Country-Coach-Owners Central PA Campgrounds

August 12, 2012, 04:49:47 pm

Hi All,

I have never written about campgrounds but after this weekend I feel I need to.
The trip plan was to go to Central PA for a quite weekend, so the search began for a campground. After looking I called Camp-A-While... Asked are you big rig friendly answer YES, got 50 amp, answer Yes, Easy Access answer Yes /sites that have visibility to the SW for satellite, answer YES. SO I made reservations, they sounded like nice folks and a quite place....
After a nice drive, I get there... The first thing is a narrow driveway that makes a left curve with sharp rocks on the inside edge... Read tricky to avoid tearing something up... Got in went to the office. Checked in they wanted to charge me an extra half day for being 2 hours early, grumbled, paid it and got a site... asked can my satellite see the SW from this site.. Answer NO... I need a site that I can get satellite... Well we are heavily treed, maybe this one. Given a map. I say I want to walk down and look before I drive there, it was raining. I ask how far is this, answer, I have no idea. No golf cart, no offer to take me there, etc. I walk to the site in the rain, look at it decide to give to give it a try. Drive to it, gravel road, narrow, etc. Get in the site align the dish with the best SW view. No go.... okay I can live without TV... Go to hook up power cord... Look in box... 30 amp only... Okay I call the office and say there is no 50 amp on this site? Answer We do not have any 50 amp... I say when I called for the reservation I asked about 50 amp and was told yes. Answer, we do not have any 50 amp but do have heavy enough wiring for it we can change the one breaker to 50 amp. 50 amp at 120 does not work. I say let me figure this out. Made a couple calls found another place 7 miles away that claimed 80 foot drive thrus, 50 amp, good SW access. And they have room. Called the office of Camp-A-While and ask any where around here that has 50 amp and open sites.. Answer NO. Say I do not want to stay here. She says well if you must leave go ahead. I asked about canceling the charges, after some discussion they agreed to refund the payment.
I go to Echo Valley Campground, a little skeptical after the last episode. Get there in 12 minutes, easy access. Go to office and check in. She says this is the best site for you, shows me the map and points to the site from the office. I pay and drive straight into the site. Wide road, level, easy. Hook up, turn sat on, gt TV, 50 Amp, water, etc. All was exactly as described. Before I could get settled she came by and asked if everything was okay. " Just wanted to be sure you are happy.".... The place is well maintained, clean , quiet, friendly and HONEST.
If your plans include Central PA I would recommend this place Echo Valley Campground.

I would tell you to avoid Camp-A-While.

Mikee

Re: Country-Coach-Owners Central PA Campgrounds

Reply #1 – August 12, 2012, 06:07:04 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 81593

Here are a good resources for learning what people (like you and me) thought about a very wide selection of RV Parks, AND for people like us to post our own reviews to add to their collection: http://www.rvparkreviews.com
A good resource for reviewing a campground for trees, road, layout is GOOGLE EARTH (or the satellite map view on rvparkreviews.com).

Herb

Group Moderator

Re: Country-Coach-Owners Central PA Campgrounds

Reply #2 – August 13, 2012, 08:46:14 am

Yahoo Message Number: 81602

My book, RVers Best Public Campgrounds (Amazon) will also get you to nice and inexpensive campgrounds.

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Country-Coach-Owners Central PA Campgrounds

Reply #3 – August 14, 2012, 06:49:21 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 81637

Jan and I have found Lee's book to be an excellent resource. I highly recommend it for those who like the benefits of public campgrounds.

George in Birmingham(still in Santa Fe) '03 Magna 6298

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