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.
Maybe someday it will get better…
Diane B. remembers the good ol’ days and writes, “We find it very hard to camp without reservations at least weeks or months in advance. We live in south central PA. We like state parks. They’re cheaper and usually better maintained. Used to go camping without reservations. Maybe someday it will get better, or they’ll build more campgrounds. We plan to travel out West in June for four weeks; hopefully we can find campsites.”
RVs have multiple purposes
Jim J. writes to us about their process of becoming RVers. “What do we like best about RVing? Shortly before we fully retired we decided to become snowbirds (winter Texans in local parlance). Our daughter and her family live/work here, and we avoid the deep snows of the upper Midwest. But we did not want to deal with the opposite, the summer heat, either.
“I did not want to buy real property. Full-time rentals are quite pricey and seasonal rentals meant we would be towing a trailer with our clothes, kitchenware, linens, and other needed furnishings back and forth—or paying for a storage unit, which still entailed moving it.”
“We opted to place our large-ish travel trailer on an RV park site year-round as the best compromise. We could leave our ‘stuff’ in the trailer without a separate storage charge and come and go as we wished. When this phase of life passes, we could sell or give away most of the stuff, turn the trailer over to a consignment seller on our schedule, and drive away. Simple.
“What we did not expect is the far richer social life and friendships (several close) we have developed living in an RV park. Multiple people of like attitudes (even if not always like political persuasion—but we get along with mutual respect), interests, and schedules. Our home is in a very nice small town but we have fewer close social connections.
“Is it just a retirement community of old dotards? Heck no. Several of us have second, smaller, more adventure-ready rigs. We travel separately and together across the SW during the winter. And have met up during the summer across the north. Sometimes we are camping, and other times we have rolling hotel rooms. RVing can and does have multiple purposes.”
Would you ever consider a permanent RV site?Insulted Canadians canceling reservations
Leonard R. is canceling his winter reservations and wrote why. “Sadly, I think that the overcrowding issue next winter will be less, due to many Canadians such as myself cancelling our winter reservations.
“We were planning a 4-5 month stay in Palm Springs, but let the RV park know we would not spend our money in a country whose leader treated us with such disdain.
“We will go to Asia or South America, where we are more welcome. Too bad, as EVERY American I meet is so pleasant and nice to us.”
Editors note: Including this comment was not to start political discourse or discord but to include our Canadian RVing friends’ feelings.
Traveling in their 70s
James L. writes to us about continuing to camp in their 70s and always finding a site. “We have a small travel trailer, 6’ x 8’ with some standing headroom. It’s one step up from a tent. We are self-contained with a chem toilet, fridge, microwave, as well as a portable shower setup. When we travel, we can use any size campsite and often are in tent sites, so we haven’t had any trouble finding sites. We never stay at what would be considered a ‘resort’, even ones with no amenities. We are in our 70s and still tent camp from time to time and will be leaving for a two-month trip cross-country in a few weeks. This trip will be a mixed bag of hotels, visiting family, and tent camping. We will continue traveling any way we can as long as we can.”
Trips cut back because of cost
Gus F. has had to cut back and writes, “Our camping trips have been cut back due to the costs. Camping fees have gone through the roof. Over $100 a night and no full hookups. Price of fuel, obnoxious people, etc.”
Encouraging words to Billie G.
Sharon H. writes to Billie G., who last week wrote about being homeless and having to live in an RV. She wrote, “Billie G., as long as you have a roof over your head you are not ‘homeless’ and other campers don’t have to know this unless you choose to tell them. Just blend in; you’re fine.”
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: ‘I’m homeless, living in my RV because I can’t afford rent anywhere else’
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I think Leonard from Canada can stay in Asia or wherever he chooses to “holiday”. Perhaps it has more to do with the Canadian dollar exchange rate against the U.S. dollar than anything being proposed by Washington. If he has a beef, maybe he should be directing it towards Ottawa. Thanks, Leonard, you have left a space open for an American to occupy.
Thank you for your opinion, it is appreciated.
My “beef” will be directed in our next federal election later this year, and it has zero to do with our dollar.
Leonard, I’m sorry you feel that way.
Our government agencies and assets are funded by taxes. When companies outsource goods to reduce their tax burden, the taxpayer makes up the difference either by paying more in either taxes or tariffs. Whilst we are actively trying to reduce the expense of government, we can’t dig our way out of a hole.
It’s okay to disagree with how we’re trying to reduce our trillions of debt but be mindful of your judgement. Canada is facing a debt crisis that they’ll need to confront. I won’t boycott your efforts toward recovery, good neighbors don’t do that.
Well said, however our Prime Minister does not call your President a “Premier” of the “great new 11th province” of Canada. Heads of state must always show professionalism and decorum when dealing with other nation states.
Hard negotiating between countries is perfectly acceptable and needed, threatening to annex our sovereign nation, (and others) is not. This is not a negotiating tactic, this is a bully tactic that throughout history has never ended well.
Comments are dependent on one’s frame of mind.
When I called our neighbor’s kid “my second daughter”, I wasn’t vying to adopt her or suggesting her mother and I rolled in the hay. In hindsight, I suppose one could accuse my statement as looking for credit for raising her but to most folks, it was just a term of endearment between my family and our neighbor.
If Trudeau called us his 11th Province, I’d giggle at the thought and acknowledge probably having a different set of chores and having to get better at hockey. I hope you can find humor in your heart and laugh at the thought. A sour heart can sour one’s head.
Safe travels my northern neighbor 🙂
Good day Leonard. I guess I have to echo what Vince noted below. However, I will also tell you my late wife of 58 yrs. was born and raised in Winnipeg – so I have many relatives by marriage who are Canadians and I believe mostly agree with you on the fall ’25 election outlook. We voted to reform our 37 TRILLION dollar deficit. While I don’t agree with our President’s choice of words, I believe I understand the ease of taking them out of context. He is the master of the “art of the deal” and a lot of what he says is part of long term negotiating positioning. (It also keeps his name at the top of the newspapers!) Please don’t rush to judgment.
… We have major problems with immigration and spending which is also a problem in Canada to say nothing of the world situation facing both of our great, and free countries. Thank you for your comments and concerns.
Hello,
I was also born in Winnipeg, now living just outside of Toronto.
Your President IMHO is not a master of “the art of the deal”. How should I take his exact words of annexing Canada, taking over Greenland, Panama and The Gaza Strip?
I thoroughly enjoy this newsletter, but have made my last post on anything political. Thank-you all for your diverse views!
How about that 4 Nations hockey final!
Been there…done that. Until greed forced us away from full timing and parking long term in an RV park.
My point is made…🤣
I would agree that cost has a major impact on RV travels There is way too much greed anymore.
🤣…I must say, J B, you are quite greedy with the word greed!
Thank you, Jim J., for an insightful and useful post! It definitely rose above the other Negative Nellies and Debbie Downers! 😃
Thank you for the compilation, Nanci! Have a great week and safe travels!
I have mine set up on a permanent site at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. Fantastic place with lake access and docks. The lot rent is $215 a month. Less than most people pay for storage.
I love this idea! Thank you for sharing. It gives me something to think about.