DYNAMIC PRICING When you've been camping for over 10 years and have been on the road for 10 weeks this summer, you're bound to run into clunkers now and then. This was our clunker. We booked our stay in April, knowing most campgrounds fill up fast for summer. We had a buddy joining us to hike, so just before our check-in I happened to go back to the website thinking there's no way a site is available. To my surprise, not only was it available but instead of the $54 rate for a back in site, it's... Read More

DYNAMIC PRICING When you've been camping for over 10 years and have been on the road for 10 weeks this summer, you're bound to run into clunkers now and then. This was our clunker. We booked our stay in April, knowing most campgrounds fill up fast for summer. We had a buddy joining us to hike, so just before our check-in I happened to go back to the website thinking there's no way a site is available. To my surprise, not only was it available but instead of the $54 rate for a back in site, it's now listed as $41. Naturally I asked about it when we checked in and was immediately met with a spiel about dynamic pricing and Priceline and the guy in the hotel room next to you could be paying more, or less, you don't know. Wow. OK. We'll, I don't use Priceline to book travel. If I buy I $1,000 plane ticket and the price goes down, I know I'll get that lower fare with no change fees. If the price of a hotel room goes down (which happened on this summer trip) the massive corporate entity allows for that adjustment with no penalty. The corporate entity behind Vallecito has different customer care views, however. When I checked back in a couple days later as instructed, I was told no, dynamic pricing stands, it's like Priceline (this is a well-rehearsed line). I 100% feel for the customer facing office staff who have to deliver the message determined by some suits who probably rarely set foot on site. When I explained it would have been helpful to know this before booking, I'll be sure to note it in my review so other campers know. The response: "We will not be threatened by reviews." Another practiced line and it was simply a statement, not a threat. Our reward for planning and booking months out is paying $78 (plus tax) more than the last minute shopper. Unless we want to cancel, forfeit our deposit, then rebook at the lower rate. HOT TUB When I asked about the hot tub…"it's gone". Right, so the brochure you give out when checking in and on your website, when will those be updated? "It's not on the website". It is, it's part of how we made our decision to stay here. There are lots of options in the area, we needed six nights and preferred electric though it's not critical. When we saw the hot tub (we're in the area so hubby can hike four 14ers in two days), paying a little more for a soak when he's done was worth it. Until it wasn't. After looking at the website to prove me wrong (sorry, it STILL shows a hot tub on the website map), they said the hot tub was just removed. That made me laugh, we might have different definitions of "just" because we're camped right across from where it should be and there are no signs of a hot tub having been "just" removed (see photos). And when new brochures are printed it will reflect no hot tub, she said. I suppose the two seconds it would take to X out Hot Tub on the brochure is too much effort? CAMPGROUND Aside from those issues, the campground is fine. Beautiful tall pine trees, wide interior roads, level sites, a lot of fivers and RVs. You can't sit in front of your rig without being in the business of a couple neighbors, but that's pretty typical. It sits right on the road, but traffic dies down at night. Vallecito Reservoir is five minutes away (though you can't enjoy it without a day use fee - even with park pass). A number of sites have trailer/park models that are 40-50 years old, I'm sure corporate will be taking care of those in due time. The campers are a friendly bunch, and many seem to know each other. Two laundry rooms onsite (no change machine), showers. It's not a peaceful environment - TVs cranked up for a couple hours in the evening, a dog barking here and there, lawn tools, power tools, we heard it all. We didn't rely on their internet and had enough VZW throughput to be usable. SUMMARY Beautiful part of Colorado, nice campground. If you're on the right side of the dynamic pricing game it might work for you. Many sites available during our six nights here, so you might not have to book ahead. We encouraged our friend to stay somewhere else, as we will do next time we pass through.
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Clean park, roomy level sites, we had full utilities E50/W/S, and lots of trees. The owner is onsite and very hands on. He made it feel like a small town where he knows everyone and wants to make sure you have what you need. Awesome local motorcycle rides, get pamphlet on rides from office. Ride to Silverton was a bit white knuckle going up, but the scenery was extraordinary. A little off the grid on antenna TV and cell service. We R Retired, 43' Toy Hauler, 1 ton Truck, 2 Motorcycles, dogs,... Read More

