Military Campground Price Complaints

All I know is what I see and I think some of that is transferrable here. Fees are not increased on a regular basis. I don't know what all is involved and what it takes to raise fees but there steps that have to be taken and it's not a fast process. It seems that by the time an increase gets put into place the situation is pretty serious. It looks as though the managers of some of the programs don't want to increase the fees for various reasons to include not wanting to upset the visitors. But there comes a time in the process that somebody has to buckle down and say that they can't operate anymore on what's coming in.

I've heard that the exchange services is allowed to compete and I think what you are saying. Why pay the same price for goods and services on base that you would off base? I don't have an answer. For me there is no benefit. I have seen the new commissary at 32nd Street in San Diego and it is pretty awesome. The remodel at the BX is pretty cool too. But I'm not feeling committed to spend my money there because of the costs. Gas stations there are only a cent or so less so why drive out of my way only to have the cost savings lost by driving all the way down there?

From what I have seen in the Imperial Valley, the seasonal visitors on base (i.e. Snowbirds) are very social and like the fact that they can stay amongst comrades. It's a club of mostly retired and active duty personnel and they all speak the same language. The wives have their own gaggles and the husbands their circles of honor and they come together to celebrate special occasions as couples and head for their own rv's just after sundown. I don't know if the price to have the benefit comes into their conversations or if it's just something they are willing to pay to be a part of the exclusive club.

There's a civilian park a mile or 2 away that is competitively priced (with the exception that electricity is in addition to the rent). The circles of friends are noticably smaller and farther apart but they seem just as happy.

I agree again - the comradary is great, and the trust and the security. But that's not 'a set value' - it doesn't cost us extra to camp together as veterans.

Only thing I can say over the years, the prices that we paid are always an issue. The MCGs (most anyway) have been priced reasonably. Suddenly now, the prices are jumping all over.

Now, when MCGs start saying - we raise the price to compete, and it happens, and the price hits $35-$40 a night, I can't imagine that's not a huge cash producer. And, when it hits that price and we live on military and DAV retirement, it begins to get unaffordable.

At $35 or $40 a night, that $1000 - $1200 a month, for a pad and power, and a restroom - unless you get some discount for week or month. It will truly be a sad day when MCGs become unaffordable to us. And, unfortunately we see that day coming, and it shouldn't happen.

At $1200 a month, that can rent a house - so the amount simply do not equate. Whether someone here says "so go rent one" is not relevant either ...

It's about what it cost to own and operate, and that value does not seem applicable to a camping pad for $1200 a month. Somewhere, that costing feature breaks down.

Do we like the MCGs, you bet. Best people and best CGs anywhere (comparatively), but some day, it will cost more than we can afford because it will base fees on what people will pay instead of what it can provide for us veterans at a reasonable cost. And that's the sad part.

Well hopefully they don't get to the point that they bite the hand that feeds them or simply decide they no longer can exist.

Kinda on that note, I don't now if you're seeing it, but there seem to be a lot of vet organizations that are filling the gaps that are growing between us and the goods and services that we use to have or that aren't being filled by conventional military channels. This may be an opportunity for people to open up camping and rv places that cater to the military and retireies. While it's not my intention to say it's ok for us to lose a benefit, it may be an alternative if the benefit goes away. I know in this economy it's not a venture I'd be able to get into without alot of starting debt because it would take a few years to break even, but someone or some organization may realize the need and see a future in it.

I'm kind of surprised that the vet's organizations like VFW, AMVETS, FRA, etc. haven't picked up on what the Elks and Masons are doing. Most of them had empty property that was under-utilized so they installed some utilities and hung out the welcome sign. Even the ones that didn't put in utilities but allow boon-docking are still appreciated. They probably increased their membership in the process.

I've seen a lot of these groups that were hard-pressed for funds. I wouldn't expect them to offer free hookups but even if they charge a nominal fee to cover the utilities and put a couple of bucks in the general fund, it's still a win-win situation for everyone.

TurtleandToad - good idea. Maybe what will happen is the vets groups will pick that up and compete at a level that will open the eyes of MCGs ... hard to think it though.

We have rolled into an economy that keeps raising prices and employers and our retirement keeps stable, so I can't figure out how bread, milk, gas keeps rising and everyone says, nothing's going up. Beats me, but we like MCGs and hope this trend tops of soon or we'll be staying more in NP and SP instead due to affordability.

Monkey44,
If you're trying to save money, don't plan on staying in the California State Parks, I think they are the most expensive in the US. I've never found one that is under $35/night, and if they are on the coast or in a popular tourist area, it's $50 and up! The rule of thumb seems to be equal or higher than the closest commercial park.

In some states the SP's and County Parks are pretty reasonable but not always. County parks can sometimes be a real bargain!

As a couple that volunteers at National, State, and County parks I can say that we couldn't afford to stay in most for a 2 week vacation. That's why we volunteer, it's the only way we could afford to visit these places.

Even the National Parks aren't very cheap anymore. Not only are most so old that the sites are only 27' (which puts us out), They usually run in excess of $30/night.

You're best bet are the USACE and BLM sites, but you better be ready to boon-dock, hookups are a rarity.