Investment group buys RV park, service goes downhill

NOTE: We’ve changed the name of this column from Campground Crowding to Campground Comments and Concerns. We like this name better, and think it encompasses much more of what is covered here. Please continue to submit your comments about crowding in campgrounds, and any other campground comments and/or complaints you may have. Thank you!

RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs. Has that changed campground crowding? Is it easier to find a campsite now, particularly in state and national parks?

Campgrounds are changing and evolving, some for the better and some for the worse. RV Travel readers discuss their experiences and offer tips to help other campers find that perfect spot.

Here are a few observations from our readers. These do not necessarily represent the views of RVtravel.com.

Sold to investment group and went downhill fast

Jim J. has moved to a different park and writes, “After seven years living seasonally at one Texas RV park, we moved to another park. The previous park was sold to a local investment group, turned over to a management company, and went downhill.

“The new park we’re at—and it is new, only 2 years old—is a 55+ gated park catering to full-time and seasonal guests. It is family-owned and operated but with a unique twist. As they have school-age kids, they don’t live at the park. In fact, they are physically on-site only a couple of days a week. They can operate every lock remotely. Bookings are online or by phone (and catering to long stays, they don’t have that much guest turnover). Payments are electronic or by dropbox.

“They do have onsite hosts to be their eyes and ears so that the contract grounds and cleaning maintenance people do their jobs. And while remote, they are very responsive to guest issues. If something out of the ordinary is happening, they get ahead of it and make sure guests stay in the loop. Oh, and this park has a large shaded off-leash dog park that even our energetic golden looked at with awe and wonder when I unclipped his leash.”

Found some terrible parks and some gorgeous ones, too

Vicki L. writes about finding sites across the U.S. She shares: “We road trip across the U.S. every three years or so for approximately three months at a time. We live in Northern CA and find the West Coast and East Coast need reservations made almost a year ahead in order to get a spot.

“We also are Thousand Trails members and found they don’t have parks in the middle of the U.S. They are quite off the beaten path and hard to get to so we rarely use them on our road trips, only for destination purposes. We’ve found some horrific parks and some absolutely gorgeous places. KOAs tend to be a bit more expensive and not all are up to their hype.”

Where there is a will, there is a way

Bob S. found that work camping solved their site problem in a premium location. “RVing at any price? There are lots of RV parks to stay at but fewer that are affordable. But, as they say, ‘Where there’s a will, there is a way.’

“We planned to spend the summer close to Yellowstone National Park but we were very disappointed when we found the prices at all the RV parks were raised to a $100 a night minimum. We really love Yellowstone and were determined to find a way. So, we became work campers. It was the only way we could afford Yellowstone. But, we are here and we are loving it. Don’t give up, there is more than one way to RV.”

A lot easier to travel in a trailer than in a hotel

Steve K. plans to continue RVing as long as prices stay low enough to enjoy. He writes, “Have been camping for almost 60 years now. My parents used a tent and rented a pop-up once for us. My wife and I have had every style of rig from pop-ups when our kids were young to a Class A, and now we are back to a travel trailer. That seems to work best for us.

“We traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Myrtle Beach, and Virginia Beach this year for a week stay at each so far. The costs averaged about $85 a night when you pay the tax etc. We reserve way in advance so we haven’t had any problems getting sites. It does matter the time of year you go as far as cost and getting reservations, especially if you want a particular site.

Some campgrounds offer that for an extra fee, of course. In our case, we travel with our dog so it’s a lot easier to travel in our trailer than hotels. We don’t plan on changing as long as the price stays low enough to enjoy it.”

Now, some questions for you:

• Are you finding campgrounds booked up or is finding a site not a problem?
• What do you like best about RVing?
• What are your pet peeves?
• Are you seeing more permanent and seasonal RV parks?
• Are rising costs affecting your camping style?
• Do you have favorite campgrounds or RV parks?
• What is the most memorable experience you have had RVing?
• Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share?

Please use the form below to answer one or more of these questions, or tell us what you’ve experienced with campground crowding in general.

Read last week’s column: Mom-and-pop campground owner’s side of the story: ‘Inflation affects everyone, not just campers’