On this week’s episode of RV Family Travel Atlas, we are diving into the controversial topic of public versus private campgrounds.
Some people swear by their state parks; some people won’t go anywhere without full hook ups and a waterslide. We will share some of our listeners’ thoughts and a few of our own on the range of campgrounds available out there.
In our featured discussion, we focus on five major differences between public and private campgrounds. This is a real old fashioned smack down, so after talking about each category, we will in fact declare a winner.
Here are the categories for our debate:
1. Price Point
2. Amenities
3. Site Size
4. Natural Beauty
5. Making/Canceling Reservations
Which will emerge as the winner of the great public versus private campground smackdown? You will have to listen to find out!
Also listen to hear tons of our listeners’ and readers’ comments about this debate. It might get a little rowdy, folks, but don’t worry…at the end of the day, we are really just one, big, happy camping family.
And we wrap up episode #41 with a great interview with Greg Gerber, editor of RV Daily Report and Let’s RV. Greg shares his take on some of the newest trends developing in the RV Industry. Listen to hear his thoughts on motor coaches and travel trailers, retirees and millennials.
All of this, and so much more, on Episode 41 of RV Family Travel Atlas, Campground Smackdown: Public vs. Private.
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Great episode. We recently stayed in a state park that was wall to wall people, we should’ve asked either of our neighbors for Grey Poupon. And we had a long discussion on the size and level spots on a number of the campsites (not every site was equal, by a long shot). But I will say the ranger led fire chat about bears was a highlight for all family members, and who can beat an amazing beach minutes from a campground? But we never would’ve had the chance to camp there if it hadn’t been for your spring camping resolution to do more camping close to home, it motivated us to actually look ahead in the calendar and find a spot (which is probably why we got one of the worst sites in the 150 campsite campground). Bathrooms… honestly, I think that is one of the major points in this smackdown.
Yes, so right. You are not the only one to mention the bathrooms!!!! Talking point on intro of this week’s podcast:-)
My in-laws camped all over the western US both before and after having kids. They started in a VW camper van (Oh, what we wouldn’t all give for that to still be in the family!!) and then did tent camping, eventually working up to a tent trailer. As we have started this RV camping travel adventure with our own kiddo, my mother-in-law had some great thoughts. While they loved national and state parks for the reasons you discussed in the podcast, she made sure that every 3rd or 4th day they stayed at a private campground. That way, she could attend to laundry without having to find an in-town laundromat (and face it, sometimes that’s no fun) while my father-in-law made sure the boys got a decent shower and were reasonably clean. Seems like a solid middle-ground position, if you ask me.
That is a really great idea, and in a way we do that often. We alternate between quieter, scenic campgrounds and kid-friendly wonderlands on our longer trips and it seems to work out well for this stage.
Another brilliant show!
Blushing.
We are super excited to have discovered your podcast/blog. Can’t wait to listen to more episodes and dive into your blog. We started one for our journey as well! We have a family of 4 living in a 30′ bumper pull! We are definitely advocates of the trailer! 🙂
We are excited that you discovered us, too! Are you on Instagram or Facebook…we love following other families on their adventures, also:-)