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.
Glad they didn’t listen to the “Negative Nellies”
Cookie P. is a newbie RVer and said every experience they’ve had has been positive. They wrote, “I’m glad I didn’t listen to the ‘Negative Nellies’ about how bad and expensive campgrounds are. We took our first-ever RV trip to Northern Michigan this October in a new-to-us 2015 Jayco Precept. Our first campground was the Pine Ridge RV Campground in Birch Run, MI. Lots of trees, spacious sites, 50 amp, water, and sewer for $53 for the night. We were then at Long Lake Campground near Alpena, MI. $38 a night for water and 30 amp. Dump station near the entrance.
“Our last stop was near Grant, MI, at the Salmon Run Campground for $51 a night, also with water and 30 amp, but we got upgraded to 50 amp since it was available. The dump station was near the entrance and it already had a hose for us to use.
“All three campgrounds had lovely trees at each site. Our first RVing experience was very positive and I think $50 for the two campgrounds was good. The $38-a-night campground was an excellent price. We don’t need amenities. We want to be surrounded by nature. We can’t wait for the spring when we can do it again and start RVing more often.”
Understands the costs, but…
Pat L. likes the mom-and-pop places best and wrote, “I like the mom-and-pop places better. Having owned a small cabin resort I understand the costs. I don’t understand all the little fees though. I don’t like the big companies taking over because they charge huge daily rates and, in some cases, you don’t get any extras. We just recently stayed in one where our slide was just a few feet from the next one, and the awning couldn’t go out all the way.”
The stark difference between investor-owned and family-owned
Jim J. writes to us about the investors who are only in the RV park business for short-term profits. He writes, “We just completed our semi-annual migration trip. We stayed at some of our usual parks and some new places as we stretched our trip south. We also moved our seasonal spot to a new park this year. My observations:
“The one KOA we stayed at on the trip because it was the only choice within our drive-day limits was the most expensive night. While the staff is great, the park is adding all those things KOA says parks should add—of which we use none—and all the ‘entertainment’ amenities are closed for the season. It is also obvious that the in-ground infrastructure used by RVers is wearing out when the money is going to the glamping side.
“We avoid ‘investment ownership’ parks. This is not to say that family and small group-owned parks aren’t an investment, but it sure is obvious which group is only there for short-term profits. In fact, that is why after seven years we changed our seasonal park down here in Texas. We gave the new investor owners two years to get their feet under them. Branding and colorful decorations don’t mean much when the park grounds look terrible and your dog won’t cross the ‘grass’ due to the weed infestation, or when your water unexpectedly stops every couple of weeks. The new seasonal park is family-owned.
“One of our overnight stops is Pecan Grove RV Resort, Chickasaw, OK. We stay there for one night, twice a year. Beautiful park, well maintained. It is mostly long-term stays. No online reservation system, either send a message or call. We knew we had a pull-through, but not the site. A couple hours out one of the owners called to tell me we were in our preferred spot. Had not even asked this time for a specific spot. But she knew us as ‘regulars’. That is the difference between investor ownership and family operated.”
More people living in RV parks, but if tidy, OK with it
Ann P. has been RVing for more than 16 years and shares her story with us. “I’ve been RVing for more than 16 years after my daughter went to college. Every year I go farther and for more time. I was able to work remotely from the start because I’m a computer geek/consultant and was always able to find internet.
“I retired three years ago, and have spent even more time on the road, 6 to 8 months out of the year. I usually travel without reservations and not much of a plan, so I am flexible. The only time I make a reservation is if it’s a holiday or a big event weekend.
“I have not been affected by crowded or full parks. I’m fully self-contained and can boondock almost anywhere. I try to find inexpensive places like fairgrounds, county parks, Harvest Hosts, and even Love’s to keep costs down. I avoid big business RV parks and find most others are clean and friendly. Yes, costs have gone up, but I don’t need a lot of amenities and find simple campgrounds wherever I go. I can go over two weeks without dump/fill.
“Yes, there are more people living in RV parks, but as long as they are tidy I’m OK with that (that is based on the park management). My rig is a small trailer (21′) and a 4WD truck. I usually spend several weeks in Quartzsite, AZ, in January, boondocking in the desert.”
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: In this RV park there’s ‘speeding, loud music, overflowing trash, and public nudity’!
##RVT1187b
Owning and running a campground/RV park is a labor intensive and expensive venture. This is probably why so many are selling out to the big corporate entities.
These corporations see $$$$ in turning the campgrounds into permanent or seasonal resorts and do not put any money back into maintaining them.
The sites left for normal RVers are in out of the way areas and not maintained. Over grown weeds, muddy sites, dead trees and neglected bath houses. Plus the personnel are now ’employees’ who couldn’t care less about these problems.
We stayed at two last year that were owned by Sun Outdoors. Both were this way.
The pictures were great, but only showed the premiere sites.
Articles like this are nothing but a bit%h session
Why do you read them knowing that ?
Then go listen to fox noise or newsmax.
Well stated JB, you’re saying that ‘too avoid a bit%h session’ to go listen to fox noise or Newsmax. Well done.
well Rons back…why do you torture yourself (and us) by reading the “fluff” articles that bother you soooo much?
Plain ole corporate greed…it will never end until people stop bowing to their whims.
Glad to hear that newbie CookieP had a great first outting…in October.
My advice, CookieP, start working on your spring and summer reservations now. Shoulder seasons aren’t like spring and summer. Sunday night thru Thursday night aren’t bad, but Friday/Sat night and holiday weekends might give you headaches during busy RV season. Best wishes.
A positive experience in Michigan?
I will never go back.
My trip this past fall to the Michigan state parks was fees, fees, and more fees.
That state is crazy. They even wanted a fee for me to unhook and drive my toad into town.
No sir, never again!
Thank you, Nanci! Have you made your way to Arizona yet? Just wondering, making conversation. No plans of traveling there for the foreseeable future. Happy new year and safe travels!