Who else hates campgrounds?

[ThreeBearsHD]

I grew up in Idaho with three siblings and a stepfather that was a young policeman. We were poor. Not destitute, but not spending money on vacations every summer. But, we had a `74 Dodge W150 and a pickup bed camper, so our vacations were camping within about 300 miles of our home in Northern Idaho; Oregon coast, BC, old mining ghost towns, etc.

Being a cop, my dad learned that people suck, and he refused to camp in close proximity to strangers. So our camping spots were all primitive; the further away from people the better. His pickup also had a Warn bumper and a Warn 8274 winch, with a small lift and 33" tires, it would go pretty deep into the woods. So that's where we went.

I grew up and became a park ranger for a few years and also learned that people suck, so when I took my family camping, it was always deeper in the mountains, next to a creek or pond, and never in a campground.

When I lived in Iowa for a few years, I moved out there with an F250 and a 24' RV. I took the family camping in a regular campground, once. It was awful! Nothing but barking dogs, drunk white trash, loud music, and horrible insects. The family hated it. Sold the truck and camper and vowed to never pay to live in a trailer park for the weekend again.

Now, the kids are grown, the wife and I are divorced, so it's just me and my dog, and the occasional girlfriend. I love camping, but only camp at primitive spots, and with just family and/or friends.













I cannot comprehend how people in the Midwest, or most of the country, even, can subject themselves to a public campground filled with people.

Curious as to how many other folks are like me and camp to get away from it all.

 

[Bobbybob]

Getting a GoFast camper on my power wagon here at the end of the month. I like dispersed camping when not backpacking. Get me away plz. I do get the attraction, it’s just not for me.

 

[2024RAM0wner]

We go to state parks with power/water but choose sites with good separation and some privacy. We don't do KOA, we don't do paved sites, and we don't do campgrounds where the trailers are stacked right next to each other.

 

[ShadowJ]

We predominately do campgrounds, but usually C.O.E. facilities. We strive for larger, separated sites. I agree, people have lost all manners sometimes, walking through sites, not controlling kids, etc. We tolerate it. At least kids are not in front of screens. We people watch, my wife more than I, but it is a thing. I could and would love to camp on BLM land, not sure the wife agrees.

 

[wrvond]

We are both retired and really don't have anything to "get away from". I am probably borderline phobic about other people's kooties so I prefer to take my bed and bath with me rather than stay in hotels/motels. We enjoy going to the beach and particularly enjoy staying at the Myrtle Beach Travel Park. Lots of people but I have never seen particularly rude folks there and kids don't bother me. They have a lazy river, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, some kind of game room (never went in) and of course the beach. Plenty to keep kids entertained.
We also enjoy golf and nobody has better golf courses than the Air Force so we tend to stay at family camps on Air Force bases and play lots of golf.
My son and his family live in Oklahoma and we always take our camper to stay in. We stayed at a "campground" in Oklahoma City which seemed an oxymoron but considering it was reasonably inexpensive, gated and nearby it worked well for us.
I also do star gazing and there is a dark sky site a couple hours from home that I take the camper to for (usually) ten days at a time around the new moon. There's been times when I was the only person there and other times when there were several people there. We share a common interest and have gotten to know each other over the years so it's also a bit of a reunion and catch-up social event.

Dark sky site when I still had the Ford:



Scott Air Force Base has a really nice golf course:



We particularly enjoy Arnold Air Force base, both the campsite and their golf course.

 

[AH64ID]

We aren't fans of campgrounds and see them as tools for certain things, like the ability to stay inside Yellowstone NP or to visit new places and stay in our our camper places like the Oregon Coast. The rest of the time we primitive camp, which is part of why were building a van... camp near the trailheads we want to hike/backpack/snowshoe/MTB/etc and then have quick and easy access to the activity without having to deal with a trailer or extensive cleanup.

 

[Rattfink]

Me.

My family does hike in only camping, preferably dispersed. When you have to do a hard ass walk to get there and carry everything you want for your duration, it eliminates everything I hate about campgrounds.

 

[Poolmonkey]

Yep..at least 20 miles from pavement is ideal for us. Rarely stay in any kind of campground unless it’s somebody else's deal and going along to get along, never one with power and water etc…

 

[AH64ID]

When you have to do a hard ass walk to get there and carry everything you want for your duration, it eliminates everything I hate about campgrounds.

If only that were true for me. I’ve been miles in the backcountry and plenty of idiots show up and try to ruin the experience.

 

[Rattfink]

If only that were true for me. I’ve been miles in the backcountry and plenty of idiots show up and try to ruin the experience.

Yeah. It can happen. But the harder the walk, the greater the privacy. My family and I hiked seven miles, every step of which was up mountain, int the Trinity Alps and could see or hear a single of humans for days. It was one of the most peaceful weeks of my life.

 

[Rattfink]

Yep..at least 20 miles from pavement is ideal for us. Rarely stay in any kind of campground unless it’s somebody else's deal and going along to get along, never one with power and water etc…

That's one thing we demand. There must be a water feature to filter. I ain't humping three days of water.

 

[Poolmonkey]

That's one thing we demand. There must be a water feature to filter. I ain't humping three days of water.

Ain’t humping to camp in a camp any more, myself. Camps are for humping out of and back with critters afaic.

 

[Rattfink]

Ain’t humping to camp in a camp any more, myself. Camps are for humping out of and back with critters afaic.

Fair nuff. I like that kind of camp too.