If you can get over the notion that you always need a full hook up site when you camp in your trailer; then you might be a great candidate for County Camping. County parks can be a nice surprise.
Tammy and I have always been pretty fond of campgrounds that offer large pull through sites with full hook up, cable, and WI-FI. Of course those requirements come with a cost. Sometimes the cost is not only dollar value but it may also be a site that you wouldn’t have stayed at if you had seen it before you checked in (sites placed too close together, horrible Wi-Fi, etc…).
Today most folks feel they need a lot of the extras when they travel. However if you can see yourself surviving for a week without WI-FI, and cable TV, and using a dump station; then you have greatly expanded the camping choices available to you.
We’ve found that the benefits of county campgrounds can sometimes outweigh the losses. Many county parks have very large sites that are almost private. The fees are much less, almost half the price of what you would pay at your standard chain campground. In addition “Air” TV pulls most of the major channels and some additional ones that we enjoy watching. Our TV at home records the programs we are addicted to. So we can always get caught when we return home.
As you can see from the picture below, I think we had the nicest site at this county campground. Not only was it secluded, the space was so large that it also allowed our Girls (the dogs) to enjoy a great deal of time outside. At the price that some of these county campgrounds charge, you have to ask yourself; ” is this even a break even proposition for them”. Between the upkeep of the campground, shelters, bathrooms, and the electricity and water; I really don’t know how they do it.
County Campgrounds can be a nice surprise
Hannah County Campground
Kendra County Campground
It’s easy to stay for extended periods if you are willing to purchase a portable dump tank. They are not horribly expensive and give you the flexibility to roll to the campground dump station occasionally. We own the “Tote N Store” model below but there are many to chose from that make extended stays without sewer hook-up bearable. If you’re really creative you can probably make your black tank last as long as your stay. That way you can just use the dump station as you leave the park. However, this probably means you are going to use the county park’s bathrooms and showers. You can always just use your own bathroom for the 2:00 AM bathroom breaks.
Apart from the county parks there are many great state parks that have excellent camping as well. Many county and state campgrounds have an on-line presence. They allow campers to book on-line and view a campground map. This allows you to get a feel for what the campground is like before you commit to a stay.
We love the State and County Campgrounds and think you will too.
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