Campground review ratings

Well we just completed a 5000 mile trip in CA, OR, WA, MT, ID, UT, AZ and the average pricing was $23 to $25 a night for full hookups most with cable TV and some with WiFi except for one KOA (which we rarely stop at because you pay too much for too little and most are old) in Utah near Bryce Canyon that was $33 a nite plus $6.99 for 12 hrs WiFi. Glad we are in the western USA as prices seem to be higher in the east?

Beautiful state parks in Oregon & Washington run $20 nite for full hookups!

 

Dan, she is a pure black registered Quarterhorse - 15.3 hands high. And yes, she truly is a pain in the butt most of the time - has a mind of her own and I swear she PMS's every month right on schedule.

 

IMHO (for the newbie this is In My Humble Opinion), I think the number one factor of a campground is the friendliness of the staff!!!! I feel this because if one cannot deal with the staff than any problems you encounter will remain problematic. The next factor should be honesty when calling - yes we have or no we don't have, yes we can or no we cannot (accomodate slides, etc.) I find so many of the CG will say anything to get you there. The other thing I'd like people to know is that the Woodalls and Trailer Life Rating People, CALL AHEAD to let the CG owner know that they will be arriving on such a such date. If that doesn't beat all. If my mother-in-law called ahead to say she'd be stopping buy, you darm well know my house would be cleaner, etc... One must take these for not much more than the paper they are written on. As one said earlier in this thread, they are good to let you know where a CG is located. On our 8200 mile trip last year, we used Woodalls, the Good Sam Itinerary Locater via the website, AAA camp book and I did a lot of research based upon where we would be to search for campgrounds in the area we would be visiting. Then I inquired via websites, etc for more information. I was extremely disappointed in the KOAs and the $$$$ they charged and extremely pleased with some of the county-owned parks that we overnighted in out west, as well as some of the gasoline stations that had 15-20 RV sites out back for less than 20 bucks. We needed Electric as it was Very HOT and needed to run the AC.

 

I just wanted to mention that I have been trying very hard to put in some honest reviews about places we have stayed, since I have had real appreciation for this site and the helpfulness of having "real people" reviews; however, a recent review of mine was personally attacked by a later reviewer. I found it very disturbing that a personal attack was allowed by the moderator of this site. Just because I disagreed with the general concensus of the park, and because perhaps my wants and needs of a park might differ from someone else's, there shouldn't be room for personal attacks. The poster suggested that I might be more interested in a rest home than an rv park. I would love to meet this person on level ground and see if they still felt that way. Naturally, that won't happen, since their remarks were cowardly. The bottom line is that we will all have different ideas on what we like and dislike in a park, and this forum/site is a marvelous way to get information and ideas on where to stay. Is it possible the poster might have a vested interest in the park, even though they checked the disclaimer? Please check "reviews" for inflammatory content. Thank you.

 

I too was attacked by a subsequent reviewer who said he "smelled a rat" and accused me of being friends with the campground owner. I live several hundred miles away and have never met the owner, but I have stayed at the campground several times and particularly enjoy it there. I feel the facilities, staff and campground deserve the "9" rating I gave, and I provided support in my comments for my decision. My review is simply my opinion which I feel I have a right to express. Should a subsequent reviewer disagree with my assessment, he also has a right to express his opinion, but his comments should be limited to a review of the campground itself and personal attacks should be prohibited.

 

Ronipowell and Rvingman, I am so sorry that you had that experience. I hope that it will not prevent you from posting further reviews, as so many of us depend on them and do appreciate the time you take to do them. Some people just aren't happy unless they are undermining someone else.

 

I agree, please don't let one or two "negative" people put you off of this site. I have felt "under attack" on 2 occasions by the same person, but over all, the people here are great.

 

I definitely won't let it stop me from giving my opinions, because this is a great site with wonderful information that you can't find in campground publications. It also shows that we aren't all looking for the same thing when we look for a place to stay and this site allows a chance to see ALL viewpoints. Thanks for making it available. I will continue to give my opinion, and understand that someone might disagree, but I hope they will keep their opinion directed at the park and not at another person. Thanks!

 

I would love a "rating" on the laundry at parks. Just retiring in January, we made a 6-week trip in February-March and just returned from another 6-week trip. Some of those laundries have allot to be desired. Also the fees. I've paid anywhere from $1.25 to $2.25 per washer. Same with dryers.

We made both trips using RV Park Reviews. Reading between the lines one the bad reviews.

As I tell DH, we aren't buying the plot of land, only renting it for one night. If it is fairly level, no mud holes at the door, and can open the slides - after we hook up the water, electricity ( can do with 30 amp if it isn't too hot) and hopefully the sewer (especially if staying more than 2 nights).

 

Campground reviews are made, positive or negative, by one's experiences with the campground in question. One's opinions may or may not agree with others, but should have the right to be made. I also look at all the information I can obtain on a campground, and then decide to use the establishment or not. Even then, upon arrival, all may not be as advertised and was very much misleading, and I have made the wrong decision. I know that I'm not the only one who has experienced this. But this format gives one the opportunity to read reviews, comments, and experiences from others on this and other subjects. Most informative, and educational, but one must realize that the review is anothers thoughts, experiences and opinions on such. Thank you for this opportunity to express my opinions. Have a good day, safe travels, and above all, enjoy !

