nycsteve
NY
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Joined: 01/26/2008
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my experiance between privite and State, some privite allows drinking with the potential issues that come with it. Most State parks I've stayed in prohibit alcohol. Of course people drink anyway, but it tends to be discrete and more mellow than some privites. I prefer State parks based on what I have experianced. Usually more to be had then just your parking spot, more resonable, better scenery, a better bargin.
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VTX1300Rider
Maryland
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Joined: 10/28/2011
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I am new to the travel trailer camping, but have camped in a tent my whole life. The truth is, I would take a state park over private campground any day. Most state parks are just paved roads in the middle of the mountains or on the beach. I prefer a starlit night with no noises from nearby interstates or large crowds. It is truly amazing to see the sky without all of the light pollution from cities.
That said, I don't think I've ever felt unsafe in a state park, at least from a person standpoint. Usually, when you have someone out to mug you or sexually harass the girls, there's a good chance they are going to town. You may have the occasional nut who decides to shoot a park ranger, such as the Mt. Rainier shooting that happened several weeks ago, but in general, it's just you and nature at the state parks. Maryland has some beautful state parks, especially in the Western half. Enjoy and relax. Life's too short to worry about what could happen, but probably never will.
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dahkota
Washington, DC
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I spent last weekend at Elkneck State Park in MD. The park ranger came around at least four or five times a day. Maybe more when I wasn't at my site.
That is my experience with all the state parks I've been to.
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Phathead
tn
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The local state parks in East TN are great with patrols on regular basis. The only crime is an occansial bike theft left un secured or litter or doggy dropping.
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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WE love the state parks in Louisiana and Mississippi, and Georgia.
Papa Bob
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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Some of the best CG's in Oregon are state parks. Probably why most are booked all summer every year. We try to avoid them in the summer during peak times as they are full of families. Nothing against families, I am part of one, but we just like it a little quieter. Can't speak for any other state but the ones here are as safe as they get.
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jmiller
S.E. Michigan
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We ONLY stay in state parks here in michigan and ohio. VERY safe.. DNR on duty most of the time.
Joel, Sallie and our 2 labs Chance and Jager.(father and son)
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BUFFALODAN
Buffalo NY
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Wow. Yes I think you have seen too many "state park horror movies". Here in NY there are State Park Police that are based in or near and patrol the State Parks. SOME private CG's have their own "security"; not quite the same as a real, trained police officer. I've never had an issue at a State park; cant say the same about some private ones I've stayed at. The state parks are usually much larger, cheaper, and more "scenic".
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Chock Full o' Nuts
GA
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tvman44 wrote:WE love the state parks in Louisiana and Mississippi, and Georgia.
We love our Georgia State Parks. They are beautiful and well maintained. We *have* suffered a few injuries while doing stoopid things and some illnesses that surprised us. DH fractured his skull playing around in a hammock--in a Georgia state park. I suffered a burst eardrum--in a Washington state park. DD18 came down with pneumonia--in a Florida state park. DS16 had a seizure-in an Alabama state park. DH developed altitude sickness in a National Park. And 2 years ago we suffered a roll-over while driving home from a Georgia State Park. As my kids say, its not a real vacation until someone goes to the ER. But in all the years we have camped in tent, pop-up, and trailer we have never, not even once felt threatened by man or beast.
Go and enjoy your new camper. 
"Those who dwell...among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."--Rachel Carson, environmentalist, 1956
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mockturtle
WA
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Chock Full o' Nuts wrote:tvman44 wrote:WE love the state parks in Louisiana and Mississippi, and Georgia.
We love our Georgia State Parks. They are beautiful and well maintained. We *have* suffered a few injuries while doing stoopid things and some illnesses that surprised us. DH fractured his skull playing around in a hammock--in a Georgia state park. I suffered a burst eardrum--in a Washington state park. DD18 came down with pneumonia--in a Florida state park. DS16 had a seizure-in an Alabama state park. DH developed altitude sickness in a National Park. And 2 years ago we suffered a roll-over while driving home from a Georgia State Park. As my kids say, its not a real vacation until someone goes to the ER. But in all the years we have camped in tent, pop-up, and trailer we have never, not even once felt threatened by man or beast.
Go and enjoy your new camper. Hey, it sounds like you guys could make your own horror movies!
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