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.
Harder to find what we can afford
Allen M. has comments about a number of things affecting RVers. He writes, “Campgrounds are harder to find and more than we can afford. We love dogs but hate the owners that don’t train, stop them from barking all the time, or pick up after them.
“State and federal campgrounds are the best but tend to have more slobs and inconsiderate campers. We would love to boondock more if we could find areas that had easy access to dump stations. Not traveling 50-100 miles to dump our tote.
“RV tips should be better explained, i.e., when talking about sealants mention the brands or types that should be used.”
“I am homeless”
Billie G. writes from firsthand experience of being homeless and asks others to understand. “What a lot of people who do RV parks for vacations don’t understand is that costs are so high that some homeless people have to live in RV parks because they can’t afford rent prices anywhere else. I myself am homeless, living out of my RV because my disability doesn’t pay for rent, utilities, and food. I can’t get any assistance from the state or county and am in too good of health to get into a nursing home.”
All he wants is a level site with hookups
Gary B. doesn’t need a resort and writes, “All that I want is a level site with full hookups or at least power and water with a dump station. This as either a way-point while passing through or base camp to explore. I do not want a ‘resort’ campground as we will have no use for any of it.”
Reader asks us to not confuse campgrounds with RV parks
Gary L. has once again asked us to not call RV parks “campgrounds.” “Hate to be a broken record… but please at least make an effort to differentiate campgrounds and RV parks. RV parks are not campgrounds. You did a survey and your readers agree. So please respect your readers’ views. Thank you!”
Editors note: Hi, Gary. Yes, I have heard you! As long as readers continue to use the term interchangeably I will honor their comments. I, for one, have an RV and go camping in state park campgrounds.
What do you think? Are campgrounds and RV parks the same or different? Do you use the terms interchangeably?They haven’t stayed in a private campground in years
Randy G. has been camping for more than 50 years. He writes, “I’ve been camping for over 50 years. We avoid holidays, weekends, and June and July. For short trips, we prefer to go from the middle of August to fall and spring. We mostly come in on a Sunday and leave on a Thursday or Friday. That way we avoid the crowds and have an easier time getting a reservation. We also prefer state and federal campgrounds as they are less expensive and more to our liking. They usually have more room between sites and the scenery is nicer. We haven’t stayed at a private campground in years. We don’t need a swimming pool, a band, or other activities, and we don’t want to pay $80 or more a night.”
Rig age limits seem arbitrary
John H. finds RV rig age limits arbitrary and writes, “I just had the privilege of receiving a triple bypass at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces; staff and treatment were superb.
The problem was the RV parks. Rig age limits are completely unpublished and arbitrary (‘But it’s so old!’). While rig condition is fine and qualifies for their published ‘ambiance’ requirements, prices are preposterous at double and more of somewhat nearby RV parks (none were resorts), and all are chockfull of long-term worker units. We’ve been welcome at Truth or Consequences and Deming, New Mexico, for months at a time for several years; Las Cruces will remain a place to just pass through.”
Staff paid the same to manage an empty park as a full one
Judy S. remarks about empty, booked sites. “My observation at state parks was that the staff was paid the same to manage a nearly empty park and had no incentive to change the reservation system which showed it as fully booked. Imagine owning a hotel or restaurant where every room or meal is fully paid for but no one actually shows up. Strange.”
Less adventure, more frustration
Carolyn T. is now leaving their RV year-round at a site. She writes, “We RVed with a 42 ft. 5th wheel for five years. Started out as an adventure to locate sites along a meandering route to the south for the cold weather months. Stayed a lot at private campgrounds because we are fortunate to have a good cash flow.
“But the last couple of years have been less adventure and more frustration. Resorts want 3-month minimums in Florida or can’t guarantee a site. Our rig is too big to just wander around looking for a place. Opted to sign a rental contract with one centrally located resort and leave the rig there year-round. Take day trips with just the car. Not the fun I had with being more of a vagabond, but less worrying.”
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 ‘hanging up the keys.’ Plus, are the homeless taking over campgrounds?
More articles you might like
- The 7 red flags of potential bad RV neighbors
- Campground worker explains the 10-year rule and why campgrounds enforce it
- RVers saying goodbye to RVing; ‘Who wants to spend $100 a night to stay at crowded park?’
- Reserved but empty campsites: The campground’s side of the story
- RVer says ‘the kind of folks camping has really gone downhill’
- Why I canceled my Thousand Trails membership after just using it once
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In some aspects I believe RV Parks and campgrounds are different. Yes, I’m guilty of using the terms interchangeably. A better phrase would be “RV Resorts and campgrounds are different.”
I believe the difference (as others have pointed out) is that a “Campground” is for tents, pop ups, TT and motor homes. An RV Park or RV Resort is as the name implies typically for motor homes and TT’s. If you are traveling in an RV are you camping? That depends on whether your subjective view is that you are traveling to or briefly staying at a place that is not your primary home. IMHO?
