I don't understand why. Most hikers and bicyclist I see camping leave their sites spic and span. They usually take up minimal space -- for the price charged per square foot, the campgrounds must be doing OK. Perhaps they perceive the use of hot water in the showers as being excessive. But with some campgrounds charging upwards of $20 for a site, then adding another $5 per person, the profit margin seems a bit excessive.

I know a few years ago when the insurance furore occurred -- the insurers jacked up their premiums by a huge amount -- campgrounds used that as an excuse to hike up tent-site prices. It seems to be the campground chains -- those like Big4 here -- that have forced up the rates. Campgrounds run by municipal councils actually offer really good rates, but they are becoming rarer, too.