david_42
Oregon
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Around here it's apples and watermelons; state parks are cheaper, but don't have full hookups, free wifi, cable, etc. On the other hand, state sites are much, much nicer. More trees, less crowding, more space between sites, more interesting people.
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retiredtraveler
Woodstock Il --- GO HIKING!!!!
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Joined: 08/16/2002
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Joining the chorus. Yes, there is always an "it depends" clause, but generally, we've found state parks to be a good 10%-20% less than private cg's.
But, as others have stated, you probably won't get as much in the way of hookups (again, depending on state) but IMHO, usually nice sites. We generally stay in state or national parks, and 'dry camp' a great deal. However, many people simply won't camp without, at the least, an electric hookup.
But, we find the state parks a true 'camping experience' with nicer sites in more wooded areas. Private cg's, in our experience, have more amenities, but a nice camping experience is not #1 (again, there are always exceptions).
So, you have to decide what you require in the way of amenities and reconcile that with your finances.
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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I just did a search on CGs in Cascade, ID and the SP there. The SP had a few FHU for $40+ and water and elect sites for $40-. Found a private CG with FHU for $26 but it's fairly new with small trees and sites 40' apart. No pictures of the SP sites but usually they are further apart and have more trees SO which do you use? In our case we will be boondocking for four days before getting there so it's the private FHU for a couple of days to do laundry.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
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class A wannabe
SLO, CA Central Coast
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Here in CA since the budget crisis SP fees have almost doubled in most places (thanks Arnold). I think around $30 now & that doesn't include hookups in some areas. Private CGs I've found to be anywhere in the $35-$45 range but do usually include full hookups. If anyone in your family has 1000 trails/Naco membership like we do with my folks & inlaws we get all access for an extra $30/yr. They don't have CGs everywhere, but on a long trip we can find a few along the way to cut costs. It really depends on where you're at & what you're needs are. Location is a bigee too when you've got kids. Fun stuff to do that's close to where you're staying is important & worth spending a few extra $ in most cases & can limit driving times to POIs.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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class A wannabe wrote:Here in CA since the budget crisis SP fees have almost doubled in most places (thanks Arnold).
so you feel like all of the citizens of CA should be subsidizing public campgrounds instead of letting the actual users of these facilities pay their own way?
bumpy
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Randu
South Central Michigan
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Joined: 01/26/2005
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In Michigan, the state parks are the least expensive on a per night basis but may not be a great value depending on what you want for services. In 90% of state parks you just get electricity and a site for say 28.00 per night. Not bad if you don't want sewer, water, wi-fi, swimming pool, and some of the many other extras that many private campgrounds offer. Private may be better value if you got all the extras for 10 dollars more a night so in the 38- 40 dollar area per night. It also depends on location as all campgrounds charge more if they are in destination location like Lake Michigan beaches. Randu
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WTTCS
freedom , U.S.A.
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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I am going to take this post in reference to your other post in fulltimers.
So , Yes state parks ARE cheaper than private rv parks GENERALLY !
If you are looking for the cheapest , regardless of location in America, I suggest you strongly look at some type of membership park that has locations everywhere. Thousand Trails has a great deal going right now, but who knows how long they will last this time around.
Passport America, as mentioned above, works SOME of the time, but you can never tell day to day what park will honor what discount on what day. Heck of a way to live I suggest.
When you change from Michigan to Cali you are going from a beer budget to a champagne budget, IMO, as regards to cost. Yet if from Mich to Fla, it is about the same as Cal, depending on where you go there and what you expect to receive for your money. However, if you dedicated yourself to the south, then state parks could be cheapest, if you dont mind the no sewer and moving every twoo weeks, with a few exceptions. Im not sure I would even think about advising that.
But if you stay in warm weather, go where the CROWDS dont go, you can find real decent parks with everything from 300 to 400 a month and I think that will outshine any state park or discount club.
I seriously suggest you look at Thousand Trails, and hope to heck they make it thru this economy intact for what it cost today.
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Pokey2
Bel Marin Keys, CA
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The only thing I can add to this thread is the opinion that often not having your own dump station is no big deal. Especially if there is a common one somewhere on the premises. Of course, if you are talking about more than two or three people, lots of showers, etc., that is a different story.
My wife and I travel alone, and we can go days before needing to dump. Best to dump with gray and black tanks on the full side in any event.
Chris
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Here in Montana, most state parks and USFS campgrounds have NO hookups. Most will have water faucets and vault toilets, some don't.
the fees are VERY low. I just spent a couple nights in a USFS campground, the cost (with Golden Age Passport) was $6.50. I also spent a couple nights in a private campground in Deer Lodge, the cost was $24.08 per night, including tax. I spent 3 nights dry camping in a campground near Glacier Park for $16 per night (special group rate). They had a shower house and dump station.
The Famcamp at the Air Force base was $17 per night, full hookups, the last time I was there.
A KOA will be the better part of $40 per night, full hookups.
As you can see, a definitive answer is impossible. There are simply too many variables, and often you get what you pay for.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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david_42 wrote:Around here it's apples and watermelons; state parks are cheaper, but don't have full hookups, free wifi, cable, etc. On the other hand, state sites are much, much nicer. More trees, less crowding, more space between sites, more interesting people.
I missed that one, but I agree totally!
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