RVParks.us

ok so before anyone comes at me — I'm not naming the resort. They didn't do anything wrong technically. It just wasn't for us and I think thats worth talking about.

Tanya found this place online. 5 stars, gorgeous photos, resort-style pool, on-site restaurant, the whole nine yards. We figured we'd treat ourselves after two weeks of boondocking. The rate was $95 a night which is steep for us but whatever. Birthday trip.

We pulled in and immediately knew something was off. Not in a bad way exactly — more like a "we don't belong here" way. Every rig in the place was brand new. I'm talking $400k diesel pushers with matching tow cars. Our 2019 Class A looked like the help.

Nobody was unfriendly. But nobody was friendly either. You know that vibe? Where everyone just kind of stays in their own space and you get the feeling there's an unspoken dress code for the pool area?

The kids wanted to ride bikes around the park. A neighbor asked them to keep it down. At 2pm. On a Saturday.

We looked at each other over dinner at the on-site restaurant ($22 for a kids burger and fries by the way) and just said "lets go."

Packed up the next morning and drove to a state park 40 minutes away. $32 a night. Kids rode bikes til sunset. Neighbors brought over marshmellows. We stayed a week.

I'm not saying luxury resorts are bad. Some people love them and thats cool. But if you're a family with young kids who likes things casual and friendly, just know that 5 stars on a website doesn't always translate to 5 stars in real life.

The best campgrounds aren't always the fanciest ones. They're the ones where you feel welcome.