Community Forums

nodatset · 09-23-2016, 04:46 PM

I have been saving for a travel trailer and cant wait to retire and hit the road. My brother just got back from Oregon and Washington States. He drove and "hotel'd" it. According to him, he told me that RV parks were plentiful there but they were packed in so tight that they could hardly open their awnings. Is this typical? or an exaggeration? If I want to be packed in, I could just stay home in NJ.

Please tell me there's more to it.

Thanks,
Don

Mr_D · 09-23-2016, 04:51 PM

Depends on the park. In fact it can depend on what part of the park you're in and whether commercial, private or public campgrounds.

So Cal Roo · 09-23-2016, 04:57 PM

Keep in mind the older RV parks were designed and built for RV's without slide outs. Many of the newer parks have taken that into account. BUT!!! They also charge more for the wider/50 amp sites.

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Gordon Dewald · 09-23-2016, 05:00 PM

Some if you are driving by will appear to be crowded. We are in an older park and are able to put out the slides and one awning. The second awning cannot go out because the large shade tree we are under is too close.

Superslif · 09-23-2016, 05:02 PM

For the most part No. But there are excepts to the rule. Where land prices are real high, yes a private campground will want to maximize it's grounds. We do mostly state parks where on average you have twice the space between neighbors. Just returned from Alaska where many private campgrounds had you packed in so close your RV's awning would be inches from your neighbors.

As an example here in NE. Ohio the private campgrounds are in the country with acres and acres of space. But again the state parks on average will still have twice the spacing between sites than the private campgrounds do. It's just the nature of the beast. That is why we do 90% of our camping at state parks.

While in Alaska we stayed at about 8 different private campgrounds in Canada and AK. (1-3 day stays at each) Where the rest of the 110 day trip was split between: state, provincial, BLM, forest service and city owned campgrounds.

keymastr · 09-23-2016, 05:23 PM

Some of the state and national campgrounds out west have doubled their sites by simply adding another site in between the existing ones. You can tell because the site number pole is newer on every other site. In general though these camp sites started out very large, say 100' each so it is all relative.

If the established campgrounds are not remote enough for you you can always dry camp. The oportunities to just pull off the road and set up camp are endless out here and you really need to experience the west if you have never been. You can go for many miles and not see another soul in most of the west if you get off the interstates.

twogypsies · 09-23-2016, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keymastr

Some of the state and national campgrounds out west have doubled their sites by simply adding another site in between the existing ones. You can tell because the site number pole is newer on every other site. In general though these camp sites started out very large, say 100' each so it is all relative.

We used public parks all the time in the West and never came across this. Can you name a couple?

no3putt · 09-23-2016, 07:17 PM

We always check on google maps so we have a good idea on how cramed the spaces are and also look at rv park reviews for comments.

sdennislee · 09-23-2016, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no3putt

We always check on google maps so we have a good idea on how cramed the spaces are and also look at rv park reviews for comments.

x2

vsheetz · 09-23-2016, 09:32 PM

Some yes, but typically no. In our experience.

Chuck_Hammer · 09-24-2016, 04:29 AM

if State or Federal parks.. should have lots of room...

Commercial is about profits... so Can be tight... but NOT always.

also, near very popular tourist areas.. more tight..
out in the open world, more room.

Google Earth is a big help here... enter campground address. and zoom down... inspect space between trailers, trucks, etc.

ahicks · 09-24-2016, 08:32 AM

I would certainly not be too concerned about being forced into a "crammed in" situation. My experience has been the people that use/are attracted to that type of setting are in search of amenities and/or social situations not seen as often in public destinations (recreation areas, state/national forests, etc), and have privacy/elbow room on the back burner.

Bottom line, it's your call. To help you plan, web sites like campgroundreviews.com will often give you a heads up of not only what's available in about any area, very often you can read a few reviews to get a feel for a place without actually checking it out in person.