Worst RV Campground Ever // (And How we Saved our Weekend!)
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- Опубліковано 9 вер 2024
- **SHADY GROVE CAMPGROUND, DENVER PA**
One of our biggest camping fears came to life this past weekend as we pulled into possibly the worlds worst RV campground. While the spots were tight, the sewer connections were not and we found ourselves in a bad camping situation pretty quickly.
After a confusing run in with some of the seasonal campers, we decided it wasn't worth the stress we had to save our weekend - and in this case we only had one option. To hook our Shadow Cruiser Travel Trailer back up and head home.
Currently holding the record for our shortest camping trip (19 hours between check in and check out) it taught us a lot about vetting campgrounds, when to call it quits, and what red flags to look out for when looking for a place to camp with our travel trailer.
**SHADY GROVE CAMPGROUND, DENVER PA**
To join us on more camping adventures: / @frankandtori
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About Us
Who us? Oh. Why thank you for asking - We’re Frank and Tori. We’re always looking for a new adventure or an excellent place to hang out with our two dogs. After purchasing our travel trailer 2 years ago, we have fallen head over heels with the RV Lifestyle. While not fulltimers, we do look for every opportunity we can to hit the road. Look for new videos and vlogs every Monday as we camp around the Northeast region of the US!
Shady Grove Campground
ty for having the balls to DO THE RIGHT THING and REVEAL this place. FAIL on behalf or OP's F you for getting paid for your vids to not HELP ppl, Shreks's gums flap a lot, but leaves out the VITAL shit. F u and your story, bloggers lol
If they would not refund your money, you could have disputed it with your bank or credit card.
Shady grove where?
@@Thatcntrygirl1 They tell you in the video.
@@tweetiebirdism I missed that. but got it now thx
We stayed in a campground within the Kansas City city limits. It was side by side with other campers with slide outs, they came within inches of the camper next to you. Stayed one night and left. After using our motor home for 10 years, about a dozen times a year, we realized staying home on our ten acre hobby farm in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, was more relaxing than camping. Sold the motor home!
Without you naming the campground your review isn't very helpful :(
Hello Raymond, I have a hint in the video. With a very quick google search you can easily find it. Can’t come out and say it on UA-cam.
@@FrankandTori It's funny what you can't put in a review. In a campground review I wrote it kept getting rejected. Turns out I couldn't say it was on the dike, it's a levee now :(
@@raymondclark1785 you got that right. The stuff they take down or regulate these days blows my mind.
The matrix is always awake. That's why I like as rustic as possible but that's not eveyones choice. Good review guys n gals. Sorry you ran into a bunch of Karen's 😂😃🤣😀 73+ 🍁 Manitoba hunter Yorkshire expat
Frank and Tori, nonsense. You have chosen to censor yourselves for reasons of your own. Don't blame that on You Tube or "regulations". Lol
That's why off road camping is the best, staying away from everybody, I don't like being near people, they can ruin a relaxing day
Definitely had this happen before. We try to vet out any full time living campgrounds and stick with state parks as much as possible. The owners are desperate for money and this provides consistent income. These are really just full time living trailer parks that keep a couple of spots open to pass as a campground. Classic signs are grass growing up around campers, "moved in" appearances, potted plants around the campers, unkept grounds, hecklers at the pool 🥲etc.. Oh to live out west and be able to utilize the wide open spaces.
This is the best 'idiots complaining about dumb shit that nobody cares about' video I've ever seen.
Feels good to be number 1!
That place is a trailer park, not a campground! There should be a law against trailer parks trying to pass themselves off as campgrounds! Stayed in a place like that one time. Never again!
Great review. This could be about half the campgrounds I have visited in recent years. The pandemic made things much worse because everyone and their cousin bought up every RV they could get their hands on and now there are about ten times as many campers as there were just a few years ago. Not to mention all the people living in their RV because they can no longer afford rent. Between the low campground vacancy rates, slob campers, and psychotic hosts it's just not worth the headache any more. That's why we recently sold our RV and will just do the hotel or Airbnb thing for awhile.
