RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs. 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 tips to help other campers find that perfect spot.
Here are a few observations from our readers. These do not necessarily represent the views of RVtravel.com.
Just get used to it
Kelly R. makes the comparison between the good ol’ days of 18-cent gas, and the rise in income and shares some great advice. “I remember when gas was at 33 cents all day and 18 cents when gas wars. Loaves of bread were 10 cents and milk was free if I milked it. City/county parks were free. Pair of jeans was $3.00. Didn’t need a passport to enter Canada. Have prices gone up? Yep, but so has income. Get used to it. Crowded campgrounds, where? You see empty sites? Not your business. Maybe the power is down, the sewer doesn’t work, OR maybe someone paid for it and their father died, or the campground has the money, so it is their business to fill it or not. IT IS their business. If it were my campground, I would not try to fill it, and have a complainer move in and me have to clean up after. I’m trying to make a living. Doesn’t spouting GREED mean you are the greedy one, wanting something for less than the going rate?
“If you think motels are cheaper, then go a motel, and then why b@t*h about it? I don’t think complainers were ever real campers/RVers in the first place. The only reservation I ever made was for a family wedding. We only use a paper camping guide and paper maps and get along just fine. We expect going out on the road to be an adventure in the first place. If you want to complain your way through life, go ahead, but that is not for me. I just go with the flow and find stuff I thought I’d never see.”
Motel prices are not bad but the noisy neighbors unreal
James E. sold their RV so stays at hotels now. He wrote, “We gave up RVing and sold our MH at the start of COVID, mostly because I can’t crawl around to do maintenance anymore. We just did a car road trip and the motel prices weren’t really bad, but the noisy neighbors were unreal. Squeaky floors, thin walls, and lack of affordable nearby dining make me wish we could RV again, but at 74 I couldn’t do it like I would need to.”
Blessed to still enjoy RVing
Greg M. appreciates RVing and having their house with them. He says, “We still love camping after 41 years and three travel trailers, a fifth wheel and six motorhomes later. We get to use our bed, eat when we want to and our clothes need not be carried into a hotel. Sure, it’s more expensive than in the past… but what isn’t? We stay at state parks, private campgrounds and, if traveling, we stay at Cracker Barrel. Just booked 10 nights in private campgrounds near Utah National Parks for August with no reservation problems. Camping is not the life for everyone, but we are so blessed to still enjoy it in our 70s. Happy trails!”
Still cheaper than a Holiday Inn
Ron L. writes about their cross-country RV trip and positive experiences. “We are taking out our camper for the first time. Traveling from eastern NC to eastern WA. Have had no problem reserving sites. Sites were close together, but we met some very nice folks and had positive experiences. Prices ranged from $30 to $100 a night. Still cheaper than a Holiday Inn. We have our stuff in our place and we are free to pack and leave as we see fit. Loving it!”
Our idea of roughing it is an outside pool!
Rick S. lives the good life in their RV and loves every minute. He shares, “We travel 280+ days in our Class A coach. We have not had any issues with finding very nice parks to stay. I have to admit we do not enjoy roughing it in the outbacks, but rather an outdoor pool is our idea of ‘roughing it.’
“We make reservations anywhere from 130 to 280 days in advance based on our itinerary. We have never spent $300 a night anywhere. The most we have spent was a 5-star true resort and it was $115 a night with drinks delivered to your site nightly, four pools, tennis/pickleball, five onsite restaurants and four tiki bars.
“Crowding hasn’t been an issue. On our current trip, we have stayed at 17 different parks. Prices may have risen about 6% this year but it’s understandable with the increased cost these resorts have. Bottom line: We choose to live this lifestyle and love every minute we are on the road.”
Difficult for non-residents to reserve in Florida
Joe G. is finding it hard to reserve state parks in Florida now. He wrote, “Florida recently changed the state park reservation system and I find it next to impossible to camp there in the winter. It seems surprising that a state that relies so much on tourism would discourage nonresidents from visiting. In the past, sites could be reserved in state parks eleven months in advance. Now residents can reserve eleven months in advance, but nonresidents must wait until ten months to reserve. It was often difficult to reserve more popular parks under the old system, but this unlevel system makes it very difficult to reserve.”