Butch

 

I am very thankful for the reviews, I have been to many campgrounds in my area, and always check this board before going. I have found, for the most part, that the campground that have good reviews, have been wonderful places to camp. Though my last trip, which had good reviews, turned out to be a nightmare, which I am still trying to clear up. Just wanted to thank you all for taking the time to share your opinions about the places you have stayed.

 

QUOTE(Beastdriver @ Aug 11 2005, 02:32 PM)
Most certainly, the numerical ratings are not nearly as important as the comments. And it is true that the perception of what constitutes a 1 and what constitutes a 10, and everything in between, varies all over the place. But consider the alternative: Depending on Trailer Life and Woodalls. I think I had rather have hemmoroids. Did I spell that right, Cheryl?
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HA, HA, HA, you may wish some thing that will make you sorry, if the wish comes through..Seriously now, the 1 to 10 rating should not even be there since the system does not provide a guideline in how to judge a resort. In my opinion, the template with YES or NO is already an indication of what's available or not at a given place and the commentary of what you liked and/or disliked is giving you an idea of the acceptability of a given item.
One of the items that I consider very useful in the commentary is the RVers comments evaluating what's promoted by the camp site and the real finding; as an example, if the resort promotes spacious lots and the RVer. finds that it is impossible to open up the owning because it extend into the next property, or the add enphasize as quite and relax resort and the nearby highway runs at 100 mile an hour, or... etc. these are things very important in building up a picture of the place.

 

Galli:

Glad you got a chuckle out of the previous post, and I do agree with your observations about rating the campground. I, too, find the comments the most helpful way to judge a campground because the numbers are so subjective. I know the webmaster sometimes shakes his or her head in bewilderment about some of the things that people ask for in these ratings because they are so subjective. This site remains, by far, the best thing available in judging an RV park!

 

Thanks Bestdrive (are you really ?), I am still of the opinion that the interpretation of the report provided should be left to the reader discretion, the report should only provide facts..Ho well the world would be very doll if every one would think in same way and then there would not be argumentations.... Have a nice holidays you and family,
Galli :lol:

 

Personally I feel if people were more explicit in there descriptions of the facilities it would help everyone else make a better informed decision.

Example: Park located near a very busy highway.

If a distance from the highway and what sits between the highway and the park was included then it would help everyone make a better informed decision.

Example: Park is located approx. 1/4 mile from highway with tall trees and vegetation between park and highway.

 

After having read the postings here on the campground reviews, I personally have changed the way my campground reviews will be made. Someone else had posted comments which started me thinking about a more objective manner in which to post a review. I have started thinking that the review should start at #5, which I interpret as average status, and then proceed from that point in regard to wether the establishment is above or below average. I agree the 1 to 10 is very subjective, and in the past had problems with the question as to what number to assign to the review. I find that I can be more objective and give a more appropriate rating when starting at #5. This seems to work for me.

I also see the merit to the review stating the layout of the campground in question, as to position from highways, airports, railroads, etc. This gives the reader a better picture as to what he may expect upon his arrival if he chooses to use the campground. My pet peeves are, upon arrival, finding tree branches, brush, or debris that hinders or impeds the travel to your assigned site, also the entrance and turns within the campground to short and or to tight for "big rig" class "A" motor homes. Escort to site would be nice. I guess we can"t have it all !

safe travels,

 

Butch: I think we SHOULD have it all at the prices we are paying at many campgrounds. Ease of ingress and egress, no impediments to the site, no low-hanging branches, clean sites, complete facilities, etc. etc. That is not too much to ask. Recently, we had to take the RV into the factory for some repairs that took a couple of days. Instead of staying on the lot, we decided to opt for a motel. I found a very nice Ramada Inn, got a two-room suite, a nice pool, free breakfast, a discount of 10% at the adjoining steakhouse, and all the other amenities you would expect in First Class motel. The cost? $59.00 per night for the two of us. When I am paying $40-60 per night just to rent a piece of ground, I DO expect it all. IMHO, campgrounds that don't shape up and start offering you a first class place for your dollar (including an escort to the site), will eventually go the way of the mom and pop motel, and we'll soon all be staying at chains such as Outdoor Resorts of America where we KNOW we will get value for a high overnight parking fee.

 

Good statement Buch, however, in order to know the status of the resort, someone had to be (screwed), that's why I feel that the primary use of this chat should be to build up a database of all possible RV camp grounds with relative presentation from the campground owner and comments from people that spent time there.
I wish to clarify that, my observation, IS NOT, a criticism for the job that has been done by the monitors, I am just trying to put several heads together and try to improve the system.
(Yes, I know, I am a bore but I love every moment of it he, he, he) :lol:

 

Butch, I think that is a great idea to add that info to your review. It would be very helpful.

 

Butch
Great IDEA! How do you get others to post this information is the problem.

I know for myself personally I will in the future make notes of these items and make comment on them in my reviews.

Browzin