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.
Never a full campground!
Gary B. sends us encouraging news and writes: “Before and after the pandemic we have gone cross country three times in our Type A diesel RV and never found a campground full, nor Elks lodge or fairground that proved RV camping to be full. Even Cherry Hill outside Washington, D.C., had spaces, but that was the only high tourist spot we stopped at. There was one exception. We used an RV tour company to attend the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. Before it was our time to join the Fantasy tour, we stayed at the Elks for $25 nightly, but that rate doubled the day that the festival started.”
Dogs are not the problem, the owners are!
Paula P. sends us this about her feelings on dogs: “I like well-behaved dogs. I do NOT like dogs that jump up on my legs or slobber on my jeans. Dogs are not the problem—their owners are!”
It won’t be long until I hang up the keys
Robert W. writes to us about camping just not being fun anymore. “Camping just isn’t as much fun as it used to be. With the current reservation system, inflated prices, and horrible crowding, it won’t be long until I hang up the keys.”
Rising costs
John S. comments on rising costs. He writes, “Risings cost of campgrounds is a big factor, especially when you are running on a retirement income.”
Rates should be cheaper in the winter
John C. has noticed the skyrocketing prices. He wrote, “Campground prices have skyrocketed. Rates should be cheaper in the winter since most things are shut down in the winter months. I love RVing, but with the cost of campgrounds, fuel, insurance, and maintenance, I’m not sure it’s worth it anymore. Greed has ruined camping for most people.”
Do you agree?National park reservations still hard to score
Steven S. is planning a long trip and reserves sites early. He writes, “We are in the process of planning a 5-month trip cross-country and are making reservations for our stays in April and May. Even at this point, some of the national parks are hard to book, but otherwise not a problem. I wouldn’t try this without reservations.”
State parks with full hookups!
Stacy S. is now full-time and finds some state parks have full hookups. She writes, “We were weekend campers until Aug 2024, then we went full-time. We like to stay at state parks and usually have no problem getting reservations. Many of the state parks now have FHU, which is nice. We like the mom-and-pop parks. We don’t need all the ‘resort’ stuff.”
Don’t complain about amenities you don’t use!
Rick S. suggests that people don’t complain about their own choices! He wrote, “I am convinced that all you print is the gloom and doom comments from people who probably complain when the sun comes up. Like the one about KOAs. We frequent KOAs across the country and have thoroughly enjoyed each one. If you don’t use the amenities, that is your choice, but then don’t complain about not using them and the cost associated.”
Rarely make reservations
Susan P. doesn’t want to lose reservation money because of unforeseen issues. She wrote, “We workcamp in the winter in Arizona but travel during the summer months. Rarely do we make reservations more than a day or two in advance. When we did, we ended up having to cancel all three and lost money because of truck issues. We stay flexible and stay at various facilities from boondocking to resorts.”
$35 for a week of sites!
Fritz F. is on to thrifty camping. He wrote, “We use Boondockers Welcome almost exclusively. Our last week-long, 1,400-mile trip cost a total of $35 in host donations. You do have to plan at least a day in advance.”
Homeless moving into campgrounds
Bill C. writes to us about a trend he is seeing in campgrounds: “Have found no issues finding a spot to camp in the Northeast or the Canadian Atlantic Provinces, but what I have found is the number of homeless that have moved into campgrounds and taken over the restroom, washer, and dryer facility, and in some cases, the dishwashing sinks. They leave their towels and personal accessories in bathrooms, clothes in the washer and dryer, and dishes and silverware in the sinks and drying counters. I think campground owners are going to have to deal with this sooner than later.”
What do you think about this?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: Most campers trying to squeeze into too few campgrounds
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No. Think of more than yourself. If your insurance, maintenance, fuel, etc are up so are the campgrounds. Greed may be correct in some cases but not most.
My experience has been corporate campgrounds most likely to have higher fees than privately owned in similar locations with similar services. Usually State, county or city parks and fairgrounds are the best deals of all in our opinion.
I’d just like to see more USFS campgrounds open through the “shoulder seasons”
“Greed” seems a first approximation for prices higher than expected or desired. Ultimately, the underlying reason is far more complicated. However, attempts to reach the point of learning the real reason is often abandoned before learning much, if it is undertaken at all. Far more easy to just label, decry, and move on.
Well Neal, why don’t you educate us?
Certainly, Idie, but you’ll have to look to yourself for that. Safe travels!
While this comment was not terribly helpful, it’s true that greed is not the only issue. I’d say it’s supply vs. demand. More people camping the last 7 years (plus more people displaced from homes moving into RV parks full-time) but no significant increase in building RV parks. So, more people competing for limited space. Building new campgrounds/RV parks is difficult (zoning/permitting, NIMBY neighbors req’s to upgrade infrastructure. So demand exceeds supply, and prices go up. Econ 101.
Thank you, Nanci, for this week’s compilation! Thankfully, we have not found a lot of problems in our attempts to travel. We typically have found work-arounds when we do. We do have the “luxury” of always being able to work around the farm when a trip doesn’t happen. So, we either rest from the work by traveling, or we get more done because we did not. 🙂 Have a great day and safe travels!
Yes
Agree. We used to own a small campground (68 sites). There was apparently a homeless guy living in the woods behind our park (over 200 acres back there owned by a hunter.) We found out that our bleeding heart full timers gave him the restroom code and he was using all of our facilities every day – coming out of the woods to freshen up.
Don’t stay in campgrounds but can tell you homeless have taken over BLM land ( and stay permanently) and leave disgusting amounts of trash behind. Huge problem in SW deserts of AZ/ CA. ZERO enforcement of this HUGE problem and stay well beyond the normal 14 day limit. Why?? Because no one cares and if the orange clown has his way all forest service/BLM/Park service will be axed and the environment will take that brute force slam. Thanks Donnie!!
Yet the problem existed more than the three weeks POTUS has been in office, Your hatred is misdirected; Democrats have been in charge for 12 of the last 16 years; the clown circus left town on Jan. 20. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. It’s quite clear where you stand, Jay.
I agree! The campgrounds are gouging people! Prices are as much as renting a home. We already have our homes, just renting a piece of ground & paying our electric. Most of us are living on social security & have limited funds. No doubt, GREED!!
CORPORATE GREED
It’s funny how it’s somehow not greedy to expect lower prices because he thinks they should be lower.
I would suggest an increasing rate after a set time or allowing someone in only if they have been vetted somehow. Charging the money up front and for a set time with a notice of a continually increasing rate for extended stay would force people to move on or pay more money. This is sad but these facilities were never meant for permanent use. Plus they form a constant use cost in terms of water, power, facility amenities wear, and sewage system use. I see some OLD sites when boondocking too.