Fun, fun, fun with Fantasy RV Tours
Tom T. and his wife are having so much fun on an RV tour. He writes, “My wife and I are on an 8,000-mile journey from Colorado to the Canadian Atlantic Maritimes. Today we are in Newfoundland. This is our third trip with Fantasy RV Tours and we have had nothing but fun, fun, fun! We love RVing and have had great experiences whether traveling with a tour group or on our own. I don’t hear any complaints except from some of the articles in this newsletter. I’m not complaining about the newsletter. I’m just glad that we are not experiencing what some of your readers are seeing.”
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: Reader says RVtravel.com is ‘too negative.’ Others say ‘RVing not fun anymore.’ What to do?
##RVT1165b
This to Joe, I live in Florida and thanks to you snowbirds we have never been able to camp in the winter because you folks have every thing taken, Now at least I have a chance to get a spot.
Wish this would happen in Arizona
Chase the canucks out and half the RV parks would be empty…been through that years ago.
Seems a bit greedy of you JB.
Well as a Floridian, I, one, enjoy meeting the CANADIANS I have met down here, and two, having the influx of their dollars in no way offends me. Oh, and they do allow me in their campgrounds too.
I also live in Florida, and was unable to get sites also. I petitioned Tallahassee to give Floridians a 30-day advantage for reservations. I reminded them that we are the tax payers that keep those parks alive, but were unable to finds sites, and when we did, we saw out-of-state plates all around us.
Good for you for getting involved instead of just complaining!
Jeannine, I think it comes down to outside money coming in. You live there so where you spend the night doesn’t increase revenue to the state or businesses. If the non-residents get blocked out, so does the money they bring to your state. As a state that relies heavily on tourism, I’m not sure a “me first” approach will not bring unintended consequences of a worsening burden for you….
“Unintended consequences” like taking away our “No State Income Tax”. You got it right, Vince S.
Out of state travelers are not blocked out. The resident tax payers are now given a 30-day advantage to enjoy the parks they support financially with their tax dollars. Others states do the same, so Florida is not unique.
Unless I misinterpreted your statements, non-residents are not allowed to reserve whilst residents enjoy their 30 day “advantage” (aka blocking out non-resident bids).
My point is you’re not just eliminating outsiders at campsites. You’re eliminating outsiders at gas pumps, restaurants, festivals and everything else they spend money while their RV occupies a camp site.
You are correct, other states have adopted the same approach and not only restrict non-resident reservations but actually double the fee. But how many citizens of those states rely as heavily on tourism for their income as Florida? Downstream consequences….
Popular coastal state parks in Florida are absolutely blocked out from out of state travellers. Look at the reservation web page for those parks 11 months minus one day out. Booked solid. Please explain how out of state travelers are not blocked out. Yes, you’ll enjoy your privilege, and I understand. I would too, but your statement is factually wrong.
Residents now have to be registered in the system, and have to show proof of residency when arriving.
Just curious, robert. How come you ‘locals’ couldn’t book sites the same way those horrible out-of-towner snowbirds do? You probably miss being able to just pack up on a Friday night and go camping. I feel your pain. The same sort of thing has happened here in NV since the state park system went to reservations. No longer can we just hook up the trailer and go to our closest state park for a few days.
Why couldn’t we reserve? We were getting ready on our computers before 8 AM, and the few sites in state parks became available EXACTLY at 8 AM, 11 months ahead to the day. You had to have that magic finger to hit it just right & get the site. If someone hit it ahead of you by a split second, or if you were early just a second or two before it opened up, you got locked out, and by the time you tried to get another choice, they were all gone within a minute or two. It was near impossible to get sites – it had become pure luck. How do I know? We’ve been RVing in our FL state parks since the late 90’s, long before reservations became a problem.
It sounds like a nightmare, Jeannine. But now that you have a lead time, won’t you be fighting with fellow Floridians for the same campsites?
The pool is now smaller, but I’m sure there’ll be obstacles. Nothing is ever easy in this life!
Now to just restrict Florida retirees since they can sit at home and monopolize the booking process while the rest have to go to work! And they’re grabbing 2 weeks at a time, because….well, they can! And they get half price… It’s so unfair!!! LoL. It’s really funny now to read posts by Florida residents still whining about not being able to get state park campsites.
The compliners, whinners, moaners and cry babies need to sell thier campers and quit complaining. You have the money to do what is is important.
Articles like this just encourage the complainers.
