We have never stayed at a private campground. Only State Parks & COE parks. I like the COE parks better. May change my mind later.

Liz
Central GA

I like the feeling of safety in a National/State park type of campground.

Most of the time I feel like I can't get any privacy at those types of campgrounds though. It's usually crowded, and noisey, and can take a little away from the camping experience.

I have stayed at a couple of private campgrounds in West Virginia. They were run well, but I could see the potential for the free-for-all, especially late in the evening and at night.

I have found a couple of secluded campgrounds run by national forests and such. They are usually nice to camp out if you like a private area, and being a little more out in the wilderness. Usually there is a ranger station nearby, but rarely a ranger on patrol. There is a small feeling of safety and security at these places, but not so much as when there is a whole campground full of people with rangers keeping things in line.

Another reason I like National Parks better is because once you've set up camp, you can walk/drive to the major attractions, waterfalls, trailheads, shoreline, ect.
I'm going to Mt Rainier in three weeks, White River campground, and it's the only campground in the park where you can actually see the mountain. Also, Emmons Glacier is the starting point for climbing expeditions, so I'll have my binoculars trained on the glacier watching for a climbing party for sure.

National Forest campgrounds hands-down. I'm only commenting for California locations, but unlike National Park/State Park campgrounds, you have an actual campsite rather than a square. Of course, there are better facilities like flush toilets and showers, and those things are nice, especially when your other half is not a fan of solar showers and vault toilets. There's far less use/abuse in the National Forest campgrounds thus much more of a natural experience. As far as crime, there is actually more crime in National Parks and State Parks due to the higher useage. So much for more Law Enforcement meaning a safer experience! This is made worse in National Parks since firearms have to be cased/locked, so if you did need to defend yourself, you'd need a precious few minutes. This may not be an issue where you live, but we have cougar and bears that have a proven taste for people.

We had a BIG scare in the Darrington WA national Forest area last summer with some drug people. Involved us packing up at 11 PM and heading down the mountain to get out of there, all the while being pursued. Unknown to us, this is getting to be quite a problem! NO MORE of that, I'll go to a National Park from now on or a private campground. Kathy

We have just returned from camping in several different states and hands down COE wins. National parks had older and in most cases poor condition facilities, too small tent pads and way too many barking dogs. Arkansas state park great but no swimming as promised. National Forest (actually National River in Ark) has great facilities also, and excellent rangers. Actually spent time with 5 year old scared by snake explaining all the snakes and what they do to point she no longer frightened and now share this knowledge.

"We had a BIG scare in the Darrington WA national Forest..."

National Forests, at least in CA, are well known for pot growers. Ya gotta be careful if you get too far off of the beaten path in them. I have also seen what I am sure are pot growers in some of the more remove established campgrounds in NF's. National Parks, on the other hand, are usually mucho safer. And they have the Law Enforcement Rangers (a thing that did not exhist when I started camping) to keep things under control. In my opinion private "campgrounds" are for RV's and nothing more...

It depends on what I'm looking for and the duration of my trip. If it's an extended stay I'll want to be somewhere with showers. It seems some national parks facilities don't have showers. But then again, even for remote wilderness camping I use state campsites that are managed by a private campground so.... it's kind of both public and private. I've stayed in some really nice private places that are quite remote and undeveloped but still managed very well as far as safety. In fact, the one I work at and spend the summers is just like that! One of my jobs at night after shutting down the power (generator) for the campground is to shut the gate. It's way off the beaten path that unless you want to get there and know where you are going you're not going to accidentally bump into this place! So, in answer to the question. I've done both and just take into consideration where I want to go, how long I want to stay there, and what kind of facilities I need. When my kids were younger (and sometimes got sick) I decided I needed a place with laundry facilities. I've never looked for a place with game rooms, etc... and avoid them at all costs. But, long term in hot weather and not remote enough to use my sun shower or skinny dip requires shower facilities!

I enjoy national parks, but Oregon's state parks are so good in many areas, that's my favorite, especially the coast.

Here's one park I enjoy...

Harris Beach State Park in Oregon

The ocean side of A Loop look right onto the ocean.

Also, it's about 1/2 hour from the Redwood forest.

None of the above. I prefer National Recreation Areas, National Wildlife Refuge areas and BLM Land that offer open camping. Here you can find solitude with nature and not feel like you are camping in your backyard surrounded by neighbors. When you set up camp with few or no other campers in site, you are unlikely to have other campers camp next to you as most are like minded and set up their own "private" spot. It is easy to set up portable showers and latrines so no worries there. Also, observing the wildlife is more common without domestic pets and high concentrations of campers around. This is not to say a well behaved pet would cause any problems.

