Most campers trying to squeeze into too few campgrounds

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 of their observations. These do not necessarily represent the views of RVtravel.com.

Feel free to comment at the end of these reader’s thoughts where you see the BLUE symbol: 

Bad odds!

Ricky C. camps outside the main attractions and always gets a site. He wrote, “75% of RVers are all trying to get into 30% of the available campgrounds. Want to go to Yellowstone NP? Just stay 20-30 miles outside the park and you can get good campsites (public or private) on either short notice or drive-up. We have traveled that way for nine years now. We have never made a reservation more than five days in advance. We also don’t boondock.”What do you think?

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Beauty, space and cost favor state parks

Mary S. has discovered the allure of state parks. She writes, “We’ve discovered state parks these past few years and now hesitate to stay in private parks anymore. The price, space between campsites, how beautiful the parks are, and the quiet (especially during weekdays) are big reasons why we choose to stay in them.” Your thoughts?

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Vacation off-season, even if the visitor center is closed

Dan N. vacations off-season and writes, “My wife and I typically vacation/RV in the off-season. Sure, some attractions are not open yet, but there are fewer people. Six years ago we visited a national park on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state. The visitor center was closed, but there were only four other cars in the huge parking lot.” Your thoughts?

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What isn’t different from 30 years ago?

Tommy F. said RVing/camping is different from 30 years ago. He wrote, “Is camping/RVing different than when we started 30 years ago? Sure it is, but what isn’t? We actually have to plan more now but we still can always find a campground. Are we saving money? Probably not, but we’re still having fun!” Your thoughts?

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There are responsible dog owners!

With all the negative comments about dogs, Susan R. reminds us that there are responsible dog owners. She wrote, “I see comments every week about dogs and irresponsible dog owners. But guess what? There are responsible dog owners out there. I currently do not have any pets, but I have owned both cats and dogs.

“We just spent a week with six other couples who all had dogs. Two couples had three dogs each. There was a total of 11 dogs of all different sizes and breeds. Every time the dogs relieved themselves, their owner picked it up immediately. All of the dogs were well-trained and got along with each other and all the humans. If a dog started to bark or misbehave in any way, the owner immediately addressed the situation. The owners were always looking after their dogs.

“It was nice to have that many dogs in camp because if anyone wanted a dog in their lap at the campfire, there were enough to go around, LOL. Dogs can be wonderful at a campsite, it just depends on how well their owner has trained them and how well they look after them. I was a little apprehensive when I saw that many dogs because of numerous past bad experiences with dogs at a campsite, but these dogs added a little extra joy to our trip and it’s because they all have responsible owners.” Your thoughts?

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Don’t like ill-mannered dogs and owners? Try this!

Jim J. wrote that if there is a concern about ill-mannered dogs and owners, try this: “Don’t like campers that don’t pick up after their dogs? Have another look at RV parks that encourage long-term stays—especially if they are 55+ oriented parks. Many may have unadvertised temporarily vacant sites they will let out for a week or less—even to younger guests. It may not be the cheapest place to stay, but you will have FHU and 55+ parks tend to have a stable, quiet population that maintain their rigs, their sites and pick up after their dogs. And trust me, the long-term guests will be watching and the owners will blacklist any short-stay RVer with a dog who didn’t either maintain control or pick up after their pet.” Your thoughts?

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Nashville campground recommendation

Neal D. has a recommendation for this campground. He writes, “Planned a trip to Nashville and made reservations at Two Rivers Campground just off Briley Parkway (a major Nashville road on the east side of town). The campground seemed to have a few long-term RVs but also had numerous open sites (~1/3 of all sites). We traveled from Chattanooga and the route there and back was easily navigated by our 36′ DP towing (56′ total length). The campground has pull-through sites, but we opted for a back-in. Full-timing friends passed through, requested an adjacent site, and received it, which made our stay all the more enjoyable. Seems most (all?) sites have full utilities plus cable TV hookup.” Your thoughts?

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Prices are shocking!

Audrey R. wrote about then and now. “We got back into camping in 2006 when we retired. We traveled all over the place! The only places we ever made a reservation were Yellowstone and Denali National Park. Everywhere we went we would just show up and there would always be a site. We didn’t do ‘resorts’—they’re not our style. Since COVID, all that has changed. We still don’t make long-term reservations (too many pitfalls), but always call the day before or early in the day of our destination. Any popular place has to be booked months in advance. Many times we have to try a couple of places before we get a site. We take what they can give us, but prices are shocking. $75 for a concrete pad no wider than our vehicle?” Your thoughts?

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Figure out your own priorities and make it work

Christine B. and her husband manage their limited income to still camp seasonally. She wrote, “We travel basically April to November. We have not had any problems finding a spot for our 24’ Class C and Jeep. My husband works very hard to find us a suitable campground that our very limited income can afford. We want a decent shower and bathroom. Laundry once a week or so. Other than that, we generally don’t use any other amenities even if they are available. He uses Passport America for as much of a discount as we can get. We wish it didn’t vary so much (one night or maybe five weeknights). We tend to stay 50-75 miles away from major parks or attractions. The cost of gas in the Jeep puts us ahead of staying closer. We’re always up early anyway, so we get an early start.

“Mainly you have to figure out your own priorities and do what works for you. We only boondock for a one-nighter. We’re just not comfortable leaving our home totally unprotected while we go sightseeing.” Your thoughts?

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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 share tricks to avoid crowded camping locations

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