In this RV park there’s ‘speeding, loud music, overflowing trash, and public nudity’!

RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs. Has that changed campgrounds? 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.

RV park goes downhill with broken equipment, speeding, loud music and public nudity

Robin P. is not at all happy with this RV park and writes, “Jetstream RV Resort at NASA, now Space City Ellington, has gone downhill over the past couple of years. Issues with overflowing trash dumpsters, poor landscaping, leaking ceiling in the laundry room and almost all laundry equipment broken down for several months, speeding, loud music, public nudity… yes, you read that right! Rent dropped to fill the park and they spread the word about how low rent rates are. It’s hit or miss with the office being open during listed hours as only three people man the office… Not what it used to be for sure.”

RVer likes to wander, which is good when major destinations and spontaneous travel is difficult

Rand C. prefers out-of-the-way mom-and-pop parks and writes, “Major destinations are crowded, and spontaneous travel is difficult. We like to wander and have had great experiences staying around small towns in city-run sites or county parks. There are often lovely sites near major parks where people are few and the scenery is just as lovely.”

If they had to pay $85 a night, they would sell their motorhome!

Steve H. uses a number of apps and memberships. He wrote, “We are ‘travelers’, not ‘campers’ and have never been ‘seasonal’. If we had to average $85/night for an RV park, we would sell our motorhome and stay in motels while traveling.

“Since we live in the west, we first look for public campgrounds when trip planning. We use Campgrounds.rvlife.com and Campendium.com to find the highest-rated campgrounds near our destinations. Then we may make a reservation for 2-3 nights to see the local attractions. If there are no convenient public campgrounds, we check the Passport America app for their member RV parks in the vicinity. These 1/2-price parks are especially useful for snowbirding, when we may stay 6-7 days in one location.

“For example, we just returned from a 4-week fall trip to mostly high-altitude parts of northern AZ and NM and SE NV using a combination of public campgrounds and PA parks (high altitude because it was still 106° in Las Vegas, 102° in Camp Verde, and 112° in Phoenix!). Even using $35-40/night state park campgrounds in CO, NM, AZ, and NV and a $65/night, non-PA park in Vegas, our average nightly rate was only $38.”

Stay flexible when “winging” it!

Paul M. has found some real campground deals and is flexible with travel and booking. He wrote, “We arrived home yesterday from a six-and-a-half week, 6,518-mile trip from NC to the Southwest and back. I did make most of our reservations in advance except for one. I thought I had a reservation at the Rancho Sedona RV Park in AZ. I called to check and they confirmed I didn’t have a reservation. When they asked if I was flexible, they offered me a site for the first night and then moved me for the next two nights. Lesson learned: Check your reservations before you hit the road.

“Second lesson learned: If you can’t make a reservation online, then call the campground and see if they can fit you in. That worked for us and for them, as well. I have always found available sites at Harvest Hosts.

“On our trip home we found a small city park in Ellinwood, KS, that offers four spots with water and electricity for $8 a night! Two nights later we stayed in St. Albans, WV, at a small city park overlooking the Kanawha River. The sites have electricity, a picnic table, a trash barrel, a dump station, potable water, and public restrooms. The cost? FREE.

“We look at RVing as a chance to explore the country. ‘Winging it’ gives us a better chance to do that.”

Interested in city park camping, like Paul? Check out this guide. 

This RV park owner does not allow long-term residents

Campground owner Dave C. is 100% tourist-based. He wrote, “As the owner of Branson Shenanigans RV Park in Branson, MO, I proudly tell guests that we don’t allow long-term campers. We’re a tourist city so our customer base is 100% tourist. We’re a small park of 30 spaces, most are pull-through. We provide a safe, clean, quiet park with level sites for people to sleep while visiting Branson. We call it our quiet, boring park, and we love it. Even with a name like Shenanigans, there’s nothing going on.”

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: Crowding no longer biggest issue among RVers; RVing and campsite prices take top complaint

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