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.
Downsize to increase available sites
Neal D. has a plan. He writes, “We currently have no plans to stop RVing. We DO plan to downsize to a smaller/shorter rig to increase the number of sites long enough/flat enough for our rig. Beyond that, I can’t say at this point.”
78 and still has an RV bucket list
Fred B. still has a bucket list of things to do and see. He writes, “Sure there are drawbacks to RVing just like any other lifestyle, and full-timing is not for everybody. But we’ve been full-timing for 14 years and can’t imagine any other lifestyle. We don’t plan to ever own a home again with all the problems that go with remodeling an old farmhouse and maintaining six acres. Been there, done that!! With over 200K miles behind us, we haven’t even scratched the surface of what there is to do and see in North America. I’m 78 and I have a bucket list of places I want to go that will take me another 40 years to complete.”
Worried about full-time RVing
Martin K. is considering full-time but has some thoughts on it: “My wife and I are looking into full-time RVing. Nervous about not having a regular home and having to eliminate many items we’ve gained over the years. Living in an RV and dealing with repairs at the same time causes me stress. Overcrowded RV parks are not an issue as of now. We stay in South-Central Texas and usually can find a campground when planning ahead. Hopefully, we will travel across the country and see some beautiful places. The cost of the RV and tow vehicle is another worry. RV park rates have skyrocketed and being retired makes everything worrisome.”
Costs are rising even faster than the inflation rate!
Carlo F. sees costs rising faster than even inflation. He wrote: “There is no question that the costs of RVing are growing faster than the official inflation rate, thereby contributing to the rising costs of the RV experience. These rising costs are largely from the private sector and corporations buying up privately owned RV facilities. Add in rapidly escalating RV insurance costs, maintenance, plus individual states’ ad valorem taxes for registration together with sales taxes and you have the recipe for many people deciding it is just too expensive—especially for those on fixed income.”
Don’t like being nickel-and-dimed
Lebeth F. wrote about backing out of a park with reservation fees: “Tried to book a campground in Tuscaloosa, AL, online. There was a $10 reservation fee. I backed out of it. Called them and asked about getting a reservation. They quoted a $10 reservation fee. I asked if they were full and was told no. I asked if I would have to pay the fee if we just showed up with no reservation. Was told yes. We booked somewhere else. Later a different person called to tell me we would not have to pay the $10 if we came. I said, ‘No thanks, I don’t like being nickel-and-dimed or hidden fees.'”
Campground replies “Everybody is doing it”
Donna C. is not happy about lock-in fees or the campground’s explanation. She said, “I am concerned about the lock-in fees being charged while using their website to make a reservation and the very poor excuses why they charge this fee. An example is Carolina Pines in Myrtle Beach, SC, charges a $50 lock-in fee after using their website to book a site and their explanation is, ‘Everyone is doing it.’ Another excuse given to me was to use utilization after telling me the website uses utilization. What???”
Families that can’t afford housing becoming long-term “RVers”
William G. wrote about what he is seeing in Florida when people can’t afford housing. “Within the past two years, I have found many of the RV resorts and campgrounds in Florida have taken on a new type of lifestyle, that is one of people or families that cannot afford the rising prices of housing, not only prices of homes but rental properties. I have seen many parks throughout the state of Florida setting aside areas in their parks for long-term residents. This happens to be people that cannot afford the housing prices turn to RVs and campers as a solution to the unaffordable housing situation. Many of these people are working families with children or elderly folks with limited resources. Unfortunately, I believe this trend will continue until we have a correction in our current housing market. This of course is leading to many more problems for the RV community in general that are just interested in travel and vacation destinations. I’m convinced this is a nationwide, silent, untold story in many places.”
After 20 years, last time in this RV park
P E. has decided that this is their last winter in this park and wrote: “At what point is RVing not worth it? For us, it was this year in Florida. After almost 20 years of winter at the same park, we have said never again. What used to be a great snowbird park has turned into a trailer park with many full-timers. And a crummy one. The owner won’t address drainage issues, doesn’t want to spend money doing upgrades, and doesn’t need to because the park is full. Give up our home to live in an RV in a park? Not as long as I have the option.”
Reader asks others to please cancel unused reservations
Ben B. has a request for the RV and camping communities. He asks: “We live in south Florida and campground supply and demand continues to be our biggest issue when it comes to camping, especially this time of year when the rest of the country is freezing and we are enjoying 75-degree days.
“I echo other readers’ frustration with no-shows, especially with Florida State Parks. We use a booking app to pick up last-minute cancellations whenever we can, but when we get there the ‘completely booked’ campground is always half-empty.
