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 prices off-season are the same as peak season
Tharon H. is upset that the off-season is the same price as peak season and writes, “The cost of diesel, propane, and the cost of RV parks is way too much. I think it would be cheaper to drive my car and stay in hotels. The only reason I still go in my RV is because of my dogs.
“I never travel in the summer months due to overcrowding. I am very disappointed that although I travel in the off-season, the cost of the RV park is the same as the summer months. This I find very upsetting as there are no amenities in the winter months. I do like that there are fewer people at the parks, but to charge someone who isn’t using the pool or any of the other things parks offer is just wrong. The parks work on almost no staff in the winter so the labor cost for the park goes way down. Taking all that into consideration, it’s just greed that has them charging the same amount as summer. Either way, it costs too much to make summer or winter travel fun anymore.”
Why boondocking is a better choice for this RVer
Dave M. mentions greed, age limits, and rules as incentives to boondock. He writes, “I’ve seen how greed has turned decent campgrounds into overpriced places that now have too many rules and age limits on campers. That’s okay, because I find boondocking better in many ways. I keep a mental note of those tyrannical rule places and laugh when I see them with empty spots because of their greed… Besides, many people with their new luxury high-priced RVs miss out on the real camping experience, and that is another reason why boondocking is a better choice.”
COVID changed everything
Wayne J. laments the way COVID has changed the RVing experience. He writes, “30 years ago, we started camping with a tent and boat, moved up to a 19-foot TT, then to a 22-foot TT with slide, and are currently in a 26-foot TT with two slides. We were able to travel more extensively all over the U.S. and Eastern Canada as a result. It’s been great up until COVID, which changed really everything.
“Seems lodging, vehicles, campers, food, etc. are all expensive. Campgrounds are now full, some rude and loud guests, lights and music common, etc. If we were just starting to camp, we wouldn’t do it long as this type of atmosphere is what we are attempting to escape.”
Not “camping tourists”
Tony D. has a few pet peeves including major price increases but has found a way around that. He writes, “While we haven’t encountered problems finding space, we have experienced substantial price increases. Also, we do not park near the most popular attractions. We tend toward working as volunteers for mostly federal venues—NPS, USFS, USFWS, USCOE—and we tend to stay four to six months. That way we can see whatever sites are around and develop often lasting relationships not to mention serve a purpose beyond simply being camping tourists.
“Our pet peeve lies with the grievously shoddy quality of RVs and tow vehicles combined with the high cost of insurance and maintenance. ‘Private equity’ is also an irritation. We avoid parks that are owned/operated by hedge funds and private equity. Too many ‘slight-of-hand’ pricing schemes and low-quality services.”
Photo of RV easily resolved 10-year rule issue
Diane M’s. older RV was easily approved for the first time at 21 years. She writes, “Just booked a place in Florida for the second time in two years. It is a high-end resort (they actually had a great deal in wintertime) and they have a 10-year rule. First time I had to send pics of our 21-year-old Class A. Got a reply back in minutes with an ‘OK’. This time I mentioned I was previously approved and no pictures were required of the now 23-year-old. Only stayed at one or two others with age restrictions in the past. Never been an issue.”
Designed for disability
Connie B. sent us a photo of their truck camper. She writes, “I manage campgrounds and there are good and bad things. We have a home-built camper that was designed inside because of my disability. I love it.”
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: RVers on hanging up the keys: ‘It’s just not worth it anymore’
##RVT1190b
The cost of everything has increased like there was no tomorrow. We can complain all we want but to what end. Will they decrease? We compare today with 10, 20, 30 years ago and of course things have changed. ATM’s, cell phones, Bitcoin, digital pay, AI, and glamping with relics like landlines, typewriters, K-Mart/Sears/Woolworth/Toys-R-US. With the average price of hotels/motels of $160/night, are you really saving? When you stay at a hotel and won’t use the pool, can you and will you get a discount? Folks, if you want to RV, RV.
Just think, in 10 years it will be even more expensive! So the time to travel is now! 😄
You’re spot on Gil.
In the “good old days”, it required a book of campgrounds, a pocket full of quarters, the Yellow Pages and a phone booth to complain about how one couldn’t afford their lifestyle.
Today, it can all be done on the internet.
We are all blessed to have the opportunity to RV. If anyone thinks RV’ing is a burden, they’ve lived a charmed and entitled life.
I am grateful to own something so wonderful and will simply drive past the places I cannot afford instead of insulting their owners by calling them greedy.
We enjoy RVing so much that we own two. A 26 ft travel trailer for our month long trips out west, and a Class B that we use to visit our children. The van is easy to park on the street, or overnight in a travel plaza or Cracker Barrel. As for the travel trailer, we have never had a problem finding a campground, even close to national parks and other attractions. We have intentionally kept our rig small and simple. Big rigs, big problems, big costs. A smaller rig also opens up the possibilities for where you can park. Our smaller trailer doesn’t require a big diesel truck. We tow with a gas powered F250 and get almost 10mpg. Any repairs or upgrades on the trailer I have done myself.
Thank you, Nanci! Working on the itinerary for a trip to Alaska this (2025) summer. $70/night in the Baycrest KOA overlooking Homer. We prefer this over the spit. The KOA already was about half reserved if I can infer correctly from the available number of sites within each category there. Happy new year and safe travels!
You’ll love that CG! We stayed there about 9 years ago in a site that backed up to overlook the bay and spit. We also watched two bald eagles fly around to and from a nearby nest.
Thank you for the assurance, Warren G! Hopefully we get a good view of Kachemak Bay. The campground website says some sites have a full view of it. DW loves watching nesting eagles; thank you! Happy new year! 🙂
I have been Full Timing in my Class A motorhome for 6 years now. I just ran last years camping costs and it was $7.50/Night. I use every camping membership out there. I stayed in some really nice resorts, and some really crappy ones.
Many campgrounds are going to demand pricing, so the cost should be low when demand is low. But, for the “Mom and Pop” businesses that can’t afford (or don’t want) a sophisticated reservation and accounting system, they still have to cover their basic costs in the offseason. Insurance, taxes, and the mortgage don’t decrease in the offseason. The labor and energy costs may go down, but there are fewer sites rented to cover them. So, rather than indulging in greed in the offseason they may be barely covering their costs, and making less than they could during the high season.
In the not too distant past, camp ground owners were complaining about rv’rs staying at Walmart and Cracker Barrel, etc. not patronizing the camp grounds, well…. We all might have to return to the old days, if it were possible!
I totally concur with what Bill, below, said. I get really tired of the “greed” comments as the answer to everything Rv! Yes things associated with Rv’s are expensive – however, cheap compared to owning/operating an airplane! Think boating and golf are inexpensive? People go into business with the prospect of making a living and a “profit” (nasty word to some!) so the business can stay current and perhaps expand. Manufactures or retailers also have warranties to cover and in the case of dealers – floor plan interest rates as the units they have on the lot have to paid for to the manufacturers. “Greed” as a motivation? I think not very often! See Bill’s comments!
Since I am a bit picky about my spaces, yes, they are hard to get, plus I’m wanting trails to walk with my dog child. I only camp mid-week. They are too crowded and noisy in summer. Many campgrounds I like are closed all winter. I don’t boondock because it isn’t safe. Pet peeves are barking dogs, dogs running loose, screaming kids, loud adults and any of them traipsing through my space. I like national forest CGs, no hookups. Most memorable are where I find wildlife to photograph. Sometimes it surprises me how many camp in tents. The Northwest is crowded.