Mrs Rabbit told Thumper "if you cant say anything nice, dont say anything at all."
just do a google maps satellite view, and zoom in. You guys are not exaggerating one single bit! Thank you for giving me this idea when I scope out future campgrounds. We just learned a tip from this horrible experience.
Sorry for your experience it is good to share this experiences to help others. We have subscribed to your channel wishing you more great videos and a growing channel! Looking forward to seeing you celebrate 1000 subscribers!
We need more people like you. You’re review is very helpful to me. Yes, you do NOT have to name the campground out of respect. But the pointers of what to look out for - priceless!
Poor management, I worked at a campground for 3 years. We watched people park and corrected them if necessary. We had pull through buddy spots that can face each other or not. We had to tell people to pack it up and you are not on a buddy spot. Pull it in from the east, they don’t want to be your buddy. All spots are 30X60, except tent sites. Full hookup and can take 50amp if needed, fewer spots for that. It’s organized. If I saw all those people parked willy/nilly I would have a meltdown! They can’t hook up to the sewer/water/electricity. Guess what they will do with their sewage before they leave? If ever in Michigan, go to Attica Pines. They like brake lights there. Do 3. Get spot #36.
We visited there twice, each time something broke on our camper. The owner was very friendly and attempting to help us.
What’s the name? Why is everyone afraid to name it?
Most family campgrounds have speed limits and usually its the seasonal campers that try to enforce it. The smell is common to campgrounds on slopes or on hills from what I have learned over time.
This is why I'm a state park snob. I never go to private campgrounds because of stories like this. PA state parks are great, easy to reserve, and half the price where you stayed. What are you doing going to trashy places like that?
Not if you value your safety ... I prefer to go someplace I can carry out loud .. We ain't in Kansas anymore
@@kimberlylay1005 I do value my safety, so I'll stay at state parks.
@@kimberlylay1005 - drunks and guns don’t mix well!😂
@@christophershaffner2827I really love PA state parks.
I've been to 20 Pa. state parks, never had an issue. What they may lack in amenities they make up in "getting back to nature".
State parks are certainly our more favorable destinations. Couldn’t agree more. Ones near us can be harder to get into though.
The worst campground we ever went to was in Ohio, near the prison where Shawshank Redemption was filmed. We had a site on a little lake, but it took me over an hour to clean up all of the goose poop that was covering our site. Any place you walked you were dodging Goose crap. To make matters even worse, there was a giant fenced area across the lane from our site that contained a natural gas sub station.
I live at a campground, and I wave to everyone I see driving through. The ones who don't wave back are people who I've never seen before (who are just camping on their travels). So no, it's not us and the seasonals who have the attitude problem. It's the travelers.
Which campground are you referring to? I can’t find it in the title or the video description.
We pinned in comment. UA-cam took down when we had name. Best we could do
Yeah…I scouted some campgrounds here in Florida before taking our newly purchased pop up for her maiden trip. The bummer I found is that almost all the private “RV” campgrounds in Florida have trashy, tightly packed, year round RV’s with all kinds of junk around their campsites…and the snowbirds haven’t even arrived yet! So…we’re going to investigate state parks or camp out of state. Florida private campgrounds now look like unkempt trailer parks. Sad.
We stayed at a campground one time that they double booked sites. You were like 16A or 16B. The power and water was split at the hook up. It was terrible.
When your dealing with the full timers your usually dealing with village idiots! They hate real campers and have no problems letting you know about it.
100% correct Bud unless you’re going to a real nice campground near a beach or lake. They are usually filled with entitled drunks who like to hang out in front of their campers. It’s a shame as it takes away from the experience of people trying to travel, hike and take in the surrounding area.
The Campers Inn pull through lots in PCB are similar to this. The back ins aren’t bad at all and the park overall is pretty accommodating to the beach, but the pull through lots there are right on top of one another.
Wow, you are very nice people, you took the high road on this video. Good for you! Regards.
Sounds like they are relying on the amenities and to pack as many people in as possible. They need to open it as a trailer park and sort out some plumbing issues. Probably some people issues too. Good they were accommodating. But, too little too late.
