Campground Styles

Where we are going to spend the night is a question we face almost every day.  We have found that campgrounds are located almost everywhere, so locating one is usually not too much of a problem.  Finding the type of campground we prefer, however, is not quite as easy.  There are almost as many types of campgrounds as there are hotels, and the quality is just as varied.

When we first started on this trip, we expected to stay at state and national parks as often as possible.  We also thought we would be able to camp without water and electrical hookups on a semi-regular basis.  We did not have a high opinion of most private campgrounds and believed they were just not our style.  We were not fond of RVs parked very close together in endless rows.  Natural sites, not concrete, appealed to us.

During our six months on the road, we have experienced almost every type of campground that exists.  And, we have found that our preferences have evolved and that we are much less picky about where we stay.

State and county parks continue to be some of our favorite places to camp, especially parks with hookups.  We have especially loved the state parks in Florida, Texas and Missouri.  We also love national park campgrounds, although it is rare to find hookups.  We have found that we cannot go more than a day or two without electrical hookups if we want to be able to use our computers, mi-fi and phones.  Although it’s sometimes nice to disconnect from the world, as we did at Big Bend National Park, we do like internet access so we can keep up with the blog and research what we may want to do the next day.

One of our Favorite Campgrounds - A County Park
Arrowhead Park at Lake Tobesofkee Recreation Area near Macon, GA

That leaves us with private campgrounds, and that’s where we’ve stayed most of the time. There simply are not enough state parks to be found where we are traveling.  We have stayed at some lovely private campgrounds, as well as some that were pretty dismal.  Some have had a lot of vegetation and lots of space, while others have been barren lots.  Guess which one we prefer?

Sometimes Proximity to a Particular Location Is More Important than Amenities -
A Private Campground with Small Spaces, but Some Vegetation
Anvil Campground near Williamsburg, VA

I’ve also come to appreciate concrete.  After a heavy rain, it’s much nicer to walk around on a concrete pad than a muddy site.  I especially appreciate paved roads and gravel sites in the desert, where dirt and dust can be overwhelming.

Concrete and Gravel Can Sometimes Be a Good Thing - A Private Campground
Philadelphis/West Chester KOA, Unionville, PA

We are now staying at the Lazydays RV Campground in Tucson, Arizona, and I have to admit that I really like it here.  It’s a large park, and the layout is the typical parking lot arrangement, but the park has been nicely landscaped with shrubs and fruit trees.  The scent of the orange blossoms at our site is intoxicating.  Landscaping in the desert is really a treat.  The park has a manicured, suburban feeling, and is not at all a “natural” campground. However, after a week of dusty parks with nary a tree or bush, this park is a welcome change.

Vegetation, Concrete and Gravel in the Desert Is Welcome
Lazydays RV Campground, Tucson, AZ

Tim actually went to work today and met with his colleagues at the Western Archeological Conservation Center in downtown Tucson.  I went shopping!