RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs than has been the recent trend. Has that changed campground crowding? Is it easier to find a campsite now, particularly in state and national parks? Campgrounds are changing and evolving, some for the better and some for the worse. RV Travel readers discuss their experiences and offer a few tips to help other campers find that perfect spot.
Here are a few observations from our readers.
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Raise campground prices and lower demand?
Nathan K. says raising the prices even more will decrease the demand. He writes, “Over the last maybe 15 years, overcrowding has become a serious issue at or near almost every state or national park. Almost every RV owner seems to agree on this, and it has been my experience as well. The demand for these campsites far exceeds the supply. However, you could almost overnight fix the demand side of the problem by increasing prices.
“I would happily pay $800 a night to camp in a place like Yosemite or Yellowstone. Not only would this keep out the people who only have a casual interest in camping (who are responsible for most of the problems), but it also means more money to improve and expand the campgrounds. There are only two ways to allocate scarce resources: Rationing and pricing. The current method of rationing is not working.”
Why wouldn’t campgrounds raise prices?
Duane R. wonders why wouldn’t campgrounds raise prices? “‘Price gouging’? IF campgrounds are always full (not my experience in western states), or all sites are paid for every night, why would a campground owner NOT raise prices? Market forces normally encourage a seller to raise prices of scarce, or high-demand items. However, if many sites become empty and no revenue comes in, then site prices will come down (just as RV prices have done this year). If a new employer offers you 20% or 75% more than you are currently making, you would jump at the opportunity. Does that make you greedy, or are you gouging the market? No different than what campground owners are doing.”
Won’t stop camping, just cut back
Bobby S. likes to camp but costs are cutting their camping time in half. He writes, “I camp because I like to camp and I want my kids to enjoy camping. The only issue that increased costs affect is the frequency I camp. If I used to take four camping trips a year (when the kids are out of school) and the prices of gas and spots has increased, I just went down to twice a summer, and that’s okay with me. I just won’t stop altogether. Just cut back, like a grocery bill.”
Rethinking RVing due to increased costs
Butch J. is also feeling the pinch of increased costs. He writes, “We have traveled 4-5 months a year for many years. However, we are rethinking that due to the dramatic increase in costs. We are exploring the option of downsizing from our coach to a smaller travel trailer or selling the coach and using Airbnbs, only traveling two weeks at a time. We have not used a pool or playground in many years. Our only requirements are a fairly level, preferably paved, shaded, full-hookup, pull-thru site.”
Reader asks owners, “Are you a campground trailer park?”
Janet N. has a few pet peeves and shares them with us. “We pull our Cougar TT to see our country: National Parks, museums, car races, air shows and natural beauty. As 70-year-olds, the only thing we MUST have is electricity.
“Amenities? A hot tub for our aching bones!! I always take my suit and swear I’m going to swim, but haven’t in four years! We like quiet, treed, wide sites and friendly workers. No trouble booking sites. I book 2–12 months in advance.
“Prices are ridiculous. Pet peeve: calling yourself a ‘resort’ when you have nothing resort-like. My second pet peeve: Far too many seasonals! To owners: Are you a campground trailer park? You shouldn’t be both.
“Only five more states in the 48 to visit! Happy camping, everyone! Thanks for asking our opinions.”
New campers think they should have a five-star resort!
Jeffrey B. works at a COE campground and comments on the newbie campers. “I’ve worked at Corps of Engineers campgrounds for the last eight years. People have changed since Covid. New and first-time campers think they are at a 5-star resort. No respect for others and destruction of government property. To them, it’s just a party place to trash! Will miss it when it’s gone.”
Book early and be prepared to pay
Carol G. books early and as a full-timer knows that planning is essential. She writes, “We are full-time RVers. EVERY place we go we book reservations six months to a year in advance. COEs (Corps of Engineers) are almost empty midweek and always full every weekend. Private campgrounds always have seasonal spots and they are empty except for weekends. We rarely use state parks as they are usually full on weekends and, again, are empty midweek. Never have any problems with getting space. If you want lakes, rivers, and beach campgrounds, book early and expect to pay for it. Yes, saying campgrounds are always full is getting old. Popular destinations require pre-planning.”