We stayed there about 5 years ago and we did not think we were going to be able to park our RV because it was so tight. Thank goodness we just needed somewhere for the night.
How big was the land
Yeah,don't be helpful and name it
I’d rather stick searing hot needles into my eyes vs going to a private campground!
We had a bad campground last night linville falls campground NC . We didn't even stay their we looked at the site and it was so uneven and wires over head and near cabins. We called her and told her how hard it was to get in and they really need to check on their sites terrible. She said that site is always booked lol and she wouldn't give us our money back at all .
Bad campground? We pulled into one where the ground was so pot holed and not level at all. We pulled in, forfeit our deposit and hit the road to a much nicer campground a few miles away.
That place BLOWS
They’re hiring so I entered them into UA-cam and found this. Omg thanks for saving me time and money. You can’t fix something like that, no matter how good you are at your job 🤦♂️
Our pleasure.
HA!!!! I KNOW!
I won't say it but the word grove is involved somehow....👍🏼
Use Google maps sometimes can give you a better view angle of the layout at times
Many campgrounds are a mix of wholesome families and druggies.. just make sure that you tell the owners you want to be next to the nice campers no wild & craziness
If your a family with kids you don't want to camp 100% alone because it can get creepy, but you don't want crowds either, it just ruins the experience. You have to find the balance between, I've scene this in a horror movie and mardi gras.
I am a camp host at a public campground. The land was donated to the parks already built and its not this bad but its setup more like a trailer park than a campground. There is made 20 feet between sites.
Go to tucquan family campground in holtwood pa. Very nice place. It is huge. We got lost in it going to our campsite.
I don't enjoy campgrounds that are mostly seasonals. Most of the people who live in these campgrounds are older people who lead miserable lives because they made many poor decisions in life . . . resulting in their inability to live with a higher standard of living. They are mad at the world for their situation and the only "relief" they get is to take it out on others.
I like the policy of most government owned places that permit camping . . . maximum stay is 14 days and then you have to vacate the property for several week before you can come back. Private owners would have better campgrounds if they instituted the same policy; but from a financial point of view, they are better off by maximizing the number of seasonal campers because that is guaranteed income. Another thing I like about government owned property . . . as a camper, I can get law enforcement to remove others who do not follow the rules/laws. In a private campground, I have to rely on the owner to do so, which they are reluctant to do with a seasonal camper.
Very agreeable with this statement. We have gone to some campgrounds where the seasonals truly ruin the experience and the atmosphere. It’s truly a shame and private campgrounds rely on seasonals for sustainable income and let them get away with whatever they want. It’s a shame. Harder to get into state parks these days too. Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment.
Miss your videos, hope your still out camping. Hope to bump into you guys!!
Hey Chris! Hoping to make new videos soon. Might be changing things up a little. Stay tuned! Will be camping, but in a different way:) hope to run into you as well
We are in a seasonal campground too !!And they are so unfriendly and watch us like a hawk …
We have stayed at campgrounds nicer then this one !!I was like you’ll mad cause you got a pond full of mosquitoes and not a real pool to swim in lol!!One of the rules here was you have to pay 5 dollars per guest !!We came here to see family lol !!
Very interesting. I used to do a small TT. And went to one of those "close by" campgrounds. Good reviews, etc. Driving the road looked like I was going to a farmers house. Confused. It was pretty much just land with porta potties on a loop. The "swimming" pond with a big drain pipe and look like a sewage collection. No one swimming. When we drove around, there was a nice loop with trees and a bath house and 100% full-timers. They had wood decks and storage sheds. They lived there. Trailers green with moss and some with blue tarps for a roof. Rigs that will never move again. I get it. They have their space. This how they get away.
It is a odd feeling with full-timers. Feels like we are trespassing on their space. We don't beyond because we were only weekenders.
The owner was mean. A negative review was followed up if a, "if you don't remove your review we will sue you." He had bad water, and had to drive to the bath house.
Great video. Although I’ve never heard of camping and looking for the pool…?
Wouldn’t it be helpful if you told us what the name of the campground was and where?
