bpaikman
RVF Supporter
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2020
- Messages
- 914
- Location
- Lake Jackson, Texas
- RV Year
- 2014
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- Ventana LE 3436
- RV Length
- 35 feet
- Chassis
- Freightliner
- Engine
- Cummins 340 hp
- TOW/TOAD
- 2013 Subaru Crosstrek - manual, flat tow
- Fulltimer
- No
We bought a Texas state parks pass last year, and we got our moneys worth out of it. but I'm going to be very careful of state parks in the future, due to unlevel sites.
A damaged jack csn cost of several hundred dollars - canceling all the savings we might ever have by staying in a state park.
Yes, state parks give you more space between campers and more scenic accommodations. I guess my take on state parks versus private is it depends what we're going to be doing when we get there.
(we avoid the restrooms and showers at state parks, although a few can be decent)
The biggest problem we have is leveling in state parks. The office staff and rangers don't know which sites are level, and there's no way you can tell from Google earth. So you try to pick a site, and bring plenty of leveling supplies.
We had considersble difficulty leveling in Bastrop State Park, Huntsville State Park (zero level sites) and even Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado (avoid Raptor Glen Site #1). We're only 35 feet, so we qualify for some parks that barely accommodate that length. just because we qualify does not mean we should stay there.
basically, if we were going to camp at a state park in a hilly area, I would be very careful. Getting an extra long site would be the best.
A damaged jack csn cost of several hundred dollars - canceling all the savings we might ever have by staying in a state park.
Yes, state parks give you more space between campers and more scenic accommodations. I guess my take on state parks versus private is it depends what we're going to be doing when we get there.
(we avoid the restrooms and showers at state parks, although a few can be decent)
The biggest problem we have is leveling in state parks. The office staff and rangers don't know which sites are level, and there's no way you can tell from Google earth. So you try to pick a site, and bring plenty of leveling supplies.
We had considersble difficulty leveling in Bastrop State Park, Huntsville State Park (zero level sites) and even Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado (avoid Raptor Glen Site #1). We're only 35 feet, so we qualify for some parks that barely accommodate that length. just because we qualify does not mean we should stay there.
basically, if we were going to camp at a state park in a hilly area, I would be very careful. Getting an extra long site would be the best.