State Parks
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,535
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From: NC
State Parks
We are finishing up a trip to Western New York. I have RV'd in different parts of the country and it was a surprise to me that so far Pennsylvania has the most unkept and aged facility State Parks. Granted, I have only camped in one but it brags about having the most campsites.
I have camped in 17 different state park systems and so far IMO, Florida has the best, and second is South Dakota followed by Arkansas. Towards the bottom of the list are Nebraska, Maryland and my home state of North Carolina.
To camp with dogs in NY you must provide rabies vaccination info. BUT... In NY if you are camping at one park, entry to other state parks during that time is free. Some states require vehicle fees on top of campsite fees. Some states make you drive miles to dump stations, depending on the park.
I will continue to visit state parks throughout the Country. Alabama is later this year, I have heard they do a great job.
I have camped in 17 different state park systems and so far IMO, Florida has the best, and second is South Dakota followed by Arkansas. Towards the bottom of the list are Nebraska, Maryland and my home state of North Carolina.
To camp with dogs in NY you must provide rabies vaccination info. BUT... In NY if you are camping at one park, entry to other state parks during that time is free. Some states require vehicle fees on top of campsite fees. Some states make you drive miles to dump stations, depending on the park.
I will continue to visit state parks throughout the Country. Alabama is later this year, I have heard they do a great job.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 547
Likes: 376
We just stayed at a state park in PA (promised land state park). I was pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of the facilities, bathrooms were updated probably within ten years and kept very clean. The sites themselves were what you'd expect at a state park, natural lay of the land and not very level at all, ours was a pull through and there was 9" difference from side to side and it was a bear to get my 5th wheel level. But the lots were spacious and a mix of very private to open for all to see, again what you'd expect at a state park.
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,064
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From: Media PA
We stayed at French Creek State Park in PA the first week in May (first time there with the TT, waaay back we did tent there) decent sized sites that were side to side level but a bit sloped front to back following the natural terrain. The facilities were modern and very well kept, we saw the DCNR folks making the rounds at least 5/6 times a day checking on the bath houses and such. All of the sites our group was in (5) had very new water, sewer and electrical hookups (still had disturbed soil around them that hadn’t grassed in yet), maybe PA is working the it way through the parks making upgrades and you happened to find on that’s not been tackled yet?
We are currently staying in Elk Neck State Park in MD at a full hookup site, good level site in a nice loop and all the grounds that we have seen have been very clean and well kept.
We are currently staying in Elk Neck State Park in MD at a full hookup site, good level site in a nice loop and all the grounds that we have seen have been very clean and well kept.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,535
Likes: 500
From: NC
We stayed at French Creek State Park in PA the first week in May (first time there with the TT, waaay back we did tent there) decent sized sites that were side to side level but a bit sloped front to back following the natural terrain. The facilities were modern and very well kept, we saw the DCNR folks making the rounds at least 5/6 times a day checking on the bath houses and such. All of the sites our group was in (5) had very new water, sewer and electrical hookups (still had disturbed soil around them that hadn’t grassed in yet), maybe PA is working the it way through the parks making upgrades and you happened to find on that’s not been tackled yet?
We are currently staying in Elk Neck State Park in MD at a full hookup site, good level site in a nice loop and all the grounds that we have seen have been very clean and well kept.
We are currently staying in Elk Neck State Park in MD at a full hookup site, good level site in a nice loop and all the grounds that we have seen have been very clean and well kept.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,535
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From: NC
I tried to stay at an Indiana Park but they had a minimum reservation time, I wanted to do a 1 night, they wanted a minimum of 2 nights. Ended up in a KOA and sort of glad I did. The evening we arrived in Indiana we dodged a tornado, it was the only time before a storm that I pulled into a parking lot to let the winds pass, glad I did, as we headed North the path of the storm damage included trees, flipped over trucks and road signs down. Power was out at the KOA but came on 30 minutes after we got there.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 185
Likes: 47
From: fulltime rvers
Arkansas and Indiana have some nice parks. We have camped at state parks in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, New York, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Dakota and Iowa. All have been really nice and well kept, we really haven't had a bad experience. I volunteer at the Florida State Parks in the winter time and enjoy getting to spend months in a state park. We will choose a state park over a private campground anytime we can. My 2 cents worth
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 11
From: Fayette County TN
I have stayed at a couple of state parks in TN, clean and spacious sites. Last trip was Natchez Trace SP and we have 2 scheduled trips later this month. Again to Natchez Trace and later to Nathan Bedford SP. Lots of good hiking trails in the SP's.
