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.
Just look at the bright side!
Wayne G. has a positive attitude about the future of camping and campground crowding. He wrote, “Yes, currently campgrounds and RV resorts are mostly full and very expensive, but just look at the bright side. Because of this, many campgrounds are expanding and new full-amenity resorts are being built by developers to cash in. When the post-Covid novelty wears off, and it seems that it is starting to, us campers committed to the lifestyle will be left with half-full campgrounds and resorts at a bargain price.”
Yeah! California law on no-shows
Laurel G. sent us an email about the legal changes for no-shows at California State Parks. She wrote, “One thing I did not see in this article was about changing campground reservations. The state of California passed the law that goes into effect on January 1. If somebody no-shows for a reservation and does not contact the campground, the site will be released. They’re also putting protections in so people cannot have multiple user accounts.”
Another take on no-shows
Iris B. suggests higher no-show costs. She wrote, “Charging one night stay for a no-show should be changed to three days. People just don’t call and cancel because it only costs a one-night charge, no biggie for them. But it leaves spots available that no one can use… We always see empty spots, but they’re always ‘reserved’ and were not cancelled. It’s just a common courtesy to call and cancel so the spot can be used. We have friends that do this and it makes me angry… Start charging for three nights and that will change!”
Mindless acquisition of RV parks by private equity firms
Anthony D. wrote to us about his RVing concerns: “We travel, sometimes cross-country, to volunteer at various government sites and the occasional private camp. We are generally on the move during the shoulder months, so we miss the crowds and park spaces are easily found albeit increasingly pricey.
“We’ve not had any major problems with parks but that portends to change for the worse based on what we have seen lately, with the mindless acquisition of private parks by private equity firms. Our greatest concern is the price of fuel, particularly top tier gas and diesel and the poor quality of late model RVs and tow vehicles coupled with sketchy service centers, most of which are dealers … not nearly enough independents in this space.”
Try city parks
Katherine F. is finding city parks a good alternative. She wrote, “We avoid a lot of resorts. We have been hitting city parks this past year with electricity and water. A lot of them have dump stations. We can usually stay 14 days and we can do laundry right in town. Showers and restaurants are available at some. We have even found some that don’t charge for a two-day stay and they’re pretty cheap, from $7 to $14. Nebraska has a lot of these.”
Even rundown campgrounds are increasing fees
Susan C. is finding Florida becoming unaffordable. She says, “Florida is definitely becoming unaffordable to campers and filling up with full-timers that can pay top dollar. A lot of overcrowded resorts. A lot of the older campgrounds are becoming rundown but have still increased their prices by 25% or more.”
Extortion
Donna C. mentions lock-in fees in her email. She said, “Lock-in fees while using the campground’s own reservation site amounts to nothing more than extortion. I made reservations using a campground’s own site which shows what sites were available, chose a site, and then was asked if I wanted to lock in this site, which, by the way, charged $50 per site.
“This is an outrageous and totally unacceptable fee. I called to have this fee explained only to receive a totally ridiculous explanation of ‘everyone is doing this’. I questioned, ‘Doesn’t the reservation site assure you are locked into a site?’ ‘Well, yes and no’ was the answer. The site will remain open until you pay a lock-in fee. So how is this not extortion?”
We will continue to RV as long as our health allows
Michael H. wrote with answers to the questions below. “Are you finding campgrounds booked up? A: I am a planner so generally I have stops booked well in advance so we have not had many issues with finding the spots we want.
“Are campgrounds changing for the better or for the worse? A: Kind of a mixed bag. We are seeing new parks being built but some of the established parks seem to refuse to maintain or upgrade their establishments.
“Are you seeing more permanent and seasonal RV parks? A: In the western U.S., we have seen some new parks popping up around popular spots like St. George, UT, and Mesquite, NV.
“Are rising costs affecting your camping style? A: Not really. We are blessed with solid finances and are debt-free so we go when and where we want.
