QUOTE(Silvana @ Jan 14 2008, 06:52 PM) [snapback]9900[/snapback] Like almost everyone else, I read the reviews on places I may be headed too, or Where we have already stayed. I have a suggestion for reviews. How about one for Wal Mart parking lots? Before any critisism We only stay 1 night we do not put out our awning or chairs and we shop in the store. :lol: I posted a review of a casino in Idaho that has free hookups, so I don't see any reason why you can't post a Wal-Mart review...... JJ
I think I might draw the line at reviewing Wal-Marts (or any other retail store that allows overnight RV parking). There are campgrounds (sometimes with free or even no hookups), and then there are lots that are provided for people to park their vehicles when they patronize a store or other business. While parking lots are sometimes used for overnight RV parking from time to time, they are not intended to be "campgrounds." I think reviews on this site should stick to those businesses that purposely intend to provide "sites" for camping. Otherwise we might get reviews on all sorts of places where RV's are sometimes parked including peoples' driveways. :lol:
The name of the web-site should answer the question as to what should and should not be "reviewed". Just my opinion........thanks.
Oh, come on. Review Walmarts? What do you rate them on.? Did the empty the trash cans in a timly manner, were the rest rooms clean on time? Butch is right on.
QUOTE(Texasrvers @ Feb 25 2008, 12:15 AM) [snapback]10396[/snapback] I think I might draw the line at reviewing Wal-Marts (or any other retail store that allows overnight RV parking). There are campgrounds (sometimes with free or even no hookups), and then there are lots that are provided for people to park their vehicles when they patronize a store or other business. While parking lots are sometimes used for overnight RV parking from time to time, they are not intended to be "campgrounds." I think reviews on this site should stick to those businesses that purposely intend to provide "sites" for camping. Otherwise we might get reviews on all sorts of places where RV's are sometimes parked including peoples' driveways. :lol: Then, can we review campgrounds that are free? I have run into free BLM campgrounds, it's all dry camping, but it's for "camping." JJ
QUOTE(Big Ben @ Feb 25 2008, 06:27 AM) [snapback]10402[/snapback] Oh, come on. Review Walmarts? What do you rate them on.? Did the empty the trash cans in a timly manner, were the rest rooms clean on time? Butch is right on. There already is a place that reviews overnight parking spots. It is currently a Yahoo Group titled Overnight RV Parking. Right now, the files are uploaded every so often and you have to find the folder by state with the files in it. In March the moderator is hoping to have a website with a searchable database in it for those files. the information in those files are very complete I think. It is based on people having stayed - or not been allowed to stay there. It also includes GPS coordinates and any restrictions or other pertinent information. I would rather keep this forum to campgrounds as it is and use the other list when I am looking for overnight spots.
JJ, Just my personal opinion, but I think free campgrounds would qualify for review here if their primary function is camping. I know some casinos provide free or low cost RV parks for their customers. Many times this is no more than a parking lot which may or may not have hookups. But it is their intent to provide a place for overnight RV parking regardless of the amenities. This is not the same thing as a Wal-Mart parking lot. I think common sense is the key here in deciding if some place is truly a "campground/RV park" or a real parking lot. I am not that familiar with BLM campgrounds, but I think you answered your own question. Just the fact that they are called campgrounds sounds like they could be reviewed here. Also just to clarify: when I talk about RV parks at casinos I am referring to a place that has designated sites where RVers can stay overnight or for several days. This is not the same thing as having an area where RVs can be parked short term while their owners gamble (ahem, lose their money).
I read the reviews of the parks in the area I plan to visit. I also try to read the reviews around the same time of year that I will be going to that area. A November review may not help me decide how that park is in the middle of July. Why am I always putting my 2 cents in when it's only a penny for your thoughts B)
Is that because your 2-cents is worth more than your thoughts ??? huh !! Your 2-cents and thoughts are always welcome.
JJ, if you haven't noticed, most on here frown at staying at Walmart. Yes I'm one of them. I get the feeling you are playing devils advocate. If so Ha Ha. Personally I would allow reviews of all BLM Land east of the Mississippi River.
