Camping: How To Check Out A Campground
Here is a little camping how to 101. This is really a very valuable way of screening places.
Usually it only takes about half an hour to check a place out. If you are going somewhere you haven’t visited before, find out about facilities, how the site owner feels about fire pits, whether or not firewood will be available, if dogs are allowed, supermarkets in the local area, and so on.
If possible visit the campground first. I do this by taking a day trip to the next state or sometimes on our way home from a camping weekend. We will pull in and go to the office and explain to them we are interested in staying with them in the future. They have always been very hospitable; if they do not offer a map of the campground ask for one.
Walk the grounds here are some of the things we check for:
Restrooms and showers, cleanliness, condition and hours of operation. Some have hot water only at certain hours! I can live with metered showers as long we aren’t paying “resort” prices, but it’s a good thing to know.
Recreation facilities
Is it a family crowd, or is it overrun with retirees?
No offense intended here, we are just more comfortable in a family camping setting.
Write down favorite sites and make general notes.
Are you near traffic, railroads, highways or other 24 hour sources of noise. (avoid these at all costs)
Is the staff courteous?
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