Names pinned . Always has been
no regrets......just learning experiences. My bestie from 40 yrs ago try to meet up once a year in central Indiana for a tent camping weekend. 1 place we will never go back to, we were screamed and yelled at from the campground host for going the wrong way on a road that wasn't marked and taking too long to unload 1 vehicle (we both drive 4 hrs) upon arrival that had to be parked at an overflow lot. I like to call them Kamp ground Karens😦
The signs are there too watch out for kids, because of the screaming old ladies may distract you and you run over the little tikes. There should have been a sign that read, “Beware the old women”.
Vibe is real we have our normal getaway and others well they are just different carry on we all learn excellent take and video!
Sadly that’s the deal in campgrounds these days
Omg if would have left immediately
A simple google maps search can tell you the sites are cramped and no room between them. Fir me that’s a no go from the start. Personally I always look at the satellite image from maps and google earth, they definitely give you a lot of info just from a satellite image.
great video
Thank you Bill. Appreciate you watching.
So.....why did you put them on blast after saying you wouldn't?
Not sure where y'all are located but one of the best camping spots we go to is south Higgins lake here in Roscommon Michigan. For the rv spots it's only like $35 a night. You have to book like 6 months in advance but it's got big lots, showers and bathrooms are all remodeled the past few years and you can get chest deep in the lake and still see your toenails lol that's how clear the water is!
Telling someone about your favorite campgrounds is a surefire way of not being able to find a vacancy when you want to go.
This is so crazy! We are here this weekend and the exact same thing happened to my husband! Lesson learned only wish we would have found this video before booking! If you're not a seasonal then you do not belong.
I am so sorry to hear that you are having a similar experience to us. It really is a drag! Fingers crossed your next campsite is 100x better!
I see I’m not the only person that has mentioned this, but since you guys didn’t name what campsite you were at I literally thought that you were talking about the RV campground that I just booked. I almost canceled my reservation…
Thats not too bad imo. Ive been in campgrounds where it was literally scary and slept with a shotgun. Skidrow type places. We avoid usualky but if its late at night and we are drop dead tired, then yes for a few hours.
As for all the signs, i see this in over half of the camp grounds as their are ppl walking and yes kids playing.
Sewage gases are common in summer heat and in parks that have a septic system.
I didnt see anything that was a hard no, i wouldnt be happy about how close the spaces were but if its 1 or 2 nights. Oh well.
You Should come down to Kentucky and go to Boonesborough campground. It’s a good campground
One day would love too. Maybe motorcycle camping.
I Bought my own lot in a community….best move ever! Lots are big and everyone is an owner as well and it’s a tight community on the Texas coast. Sometimes you get more Riff Raff when you have a Rv park with wack jobs coming and going all day long, it goes both ways I’m afraid.
No doubt about it. I know some folks who have nice spacious sites near lakes and I would be good with that. Part of PA where I live it doesn’t seem to exist much. Texas would be great. West coast, Arizona, Texas I would love to check out one day.
Have you gone to Indian head campground? Thinking of doing a tent set up for the weekend for Bloomsburg fair.
Yes we have. Been a while. It’s fairly bare bones, but it’s kind of nice because they are laid back and very rural. Not amazing if looking for amenities. Otherwise was good years back
It's actually funny to me a little bit... so since I'm in Pa and I've been to several campgrounds throughout the state, not this particular one tho, however so many campgrounds are like this inside the state where I never got that vibe much venturing to other states and I particularly like the small campgrounds. I did have one or two experiences like this and actually stayed which in turn became some of the most memorable trips like when the actual nice people at the campground started chatting me up and complaining about the mean people there.
I also did camp seasonal at one where people live full time. In that one they had it divided in 3 sections where the other two were away from the monthly renters. It helped that the rest of the park was along the river etc... On the flip side, my fifth wheel is sold and moving to a truck camper to venture away from most campgrounds at this point and get to the real spots. If you ever want to compare notes feel free to get in touch. This upcoming season is back on the road for us after several seasonal years so can't wait to get on the road! Cheers
Hey Todd, those small communities of seasonals that are decent are the only thing that has kept me making a video about the truth about most seasonals. You’re right as it’s very dependent on location and size… that will determine what kind of seasonals you will deal with. I think PA seasons are usually worse(I hate to generalize), but and honest observation. I think it’s due to not being near A beach or real attraction. A lot of time it’s drunk people hanging out in a parking lot if you think about it.