“If campgrounds continue to be crowded and RVing continues to become more popular, will it affect how or when you RV? A: We will continue to RV as long as our health allows it. Unless it gets overly crowded, we likely won’t let that deter us.
“Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share about finding campgrounds that aren’t as crowded? A: Plan ahead! You must be willing to manage your trips and that includes canceling and rebooking when things change. You also may have to absorb some cancellation fees along the way but they are generally minimal.”
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: RVer notes camp host jobs no longer paying, now on volunteer basis. Plus, how one full-timer RVs for cheap!
##RVT1139b
What a bunch of hypocrites. You don’t want businesses to pay taxes, yet complain about free enterprise charging more money.
This makes no sense Ron. Did you just post this to provoke angry rants?
I’m a bit confused by your comment too Ron. Businesses don’t pay taxes, they never have and they never will. They charge taxes/collect taxes, and pass the money on to the Gov’t. Businesses are tax collectors. Some business mark up the taxes to make a small profit off the tax and chalk it up to being a handling fee.
100% correct CP! About a third of my career for a large multinational was in Finance. NOTHING is done without understanding tax consequences. They have a certain post tax target. If taxes go up, then either prices go up or layoffs happen (and/or some other cost cutting) to balance the equation. So, either customers pay or employees.
It is why the “fair share” thing for corporations is such a ruse and is so basic. When we demonize others in the name of “fair share”, we are hurting ourselves.
If a company payes $1,000,000 in taxes, they typically have charged there customers an extra $1,300,000 in order to cover running the money through the books. Add in all the taxes in the manufacturing end of the finished product and it has been taxed multiple times with multiple mark ups, sometimes doubling the true cost to the consumer.
Cheers Mikal
There shouldn’t be a fee for canceling a campground reservation. Campgrounds make more money by you not canceling your campsite. It allows another camper to pay for a campsite that might go unsold.
I disagree, if a no show is given their deposit back where is the incentive to cancel as a no show. If a full price for 1 night is charged at the reservation time then people will think twice before no show.
You missed the point, the campground site goes unused as a reserved site can’t be used by another camper.
I think Bob M’s point was not to be a ‘No Show’ but to be incentivized to cancel timely rather than not showing by charging a 1 night fee. As Bob M stated that would consideratly open up that space for someone else to rent. Plans change, especially when you have to book many months ahead to get that favorite campground. Look at booking.com for hotel reservations where you can usually modify or cancel your reservation up to 24 hours at no cost. That’s a very successful business model because you’re more likely to book if you have flexibility. You can’t always plan for everything. But I would NEVER book a campsite ahead of time if charged you a 1 night fee to cancel timely.
Looks like we found one of inconsiderate people that won’t cancel a site if they don’t intend to use it. Now when I’m at a campground and I see an open uncanceled site I’ll just refer to it as a “Bad Bob Lot.”
Bob, do you also realize that campgrounds lose more money by you not cancelling your campsite. It allows that site to go unsold and other campers will have to pay more collectively to make up for the Bad Bobs.
Regarding Anthony D’s comment on the high cost of fuel? I just filled up with diesel in NM. for $3.09/gallon. Fuel costs for my cross country snowbird trip are way down compared to last year. Best app for finding the best fuel prices is GasBuddy, IMHO.
Yup I use it all the time. Apropos of nothing, sometimes Costco will allow members to park overnight in their parking lot.
To Iris B, what if a person only reserved for 1 night? Are you going to steal 2 more nights out of their bank account? I’m against no shows but I don’t see where they can steal an extra 2 days when you only reserved 1.
Donna C. Is this any different than the price of a new vehicle? As long as people are willing to pay capitalism says charge them. Refuse to pay the extra fee by going someplace else.
Greed is the word that has permeated the entire RV industry.
In the Tom Petty song “the last DJ, is a lyric that says,”as we celebrate mediocrity, all the boys upstairs want to see how much you will pay for what you used to get for free”. RVing has never been free, but when will prices ruin this wonderful experience?
Thank you, Nanci! Safe travels! 🙂