks also.
Jim, Diane
99 Coleman Cheyenne
99 Toyota 4-Runner
Bedford, Ohio