campingcpl
08-19-2010, 07:03 AM
I don't know how the rest of you feel about it but for us it's getting harder and harder to do the traveling we really would love to do because of the rising cost in gas/diesel and the rising cost of the campground fees.
I remember a few years ago when we could do a 1000 - 2000 mile week trip and spend less then a $1000.00. Now days we can't even spend a 3 day weekend 100 miles from home with out spending almost $150.00 just for the campground. I have watched campground prices around us go from about $20.00 a night for full hook-ups to well over $40.00 a night and even as much as $50.00+ a night. I understand the economy has had an effect on everything but does it substantiate rising the cost of a camp site 2 to 3 times?
I could see if the campground was adding new adminities or expanding but the large majority of these places have really not done a thing in improvements. For example: A popular campground that we "used" to camp at has been bought out by a large national chain. It used to be about $28.00 a night for full hook-ups and a very well kept campground with good security. Now the cost has gone up to about $45.00 (non-holiday) a night for full hook-ups and they do not manage the place that well (loud late partying, fights, etc.). I know there are solutions to these problems like doing your research on the campgrounds you are going to be staying at, checking into stays at state and national parks which can normally run you around $25.00 a night, or even getting a seasonal site.
I'm sorry for getting on my soap box but I have always believed camping was supposed to be fun, stress free, relaxing, and cheaper then staying at a hotel. I'm just wondering how other people feel about the rising cost or has the cost not gone up in their area? I know no one likes the rising cost of gas/diesel or anything going up. Are there people out there that are as frustrated as me? Thanks for everyones time and allowing me to vent a little.
I remember a few years ago when we could do a 1000 - 2000 mile week trip and spend less then a $1000.00. Now days we can't even spend a 3 day weekend 100 miles from home with out spending almost $150.00 just for the campground. I have watched campground prices around us go from about $20.00 a night for full hook-ups to well over $40.00 a night and even as much as $50.00+ a night. I understand the economy has had an effect on everything but does it substantiate rising the cost of a camp site 2 to 3 times?
I could see if the campground was adding new adminities or expanding but the large majority of these places have really not done a thing in improvements. For example: A popular campground that we "used" to camp at has been bought out by a large national chain. It used to be about $28.00 a night for full hook-ups and a very well kept campground with good security. Now the cost has gone up to about $45.00 (non-holiday) a night for full hook-ups and they do not manage the place that well (loud late partying, fights, etc.). I know there are solutions to these problems like doing your research on the campgrounds you are going to be staying at, checking into stays at state and national parks which can normally run you around $25.00 a night, or even getting a seasonal site.
I'm sorry for getting on my soap box but I have always believed camping was supposed to be fun, stress free, relaxing, and cheaper then staying at a hotel. I'm just wondering how other people feel about the rising cost or has the cost not gone up in their area? I know no one likes the rising cost of gas/diesel or anything going up. Are there people out there that are as frustrated as me? Thanks for everyones time and allowing me to vent a little.