Also check out the Army Corp of Engineers parks. We've stayed at one and it was great, again large sites that are usually leveled. Most only have water and electric but the one near me has full hookups. More information at www.recreation.gov
We've stayed at 2 private campgrounds since getting our RV and found that spaces were tight and they don't always allow for campfires
Also check out the Army Corp of Engineers parks. We've stayed at one and it was great, again large sites that are usually leveled. Most only have water and electric but the one near me has full hookups. More information at www.recreation.gov
We've stayed at 2 private campgrounds since getting our RV and found that spaces were tight and they don't always allow for campfires
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 14
Likes: 11
From: Fayette County TN
I guess it depends on what you consider low and high for prices.
TN state parks charge a different amount and within the parks some sites are "premium" and are a bit more. Natchez Trace SP is around $38.00/night and Nathan Bedford Forest ST is $26.00/night. Most private campgrounds around here charge $60.00/night and up.
Army COE sites near me are $24.00 per night and discounts can be applied for veterans, senior citizen, and purchasing a park pass.
TN state parks charge a different amount and within the parks some sites are "premium" and are a bit more. Natchez Trace SP is around $38.00/night and Nathan Bedford Forest ST is $26.00/night. Most private campgrounds around here charge $60.00/night and up.
Army COE sites near me are $24.00 per night and discounts can be applied for veterans, senior citizen, and purchasing a park pass.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 713
Army COE are 26 for full hook ups, 22 for water and elec and 18 or 20 for just electric in IL. $20 for state parks seem to be the norm as well. We rarely stay private just for that reason, it's quite a bit more and not usually as "campground" feeling.
We have stayed at a couple Jellystones. The one in Kentucky was pretty nice and worth what we paid, but the one in Missouri seemed like a run down old camp ground they tried to rehab but at least we had unlimited access to the water park that was attached to it otherwise I would have been more disappointed.
We have stayed at a couple Jellystones. The one in Kentucky was pretty nice and worth what we paid, but the one in Missouri seemed like a run down old camp ground they tried to rehab but at least we had unlimited access to the water park that was attached to it otherwise I would have been more disappointed.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 185
Likes: 47
From: fulltime rvers
State parks really vary in prices. We stayed at Huntington State Park in South Carolina and it was 75.00 a night. Some Florida state parks are in the 50.00 range. Of course these are on the water. I hear many states are now charging more for holiday weekends. Some county parks are reasonably priced, sadly we figure 45.00 a night is the norm.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 314
We stayed at French Creek State Park in PA the first week in May (first time there with the TT, waaay back we did tent there) decent sized sites that were side to side level but a bit sloped front to back following the natural terrain. The facilities were modern and very well kept, we saw the DCNR folks making the rounds at least 5/6 times a day checking on the bath houses and such. All of the sites our group was in (5) had very new water, sewer and electrical hookups (still had disturbed soil around them that hadn’t grassed in yet), maybe PA is working the it way through the parks making upgrades and you happened to find on that’s not been tackled yet?
We are currently staying in Elk Neck State Park in MD at a full hookup site, good level site in a nice loop and all the grounds that we have seen have been very clean and well kept.
We are currently staying in Elk Neck State Park in MD at a full hookup site, good level site in a nice loop and all the grounds that we have seen have been very clean and well kept.