For sure I have an open door if you ever want to compare notes as well. If you notice we haven’t been real active lately. Might be changing our direction as well after last camping season . Thanks for watching and reaching out.
@@FrankandTori haha, you hit the nail on the head tho 😂... yes, many drunk people and very true about not being close any real destination. It's like a certain percentage of miserable people in each pa campground that hates the fact they can't get to the real vacation spots whether it's because of distance or the money so then get a seasonal spot and become territorial meanies 🤷♂️🤦♂️
Well, got the truck outfitted for a slide in and it took me 2 years to convince my wife that a truck camper will rule! She finally gave the go-ahead a few months back so it's only a matter of time until the right one comes along!
@@FrankandTori so I had to think about this a little and I'll give you I'd say easily my top rated campground in Pennsylvania. Hickory Hollow Campground in Rockwood (Somerset). We were there in 2008 range only a year or so after they first opened. It used to be a large farm so there's quite a bit of land there. We went there kind of with a pre-schedule to visit the Flight 93 memorial and also ran up to Johnstown to visit some of my wifes family and do the Incline. Around the campground you have the Laurel Highlands, fishing, white water rafting services, hiking etc... if you're there in late September or October there's a Haunted House right down from the entrance. They added a pool there but the campground is very clean and well kept and based on new reviews I saw they are still on par. I remember talking to the owners and suggested with all the land they have to make a dog park there and explained to them how the one at the Holiday TravlPark in VA Beach was... so based by their map, they made a dog park too. Very responsive people there and very nice. I think they only had so many seasonal spots there but as I remember they were a little separated, either way, I don't remember any drama there whatsoever. If you plan to try and get into all the surrounding activities my best bet for you would be try to schedule that trip around a longer weekend where you'd take off a Friday/Monday to be there. I do want to get back there in the near future to hit up the white water activities. Ohiopyle waters there look so fun!
My only nit pick was barely any trees/shade but it's farmland. Either way, if you go there and have a bad time,, I will quit rv'ing forever! 😂
@@ToddStull haha fair enough! We will have to check it out. This year we are going to take a lot more motorcycle trips and we’ll and that area in general sounds great!
Obviously this is "Shady Grove Campground". I will say, by your pics, the sites are HUGE compared to most Florida RV resorts that are now $200/night.
Yeah, Florida is very different than PA that’s for sure
Using an RV is not camping. An RV is a house. Not a place to pitch a tent. Not a great place all around. Clausterphobic. Sorry it was a bummer! 😢 Hit up Willow Creek Retreat-my sister's camp-it's super nice!
Thank you for your unbiased first hand review. We have learned to do a drive by even if it’s 2 hours away. We make a day of it and that way we aren’t stuck. And yes, read all the reviews from different websites. I looked at the park you were at and there are glowing reviews. Quite frankly it looks like a very sad place. Again, thank you for your honest review 😊 Safe travels 🌲
Thank you so much for the review. We're currently looking for places to camp in PA which isn't to far from us Finger lakes region . If you've never been to Green lake state park in NY it's beautiful there!!
I don’t think those water/sewer/electric hook-ups all within an 18” radius would pass inspection in my state.
It certainly doesn’t pass the smell test
The size of those spaces are more for tents, not RVs.
What is the point of this video if not disclosing the name of the campground. And it’s not about putting them in blast , if they are a pay to stay establishment then they should be held accountable or else it will continue to negatively affect other patrons
Didn't check the reviews or look at videos ?
Hey, Frank and Tori, we really miss your videos. Are you guys ok? Hoping that you and the pups are doing well!
We are okay, been super busy and not getting out as much. Camper is with dealer getting work done as well. Hope to post soon:) thanks for thinking of us!