Has this 30 day state resident reservation policy impacted revenue for any business? Has anyone or any watch group actually studied this? Seems there might be a negative impact, especially in the consumption of food and gasoline. Only then will lawmakers consider anything except appeasing those who vote and complain the loudest. RVing is might be big business but maybe it’s comprised of people who just know how to complain the loudest.
Not tracking here.
“…appeasing those who vote…” Opposed to non[state] voters or illegals?
Camping fees remain the same, food and fuel are still needed. Are you referring costs associated to GET to the park? Negligible when considering the increase in overall tourism we are experiencing.
We have great State Parks here, and sometime like to use them. I like the 1 month advance.
Why don’t you just skip the article.
Thank you, Nanci! 🙂 I enjoyed all the comments, even the cautionary tale of traveling by car and staying in hotels. Kelly R did a very good job of bringing perspective to the present RVing landscape. Thanks to all whose thoughts and experiences were published today, and to Nanci for collecting them! The bottom line seems to be: find a way of RVing that brings enjoyment for you given whatever physical and financial constraints you have, do it, and enjoy it so long as you can. Thanks again, have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 😉
Thanks, Neal. I don’t have opinions very often, but,,,,,,,
You are very welcome, KellyR! 🙂 If you ever get a hankering to check out Chattanooga, let me know. We formerly hosted a Boondockers Welcome site, but it became a bit of a headache, so shut it, but we still have room, water, and power. Have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Chattanooga is in beautiful country. Used to travel thru there quite frequently I believe on 75 and 24. Have been staying off Interstates the last several years. Too fast, too furious. I have slowed down a lot. Thanks for the invite, however. Enjoy your beautiful country.
🤔👍😊
As a Canadian it is also hard to get sites at our Provincial Parks due to their popularity with residents, other provincial travelers, and our friends from America. Currently there is no preferential booking policy for “locals” at Ontario Parks.
Having said that, I have no issue with states/provinces implementing such a policy, but I hope everyone realizes that tourists contribute greatly to the economies of where they visit.
I book as soon as possible and have just spent $85 in total for these distasteful site lock fees. It is what it is!
Quite obvious that KellyR was never a politician. On Greed; mic drop Kelly, and I paraphrase with some liberty, ‘Those that complain about the Greed of others are embarking on a mission of greed thru entitlement themselves.’
Cancelproof, Ha! I’ve spent my whole life and business life being the peacekeeper and arbitrator. If something got out of hand, I could outshout and outthink the participants if called for AND using all of the politically correct words. I guess, fortunately?, I have seen enough tragedy in my life to understand what to be thankful for. If someone is fortunate enough to own an RV “toy?” and then feel that they can complain about their favorite spot filled, or a kid next door, or the price of gas, on and on; forgive me “RV neighbor”, (not you Cancelproof) I’m moving to my next spot down the road. Wow, Cancel, you must have pulled out the Soap Box. (I did study for a while to be a Preacher.)
In Oregon we have to deal with all the Idaho people hogging up RV parks and state campgrounds…especially if there is a drop of water close by so they can play with all their hot rod boats. Yet they brag about Idaho so much…makes one wonder why they don’t stay in their own state.
The bigger question is, why does a double digit percentage of Oregontonian’s want to secede from Oregon and join Idaho? Is it the dystopian policies of Oregon’s leaders?
It sure makes me glad that 90% of our travels are west of the Rockies. We prefer usfs, blm, and fcfs campgrounds and don’t have any issues finding available campsites along creeks, rivers, and mountains. We have no desire to stay in so called resorts.
What the reservation systems do is create an artificial shortage, whether the requirement is six month, ten months, eleven months, or a year. The shorter the time and the greater the available sites are bunched together, the worse the shortage. If one could make a reservation as far ahead as one wanted, the lucky finger would not be a problem, people wouldn’t be making reservations “just in case”, and they would be more available.
This is to Joe G…how would you feel if you lived in a state but could never use the wonderful State parks that your tax $$ pay for? As a 54 year resident of Florida, I love the rule change. There are many RV parks that you can make reservations for…they just cost more.
Joe G. Yes tourism is important to Florida, but the money out of state campers spend is not enough to make that group deserving of equal opportunity. Out of state campers are now, by legislative fiat, second class. The new booking rules make that abundantly clear. The undeniable message to out of state campers – please go elsewhere. For Florida residents, especially Florida retirees who are already getting half price on State Park campsites and have the time to enjoy two weeks at a time, it’s wonderful. Of course, discrimination is always wonderful if you are the one benefiting from it.