NOTE: We’ve changed the name of this column from Campground Crowding to Campground Concerns. We like this name better, and think it encompasses much more of what is covered here. Please continue to submit your comments about crowding in campgrounds, and any other campground complaints you may have. Thank you!
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.
The biggest change in RVing is the campsite cost
Sarah B. is a full-time, frugal RVer and has seen the costs leap. She wrote, “As a full-time RVer for over eight years, the biggest change I’ve seen in camping is the cost. In the past, finding a campsite with power and water and an onsite dump for $20 a night was the norm. Now, many of the camps that used to be in that price range cost $40 a night.
“The reservation system is another thorn in my side. People make reservations they don’t keep, and lots of campgrounds no longer have first-come, first-served sites. You’re also on the hook for a reservation fee that just adds to the cost.
“I love boondocking too, but many RV parks no longer allow non-campers to use the dump or are charging outrageous fees to do so. I’m still RVing for now, but we’ll have to see what the future holds for this frugal girl.”
No longer accepts Passport America
Peggy W. wrote to tell us about an RV resort change. She writes, “Pechanga RV Resort no longer accepts Passport America as a discount. Temecula, California.”
Can almost always find a site and, if staying in a motel, wait to book
Steven M. has some great advice on campsites and motels that I am going to try, too. He wrote, “Stay away from all large or chain campgrounds and you’ll almost always find a site. If use a motel, I wait and many times the prices go down after 3 p.m.”
59 feet and can’t get in everywhere
Mac N. writes about difficulty getting into sites, the cost, and the clientele. “My 5th wheel is 42 feet long. Combined with the tow vehicle I roll at 59 feet long and 27,000 lbs. and travel all the time averaging 7.4 nights per stop for over four years. I can’t get in everywhere. I find many campgrounds and RV parks have a lot of seasonal or permanent rigs.
“Site prices have nearly tripled since summer 2020. Prior to that, campgrounds catered to families with children. Now they are catering to a richer and more spoiled clientele. I don’t see how campgrounds can call themselves an ‘RV Park’ or ‘Resort’ and charge $70 a nite when they don’t even have 50 AMP service and full hookups for an overnight stay. I see it as greedy price gouging by corporate-minded entities buying up the mom and pops.”
So many smiles…
Anthony B. brings such a positive perspective to RVing and to all the RVing issues. He writes, “I see so many negative comments but so many people in campgrounds with smiles on their faces. Maybe negative comments get more reactions. We’ve been doing this for decades and average 120-150 nights each year traveling the USA.
“Yes, costs have gone up. What hasn’t? We generally plan 4-6 weeks out and RARELY have trouble finding a campsite. Sometimes state parks, sometimes small private family-owned campgrounds, sometimes resorts. Averaged across all platforms our nightly rate averaged $58/night this year. We’ve been in one or two places we didn’t feel 100% safe, but no place scared us. We’d prefer to travel by RV than to stay in luxury hotels, but that’s us. Happy trails.”
The perfect reservation system
Robert W. writes to us about the reservation system in Illinois. “I have found Illinois state parks have the perfect reservation system. All reserved sites close three days prior to arrival and the remaining sites become first-come, first-served. I never have a problem getting an open site. Win/Win!”
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 feel ‘sadness’ about the transformation of camping; ‘I miss it’
Just returned from a month-long RV trip to northern AZ and NM. We are “travelers”, so we stayed in 4 state parks, 3 USFS campgrounds using our Lifetime Interagency Senior Pass, 3 private RV parks and 1 casino (2 of the 4 accepting Passport America), and spent an average of $38/night. That included one RV park not far off the Las Vegas Strip!
Our most expensive private park was AJ’s Getaway in Overgaard, AZ, where we stayed after reading all of their new park construction articles in RVTravel. Wonderful, FHU, all pull-through, tree-shaded sites, a beautiful, rustic store/office, and AJ is currently building a laundry. Just call our stay a contribution to AJ and Machelle’s retirement fund!
Illinois might have an idea worth looking at.
Sad experience this week of getting the ‘gouge’ rate on the Monday AFTER a balloon festival was over, at a once-reliable campground, doubling my cost and cutting my trip short. This while listening to annoying noise from rude ‘neighbors’ getting a nice cheap monthly rate. I’m done with this campground.
Anthony B 👍🏻
Chuck started today’s Newsletter by talking about keeping politics out of the Newsletter.
I can’t help but comment when I read a post like the one from Mac N talking about the “greedy” campground owners and their profits. Comments such as this seem to come directly from one of the presidential candidate’s campaign assaults on business in the U.S. and the “greedy corporate profits” jacking up prices. The lifelong government employee has declared war on the business community in the U.S. which has trickled down as the rallying cry for higher prices.
Greed for higher profits is the main problem…like it or not. I recall someone saying it’s a supply and demand thing.
Perhaps your right JB. However it could simply be RV parks having to cover the 37%- 47% increase in insurance costs? Maybe the higher priced fuel for the lawnmowers? Perhaps the cost of ink cartridges? Maybe the power bill has gone up for all 400 of the sites they mow that lawn for? Maybe the labor to cut the lawn has increased? Maybe the water and sewer bill for the bathrooms and the 400 sites has gone up? Nah, your probably right, just corporate greed at play.
I believe you are mostly correct in your assessments.
Maybe I am, maybe I am not. One thing for sure Bill, I didn’t get an official preauthorization from the Board of Approved Information in order to distribute it. 😁
Happy Trails friend.
Well said Cancel.
Costs have a huge influence on the minimum price while demand is what drives the maximum price.
That’s capitalism in a nutshell but I’m pretty sure it’s those greedy corporate mom and pop RV Park owners refusing to live on generic cat food instead of that fancy name brand stuff…..
It’s probably “all of the above” reasons. However, it’s already been well documented that corporate/investment firms are buying up small mom and pop RV parks and running them into the ground while jacking up prices. The increase in demand for campsites since 2018~2020ish helped. Same thing with REITs buying up housing for AirBnBs or rentals and reducing the supply available to would-be homeowners. There’s definitely some corporate greed going on everywhere.
We are RVers and mariners, traveling in our 37 foot trawler when we aren’t in our motorhome. The exact same thing is happening with marinas, which are being purchased by Safe Harbor and Oasis. Reservation systems are being replaced by Dockwa, resulting in additional price increases, since they get a cut of every reservation.
Unfortunately, inflation doesn’t discriminate. Property taxes and liability & casualty skyrocketing insurance rates have affected commercial businesses including RV parks. Yet another reason camp spot rates are increasing.
Thank you, Nanci! I do admire your ability to wade through so many comments each week and compile them. Thank you for providing a forum for readers! Have a great weekend and safe travels!