Clean park, roomy level sites, we had full utilities E50/W/S, and lots of trees. The owner is onsite and very hands on. He made it feel like a small town where he knows everyone and wants to make sure you have what you need. Awesome local motorcycle rides, get pamphlet on rides from office. Ride to Silverton was a bit white knuckle going up, but the scenery was extraordinary. A little off the grid on antenna TV and cell service. We R Retired, 43' Toy Hauler, 1 ton Truck, 2 Motorcycles, dogs, standard RV TV antenna, and Verizon.
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Pet restrictions not adhered too. To many dogs, aggressive breads.

When we arrived I asked if the site assigned was Satellite friendly. I was told the owner would let me know when he led me to the site. He decided to drive me to all the open sites that might be satellite friendly and then we chose one that was. Yes for patron-friendly!! I have had the opposite experience this spring elsewhere. The park is gorgeous, heavily wooded and more naturally laid out than the rows of RVs found in most parks. It's quite large and I found I could easily get lost but eventually... Read More

When we arrived I asked if the site assigned was Satellite friendly. I was told the owner would let me know when he led me to the site. He decided to drive me to all the open sites that might be satellite friendly and then we chose one that was. Yes for patron-friendly!! I have had the opposite experience this spring elsewhere. The park is gorgeous, heavily wooded and more naturally laid out than the rows of RVs found in most parks. It's quite large and I found I could easily get lost but eventually would find my RV. If the destination is Durango, the park is 20 miles out but probably worth the drive. This park is at 8000' so cooler than Durango and less pricey. The only other downside from the distance is that the wifi is only at a hotspot at the office. I loved being in this campground. I have never been to a more friendly park--no one passes without a greeting. Many of the guests have come back for the full season year after year from May through October. There is a mix of cabins, stationary 5th wheels or motorhomes, and the usual traveler like myself with a four-night stay. I was close the the restrooms and showers. The park is very quiet at night since the road ends about 5 miles up at a reservoir. Very little traffic. There were many humming bird feeders on the grounds and a number of birds flying through. I even hear a pygmy owl calling about 10PM one night.
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We loved our stay here. The staff was so friendly. Our site was under nice tall pines with a pathway to the picnic table. The playground is a fun park that includes a basketball court. On Fridays in the pavilion, they had wood-fire pizzas as well as another dinner night and breakfast Saturdays. The resort is a bit far from the marina; however, it is walking distance to the dam. They are working to upgrade the wi-fi and cable, but we spent our time enjoying the beautiful scenery. Campers were... Read More

We loved our stay here. The staff was so friendly. Our site was under nice tall pines with a pathway to the picnic table. The playground is a fun park that includes a basketball court. On Fridays in the pavilion, they had wood-fire pizzas as well as another dinner night and breakfast Saturdays. The resort is a bit far from the marina; however, it is walking distance to the dam. They are working to upgrade the wi-fi and cable, but we spent our time enjoying the beautiful scenery. Campers were also friendly and have been going for years. We hope to return yearly as well.
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Well I would say for the pros for this campground is that it is very clean and the people are very friendly. Now for the rest I was not impressed. Our camping spot did not have a picnic table and was mentioned when we parked but never saw one. They advertise wifi-trust me old dial up is faster-took 20 minutes to load a simple page that normally takes seconds. Also they say they have cable-we got 6 channels very fuzzy and only by running the cable directly in the window to the tv. Talked... Read More

Well I would say for the pros for this campground is that it is very clean and the people are very friendly. Now for the rest I was not impressed. Our camping spot did not have a picnic table and was mentioned when we parked but never saw one. They advertise wifi-trust me old dial up is faster-took 20 minutes to load a simple page that normally takes seconds. Also they say they have cable-we got 6 channels very fuzzy and only by running the cable directly in the window to the tv. Talked with a couple other campers who said they were disappointed for the same reasons.
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