“I think the reason for this is that high demand causes Florida State Parks to get booked 11 months in advance before most people know what their plans will be. Since the state parks are so inexpensive ($26-$36 per night), people will book multiple locations in advance, and then not bother to cancel their reservations, especially since they only get about 60% back due to the cancellation fees. As a result, the coveted Florida State Park campgrounds are always half empty.
“My ask to our RV and camping community is to please cancel your unused or unneeded reservations at Florida State parks—even if it’s last-minute! There are a lot of locals (er.. Florida residents whose tax dollars pay for these parks) who would love to be able to use the spots that you don’t need.”
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: Full-timer regrets selling house. ‘RVing is not what everyone tells you. Think twice before hitting the road.’
Not yet, but the Florida State Reservation system seems to work for us.
Being under 30 ‘ long and 30 Amp is a very big plus.
for those who are thinking of doing the RV full time living, it’s really not hard to do. you have to make a conscious decision about how you want to live and what you want vs need. you’re gonna have to downsize everything, period! so choose wisely in the things you keep and those that have to go, while looking at the space you have in the choice of rv you get into. and NOT overload it!!! two years plus living full time and second rv from a ’21 KZ Escape E201BH and now ’13 Jayco Eagle 298RLDS remodeled and not talking just slapping paint on the walls or cabinets calling it “remodeled”!
Unless you run into a problem and then you’re just ruined. Just saw a story yesterday, guy pays 99k for new RV, breaks down 2 weeks later. That was a year and a half ago. It’s been sitting at the dealer ever since. The judge just dismissed his lawsuit against Camping World and moved the lawsuit against the manufacturer half way across the country. If he were living in that RV what would he do??
Never buy new! Everyone has issues the first few years and the RV sellers always take their sweet time, if you can even get it in for repair within six months or more. Buy one a few years old that has all the issues dealt with already. Seriously! Buying new is not worth it!
After lots of experience with RV parks..there is very little doubt that persistent greed has been infused into the entire RV industry. Perhaps it’s “supply side economics”.
No, it’s supply AND demand. Demand has been high on limited supply and apparently there are (or were) enough people willing to pay outrageous prices, ridiculous fees, etc.
From what I’ve seen, the cycle is starting to break on the actual RV sales side now that demand significantly weakened. The two major RV shows in Mpls/St Paul were FREE to attend this year. 40% off MSRP common and signs up that the dealers had no added fees for prep, walk-thru, etc.
Is it surprising that people willing to pay an outrageous price for an RV would be willing to pay outrageous fees to park it somewhere?
Lebeth has the right idea, walk away from the campgrounds which tack on nuisance fees. If more people pushed back, these things would go away.
Carlo is correct, chains buying parks is a negative development. This year, I sadly had to forego a favorite resort in Yuma, which had already raised rates several times in recent years. After being acquired by a chain last year, the day rate for travelers is now up in ‘no way’ territory.
Luckily, there are still wonderful and affordable choices out there, today I’m in a superbly run private park that doesn’t gouge me, and last week stayed at some great county parks. Choices, people. Let’s turn our backs on the gougers.
Choice in a Free market. Safe travels Wanderer.
If that were going to happen, it already would have. Let’s be honest, if you bought an RV, especially a new one, you’ve already been massively “gouged”. I don’t even understand how the campground fees are worth complaining about in comparison. Which is why most people don’t. Which is why these fees aren’t going away.
Covid is over for the most part. Folks are starting to travel outside the US again, leaving their RV’s behind. My neighbor who owns a diesel pusher returned from a summer vacation in France and it was standing room only. My wife and I are going to resume booking cruise ship getaways again. While there is much to see in North America, other world continents also have sights to see and visit. Our daughter who bought a travel trailer is going to vacation in Mexico this spring, also by cruise ship. Let the US RV travel market bear what the consumer wants to spend it, it is not a sole source.
Thank you, Nanci! We did downsize (by 7 feet) and now fit into a more campsites. Sometimes, that means a campground with no sites we previously fit now has some large enough to fit us. 🙂 Safe travels! 🙂
Campgrounds have reservation fees because too many people don’t show up and you might have turned someone away. Plus, some of the RV programs that campgrounds have to buy to keep track of their customers and reservations charge fees for every reservation you make. Insurance has skyrocketed for RV parks. Maintenance costs are way up. Everything is going up in cost for RV parks, just like everywhere and anywhere else. Some even had water and electricity costs go up. The higher cost of operating a park must be paid for somehow!