What Campground Amenity is Most Important to You?
Friday February 27, 2009
Camping is an art, and there is no wrong way to camp. However, we all have our wants and needs, and campgrounds try to satisfy those by supplying amenities to enhance our visit. Some amenities we could do without, while others may better serve us. I know there have been times when I was camping that different amenities offered by a campground have been life savers. My number one pick is at the top of the list even if it's as simple as the one shown.(photo © David Sweet licensed to About.com Inc.)
Comments
I guess elec/water is the most important one on this list, but really the most important one is privacy. I like a little room between my motorhome and the next door neighbor. Maybe even some trees or shrubs between us.
a personal fire ring area to cook on… kind of the whole point for us and some camp grounds don’t have them.
Clean bathroom, cooking facility, electrical hookup, etc. are important amenities, but we camp in a self-contained class C motorhome so all of these are included, except electrical hookup.
When picking a campground the most important item to us is location and nearby natural attractions, and campgrounds laid out with room rather than a parking lot.
Most of my camping time revolved around finding clean restrooms with good showers. If I can get wet and clean I can deal with most other problems. However, since acquiring a CPAP machine to help my sleep problems, finding an electrical connection is a necessity.
I recently returned from nine nights in a tent at Michigan state parks which feature electric. I had a blast, and slept beautifully with the CPAP.
Most important is Privacy/Seculsion. I don’t like seeing/hearing mobile homes, I want the privacy.
I’m one of the very few who said swimming pool (clean swimming beach is great too). Usually campgrounds with such an amenity will also have water/electric hookups, clean restrooms and showers, kids playground, etc. During the heat of the summer, swimming is a refreshing way to keep cool, especially since I tent camp.
We have camped all over NA mostly in BC so some of the amenities are a little out of touch. A giant MH is not in my mind camping. Nor actually is a camper or trailer. But the question of amenities is one of more personal want than need. With kids I guess the clean toilets are good. But as for the rest man connect with the kids don’t go somewhere and have something babysit them. Man… As for no wrong way to camp…The guy I tried for two days to help cut wood “insisting” on doing it himself, who finally drove the axe into his lower left leg may have something to say about that. Or maybe the “green couple” that had the bear run over their tent; Or the other elderly couple that had their camper blow up while drying a pair of pants over the stove may just have something to say about that…Or the other couple that camped on the beach at low tide and just freaked on me when I tried to tell them. Getting out of a washing tent is not easy…None of them had a simple clue. Dangerous…I just love the people that want to pet the wildlife…”Yeah hey buddy it is okay, not to worry, I saw them do this on TV” Just as the mountain goat kicks his butt and stomps and rams him into the dirt. Even a squirrel can get its freak on. But hey the point is just getting out there and having fun. Different strokes.
It’s tough to pick between restrooms, (although I will accept ones that don’t sparkle), and showers, but my wife and I won’t camp without both. Also, we aren’t keen on hauling our own water in. The reason I picked water and electric is because my wife has asthma and may, in an emergency, need an electric outlet for her nebulizor for a breathing treatment, (although we haven’t been faced with it yet). Other stuff like WIFI and swimming pools? If you want that, I say stay at the Holiday Inn, but, as said by another poster, “different strokes….”
I would say the MOST important is privacy between sites. We went to a campground that was very nice last year, but it was basically one big field with a lake in the middle. Regardless of the campground. I like to just relax, & enjoy the trees, sound of the birds etc.. not someone’s radio or whatever. Wouldn’t go back there just for that reason. Don’t get me wrong I love to socialize, but that’s when you go to the pool, the playground or take walks.
Above all things, room between campsites. I use the web alot to investigate the “right” campground as I travel in a class A about 6 months out of the year doing by buisness. In my numerous web searches I find that campground owners and their web designers, don’t for the most part, have a clue on what to promote to bring campers to their properties. I see very few images showing the various types of campsites the camp groud has to offer. Exterior pics of the bath house is no help at all. I want to see pics of the enterior showing the shower stalls and over all condition of the ENTIRE bath house. Lets face it, this is the age of instant information and the information put forth is the fist and only chance to “sell” a prospective camper your campgrond.
Another vote for privacy and location here…I might give a little on the privacy if the location is spectacular…or I might give a little on the location if we have the place to ourselves. But camping in a parking lot with nowhere interesting to hike just isn’t camping.
Motorhomes are not camping! Get out of your house and enjoy nature. Get a tent!
There are different amenities that become more or less important depending upon which part of the country that you are going to be camping in, and the time of season will come into play, hand in hand so to speak.
One’s shelter can take on many faces, be it a tent, pop-up, or motorhome, I’ve enjoyed all of them, and each has it’s pro’s vs. cons.
Extra (warm), clothing, and blankets, plus wet weather gear are essential if camping in the northern latitudes, even into the early summer, or early fall.
And since I’ve now got a messed up lower back, I also look for places that are easy enough for me to enjoy, as excessive walking is not only extremely painful, any hills or lengths of distance require repeated rest breaks where I must sit/lay down, in order to ease my suffering.
Don’t go looking for privacy, and spotlessly clean restrooms/showers if you have planned to take your ad-venture during a holiday. In fact, you’ll need to bring everyday items that could make or break your weekend outing.
Things such as toilet paper, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, combs, disposable razors, and shaving cream, would definitely be on my hygenic list.
Other items would include, but not be limited to, charcoal, charcoal lighter fluid, salt, pepper, sugar, coffee, powdered creamer, pop, (in various flavors/brands), bread, catsup, mayo, mustard, paper towels, garbage bags, plastic silverware and paperplates, and last but not least, bottled water in various sizes, from individual servings, right up to the 3-gallon, and 6-gallon cooler sizes.
Some campgrounds just don’t have a concessionaire/general store, and availability for these products may be miles away from the campground itself.
I also just found out about the National Parks systems NEW “Access Pass” for Seniors, and those with disabilities, (like me), which will make things a little more affordable to do.
Well, that’s my 2 cents, for what it’s worth, just get out there and DO IT!
Enjoy,
I do not camp in campgrounds.I am an avid backpacker and I love roughing it. Taking off into the widerness with only the essentials and a good camera… that’s camping. I know this is not for everybody, alot of wilderness training and excellant navigation skills are a must. So worth it exploring desolate , beautiful, wilderness. The silence ,serenity and beauty
Clean restrooms are important, but for us the most important one is not on the selection list. Nothing is more important than friendliness of the staff. We like a staff that makes you feel thay appreciate your camping with them.