Your ideal campground...

Everyone has their own ideas of what makes a campground perfect for them. Everyone has their own list of what amenities they like to have in a campground. What is your ideal campground?

For me, I like space between me and my neighbors. I like there to be plenty of space around the campfire for friends to join us. I like trees. I like cable and wifi. I like a nice pool for the kids and a nice playground. I like the campground, bathhouse, pool and playground to be clean, safe and well maintained. I really like to be situated on the banks of a rushing creek/river. I like it be peaceful and quiet. I dislike campgrounds that are similar to big parking lots.

For us, it looks alot like this...

which doesnt show up : ) Have to figure it out.
Here is the link though...

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2955186680089547720EgqBry

My likes are similar to happycamper.. I too like space between me and my neighbors,.. I like trees and grass.. that woodsy feel that I am always talking about.

I like WI-FI.. but I can live without it for a few days.. Since being able to pick up digital TV signals now,.. I am not as concerned about cable TV service. So far I have always been able to get at least two or three channels. I like to have the TV on late at night.. and when I first get up.. with a little news or something.

Hate the parking lot campgrounds.

Camping in a Wal Mart parking lot, now that's a little slice of paridise. No utilities, no hookups, nothing, and only stay a few hours. Don't "set up" just take a nap and be on your way. You can stay long enough to buy Gas and go in the store to shop. What could be better than that. Why nothing. Well, it could be blistering hot of freezing cold, and in a bad neighborhood. Now that's adventure!

Or, I could go with what Chuck and Brenda said.

I am really not the TV person, but Dave is, so night movies for sure. I like the woodsy feel and not the parking lot. I like to have room. other then that I am ok.

I can do without cable and wifi for awhile. I dont normally watch tv at all when camping. However, the kids appreciate cable and wifi. Happy kids = happy mom

I like trees (shade), more than a few feet from my neighbor, love having wifi but it's not a necessity, need water of some type (pool, lake, ocean, etc.) playground for the kids, really like having paved roads so the kids can ride bikes, scooters, etc., water, electricity and either sewer hookup OR a nice, clean bathhouse. Either good antenna reception on TV or cable or a good satellite signal.

If it has a good view and a fire ring, that makes it even better.

For me a campground that has not taken into considering what it takes to pull, back and maneuver our Rigs is a deal breaker for me. It doesn't matter how wonderful of a place it is but if you wear yourself out to get your camper in its spot then it's not a place I would want to return to . But thats me. It seems to me that when an owner of a campground was at one time or currently a camper it tends to show. I have thought of being an owner of a campground myself but it is a big long term commitment and the smallest thing can be financially a nightmare. I may do it one day but who knows.

My new ideal campsite is one in the park Craig imagines building someday. I trust his judgment on this.

craigw wrote:For me a campground that has not taken into considering what it takes to pull, back and maneuver our Rigs is a deal breaker for me. It doesn't matter how wonderful of a place it is but if you wear yourself out to get your camper in its spot then it's not a place I would want to return to . But thats me. It seems to me that when an owner of a campground was at one time or currently a camper it tends to show. I have thought of being an owner of a campground myself but it is a big long term commitment and the smallest thing can be financially a nightmare. I may do it one day but who knows.

We have also put some thought into what it would take to own a campground and to set one up the way we would expect it to be if we were camping there, but it would definitely cut out our own camping experiences for several years (if we could even afford to do it).

So very true...it would definatly cut into the camping time for ones self. As i've played with numbers I would say it would be shocking to most as to the cost involved. The ideal is to find one that is in trouble and or needs help and you can pick it up at a good deal with some work on the property itself.

KralCamper wrote:

craigw wrote:For me a campground that has not taken into considering what it takes to pull, back and maneuver our Rigs is a deal breaker for me. It doesn't matter how wonderful of a place it is but if you wear yourself out to get your camper in its spot then it's not a place I would want to return to . But thats me. It seems to me that when an owner of a campground was at one time or currently a camper it tends to show. I have thought of being an owner of a campground myself but it is a big long term commitment and the smallest thing can be financially a nightmare. I may do it one day but who knows.

We have also put some thought into what it would take to own a campground and to set one up the way we would expect it to be if we were camping there, but it would definitely cut out our own camping experiences for several years (if we could even afford to do it).

craigw wrote:So very true...it would definatly cut into the camping time for ones self. As i've played with numbers I would say it would be shocking to most as to the cost involved. The ideal is to find one that is in trouble and or needs help and you can pick it up at a good deal with some work on the property itself.

