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.
Nanci’s notes
I, too, have noticed a difference in the etiquette of campers. Yesterday, a girl kept riding her bike through the corner of our RV site, over and over. Obviously, her parents did not teach her not to do that.
I had a proud grandma moment recently at a campground. Our grandson began to walk across someone’s site. Our son promptly called him back and let him know where our site ended and someone else’s began. He told him he can’t walk across others’ campsites.
Our grandson’s reply? “Oh, okay, Dad,” and didn’t do it again. It is the parents, not the kids. Remember elementary school math? The shortest path is a diagonal line across our campsite.
Put ignorant adults on a leash!
Richard C. wrote, “In the most recent season of our 5-year, full-time adventure, we have noticed a drastic increase in lazy, inconsiderate adults walking through our campsites. We have found it to be a national epidemic. Maybe it’s not just dogs, but ignorant adults that need to be on a leash, or at the very least, swatted with a rolled-up newspaper!”
Paige stopped camping in the U.S. due to inconsiderate campers
Paige L. said, “Tent camper here. I’ve quit camping in the U.S. due to inconsiderate campers. I feel unsafe as a solo female in most RV parks and campgrounds due to the constant drunkenness of campers, which is often accompanied by loud music and screaming at all hours.
“Canada camping, however, has been different. I started camping there in 2017. There are noise ordinances strictly enforced in provincial and national parks. Campers keep to themselves typically, but are friendly. Consideration between the U.S. and Canadian parks is often night and day.”
Parents don’t parent
Robert W. wrote, “Been RVing for 20 years. Prices have skyrocketed; however, the biggest problem is the clientele. People don’t parent their children. Not only is it children running through your site, but adults also. Many people have no RV etiquette; they do not clean up after their dogs, play loud music, and show no respect. Definitely different.”
Kids race through your site on bikes
Steve C. told us, “Way too many dogs, people leave them locked in their campers and they bark all day, and people allow their children to run unchecked all day long and race on their bikes through your site all hours of the day and night.”
Seasonal campers act like they own the place
Dar P. comments, “Way too many seasonal campers who always get the best spots in a campground and often act like they own it. I like more privacy. Not possible with spots crowded together. Camping used to be something that people without a lot of money could do. Now prices have risen out of reach for some folks. Camping is no longer just about enjoying nature. I am sad.”
Golf cart invasion
Robert H. notes, “We are at a campground at Port Clinton, Ohio. The golf carts are ridiculous. Seems everyone has one and just drives around ALL day and night on them. Wish I knew what was wrong with walking.”
Just kick them out
Charles S. wrote, “Easy fix. Kick out the ones that think rules don’t apply to them. Bunch of idiots now out there and care less about others. Full-timers ruining the experience. No space and rates are climbing.”
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: RVing has become too expensive; many readers hanging up the keys
RVT1230b
I just had a issue with a kid that had a Hammock tied to two trees behind my campsite. He didn’t show up using it for a couple hours, but when he did he talked loudly. I nicely mentioned you shouldn’t come on someone’s campsite. I guess he didn’t understand and mentioned it to his mother. I told her the same thing. I can see she wasn’t happy and walked away. When we went in the camper for the night. It was gone in the morning. This is the second time someone put a hammock behind my TT on my campsite. It’s not that I don’t like kids. I just like my privacy.
Then don’t “camp” in a trailer park.If you actually “camp”, you will have all the privacy you want.
90% of the time the problem is with the parents. They don’t want to be bothered controlling their kids.
We were staying one time when a family pulled in two spots away.
The first thing the kids did was to grab a baseball and bat and start hitting ball in the empty area behind us, actually hitting the ball towards our trailer.
When I approached them, they immediately went and told ‘daddy’. He did nothing to correct his kids.
Then the ball bounced and rolled under my trailer. I refused to let the little brats crawl under and get it. He finally got the message!
This is not at a RV site, but at our house. Our garage is on a grassy alley. The neighbor on the other side of the alley has multiple young kids. The kids are not very well monitored – obvious by the pieces of toys in their yard. And the kids were just being kids and thoughtlessly damaging the siding on the alley side of the garage. I finally spoke with the father. His response was to ask why I didn’t deal with his kids? I responded because I actually like kids and have no intention of becoming the grumpy old man next door. This was HIS (and her, as she is home all day) job to teach HIS kids to respect other property. The conversation was civil, but I made my point.
I have enjoyed camping my whole life. First tent camping them in a travel trailer at age 9. My wife have full time RVed while work camping. We gave it up a couple of years ago, why because it was just not fun anymore. We now travel in a car and stay in hotels or at relatives. Way more fun and easier on the budget with fuel and RV parking getting so expensive
Most of these complaints are describing RV parks, not “campgrounds”. Real campgrounds are public, not private, and have NOT seen exorbitant price increases or increases in seasonal or permanent residents, simply because those residents are generally not allowed. 14 days is generally the limit on stays at “campgrounds” and prices ranging from $25-50/night are the general rule.
Too bad RVers don’t differentiate between the two types of facilities because new or wanna-be RVers don’t get a true picture of the possible benefits of RV ownership! They certainly don’t see the benefits of boondocking off-grid in remote, scenic locations that have no loud parties or uncontrolled kids on bicycles.
Paige I agree with you about Canadian sites. In 2017 we camped from S FL to Newfoundland Canada & back. Canadians in general made us feel welcome and we didn’tknok on wood- have a single bad experience. As for the golf cart guy- next time I go where golf carts are for rent & it’s for longer than 1 night I’m renting one as my asthma and arthritis are so bad I have difficulty walking at a normal pace or for more than 150 feet. (I used to carry a 50 lb backpack back in the day!)
Nanci needs to chill. There are bigger things, both good and bad, than kid walking across the corner of “your” campsite. I feel sorry for anyone that would let something so small get to them
Thank you for the compilation, Nanci! Our latest “camping” experience was a mixture. We made our reservation on Monday, June 23rd for “first available, any site,” and got Sunday, October 19. We have full hookups, but the price is pretty large, around $30,000 for our 3-week stay. 😉 The rest of the story is that our trip is for repair work to our RV at the manufacturer’s factory service center. The damage to our RV arose from hitting a moose near Homer, Alaska this summer (6/20). We also are having some incidental repairs done. Moral of the story: don’t hit large wildlife with ones RV. 🙂 At least that is my take-away. Have a great week and safe travels!
Hi, Neal. Should that number be $3,000? And I’m glad the moose didn’t do any more damage than it did! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane