Writing Campground Reviews

[TaftCoach]

I teach a unit in my high school English class on writing reviews and have given this some thought. Then theory conflicts with experience.

I try to be fair in writing reviews and attempt to rate in what the business is attempting to do. For example I believe rating a family owned $15 steak house in a small townshould be on a different scale than Ruth Chris and even that would be different than the Cote scale. All three could receive five stars.

Then you have what is the customer's fault and what is the business's fault? And that's where I'm at as I started to write a review of the state park campground we left.

We've been there at least six times. It's not a choice, it's the only one convenient while visiting friends and family in the area. We know to avoid the weekend when the campground fills with loud crowds. During the week it is a peaceful, mostly empty, park. The sites are generally level, the bathrooms and showers clean, in fact all the common areas are taken care of. The staff is nice although they have a few very strict rules to enforce. For example the gate is locked at 10:00 PM with no way to enter. They installed tire shredding security at the exit.

Now the problem. Every year the campsite has the most garbage of any campsite we will visit that year. Once again, this one tops the list. Cigarette butts everywhere. Scraps of paper stuck on the fire pit, wrappers shredded from mowing on the ground. Half melted aluminum cans near the fire pit. Obviously the staff isn't making that mess. From what I see it's a weekend crowd problem.

Now if this was my first visit I would rate this five stars on the state park, electric only, scale. Now that's is my sixth visit I'm inclined to lower the rating and of course mentioning why.

Is that fair to the business?

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

Now the problem. Every year the campsite has the most garbage of any campsite we will visit that year. Once again, this one tops the list. Cigarette butts everywhere. Scraps of paper stuck on the fire pit, wrappers shredded from mowing on the ground. Half melted aluminum cans near the fire pit. Obviously the staff isn't making that mess. From what I see it's a weekend crowd problem.

Now if this was my first visit I would rate this five stars on the state park, electric only, scale. Now that's is my sixth visit I'm inclined to lower the rating and of course mentioning why.

Is that fair to the business?

I think so, even though the crowd made the mess the staff should have cleaned the site before you checked in. I know numerous VIP (Volunteers) who had that as their primary job, cleaning up the fire rings and sites as soon as they were vacated. They had a list from the office showing who was checking out each day.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

I teach a unit in my high school English class on writing reviews and have given this some thought. Then theory conflicts with experience.

I try to be fair in writing reviews and attempt to rate in what the business is attempting to do. For example I believe rating a family owned $15 steak house in a small townshould be on a different scale than Ruth Chris and even that would be different than the Cote scale. All three could receive five stars.

Then you have what is the customer's fault and what is the business's fault? And that's where I'm at as I started to write a review of the state park campground we left.

We've been there at least six times. It's not a choice, it's the only one convenient while visiting friends and family in the area. We know to avoid the weekend when the campground fills with loud crowds. During the week it is a peaceful, mostly empty, park. The sites are generally level, the bathrooms and showers clean, in fact all the common areas are taken care of. The staff is nice although they have a few very strict rules to enforce. For example the gate is locked at 10:00 PM with no way to enter. They installed tire shredding security at the exit.

Now the problem. Every year the campsite has the most garbage of any campsite we will visit that year. Once again, this one tops the list. Cigarette butts everywhere. Scraps of paper stuck on the fire pit, wrappers shredded from mowing on the ground. Half melted aluminum cans near the fire pit. Obviously the staff isn't making that mess. From what I see it's a weekend crowd problem.

Now if this was my first visit I would rate this five stars on the state park, electric only, scale. Now that's is my sixth visit I'm inclined to lower the rating and of course mentioning why.

Is that fair to the business?

My review would be a bit different.
Why did staff allow the noise, trash and disfunction in the first place? To me that shows a disregard for a good number of those that stay they. Perhaps the week end crew is happy but it sounds like others are not and a five star rated park satisfies 80-90% of their guests and it does not sound like they do that well at all.

[TaftCoach]

I think it would take someone at least thirty minutes to make a dent in the cigarette butts. In the gravel, in the grass around the fire pit. I don't understand how anyone can enjoy sitting in an ashtray but I've never been a smoker.

[craigav]

Originally Posted by TaftCoach

I think it would take someone at least thirty minutes to make a dent in the cigarette butts. In the gravel, in the grass around the fire pit. I don't understand how anyone can enjoy sitting in an ashtray but I've never been a smoker.

Just a thought and in part based on how long it takes to clean up the place. Rating a park needs to take into account when the rating occurred, just after a large crowd or prior to a large crowd makes a big difference. Most restaurants (for example), if they are very popular they will have a lot more dirty tables and floor areas just after a large crowd than prior to having the large crowd. One may say that regardless of when I arrive, I expect the same conditions, but that isn't reality although I can see where that is a point, in which case all other comparisons should be in similar conditions.

I would also add, any place that is always nice and clean "could" be an indicator that they don't have many customers, which would also make me wonder why that is. ~CA

[CAG]

I would also add, any place that is always nice and clean "could" be an indicator that they don't have many customers, which would also make me wonder why that is. ~CA

On the other hand we stayed in a place with a 4-5 rating for the last 8 years, 4 months out of the year. You need reservations a year in advance because there are no open spaces that are available for more than a day or two. If you are a regular you are on the list to be allowed back. The grass is always mowed, if an RV pulls out the space is regraded and set up the next RV, noise level is low, other than a sideXside coming in or out at the posted and enforced 5mph speed. Violations are dealt with quickly and I watched the guy next to us get booted with an hour to get out because of leaking water, that he had been warned about previously. The place is well maintained and highly sought after for a space.

If the owners care, it shows.