KralCamper wrote:

craigw wrote:For me a campground that has not taken into considering what it takes to pull, back and maneuver our Rigs is a deal breaker for me. It doesn't matter how wonderful of a place it is but if you wear yourself out to get your camper in its spot then it's not a place I would want to return to . But thats me. It seems to me that when an owner of a campground was at one time or currently a camper it tends to show. I have thought of being an owner of a campground myself but it is a big long term commitment and the smallest thing can be financially a nightmare. I may do it one day but who knows.

We have also put some thought into what it would take to own a campground and to set one up the way we would expect it to be if we were camping there, but it would definitely cut out our own camping experiences for several years (if we could even afford to do it).

At one point I was thinking of finding a few acres to buy up in the mountains someplace, and set it up as a permanent campground. I couldn't leave much there for fear of vandalism (a drive in the mountains on the backroads show too many broken windows and other trouble to the cabins that are somewhat secluded.). Still, I could have electric with the power box locked up tight. It would be great, but fo the fact that I'm a social camper. I suspect we'd get to feeling dull up there by ourselves.

craigw wrote:So very true...it would definatly cut into the camping time for ones self. As i've played with numbers I would say it would be shocking to most as to the cost involved. The ideal is to find one that is in trouble and or needs help and you can pick it up at a good deal with some work on the property itself.

Agreed, Doing the work involved would be the easy part.

I have also had the same thought of wanting to own a campground. If I had the finances I guess now would be the time to buy, while the real estate market is down. I just remember seeing one for sale in Gatlingburg, when we camped at Smoky Bear.

Coolbreeze1

Diane and I have thought it would be cool to own a CG with 1 or 2 other owners. If that were the case you could take turns being on the premises running the CG. If there were three owners then you could each schedule a 4 month block to take responsibility. Of course then you have to split earnings three ways as well. Maybe a good retirement project..

I think the CG business requires much more than any of us could imagine.. That is probably true of anything we look at from the outside. It's always different when you have it, own it.. run it.. or whatever.

I am sure there are many successful CGs.. and many more that struggle. A whole bunch of factors go into making sure it turns a profit.

chuck wrote:I think the CG business requires much more than any of us could imagine.. That is probably true of anything we look at from the outside. It's always different when you have it, own it.. run it.. or whatever.

I am sure there are many successful CGs.. and many more that struggle. A whole bunch of factors go into making sure it turns a profit.

Also, with all that many of us might not realize it possibly could take the fun out of camping.

A place to meet nice people space between campers,some shade trees,Hot tubs,place you can ride you bikes,cable would be nice and water,power,sewer,WiFi to keep up with family. Crawford

Crawford wrote:A place to meet nice people space between campers,some shade trees,Hot tubs,place you can ride you bikes,cable would be nice and water,power,sewer,WiFi to keep up with family. Crawford

Hot tub... I wish more campgrounds had them. In fact, I sure wish I had one!

happycamper wrote:

Crawford wrote:A place to meet nice people space between campers,some shade trees,Hot tubs,place you can ride you bikes,cable would be nice and water,power,sewer,WiFi to keep up with family. Crawford

Hot tub... I wish more campgrounds had them. In fact, I sure wish I had one!

Hmmmm, now that would be an interesting mod on a pop up...

No more mods Richard

Coolbreeze1

coolbreeze1 wrote:No more mods Richard

Coolbreeze1

Don't worry Tim, the closest I'll get is the bottom of the little shower. If I get that far.

You've got to get the hot water working before anything else.

Coolbreeze1

I'm doubting it's going to be enough hot water, but the price was right.

I have been looking at some new campgrounds and I was wondering if before it became a CG, if there were trees before. It appears that the land was cleared so I would think there was trees before. Just don't get them not keeping the larger trees

Darcamper wrote:I have been looking at some new campgrounds and I was wondering if before it became a CG, if there were trees before. It appears that the land was cleared so I would think there was trees before. Just don't get them not keeping the larger trees

I would say that there was trees before the CG was built. I am guessing that alot of trees had to be removed to fit the layout of the CG. It is much easier to clear the land and then layout your spots. You can then plant trees in the spots that you want. Just my 2 cents.

Coolbreeze1