QUOTE(Big Ben @ Feb 26 2008, 02:11 PM) [snapback]10436[/snapback] JJ, if you haven't noticed, most on here frown at staying at Walmart. Yes I'm one of them. I get the feeling you are playing devils advocate. If so Ha Ha. Personally I would allow reviews of all BLM Land east of the Mississippi River. No, I'm not a Wal-Mart stayer myself, never tried it. And yes, I do like to play devil's advocate. JJ
QUOTE ...I think free campgrounds would qualify for review here if their primary function is camping. Forgive me if I've missed an official pronouncement or somethin' but I don't think there is really any policy on this website regarding what constitutes a reviewable "campground" or "rvpark". It certainly seems to me that no-fee "casino" campgrounds are emminantly qualified to be reviewed here (for example). I think the only realistic parameter is that 99.9 of the people that use this site are "road" campers (as opposed to "offroad") so there probably aren't very many users that would find the reviews of more remote campgrounds as being useful. For my part, I have no intention of reviewing my favorite boondocking spots in the wilderness but if there is an organized and named National Forest, National Park, or BLM campground (or whatever) that I visit and which other people can easily find on a map, I fully intend to review it. One of my upcoming reviews is going to be a campground in the Northern Unit of Capitol Reef National Park that we visited in September. It was one of the highlights of our trip. It is a back country site, to be sure, but it is "official", "organized", and "named" and it happens to be free (for the time being). It is not going to fare real well in terms of "stars" because my review criteria includes accessibility for big campers (which are what most of the RVPARKREVIEW users have) and no vehicle over twenty feet in length is realistically going to be able to reach that six-site campground. But this is the sort of campground that I go to and I would like to read other peoples' reviews of that ilk. The caveat being, it'll be clearly spelled out what the downsides are for RVers that normally stick to "roads". If a campground is not "official"; not named; has no improvements; and is not easily located because it is widely dispersed or because there is no signage, then that would be a good indication that it isn't a good candidate for review. I will allow that WALMARTs are easily located on a map but you will not be likely to find any improvements there intended for campers so I don't think WALMARTs would be a good candidate for a review. I think it would be reasonable to _refer_ to places like WALMART or nearby dispersed camping in National Forests if, for example, you review an "official" campsite and find it so poor and without "official" competition that you feel compelled to point out "non-official" alternatives that would be an improvement.
QUOTE JJ, if you haven't noticed, most on here frown at staying at Walmart. Yes I'm one of them. I'm not sure what you mean by "most on here frown...". Do you mean that they turn their noses up at the chance to "park" at WALMART (like myself) or that that they think it is some sort of mortal sin ??? The fact is, an awful lot of people _do_ jealously guard their propensity to shop and camp at WALMART. If "most people here" don't believe that, then they should probably wake up and smell the coffee. The only people that I don't have patience with are the ones who think that after they have mortgage their souls to buy an RV, they have a natural right to camp for _free_. It is a priviledge to camp for free -- not a _right_ .
QUOTE(Testudo @ Mar 9 2008, 08:24 PM) [snapback]10618[/snapback] If a campground is not "official"; not named; has no improvements; and is not easily located because it is widely dispersed or because there is no signage, then that would be a good indication that it isn't a good candidate for review. I will allow that WALMARTs are easily located on a map but you will not be likely to find any improvements there intended for campers so I don't think WALMARTs would be a good candidate for a review. I think it would be reasonable to _refer_ to places like WALMART or nearby dispersed camping in National Forests if, for example, you review an "official" campsite and find it so poor and without "official" competition that you feel compelled to point out "non-official" alternatives that would be an improvement. Well, the "casino" that I reviewed was free for RV's but had 20 amp hookups on the light poles in the parking lot. So, I gave it a review and it got posted! It was in Idaho. JJ
I have noticed that there are a few reviews of private parking areas such as Elks, Moose, etc. I don't think these are appropriate since they are private for lodge members only. We have books indicating where the lodges are and Yahoo groups to get information about them if interested. Jurhee Iquote name='DXSMac' date='Mar 9 2008, 11:25 PM' post='10621'] Well, the "casino" that I reviewed was free for RV's but had 20 amp hookups on the light poles in the parking lot. So, I gave it a review and it got posted! It was in Idaho. JJ [/quote]
QUOTE(Jurhee @ Mar 10 2008, 10:08 AM) [snapback]10643[/snapback] I have noticed that there are a few reviews of private parking areas such as Elks, Moose, etc. I don't think these are appropriate since they are private for lodge members only. We have books indicating where the lodges are and Yahoo groups to get information about them if interested. Jurhee Iquote name='DXSMac' date='Mar 9 2008, 11:25 PM' post='10621'] Well, the "casino" that I reviewed was free for RV's but had 20 amp hookups on the light poles in the parking lot. So, I gave it a review and it got posted! It was in Idaho. JJ On a similar note, I've seen reviews for campgrounds that are only allowed to be used by members of the military and their families...a few of these that I've read I thought, wow, this is a place I'd like to go, only to find out at the end of the review that it's only for those in the military and their families....maybe these campgrounds should have an asterisk by their names to let people know they're not open to everyone....the same goes for those membership campgrounds.
I check ratings of campgrounds in advance if I know I am going to be in an area. WiFi and my new laptop will make things much easier I also like to go back to see if places I have been too have changed or are rated the same.