So glad to hear that you are okay. We have a recommendation for a great camping trip…check out Ives Run in Tioga. It is a Army Corp of Engineers site, $40 for full hookups, sites are about 30 ft apart (check out the Hawthorne circle, we had space 40), plenty of water access and great area for biking/walking. It is beautiful there and you are close to the NY border and lots of cute towns.
Thanks for the recommendation! That certainly sounds like our kind of campsite! Adding it to our list of places to check out!!
I used to have my boat slipped at a place that had a gravel driveway around all the slips. One side was the 5MPH screaming people. The other side never said a word. We switched from the screaming to the quite side after one year. They really ruined the boating experience there.
Yeah, its a shame. Some people just have nothing better to do. Ruin it for everyone
Oh you were by a pizza place. Not camping. You were in a mobile home park.
Do you have a list of names of these parks?
Don't need to pop any bubbles but it sounds like these people should have gone to the woods other than a man-made built Campground
But here's the thing though the vast majority of what was being said was putting this site on blast. It is a campground. it is an RV stop. It is not a luxury accommodations area. It is the woods. I would imagine its more about who owns the property more so than the property itself. Just my thoughts. Plus side of things, is whatever was mentioned can be improved upon. And its a safety thing to drive thru an RV area because you never know when children are going to come out of no where or pets you don't see walk right up under your vehicle and then you have a n issue with the pet owner.
If you look at campgrounds in Denver pa. it isn't hard to figure out the campground you are talking about, also look closely at the photos.
These are the nicest, most calm complainers on UA-cam. Refunded... and still make time for video complaining.. very politely.
Gotta share for others so they don’t make same mistake. We still paid for night we were stuck staying there, but got refund for second night since we ran out of there next morning . Always good to be polite:) thank you for the comment Bob.
Hello Frank and Toni, I enjoyed your video, this one is the first time Have seen you. I found your channel by looking of reviews on the Lucas oil raceway Campground in Indianapolis Indiana. I'm going there is weekend, so you won't have time to do a review on it. If you do get over their due check it out for others.
This is why I never stay in a campground of any kind
FRANK! you freaked me the F out dude with that thumbnail photo!
are you not doing videos anymore?
we've been camping for 28 yrs where is this at. we live near valley forge
We have name pinned in too comment
Must be something with "Shady" in it.
Come visit Jessie Lea RV Park in Big Stone Gap, Va!!!
I try to avoid campgrounds unless it's just overnight. State Parks all the way for any kind of stay.
I'll name our worst campground over 50+ years using different setups. Southern Comfort in Florida City Florida.
Great location.
Worst ever!
Do not go.
Bless.
It almost sounds like Cozy Creek Campground.
WHERE IS THIS????? You didn't name the place!
So, which 'Shady Grove Campground' was this? The one in PA? Was the fee $64 for a single nite in this dump?
Name is in pinned comment. Denver PA location
What site # were you at? If you had to recommend a site which would you. We’re in a 20 ft motorhome. Only need 15 amp.
Thanks for any tips
Could you please tell us the name of the campgrounds if you can't can u tell me yes or no is it benners meadow run campgrounds
I know where it is ,if it's where I think it is I live on the ridge above this place.and this shouldn't put a bad light on this nice lil town,cause we would help any one who needs ,that place does not represent who this town is ,proud to live here
Yeah, we don’t live super far. Most PA folks in rural areas( we live in one) are great to deal with. Old school for sure . This place is an outlier for sure
We had a similar experience in Wisconsin.
Don't EVER go to Hammond RV Park in Westport Washington
Have u ever been to hi Valley rv campground in Boise?
Not yet
You posted this awhile back so hopefully you improved in making videos. I was looking up a certain campground and your video came in the mix. At least the first part of this video you don’t mention the name of the video. I just fast forward and then just got out
Gosh, that must have been a tough day huh?
Usually if upset people, may been bad accident prior. 😕
They were hammered and were standing there waiting for confrontations . Not first time they have done this. No matter previous no excuse for such behavior
Saying they wont name the park but put it in massive bold font twice anyway lol
Looks like sardines all packed into what would have been a space for only 1 Rv 😗
yikes!
I love the "Karen" hair..lol