East Verses West RV Parks
This past summer (2006) we traveled on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. We stayed at a lot of campgrounds and discovered some interesting differences. Since we are from the West Coast and accustomed to RVing there we were surprised by the differences in the RV park style and amenities of the East Coast. Hear a few of my general observations, please leave a comment about your experience and let me know if you agree or disagree with my observations.First, the majority of campgrounds are older and designed with older and shorter RVs in mind. Some of the spaces are so close together that your slides almost touch when extended.
Second, the majority of the campgrounds only have 30 amp service. So, don’t plan on doing laundry, running the microwave, making coffee and blow-drying your hair at the same time.
Third, many campgrounds do not have sewer disposal at the camp sites. They all have dump stations, but we found many did not have sewer hook-ups in the actual sites. No problem, as long as your plan for it. 
Forth, they are more expensive than West Coast campgrounds.Personally, I like 50 amp service (who doesn’t). But it wasn’t until we hit Nebraska traveling back west that we found regular 50 amp service at the majority of campgrounds. The East Coast does in fact have campgrounds with 50 amp service but they are few and far between (at least in the places we traveled). Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Jim
Labels: Campgrounds
posted by Jim Twamley at
2/18/2007 02:05:00 PM
24 Comments:
Hi Jim, We've been RVing since 2001 and have been to most states including Alaska. I've found 30 amps, central dump stations, and small sites are the norm in every state. I find on-site sewer and large sites more often than I find 50 amp. There is even one RV park in NC that will not let you register if your rig is 50 amp.
By
Gerald, at February 18, 2007 4:05:00 AM PST
I travel in my 1974 Travco model 270. It is equipped with 30 amp service, and when used, is connected mainly to a 15 amp adapter/100' 12 gauge cord...to operate the converter when it's convenient or free...but I mostly utilize the Shell-Siemens solar panels on the roof, ample battery capacity and the Onan 6K when needed to operate the 1350 watt 2 1/2 gallon water heater. No roof Air, no super convection microwave ovens, no ice makers, no TV no blow dryers, no washer and dryer, no electric heaters, no computers, no slides, no frills, no gewgaws. 1 Panasonic RF-5000 radio tunes in the world if I want company, a 3 way fridge and LED cabin lighting reduces electrical demand. Sure does make camping and boondocking pleasant, and simple, and inexpensive, and QUIET. Sounds to me like you have never really found Mother Nature while RVing. She doesn't exist at the end of a 50 amp umbilical cord.
By
Anonymous, at February 18, 2007 7:26:00 AM PST
Well, I've hiked all over Sequoia National Park. One time I did an 80 mile hike to the top of Mt. Whitney (highest mountian in the conteinental United States)- very nice hike. I'v hiked all over actually, slept on the ground and in tents all without hook-ups. Sometimes I camp but most of the time I RV. There is a difference between the two. When I RV I am close to nature. When I camp I get down and get in it. Jim
By
Jim Twamley, at February 18, 2007 1:23:00 PM PST
I haved stayed in tent and rv mostly on the east coast. I think that we may think of it more as camping than taking along amenities. Scenic beauty is limited and not available to many. It is more expensive because campgrounds here are fighting off developers who have no problem with their ethics. And we are hardened yankees who know that blowdryers are bad for our hair and also for the health of our planet.
Stacy
By
Grace Christine, at February 18, 2007 1:52:00 PM PST
i enjoy your blog. keep up the good work.
By
millertime, at February 18, 2007 3:00:00 PM PST
We've been from coast to coast and I haven't noticed that at all. The state parks in the east tend to have very limited services and small spaces. We do use a Travel Life directory though to pick campgrounds we are not familiar with so have ruled out those with less amenities than we desire. We have found campgrounds in many locations across the U.S. that are dumps and I told DH that every piece of bad property either has a self-storage unit on it or is a campground.
By
Anonymous, at February 18, 2007 8:18:00 PM PST
But none of the campgrounds we went to west of the Black Hills had campfire rings!!!
Anna
By
Anonymous, at February 20, 2007 10:27:00 AM PST
Your comments about East vs West campgrounds are the same as our opinion. We volunteered at a Nat'l park near Hagerstown, MD last summer and had a heck of a time with low voltage at sites furnished for us. We had to replace 2 capacitors in our rear AC unit before moving to a better spot in W.VA. Anyone in the area would find repairs done at 4 Seasons RV repair in Hagerstown to be fine; they are helpful, friendly & effecient.
By
Elsie, at February 25, 2007 8:06:00 AM PST
I am not familiar with present day east coast campgrounds. I do know that in 1970, when we moved from northern California to Tidewater Virginia, campgrounds were only open from Memorial day to Labor day. And 30 amp service was the only power available. Also, there were not too many campgrounds around. It's good to be back west.
By
Anonymous, at March 3, 2007 7:56:00 AM PST
Hi Jim,
I want my 50 amp. We started tent camping when our kids were little and did all of that wilderness down to nature stuff but now we are retired and I want to travel and live in the lap of luxury as much as I can. We find rving fun and cheaper than hotels. I even use my blow dryer every day and it's easier if I have my 50 amp. I've noticed when I go to rvparkreviews that 50 amp is limited out east and there are also a lot of campgrounds that won't take dogs. We have a miniature schnauzer that travels with us and so that can be inconvenient. But next year we are taking an extended trip out east and we are looking forward to it regardless of the accommodations. Love your blog. Keep it up.
