Maybe campgrounds aren’t ‘crowded’; maybe RVs have just gotten too big!

Campgrounds are changing and evolving, some for the better and some for the worse. RVtravel.com readers discuss their experiences and offer tips to help other campers find that perfect spot.

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

It seems the campground crowding of the pandemic era has lessened. While state and county parks close to cities or national parks may still be swamped, our readers are finding a clear path to camping overnight and for extended stays.

I am so hoping this is the case, as our trip to Minnesota has been delayed by well over a month. I did make reservations at least six months ago for the hot spots near Minneapolis/St. Paul, but we have nothing booked for the route up. I did renew our Harvest Host membership after we got lithium batteries, so there is that option if they aren’t already booked. We are delayed due to a number of issues, most recently purchasing an old fixer-upper house on five acres of hilly mountain desert. More about that adventure later.

Here are a few emails from our readers:

Essentially empty campgrounds

Neal D. is on a monumental journey to Alaska and writes, “29 days into a long RV trip, going from Tennessee to Alaska, and we had to go with our second-choice campground for the first time today. We did boondock in a roadside turnout for two nights, but in the hope of seeing more wildlife. We have seen essentially empty campgrounds (e.g., alone in a 43-site campground) and been in crowded campgrounds (e.g., 2 open sites in a 24-site campground).”

Neal also reported on making same-day reservations across the U.S. “We did observe that most sites were occupied by day’s end. We made reservations the same day. Once entering Canada, we continued making reservations the same day, but the campgrounds were mostly empty. Now in Alaska, more of the same: day-of reservations and lots of empty sites. Last night and tonight, we are in a BLM no-utilities campground, Sourdough Creek, just off the Richardson Highway. Only three of the 43 sites were occupied last night.”

Camping for a better experience

Randy G. avoids camping during peak season and writes, “There are always things to complain about, but I always try to look on the bright side. I normally don’t go camping during the peak season. If camping locally, I will go in on a Sunday and leave on a Friday. We also prefer spring and fall when there are fewer crowds. Yes, there are irresponsible dog owners, as there are irresponsible parents. It’s annoying, but you will have a better chance at having a nice camping experience if you go during the off-peak season.”

Trying to fit a 40-foot RV into a 28-foot spot?

Phillip M. points out that crowding may be due to RV size. “Are the campgrounds you have gone to for years really crowded, or are we trying to put our new 40-foot 5th wheel into the spot we used with our 28-foot travel trailers?”

Greyhound bus-sized RVs don’t fit!

Donald W. wrote about the size differences between the mammoth RVs now and the small trailers of the past. “The main crowding problem is that the campsites were made a long time ago with single-axle trailers and smaller motorhomes. Now, folks have Greyhound bus-sized RVs that do not fit in the campsite or on the roads leading to the sites.

“As for the complaints about dogs, they seem to be very excited to visit campgrounds and hiking trails after being confined to backyards for most of their lives.”

Snowbirds are gone, and sites are open

Vanessa S. didn’t make many reservations and found open sites. She wrote, “In Feb., I left Pahrump to go to GA. Did it in 7 days with no advanced reservations except the night before. I came back last week in 10 days. Again, no advanced reservations except two COE campgrounds I wanted to stay at. All sites were pull-through except one of the COEs. Some of the parks were questionable, but okay for overnight. It could have been that it was starting to get hot, and the snowbirds had left. The parks with mostly full-timers seemed to have at least two spots for overnighters. Some of them I wouldn’t mind returning to and spending a few days.”

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: Time to quit RVing if the complaints outweigh the good times?

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