Can’t book early, three weeks ahead is too late
Amber M.’s biggest challenge is booking ahead. She tells us, “Booking spots has been the biggest challenge for us. Not everyone is able to book months in advance. In Michigan, even three weeks out isn’t enough time to secure a spot. Also, most parks ask the size of your rig, if it has slide outs, etc., and then stick you on a site that is barely big enough. The prices are also ridiculous. I can book an Airbnb for less in some cases. We’ve found the State parks to be the most reasonable and, honestly, the most enjoyable.”
Last year the campground was almost full, this year only 1/3 full
Mike K. notes the difference between last year and this year at the same campground. “We leave the desert of Southern California in June for 3 1/2 months. Go to South Dakota, where my wife is from. Had reservations for two of the six campgrounds we stayed at. One KOA, one state park, one Coast to Coast, one fairground, and two small RV parks. None were close to being full.
“The state park we stayed at was maybe 1/3 full. Last year when we were there it was closer to 90% full. Prices have gone up at some but not all places. We have reservations at two other state parks in South Dakota in August. I made reservations for those three months out and they were getting full at that time. The big difference between this year and the last couple [of years] is RV dealers are packed with stock.”
Now, some questions for you:
- Are you finding campgrounds booked up? Or is finding a place to stay not a problem?
- Are campgrounds changing for the better or for the worse?
- Are you seeing more permanent and seasonal RV parks?
- Are rising costs affecting your camping style?
- If campgrounds continue to be crowded and RVing continues to become more popular, will it affect how or when you RV?
- Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share about finding campgrounds that aren’t as crowded?
Please use the form below to answer one or more of these questions, or tell us what you’ve experienced with campground crowding in general.
Read last week’s Crowded Campgrounds column: RVers say finding campsite for same day is easy, and cheap!
If by chance he did mean $80, it is still absurd.
So basically the people in this article believe that camping is only for entitled rich people that can afford it.
Nice.
Thats what it sounds like. Smh
Exactly. You’re not good enough to enjoy a vacation because then you’re bringing down the average social status of those like them who make hoards of money. Basic socialist/elitist bullshit. This has to stop.
No it is not socialist. A socialist would want everyone to have access, not just the wealthy. This is more entitled plutocracy bs.
I never even considered that $800 might be a typo as I strive to proofread everything I post.
No not a misprint. This guy this guy lives in a world other then ours!
What an elitist piece of trash. No, Nathan, camping in our nations parks should not be a privilege only accessible to top 0.5% of earners. They are resources to be shared by all, sorry to inconvenience you. Maybe you should stick to other, private RV resorts that can keep out the “riff raff” that you apparently so despise.
Thank you for standing up for all RVers. This is what is wrong with this US of A . I say PARK YOUR Camper for one season that will bring down the price. Good old supply and DEMAND Should get there attention. LH.
Ditto
Nathan K is a little confused about why the big famous national parks are crowded. It’s not ‘casual campers’. It’s entitled locals booking weeks at these places year after year like it’s their personal cabin, and it’s foreign tourists booking a year in advance.
People who want to see these parks once in their lives and don’t know how to play the lottery or reservation game are shut out. And the privileged wealthy willing to pay $800 a night are probably going to get their way.
Thank you. Couldn’t have said it better.
perfectly explained, thank you !!
A little confused??? Too Kind !!
Truly disgusting and pathetic elitists.
We have shifted out reservation’s purchases. We always went camping during the usual, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, etc. Now we purposely avoid those days and weekends. Usually arrive just after the holidays. Everyone has left, the campground is peaceful, and quiet and hardly anyone there. It is something that we learned from the “permanents” who even though they have year-round reservations vacate the campground during the busy weekends to avoid the crowds and noise.
Since we tend to travel without any set plans we tend to make few reservations very far ahead. Last year we extended the time for making reservations – sometimes up to 2 days ahead of time – and always found some place to stay – usually at the first place we called.
Thanks again, Nanci! My response to you got so long that I cut it short. I should add that, if there is somewhere that we really want to be, and at a specific time, or length of time, then we reserve as early as it takes. Alternately, if we just want to go somewhere, then we’ll wait until a week, or so, out and start looking for availability in the general vicinity of whatever strikes our fancy. If there is no availability, or the prices are much higher than we care to pay, then we go to plan B, … whatever it takes to come up with a destination and a place to put the RV. Most campgrounds at which we have stayed in the last year have been 90 percent full on the weekends, far less otherwise.
