Camper/RV Opinion

Not sure if this is the right spot for this question or if it belongs in PointBuzz at all, but here goes...

I'm looking to buy a camper in the next year or so. It will be my family's first camper. One of the places we would use our camper quite a bit is Cedar Point... When I was young my parents had a pop-up camper that we used at Darien Lake, Letchworth State Park, and Myrtle Beach. We always had a blast. I have always wanted a pop-up since, until I started seeing these new hybrid campers.

So here's my question. How do people fare with pop-up or hybrid campers at Cedar Point or nearby campsites? My concern is the winds and rain storms off Lake Erie. We tend to visit early in the season or during HalloWeekends. Do the canvas style campers work well there? Or are they not recommended on the shores of Lake Erie?

I have never had any issues with our pop-up at anytime of the year at CP...The exception is the awning that extends...I have lost two, so I just don't put it out at CP...

We camped as a family for many years at Cedar Point when I was a younger lad. Had a Coleman pop up that suited our needs just fine. We never had an awning issue, but I see how someone could if conditions were just so.

My family had a pop-up when I was a kid, and we endured severe thunderstorm and tornado weather many times. No issues. Our roll-out awning came loose from its anchors once and flipped over the roof, but we only needed to experience that once to know to roll it up ahead of time in similar weather.

I camped at the former Camper Village with our pop-up without any issues.

Not sure how easily you will be able to camp there since they eliminated Camper Village and replaced it with more Light House point. There are sites, but you will have to book very early.

As far as owning a popup. I would have rather gone with a travel trailer only because of the amount of work when setting up or taering down, especially if its pouring rain. This is coming from someone with three young boys and doing setups and taerdowns in all kinds of weather. To each their own.

~Rob

As others have said, the only thing you really need to pay attention to is the awning. Just make sure its rolled up and store it when the winds are forecast. We have a 5th wheel toy hauler and stay at Lighthouse Point 6-7 times per year. We see many popups and hybrid type travel trailers there all the time. If you go with the popup, I would recommend getting one with a/c. If you ever go in the summer, you will be glad you have it.

We were there closing weekend last year and the winds were howling on Friday night with a driving rainstorm. Saw one awning flipped over an RV but that was it. We usually get our sites all booked in January since sites are limited. Every now and then we will just go last minute but its harder than it used to be because of the limited sites available.

Thanks for all the input! It will definitely will have A/C regardless whether it's a hybrid or pop-up! I'm leaning towards a hybrid...

I'd taken the family to Niagara Falls about 5 years ago. We didn't book a campsite soon enough and had to stay at Darien Lake State Park. Quite a distance away from Niagara Falls. It was very windy on one of the days we'd left for the day to go to the falls. When we returned the awning was up over the roof. Ripped the anchors right out of the ground. I've found better anchors that I use now and haven't had a problem since. Never set the awning up at CP because we really don't hang out at camp enough to go through the trouble. We stayed at Camper Village closing weekend right before they built the cabins that replaced the old circle. Needless to say that saturday morning when we woke up our pop up was rocking back and forth like crazy. Almost every ride was closed for the whole day because of the wind. We survived. Have heat and A/C in the camper. Also heated mattresses. Makes it nice closing weekend. Biggest problem was having to use the showerhouse as it wasn't heated. I really liked being able to go back to camp and cook up steaks on the charcoal grill. Much cheaper than eating out.

redsfan said:
Needless to say that saturday morning when we woke up our pop up was rocking back and forth like crazy.

I wonder what the neighbors thought?....

Not to mention all the coyote noises in the background. LOL. Seriously I was expecting at least one perverted comment from someone. I was gonna edit that a little before I posted. Anyways that's the only time I would have thought the roof would come down on the camper. Because of the wind though. It does get pretty windy up there on the lake.

You'll be paying approximately $100 a night at Cedar Point. Get a trailer that utilizes sewer, cable, water, and electricity. The location is amazing, but these 4 included functions can make your stay more enjoyable, especially on a cold, rainy night, when you don't want to be running to the showers and washrooms.

I'm amazed they get $100/night for a concrete site. But it's still way cheaper than any other CP property (except MAYBE Breakers Express)... Supply and demand, I guess!

Location, location, location. Even more of a limited supply now.

Cedar Point Campground is one of the best I have been to. The lake can kick up some quick storms. We have not had any problems. We did camp on the non paved sites and it was got really flooded when it rained. That might be part of the reason they put in the Cabins. I don't know if you have noticed this, but the cabins never seem full. Maybe it's the 300 dollars a night. Not sure. I just hope they keep the campground. We love it, even though we live in Sandusky.

The cabins never seem full? You must be going on the least busy day of the year.

We asked if we could see a Cabin or Deluxe Cabin when we were staying at Breakers last May, thinking it might be worth while on a future visit. We couldn't see one because they were full. And that was early season...

Yeah I get the location, location, location bit. That's the only reason we pay what they charge stay at Breakers. It's just so convenient with our 5yr old son to have a place RIGHT THERE.

Those cabins always seem full anytime we are at the park either staying on property or just doing a day visit.

Frito Joe said:

Get a trailer that utilizes sewer, cable, water, and electricity. The location is amazing, but these 4 included functions can make your stay more enjoyable, especially on a cold, rainy night, when you don't want to be running to the showers and washrooms.

I'm agreeing with that advice. I've seen some pretty miserable campers in pop ups.

Chris

Shane, I think you will get much more value from the money spent at Breakers this year.

Pete- I agree, if only because there is now a Starbucks in the lobby for my wife to satisfy her overpriced coffee addiction.