What is your ideal or dream campground for RVing?

[Neal]

This morning I was reminiscing of what I loved in the past first remembering how I loved hiking, tent camping, that food we'd cook from camping stores, the views off of rock cliffs, etc. I loved being in the mountains of VA and being in the woods hiking trails. I then remembered a favorite memory in childhood of going to summer camp. The activities at that camp were canoeing, archery, camping, bb guns, etc.

With that in mind I thought hey, wouldn't it be cool if campgrounds were more than just RV parking lots and had amenities such as summer camp? Some campgrounds have great amenities from water activities, etc. but what if more had entertainment vs. parking for RVers. Ideas would be canoeing or kayaking (rentals), bb or pellet gun ranges, archery ranges? What else could they have that would be fun for a week or longer stay and lend to a camping experience?

One of my biggest disappointments with RVing is paying a lot of money to be parked in a RV parking lot with hookups. That's why I prefer state parks, they offer a more camping feel, more spread out, and typically near lakes, rivers, etc. so you are camping. I know some here are discussing building campgrounds and more will come, what makes a campground great and what would you want to do at a camping destination that would truly make it a great experience vs. a parking hookup?

 

[Neemer]

Personally, I prefer a resort experience. Bluewater Key, Hearthside Grove, etc. I need a pool, a bar, and a really nice site that offers some privacy to return to. Bonus points for being able to do some saltwater fishing without needing to drive all day to get to it.

 

[Jim]

I have an area right by the meadow that I had considered making a driving range out of. But then I considered the amount of time I would have to spend hunting and gathering golf balls and I changed my mind quickly.

 

[MapNerd]

I’m with you on all of this @Neal. You hit the nail on the head with the most common activities that would be nice. Archery is a particular favorite of ours and we carry our own equipment, but in many campgrounds it’s hard to find a space large enough for us to set up and even then, I have to watch like a hawk for people walking into into the impromptu range. We don’t shoot anything high powered or even sharp. Just foam targets and round dull tips, but it would still hurt and could damage property.

We also love equestrian activities. It’s a shame more stables don’t have RV sites with hookup. The few that do have sites, hookups or not, usually aren’t big rig capable.

Too many parks these says are becoming exactly as you describe them. RV parking lots with little to no amenities or what little they have are poorly maintained. This is a big reason we’ve grew so fond of State Parks in FL.

 

[MapNerd]

I have an area right by the meadow that I had considered making a driving range out of. But then I considered the amount of time I would have to spend hunting and gathering golf balls and I changed my mind quickly.

Archery range. It’s fun. It’s easy. Low cost set up. Low risk if you use round tips and foam targets. Most people have never done it and get a kick out of it.

 

[Neal]

Think of going to camp as a kid, what activities did they have? That would be great for kids RVing and kids that drive RV's

Also think of state fairs, while probably not the best for ideas, the point is entertainment for guests in a camping spirit vs. just a hookup and mail service. I would much rather return to a CG I had a great time in vs remembering if my site was level or not.

Campgrounds can be fun too

 

[RKins]

I remember at camp they had archery and one of the kids over shot the target by a bunch and they found the arrow sticking into the sidewall of a nearby Cadillac's tire - oops.
"RV Parking lots" are a bummer but seems to be the norm - and to sit in one all winter, no thanks..

 

[Jim]

Archery range. It’s fun. It’s easy. Low cost set up. Low risk if you use round tips and foam targets. Most people have never done it and get a kick out of it.

Awesome idea, and it sounds fun. But if the visitors didn't bring their own equipment, then the campground host would have to manage it all. In my case, I'm trying to create the ultimate site with as little managerial oversight as possible.

 

[BGMAC]

With that in mind I thought hey, wouldn't it be cool if campgrounds were more than just RV parking lots and had amenities such as summer camp? Some campgrounds have great amenities from water activities, etc. but what if more had entertainment vs. parking for RVers. Ideas would be canoeing or kayaking (rentals), bb or pellet gun ranges, archery ranges? What else could they have that would be fun for a week or longer stay and lend to a camping experience?

We have something close to that. RV/tent camping with canoe rentals etc. on the Buffalo River. CRAZY HORSE RECREATIONAL PARK CANOE /KAYAK RENTAL/CAMPGROUND

 

[Neal]

@Jim you could provide targets both for archery and pellet guns and not have the actual equipment beyond targets and I'm sure people would be thrilled 1) it's allowed and 2) there is an area to do it. They may go buy stuff or bring it next time.

Sidenote: I did see people doing archery once at a CG essentially in front of the RV parking lot of which I was on the front row. Their target setup (like a hay stack or something in a white cover with a target, whatever they use for a popup target) was right in front of my coach, maybe 100ft. Me being the OCD new coach owner I asked them to reorient as I didn't want to catch a ricochet. They obliged, but that's a concern. I carry a pellet pistol my father gave me. I have yet to shoot it as I'm afraid of the concerns of it being a "firearm" and CG rules. Of course I could ask first and even more so go somewhere where there are no people. But plinking cans is fun too.

 

[MapNerd]

I have yet to shoot it as I'm afraid of the concerns of it being a "firearm" and CG rules. Of course I could ask first and even more so go somewhere where there are no people. But plinking cans is fun too.

Paint it bright orange or yellow. That should alleviate most people’s knee jerk reactions.
Pellet/BB guns are a decent idea except over time, your range gets littered with them and eventually, you don’t want to take a mower through there for fear of launching those pellets and BBs at bystanders or property.

 

[MapNerd]

@Jim as for concerns about managing archery equipment, buy a couple of cheap starter sets at Walmart. Drop a couple of posts in the ground at the firing line, maybe 3-6’ apart. Attach a 6’ long, nylon coated steel cable to the bow, connecting it to the post. Nothing heavy duty. Just a little deterrent to keep them from growing legs and walking off in their own. Put a nail in the side of the post, hang bow on the posts. Someone didn’t bring one? There’s one right there for them to use.
get an old whiskey barrel, fill it with cheap plastic round tipped arrows.

I wouldn’t use paper targets. Too much waste and cleanup. Foam you’d need to replace every 6 months to a year.

 

[Amigobaja]

If you get to northern nevada find walker river resort between gardnerville and yerington nevada. Of coarse they have the pool/hot tub but they have a desert 9 hole golf coarse,pistol range, at least a 20 station shot gun range, small rodeo grounds, float trips down the walker river, bar with slot machines pool tables, horse shoe pits,frog pond and outside the gates hundreds of miles off road trails. Great place for the whole family but definitely an adult playground.

 

[J&JD]

We usually stay in rv parks, but love the state parks in the far west. However, even though Oregon has excellent state parks, often with hook-ups, our favorite spots are private parks right on the ocean or rivers. Especially, Pacific Shores in Newport, Seaperch in Yachats, and Casey’s Riverside Rv, right on a fork of the Willamette River. All of them have big, clean full hook-up sites, and in absolutely beautiful settings. They are peaceful too. Judy D