Nathan is a real patriot and powerful example of the American way of granting access to those who can afford to purchase exclusive access and comfort, while not having to be bothered by the rest of us American riffraff. Let’s all eat cake and aspire to be like Nathan.
He’s a perfect example of why we are facing prices that we are facing lately, Idiots willing to pay 20% over MSRP for cars, boats, RV’s and houses. Why would anyone charge a reasonable price for anything when people are happy to get ripped off?
Yes we should beciause the local hicks have got to go
I am sure Nathan meant $80 a night so give him some slack. Amber said “three weeks out isn’t enough time to secure a spot.” Many times three months out is not enough. I plan a year out and still have trouble getting into some places.
I personally think Nathan K needs to climb back under the rock from which he came. I’ll tell you as I retired Vet I couldn’t afford $800 a night. I pay taxes and expect some reciprocation as in lower entry fees to our national and state parks. As well as having served my country for 20 years. Go buy your own campsite Nathan somewhere.
As a Vet myself….. 100 percent correct. I wonder could this have anything to do with getting the money out of the BabyBoomers. Seems like we are all retiring and the world is going to S..t..
Nathan K is correct that pricing affects demand. Funny that he would accept price rises to his personal level of comfort ($800 a night) that would drive 99.99% of campers out. So I propose raising it ABOVE Nathan’s comfort level…say $5000 a night inside a National park. Let’s see how Nathan feels when HE is the one driven out of the market!
Of course, that suggestion is ludicrous, as is $800 a night.
Our National Parks have never been here just for the wealthiest of our society, Nathan. “Rationing,” as you call it, at least allows for a cross section of our society to enjoy the camping experience in our national parks and forests.
I personally think Nathan K needs to climb back under the rock from which he came. I’ll tell you as a retired Vet I couldn’t afford $800 a night. I pay taxes and expect some reciprocation as in lower entry fees to our national and state parks. As well as having served my country for 20 years. Go buy your own campsite somewhere.
I can only imagine an $800 a night camp site! Self leveling pad with trackless dirt free surface, a cooled sunscreen tent over the site to protect my coach from sun and leaves, a smokeless fire pit with an air filtration system, reverse osmosis filtration on the water system, automatic sewer connection, yes, even at $800 you have to deal with the stinky slinky! An unobstructed pristine view of my choice, and a complementary wash and wax for my coach and toad. Oh and no minimal interest campers…can’t forget that…lol..dream on Nathan.
He probably meant $80 per night, or about twice what it costs now. We camped at Yosemite last October, the first reservation we could get all year. It was packed and cold, but everyone was having a wonderful time and really enjoyed being there. People camp at places like Yosemite because it is the only way they can afford to stay at this wonderful place.
You know what Nanci? I have nothing to say except about Nathan K. What a real dipwad! we live on S.S. and a couple small pensions, and to hear somebody say something like that makes me want to slap him right in the face. “I would pay $800.00 a night blah blah blah.” You are a [bleeped] Nathan. (
If he can afford to pay $800. night, he should be able to afford to buy campgrounds. Pay someone to run them, than enjoy his camping in them when he wants.
Alas, the costs of camping are going the way of the NFL, and other activities one use to be able to afford to take their kids too! Pricing the average person out of the equation!
Camping used to be something everyone could do. I don’t care what RV parks and resorts do, if they leave actual campgrounds affordable. I don’t want hookups and amenities, and if they have electric, I don’t bother to use it.
I dislike booking so far ahead because the weather can go bad in the Northwest; too cold, too wet, or too hot. Right now, I hesitate to leave home to escape the heat due to fire danger and so many irresponsible people running around. Sometimes lightning will cause a fire, but usually it’s a dispersed camper who doesn’t care about the devastation they cause–or someone flipping their cigarette out.
“… Not only would this keep out the people who only have a casual interest in camping (who are responsible for most of the problems), but it also means more money to improve and expand the campgrounds…”
casual interest? wow! such an entitled, elitist point-of-view.
You beat me to it. If I could afford $800 a night, I wouldn’t be camping.
and that would leave around 99.9% of the people out who actually camp now! That guy must live in a gated million dollar community! Go back there!
Nathan k it must be terrible to have more dollars than sense. Thankfully I’ve never been that way, my dollars and sense usually balance out.
Have to join you, Rich and Carol with regards to Nathan.
Well said.
Camping is not an elitest sport and Nathan just showed his elitist attitude.
Lol.. 🤣😂