RV Parks vs Campground????

[D_and_A_plus_6]

The topic of RV Parks and Campground were brought up of Christmas, what is the difference or the same only the name.
My answer was, the RV Parks I have stayed at, only in the midwest, non of them have fire rings and few had picnic tables, where campgrounds and states parks had both. Our family that camps likes to have a campfire.
I'm also sure there are other differences, and my examples may not be true everywhere, but has been where I have stayed.
What are other RV'ers thoughts or opinions? Thanks

[Big_Katuna]

I hear what you’re saying but in Florida almost all parks except govt parks have seasonal. It’s where the steady money is. They don’t leave when it rains or not show up if it’s stormy.

[rockhillmanor]

I full time so I stay at a lot of CG's in my travels.

The way I weed out CG's is I ask or look on their website if they also have seasonal or permanent sites.

If they have either one of those, I don't stay at them. I have found over the years that avoiding CG's with seasonal and permanent sites, I have a had a better experience RV'ing. :C

[Veebyes]

The owners can call it whatever they like. My personal expectation is that a RV park is likely to be carpark sites with no growth between sites, a fair number of seasonal & longterm units which may or may not be occupied & more than basic amenities.

At a privately owned campground I expect to find sites spaced with some greenery, a picnic table, a fire ring & maybe basic amenities like a laundry & WIFI.

[rockhillmanor]

With the internet access, google, and ease of using FB for CG owners, there really is no reason for RV'ers to be surprised anymore.

Even the littlest CG is listed on line with pictures, rates and what amenities their CG has.:C

[beemerphile1]

The owner can call it a "Super Deluxe RV Park Resort Campground". It means nothing.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I agree that it's just marketing (or whatever name sounds cuter). As a rule, I expect an "RV Park" to at least offer electric; and usually water hookups and a restroom/shower facility of some sort. A campground *could* be rustic with no hookups/facilities (or maybe just a vault toilet), so read the amenities list.

[toedtoes]

Thom02099 wrote:

toedtoes wrote:
What the business calls itself means nothing -

A "campground" is a place in a natural setting that is frequented by tenters and people with various RVs to spend time in that natural setting, it is most often a public (government owned) facility and in a rural area. Its main purpose is to get people spending time outdoors for overnight or longer. Often does not have hookups.

...and...it has USFS or National Park in the title :W

This is what I generally look for. Add in the occasional State Park as well.

Yep. Although one USFS campground in Red Bluff is more of an RV Park - it's an anomally.

[hotjag1]

This is just my experience...the one in the same area that is labeled as an "RV park" with the exact same amenities as the one labeled as a "campground" will be at least $10 higher in price:)

[Thom02099]

toedtoes wrote:
What the business calls itself means nothing -

A "campground" is a place in a natural setting that is frequented by tenters and people with various RVs to spend time in that natural setting, it is most often a public (government owned) facility and in a rural area. Its main purpose is to get people spending time outdoors for overnight or longer. Often does not have hookups.

...and...it has USFS or National Park in the title :W

This is what I generally look for. Add in the occasional State Park as well.

[toedtoes]

What the business calls itself means nothing - it's marketing.

But I believe that there is a difference in concept, at least here in California.

A "campground" is a place in a natural setting that is frequented by tenters and people with various RVs to spend time in that natural setting, it is most often a public (government owned) facility and in a rural area. Its main purpose is to get people spending time outdoors for overnight or longer. Often does not have hookups.

An "RV park" is a place more central to towns and cities. It is more likely to be privately owned. People stay there in order to sightsee, visit family, etc. Its main purpose is to provide people with a place to park their rig for overnight or longer stays. Most usually has full hookups.

Out here, I would question any private place identifying itself as a "campground". Odds are, it's an RV Park with campfire type events.

[phillyg]

Calling some campgrounds an RV Resort can be quite a stretch. Kind of like putting lipstick on a pig.

[D_and_A_plus_6]

Thanks for all the replies.

[wrktfsh]

ependydad wrote:
If I can pee outside, it's a campground.

If I can't, it's an RV park.




And sometimes, when it gets dark and I've been drinking, RV parks by day can turn into campgrounds by night.

😉

[Mickeyfan0805]

I never count on the name - I read the reviews and look for what I want for that trip. We have been to 'rv parks' with almost no amenities and campgrounds with water parks - the name has no consistent meaning.