NOTE: We’ve changed the name of this column from Campground Crowding to Campground Comments and 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 comments and/or complaints you may have. Thank you!
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.
Tent camping? Sounds good!
Janet G. bemoans the fact that it has gotten so much harder to be spontaneous. She wrote, “I find that my favorite state and national parks are booked almost immediately after they become available. Especially in Florida, where the residents can reserve one month before nonresidents. I agree that it has gotten much harder to be spontaneous. That’s why I’ve got my camper listed on Facebook. I might go back to tent camping without hookups. Maybe that would make it easier to find available sites. Also, I try to NEVER stay at private campgrounds. I go camping to escape the crowds.”
Wake up and hear the waves
Guy V. knows that he can’t get into state or federal campsites at a moment’s notice and gives this advice: “My wife and I are full-time RV users; however, staying in Bentsen Grove Resort in Palmview, TX, during the winter months does help. We have yet to find parks charging hundreds. We have yet to be unable to find sites available in fed, state, or other campgrounds at a moment’s notice. We might need to call a few different places, but we rarely do Walmart or other parking lots, maybe four times in seven years.
“We bought books for COE, federal parks, state parks, and city parks and have yet to be disappointed. Our preference is to wake up and see forests, crashing waves, or lakes. If people are intent on staying in the finest RV resorts and are willing to pay outrageous prices, then okay. Example: Yesterday we made reservations at Eufaula Lake in Oklahoma for $11. My recommendation to all: Get creative in your search. However, I agree with reservation systems. No-shows should pay full price, but also parks should open spots immediately when canceled. Advice: Get creative and relax.”
Transient worker campgrounds
Richard P. tries to avoid worker campgrounds. He says, “Many campgrounds seem to be 80% full of transient workers. Their sites are a mess and it’s very noisy in the early morning with people leaving for work. I try to avoid these when possible.”
Outrageous charges in Oregon campground
Delores P. is not happy with being overcharged. She emailed, “We just got charged $12 extra fee on top of $68 for just electricity bare spot in Oregon. Maybe a list of overcharging places would be helpful.”
Greed at its finest!
Denise S. just won’t pay the high prices. “We rarely use private campgrounds due to increasingly high costs. We use state and national parks and Harvest Hosts.
“We have seen private campgrounds with campsites way too close and we absolutely will never pay the new high cost of camping. As much as we love our camper, we will stay in a hotel for the same price. This is greed at its finest!!! Very sad for people who have been camping for many years.”
Cheaper to book hotels
Carlo F. sold their Class A and will stay in hotels. He wrote, “We recently sold our converted Class A MCI E4500, after 10 years of ownership. Between the rising cost of insurance, ad-valorem taxes here in Georgia plus registration fees, maintenance, and expensive campground fees, it was cheaper to book hotels.”
Looking for longer-term campgrounds
John S. sent answers to the questions at the bottom of this column but he is not going to share his secrets:
“Campgrounds booked up? It is fairly easy on weekdays, but weekends are a problem. Particularly if you want to stay for one or two weeks. Of course, popular areas at seasonal times are impossible.
“Are campgrounds changing for the better or for the worse? We often have to ask staff to clean the firepit (cigarette butts are the worst). Otherwise, not too bad.
“Permanent and seasonal RV parks? Yes. Very often we see maybe 5% available for short term.
“Are rising costs affecting your camping style? We are having to choose less expensive campgrounds. We prefer state parks if we can find them.
“If campgrounds continue to be crowded and RVing continues to become more popular, will it affect how or when you RV? We will likely be looking for more longer-term campgrounds in areas of interest, if we can get them, like in Michigan.
“Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share about finding campgrounds that aren’t as crowded? I’m not sharing my secrets! Lol!”
Now, some questions for you:
- Are you finding campgrounds booked up or is finding a site not a problem?
- What do you like best about RVing?
- What are your pet peeves?
- Are you seeing more permanent and seasonal RV parks?
- Are rising costs affecting your camping style?
- Do you have favorite campgrounds or RV parks?
- What is the most memorable experience you have had RVing?
- Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share?
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: Investment group buys RV park, service goes downhill
I don’t understand why RVers will book a campsite and complain afterwards of the price. You knew the price when you made reservations. If you don’t want or like the price, book elsewhere. I get it. It has a doggie park, we don’t use the pool, should be adults only, kids are playing and having too much fun, someone’s watching tv outside, transient workers getting up early to go to work, e-bikes ridden on trails, CGs always booked, too many snowbirds, non-residents hogging up our CGs and on and on and on. Not sure how Nanci decides which comments to post, though she probably has a good laugh at some of them. Nanci, enjoy your column.
Gil, I read a campground review in Google whereas the author was complaining how the COE didn’t situate the canyon campground considerate of the prevailing winds. Yep, they’re in a canyon, the wind whistles down the canyon and made their slide covers flap. One star.
Read another about how it’s a ripoff because most of the wildlife doesn’t come out at hours when people are actually awake. They went on to say the reviews are either fake or put there by NPS.
It’s absolutely amazing what people choose to complain about. Hate the price? Don’t stay there, next?
I agree with all your statements. If the cost of the campgrounds is too high or too crowded or noisy for their liking, it’s time to stay home. If the amenities show a dog park and playground you can expect dogs and kids.
These are the same people that make reservations at multiple campgrounds in an area and then either don’t show up or cancel two days before arrival time.
The one things I would like to see is the campgrounds having a dedicated area for transient workers and seasonals or long term stays.
We stayed at a KOA in Virginia that has this. Since it was just off a major highway, they also had 10 easy in/out pull through sites for overnight stays.
I usually plan out my trips to include fuel stops and Campgrounds. I prefer the public campgrounds as compared to the private. I have booked some campgrounds that have not worked for us. For example early last June I had booked a campground in Alamagordo, New Mexico. I knew going in the campground only had 30 amp service, what I couldn’t predict was the unseasonal heat that was lasting though the night. Solution: Tell the State employees at the campground the space was not going to work and find another place. I did not ask for a refund and the spot was available for others.
So you can’t be as spontaneous as you once were. Life changes accept the changes and find solutions
RE: transient workers- I’ve seen the type of transient workers described. Usually the objectionable workers tend to be younger, single males in a rough usually dirty outdoor job – line workers, pipeline workers, etc. They work rough, live rough. This isn’t the whole profession fortunately, but such workers can be disruptive in a campground.
However, there are many transient workers who do not fit this category at all. Travelling health care workers, disaster relief workers, auditors, etc.
Dirty hands = clean money.
Yep, hard working individuals doing jobs that not a lot of other people would do…and usually pretty well paying jobs.
Have stayed in a few campgrounds in the oil producing areas in the west and TX that had a significant presence. I never had issues. Those campgrounds had the “worker section” separate, but when I walked my dogs I would go through their loop and never had issues or saw a significant problem. I’ve had far worse campground neighbors!
RV’ing and hotel’ing are two different things. There is no way a hotel stay is equal to an RV stay. I like my bed, my toilet, my shower, my food made in my kitchen. My, my, my all the way .
I agree Tommy, claustrophobic, germy, thin walls, the threat of bedbugs…and then you never know what’s happening with your vehicle in the parking lot. It seemed tolerable when I was younger, but not anymore.
You can book almost any campground Sunday thru Friday within a week or two. Weekends book up 6 months out. This is just like before the pandemic.
People have the money to do what is important to them.
You need a better name for this and am surprised you didn’t ask us. How about “Campground Chatter” or “Heard Around the Fire”. There both yours to use, my gift. Happy Holidays.
Some of the people are OK, but many of these workers are stupid, rude arrogant thoughtless clowns in loud trucks that drink too much and smoke too much dope. Many of them leave the tattooed local tramp on-site to watch her annoying dog yap and poop all over. She often has natty friends over, and sometimes their unemployed boyfriends. Many of these pigtypes also sport Harleys and love to make noise on the weekends because they are too stupid to do anything else. Drink beer and grunt and make noise.🐷🐖🐗🐽