I’ve had to laugh for years when RV’ers say they are going camping. Hahahaha. Camping to me is pitching a tent, cooking on the campfire, cuddling up in that sleeping bag to ward off the chilly nights, quickly zipping the tent door to prevent mosquitos from entering the tent. Camping is never hauling tons and tons of metal, plastic, electronic gear, furniture, washer/dryer, tv, tires, lamps, slides, toilet, shower, beds, kitchen sink, stove, refrigerator, air conditioners, then living in that. That ain’t camping. Never has been, never will be.
Okay, just on the flip side, we have a TT. On my calendar, I always have “camping” written. When someone rents a stationary Airstream for example, is it camping or RVing and does it really even matter? With the exception of slides and washer/dryer, take a look at all the camping gear they have today with all the comforts of your home. RVers are saying camping, and you say otherwise. Maybe they’re laughing too!
Billie G should move to a state that has low income housing and charges rent according to income. PA does it. He may even be able to qualify for food stamps and medical assistance. In my mind Campgrounds and RV parks are different. In a campground you’re camping with nature and campsites have more room between sites. RV parks campsites close together and have other recreational facilities.
Plus, paying a daily or monthly rate at a campground or RV park is not inexpensive. It can cost $500-$1200 a month, plus utilities. Another $150 to $300.
Most states have subsidized housing.
Relax Gary, Even RV Resorts are usually far from a resort, but it’s just a common name. Remember that Kleenex is a brand name, not a tissue.
Re: Allen M.
Wow! Stop complaining about everything! If you won a million dollars on a lottery, it sounds like you would complain that it wasn’t more. Sheesh, would you rather be in Ukraine or Syria?
I too sometimes slip. IMO, campgrounds often do admit RVs, but also tenters. RV parks often do not admit tenters. RVing purposes include but are not restricted to camping.
John H. needs to try Sunny Acres RV Park in Las Cruces if he is 50+. They have permanent, older RVs and quite a few mobile workers. We stayed next door to a new 40′ 5th wheel toy hauler belonging to two traveling nurses one winter. Another winter we were next door to a single-woman Army recruiter with an older 27′ travel trailer. It has both tree-shaded, back-in sites and sunny, pull-thru sites. They also have an RV storage lot where someone with a long-term hospital stay or need to travel without an RV could park at a reduced fee over staying in an RV space. And we have never had a problem getting a last-minute, short-term site when on our way to Tucson or Phoenix in mid-winter.
They are different… most of the time. I have seen a “so-called RV Resort” that was only a resort by name (too long of a story to go into now).
am guilty of using them interchangeably even though we prefer state, county, city or COE campgrounds.l
I just booked a trip in western Oregon and Washington in May ranging from the mountains to the coastal beaches. Seven phone calls yielded six reservations and prices ranged from $48 to $85. Looking through my logbook, this is roughly twice what I paid eight years ago. I’m not complaining…This is what we signed up for and we truly enjoy the experience. Safe Travels.
The entire RV business is fast turning into a cliche for the elite and well off. Many of us little people that lined the pockets of private RV park owners for years are not going to fill the coffers of the greedy corporations that have gobbled up these RV parks. It was fun while it lasted.
They are same, for all practical purposes, with each other. Not sure I understand the need for reading or understanding the English language just to go camping at an Rv Park…. err campground!!
No. Although the line gets blurred in some cases, in general RV Parks and campgrounds are two different things. I have a small trailer, and usually stay in campgrounds, On a long trip I may stay in an RV park one night a week to recharge stuff,
For John H – I agree, age limits should not be there. If a rig comes in that looks substandard, the owner should just confront the person then and either refuse or only let them stay that one night, they need to find another place the next day. Of course, include that on the site (or phone call), when booking. But as to your time in the hospital, you shoulda just parked in the hospital lot. With what you/Ins have to pay, they can deal with your vehicle being parked there, just as if you came in a car.
RV parks and campgrounds are two very different things. In whose interest is it to think of them the same? People jumping into a swimming pool after a round of shuffle board and want to be called “campers”?
rv parks and campgrounds ARE different. I do not use the interchangeably. Campgrounds to me are the state parks/ national parks and are not paved side by side parking
Thank you for another weekly compilation, Nanci! Wherever we stay, we are “RVing,” or “traveling,” never camping. As to the term(s) I use, purely turns on the name of the place. Have a great week and safe travels!
No excuse to misinformation. Bottom Line – state parks are NOT RV Parks. Some may have a dump station. Most do NOT. Most have ZERO hook ups. If any park has full hook ups, fine.
HOW ABOUT THIS. DEFINE YOUR TERMS RIGHT UP FRONT. A CAMPGROUND WITH FULL HOOK UPS COULD BE CALLED AN RV ACCOMMODATING CAMPGROUND. WITHOUT HOOK UPS, A PLAIN CAMPGRIUND. THIS IS E A S Y.