Many campers have a need, wheather they realize it or not, to be camped near other people for a sense of safety, or just to socialize with other campers. Others need the convienience of showers, running water, and flushing toilets. Others can't do without electricity. It is for these campers I recommend National Parks and Private Campgrounds.

Hello, Jen: Haven't heard from you for a spell! How's things in the camping scene out your way/
I haven't gotten much camping in this past summer! Gas got too high to go very far! 3 trips, to not far places was all i got to do. Maybe next summer will be better.
I'm in the middle of repairing the front overhang of my motor home, but the holidays and cold weather have slowed that down, too. I'm well into it, but cold hands don't work so good!
Any way, have a nice holiday, Merry Christmas and all that, and pray for nice weather next summer!
Rusty Jones

Hey Rusty! Gas was outrageous to say the least! Most of my driving was through the campground with the exception of a trip to town about once a week! The biggest place I felt the pinch was in filling the boat! The gas price at the marina went up to $4.25! We had to pay for the gas and then pay to have it shipped into our remote area before pumping it out to our customers! Unfortunately, no employee discounts on gas!

It's been a hard year or two but I think things are back on track again. So, maybe you'll start hearing from me more often again!

Very interesting thought chuckwagonjack. Never really thought about what you are saying and yet I do believe you're right on! I can never understand why people would want to go camping where it's crowded and noisy. When I camp I don't want to see another person! I definitely cannot stand hearing people play their music! So, yes, I think you are right--people feel a sense of security near others or enjoy the social aspect. Even my permanent summer site (I call it "outdoor living" is not in the popular part of the campground but back in the woods and quiet! My real week of camping is when we take off in the boat and go to the water accessible only site where I nearest neighbor is a mile away!

I always prefer private camp grounds. Its so much more peaceful and private. You can always get running water, and the facilities are always sufficient.

Rose

ps. I went to France last Summer. There's a fantastic site just near Lille, Christopher Freville the town is very pretty with many wonderful rose gardens.

Right know because we have kids, i would lean towards private campgrounds.
What i like about them is they offer more facilities which i think is important when trying to keep an "entire family" happy durning your vacation.
I would also recomend when looking for private campgrounds
that the campground has been rated by trailerlife or woodalls or some other organization. Also cheching out some of the web sites that offer reviews on private
campgrounds is also a big help when making a campground
selection.

Mike and Family

Went to a private campground in Connecticut. Ouir sone drove down from Middletown to see us, as we couldn't park the coach at his apartment complex.
We had a nice visit, dinner, and then sat around, with he and i playing some music on guitar and banjo. Played about 3 hours.
Next morning, i could hear some music being played nearby--some of the songs sounded mighty familiar!
Seems the guy down from us had set up a tape recorder, and captured our program!
I walked down and told him the music was copy-righted, and he'd have to pay royalties on the recordings! (Now, of course, that wasn't true!) After his eyes got as big as saucers, i told him i was kidding! We talked for a while, and he gave me a copy of the tape, as he had a big recording setup, and went all around the country, recording amateur musicians, for his own enjoyment!
Something i have noticed--in all the years of camping, i have one time found anybody playing any music like we do in our camps! Odd, eh?

I hunt/fish/camp from the Sierras to the Mexican Border. Your enemies aren't the druggies (they don't farm anywhere near established yellow post areas or campgrounds) or neighbors who keep the predators at bay, but rather the Sierra Club / World Wildlife Fund folks who want to close/gate/restrict our publicly-owned lands from use. These folks are nowhere to be seen on-site, but they always seem to have an opinion about keeping us all the heck out of the land we paid for.

State Parks in Alabama are OK but most stick tent campers in areas away from any facicities without tables firerings ect. I have found that the NF are better. Cleaner facilities all around. Weekends and Holidays you will have others but often during week you ma be the only camper. Local Ranger and county sheriff patrol area on a somewhat normal basis and they have private organization running campground at least at the Houston Rec Area in the Bankhead National Forrest. It has some decent hiking areas also.

National forest! no doubt!! i dont like private ones

Here is a link that might be useful: cheap green tea

I love state campgrounds. Living in Oregon, we can enjoy many fabulous state campgrounds. They provide safety and unique access to amazing natural areas.

I just found a great site identifying some of the top Oregon coast campgrounds. If you're interested in camping in Oregon, I'd recommend checking out the following web page: http://www.campingjunction.com/oregon-coast-camping.html .

Here is a link that might be useful: Oregon coast campgrounds