[craigav]

I suspect RV park owners care about being profitable over other aspects. Some realize that what they offer regarding their facilities and the cleanliness of them will help them achieve their goals, although some RV park owners don't seem to understand this concept. ~CA

[pconroy]

I wouldn't overthink it too much. And it's a good thing you're taking pause. I guess one approach would be to email the manager/staff and share your concerns. Wait 24-48 hours for a response before posting a negative review.

[2024Jayco26M]

Originally Posted by craigav

I suspect RV park owners care about being profitable over other aspects. Some realize that what they offer regarding their facilities and the cleanliness of them will help them achieve their goals, although some RV park owners don't seem to understand this concept. ~CA

Agree 100%. I've been to a number of places and it's all about the money.
Been traveling the interstate for a few hours and arrive two hours early? That'll be $40 - $50 (or more) please.
I arrived at a KOA 1.5hrs early recently, they wanted $35 for early arrival. I questioned it. Oh well, site prep etc. they said. In front of me the desk radioed the maint. guys. They laughed at the desk, "Their all ready to go". They have to do nothing. RV in RV out. Just a money grab and making that profit. I was surprised a KOA was like this. Maybe I'm wrong or being unreasonable, if I am let me know.
Going to a place this weekend and I'm going to pay their two hour early fee of $45 to get in and get setup. Arrive more than two hours before check-in, the fee is $100!
I leave reviews based on total experience...

[Camper_bob]

IMO, it's another thing to consider the fact that it's a state park. They're likely under-staffed, and some "volunteer hosts" are better than others. I've been to state parks that have hosts on both ends of the spectrum, and it's obvious the moment you get there whether it is a good host, or a "less good" one...

Some state park examples: Camping with the cub scouts (which I know is a bit of a different ball game), we police the sites as a group before we vacate. The staff's job is relatively easy after we leave, and I like to think that we're setting a good example for others. I volunteered to chaperone a field trip with my son's class at a state park (much better representation of the "general public"), and I had to hound the kids the entire time to pick up their trash. One of the teachers got on board with me, and thus many (not all) of the other teachers did too, but it was still not up to my standards when the kids boarded the bus. So my son, his best friend and I stayed after (I checked them out from school) and helped the ranger finish cleaning up. I found myself apologizing profusely to her for the mess. You could tell that ranger was a dedicated TP&W employee, who cares about the park.

I think a private CG that has things like "early check-in fees" should be absolutely immaculate. Thankfully, most of those I've been to have been. But then I don't recall ever being charged an "early check-in"? We're usually late anyway... But then, if the park is always full, what motivation is there to keep it looking nice? They're obviously not hurting for business, and in my experience "pride of ownership" has all but faded away from our society...

As has the part of the Outdoor Code that says "Take only photographs, leave only footprints". Ever-present is this idea that someone else will come along and clean up after us. Then we wonder why fees keep going up, and areas keep getting closed off...

Honestly, I feel bad for state park staff and volunteers and what they have to deal with on the daily...

[LuckyDuck]

I’d approach it in the same way I taught my college newswriting students: Just the facts and as much information as possible. It’s not up to you to determine “the truth.” A review is a fair account of what you saw and experienced. If you found cig butts and litter, say so. Unless you really know the underlying reasons, let the reader draw his/her own conclusions based on the facts you provide. Maybe the park staff is shorthanded. Maybe they are lazy. Unless you know definitively, you can’t say. But typically, the more info, the better. Along with the “bad facts,” include the positive as well — it’s quiet on weekdays, convenient, etc, etc. I know when I read a review that includes good and bad, I sense it is fair and the author doesn’t have an ax to grind.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by LuckyDuck

I’d approach it in the same way I taught my college newswriting students: Just the facts and as much information as possible. It’s not up to you to determine “the truth.” A review is a fair account of what you saw and experienced. If you found cig butts and litter, say so. Unless you really know the underlying reasons, let the reader draw his/her own conclusions based on the facts you provide. Maybe the park staff is shorthanded. Maybe they are lazy. Unless you know definitively, you can’t say. But typically, the more info, the better. Along with the “bad facts,” include the positive as well — it’s quiet on weekdays, convenient, etc, etc. I know when I read a review that includes good and bad, I sense it is fair and the author doesn’t have an ax to grind.

+1

Very well said!

[Sunshine67]

People are pigs these days and think someone else will clean up after them. When the price goes up partly do to this they will complain the loudest

[Cookiejar]

IMHO, as a reviewer, your focus needs to be on telling it like it is (H. Cosell). If you need a few caveats for fairness, fine. But, in the end, you gotta call 'em the way you see 'em if you want your review to be respected. Safe travels.

[Poppyof5]

As a state park camp host that cleans sites every day. This is not cool. IMHO if it isn’t clean it shouldn’t be re- rented until it is.

[Pauls72]

I believe in being honest in a review. Yes, I take into account the ownership, cost, etc... Some web sites limit how many characters you can type in the review area, this makes it hard to get everything in. We have been disappointed in most KOA's we have stayed at. At the bulk of the KOA's it's all about the money!

[Michael Francois]

Sometimes one small thing will take down an entire experience. On a 39 day swing through Eastern and Southern states this summer, we stopped at one RV park which was outstanding in appearance and friendliness of staff. Check in was awesome, but the follow-me cart had two derelict scruffy young dudes who raced around on the golf cart at 15-20 miles per hour, chain smoking cigarettes with white filters (significance to be revealed). They spoke not one word to us as we positioned the rig and raced off. When I was hooking up the water, I found a giant St.Bernard size poop not a foot from the spigot, with a fresh white-filtered cigarette but not 3 inches away from that. They couldn't help but know about the poop, and did nothing about it. I had no choice but to bag the offending pile myself, and we mentioned it in the review, which was a 3 instead of the 4 or 5 they may have gotten otherwise. I also sent the management a direct e-mail explaining the very full blue bag left in the middle of the fire ring.