Full-time RVers regret RV life, desperately want to live in a house

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.

Exclusively boondocking

Jeff G. is skipping expensive campgrounds and only boondocking. He wrote, “Campgrounds have become so expensive and crowded, I’ve switched to boondocking exclusively. Yes, I’ve added some very expansive solar systems, built my own compost toilet, and installed a diesel heater, but the trade-off has been worth it.”

Full-time RVing family have never wanted to live in a house so desperately

Jerettelyn L. bought an RV for her family expecting to save to buy a house. It has not turned out that way. She writes, “My family of three and six dogs are fairly new to the RV life. We purchased our RV in April of 2024, expecting to live off of Oregon’s upper northern coasts while working and to establish ourselves and save for buying a house in Oregon.

“I have researched and planned the entire move. While reaching out to many RV resorts and alike, I found a few long-term sites with promises I thought were too good to be true. When we arrived, it was like a dream come true. We found work and hiked with the fur kids and our daughter. During our first week, the RV sites became super busy with loud kids, barking dogs, drunken men arguing, and late-night noises. By the time we had to renew, we learned that there weren’t actually any dates left due to people ‘reserving in advance.’

“So we jumped from one RV park to another, with the same expensive experience and the same outcome. I have regretted the RV life and can’t wait for taxes in 2025. I have never wanted to live in a house so desperately. It’s so unfortunate because most of the parks are unkept and the sheer downgrade of amenities is disappointing. But the prices go from $50 dollars a night of full hookups to $200 a night for full hookups. The cheaper price sites are about 40 to 60 minutes away from towns with grocery stores or jobs. It’s so unfortunate that post-Covid has ruined so much this coast has to offer. And the schmucks that come from all over to ruin the foundation.”

Even with a rate increase, Floridians enjoy a 50% discount

Bill H. writes about Florida state campgrounds for Florida residents. “We camp at Florida State campgrounds. Rates have increased by about $7. We receive a 50% discount as we live in Florida.”

Family-owned campground became KOA then back to family-owned

Kristine F. isn’t having issues finding campsites but did note the KOA change. She wrote, “We are in Delaware and travel mostly in the Lancaster, PA, area and haven’t had any problems with finding reservations and prices haven’t gotten crazy. Currently on our way to the Florida Panhandle and haven’t had any issues with reservations or overcrowding. Our stopover campground in Georgia has gone from a family-owned campground to KOA and now back to family-owned, all in the past four years that we have been stopping there. They said KOA fees were too expensive.”

Cancellation fee harms legitimate cancellations but is necessary

Lon H. wrote about seeing the overbooking of sites as an issue. “Every question asked is valid. I was unaware of the overbooking of sites to eliminate other campers but I look back and see clearly this is a problem. Unfortunately, the solution has to be to charge a cancellation fee. It harms the legitimate cancellation but is necessary.”

The definition of camping has changed

William C. has seen a lot of changes since the 1970s. He shares, “I have been camping since the ’70s. I live in the New England area and basically camp in the Northeast in the Canadian Maritimes. I haven’t really had a problem finding sites, although sometimes the good sites are taken, but if you look hard enough you’ll find something.

“Over the last 10 years, the definition of camping has changed. Campers are bigger, people want amenities such as TV and Wi-Fi. A lot of these campers don’t understand the etiquette of camping either. The cost of camping has approached the same price as a hotel or in some cases has exceeded it. Sites are small and crowded and in some cases are nothing more than a parking lot. As a result, I’m pretty sure my days of camping are drawing to an end. I just feel bad my kids will never get to experience the true nature of camping.”

Moving every two weeks around the same campground

Cheri D. is a traveling respiratory therapist and has to move within the same campground. She writes, “I travel as a respiratory therapist, and find that we had to move every two weeks in a Colorado campground. I sprained my ankle doing this for a 13-week contract with a hospital. I was packed in like a sardine, and paid $1,600 a month.”

The park is not a resort!

Cindy S. loves camping but it has become more expensive and are now charging resort fees. She wrote, “We are campers from way back. We camp with a group of 6-8 families regularly. We usually have to make reservations before we leave a campsite if we want it again for the next year. This is not a problem when we know we can cancel if need be, or use a credit for another trip. What really annoys me is the fees that are charged. The overnight stays are getting expensive enough, then you get these ‘resort’ fees and taxes knowing that the campground is definitively nothing like a resort with any resort features. Camping on a whim is almost impossible because of [lack of] availability in a lot of campgrounds. We love camping and will continue as long as we can.”

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 notice ‘transient’ workers filling campgrounds, leaving campsites a mess

##RVT1183b