By
Anonymous, at March 3, 2007 8:09:00 AM PST
We found it difficult to find places to dump waste in the east.
When found, they were inconvenient to use.
By
Anonymous, at March 3, 2007 8:15:00 AM PST
We made our first trip to the East last summer and agree 100%. Our RV is 39 ft long with 3 slides and we finally called each campground to assure they could handle us. Even with this, we found it difficult to get parked and extend our slides - forget an awning.
By
Anonymous, at March 3, 2007 12:48:00 PM PST
We have been camping in a 5th wheel for over ten years, and some of the nicest places and best memories we have are of campgrounds that have no hookups at all, just good old deep cycle batteries and water jugs, I think people should leave their cords coiled up and try having an adventure for something different
By
Anonymous, at March 3, 2007 1:08:00 PM PST
Well lets see. People expect the eastern campgrounds to immediately upgrade to 50 amp service and to more than double the width of their spaces (and lenghthen them as well) within limited space - not that much room to expand - so that these people can park their 4 slided 50 amp behemouths!! Maybe they should have thought about that before they bought them, or just buy into the upscale parks catering to that size in Florida or Arizona. Bigger is NOT better so don't complain!!
By
Anonymous, at March 3, 2007 5:19:00 PM PST
Traveling through VA, PA, NJ, NY and MA that many of the campsites at RV parks were reserved/leased for the full summer and not available for those just traveling through.
By
AV, at March 3, 2007 7:43:00 PM PST
If you want ammenities, stay home!! Personally, I want to see the beauty and nature side of this country;
not TV!!
By
Anonymous, at March 4, 2007 5:02:00 AM PST
I have a 36 ft Dp (50 amp) for travel in the west and I bought an class b for the east. I can tow the class b out west and can get into any CG anywhere. I didn't pay very much for the class (9000 with 48,000 on it).thats lass than I paid for my normal toad. The b gets about 15 mph. That makes me happy. I feel I have the best of both worlds. I agree that the neast coast is not as friendly to the current generation of motorhomes but as I get closer to retirement
I prefer nature to crowded CG's.
By
Anonymous, at March 4, 2007 9:07:00 AM PST
We are full timers from the East coast, and we so agree with you. We are now traveling in the SouthWest. What a difference! In the East, it is not uncommon to find campgrounds that only have grey water sewers. To dump, you need to go to their one dump site. They are so not ready for the newer RV's. The East prices are out of sight. This has made us discover a great new world - the SouthWest! So we say "thank you" to the East coast.
By
Anonymous, at March 4, 2007 7:01:00 PM PST
We have a 30 foot 5th and 50 amp hook-up. we also have 2 solar panels; an inverter, and generator. WE do not need a 50 or 30 service if a camp ground does not have it. We can comfortably dry camp if we need to and actually do so quite often. If one is prepared in a similar fashion you do need to complain about what campgrounds have or have not. Just adapt to each situation as it arises and enjoy your R.Ving.
Peter D.
By
Anonymous, at March 4, 2007 8:58:00 PM PST
Hi Jim:
For the most part, I agree with you. I find your comments to be most accurate in very popular areas. One such area is Key West, Florida. The problem is, the campground owners are often faced with the temptation of selling out for big $$$ to developers. In this situation, they are not very motivated to upgrade their campground.
By
Larry from Libertyville, at March 5, 2007 6:03:00 AM PST
Would like to post a question other than east vs west campgrounds. Can anyone comment on Choice Campgrounds. We recently joined and was sent a card labeled United RV Camping Club, an internet camping co includes Great American Camp Rate Savings. We started on our trip 2 weeks ago. 2 out of 3 campgrounds we stayed at that were listed in their book never heard of this company. Fortunately the 2 campgrounds did honor a discount but now we are concerned that we have been taken advantage of. Any comments?
By
Anonymous, at March 5, 2007 3:31:00 PM PST
I agree 100%. Most camp sites in the East are much smaller.We have RV'd in almost every state and have been doing it for 35 years. One other thing it is much harder to find a site for just a night or two because alot of the spaces in the east and midwest are reserved for the entire summer season.
By
C.R. Jensen, at March 6, 2007 10:19:00 AM PST
We have travelled extensively and agree with most of the comments about East Coast RV'ing. It is too bad about the lack of quality parks that can accommodate ALL manner of travelling--a term I prefer over "camping". The East Coast, for a variety of reasons, has failed to meet the services demanded by the current generation of larger motorhomes. We would like to see more of the East Coast, but tend to avoid travelling there due to road conditions and traffic congestion, absense of adequate (forget attractive!) RV parks, prevalence of permanent resident population, short operating seasons and extremely high prices. What a shame we have so few positive park choices when visiting all the wonderful destinations in the East!
By
Anonymous, at March 7, 2007 4:22:00 AM PST
We agree with all of the comments of west vs. east. We were from MA before becoming half timers of winter in Florida, summer anywhere cooler! During our 30 years in MA we enjoyed 'camping' with our pup tent, cabin tent and pop-up in the northeast without even knowing about upgrades. When we 'matured' to RVing in a 36' 5th wheel and headed into the northeast we encountered all the difficulties and comments mentioned. In our three years of half timing we have come to love the pacific coast and the southwest. And it is hard to beat Florida in the winter! We thank God for blessing us with such wonderful living conditions!
By
Anonymous, at March 9, 2007 8:09:00 PM PST
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