RVers report good, bad and ugly about their campground experiences

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.

See something? Say something!

Susan L. writes about the positive results of speaking up. “I was staying at a KOA in Michigan. Early one morning I saw the daytime manager outside with her dog, and the dog did its business and she didn’t pick it up. So that morning when I went into the office, I confronted her about it. I asked, ‘How do you expect the customers of this RV park to follow the rules if management doesn’t?’ I told her what I saw, and I said, ‘Shame on you, because you are to set an example for everyone here.’ During my stay there she did start picking up after her dog.”

RV park stepped up when his mother died

Ernest D. wrote about an RV park that had compassion when his mother passed. “Best experience was in 2004. I was driving from Alamo, TX, to Fairbanks, AK, to be camp hosts via the West Coast to Alcan. We got to Fairbanks and found my mom had died (93). Riverview RV Park watched our RV, and had put flowers and a card inside when we got back. They didn’t charge us for a two-week stay as we waited for our park to open.

“Now, we have a 25′ Class C. Parks put us in the tightest spots, etc. I believe most FL parks (live here) during winter are filled with non-RVers, just folks using an RV to stay in. Different mindset.”

Finding interesting places close to home

Brian H. likes being able to go RVing with very little planning. He wrote, “What we like best about RVing is the versatility. We can take off for a spontaneous weekend of boondocking with very little planning. We’re now finding all kinds of interesting places close to home for weekend getaways. Really, who knew?

“Or, we can go on multi-week vacations combining boondocking, campgrounds, and our favorite outdoor activities in areas that are completely new to us. Our horizons just continue to expand. Plus, we’re in our own rolling ‘apartment’ that’s set up exactly the way we want it. Sweet!”

Likes sharing lasting memories

Gil F. responded to some questions from the end of this column. He wrote:

• Finding CGs booked or not a problem? Depends on locale and time of season.
• What do you like about RVing? Sharing lasting memories with family and friends.
• Campground pet peeves? American Idol and The Voice contestant rehearsing past quiet hours.
• Rising costs? Not yet, lol!
• Favorite CG? San Clemente State Beach, CA.
• Most memorable experience RVing? Visiting and seeing the Grand Canyon.
• Tips? Reading your column. Great job, Nanci!

Pet peeves

Michael J. also wrote some answers to the column questions below. “Pet peeves: Noisy neighbors, music, dogs barking, TV  blasting. Most folks camp to get away from all the noisy hustle and bustle of life. We want peace and quiet and to enjoy nature. To me, that’s what camping is all about.

“Another irritation is unkempt or dirty bath houses. State parks are great for space between sites but almost always have falling apart or dirty bathrooms. Private parks have no space between sites but great bathrooms and usually full hookups.

“What I like best is being in nature, cooking, relaxing, and enjoying a beverage by the fire.”

Campers booking years ahead

Linda D. never got a campsite near their home last year. She wrote, “In 2024, we tried to book a campsite for our RV in an area where there are many to choose from. We never got one because of campers booking them years ahead, whether they use them or not. We were told lots of local people keep them for convenience.

“Closeness of sites is a disappointment in many campgrounds. If I want to relax with strangers five feet away, I will stay home. Many seniors aren’t looking for playgrounds, pools, and recreation halls. We stayed at a campground in Tremonton, Utah, that was perfect for travelers and is a great model for others. I guess we see campgrounds as lodging, not a vacation destination.”

What criteria to drive an RV?

Robert S. asks what the criteria should be to drive an RV and suggests we publish an article about it. He writes, “What tools exist to reliably evaluate a driver’s reaction time and situational awareness? With several states having a generous RV exception to Commercial Driver Licensing, many of our peers do not need a medical examination to drive a long and heavy vehicle combination.

“Age alone is not a useful criterion. I have met spry 90-year-olds who could pass for 60, and 60-year-olds who should be in a care facility.

“What are useful criteria for being safe to drive an RV? And when driving any vehicle becomes problematic? An annual article on driver qualification could save lives, as many of your readers have several decades of experience driving an RV.”

Only tourist areas are busy

Gary B. writes about finding RV sites. “We have gone cross-country in our Class A several times, most recently in 2023. The only times it was hard to find campsites were in tourist spots. Away from them, no problem.”

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 voice their concerns about camping, crowding and concerns

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