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.
Nanci’s notes: On our way!
We are finally on our way back to Arizona and will be able to see (in person) the state of remodel in our new-to-us fixer-upper house. It has been difficult to manage a major remodel through FaceTime, photos, and WhatsApp!
As much as I fussed at my husband about taking the end-of-season camp host gig, it has been an unusually warm and beautiful fall in Minnesota. And we were able to be here to be with our son as he had a difficult nine-hour surgery. It was successful and he is healing.
So, as you read this, we are somewhere on the road heading south. So many campgrounds will be closed for the season already, and finding sites can be a challenge, but we always do. And although it is always a bit bittersweet to leave family, we are so excited for the next chapter in our lives.
Whatever chapter you are in, I wish you all a wonderful, joyful fall.
Here are a few observations from our readers. These do not necessarily represent the views of RVtravel.com.
Dan’s most memorable camping experience
Dan I. writes, “Our most memorable experience 14 years ago was taking out an elk standing on an interstate highway just two miles from our campground exit. Wiped out the whole front end on a Class A. A state police officer said it happens in this spot all the time. Being an old country boy, I thought that’s what fences were made for.”
Can’t justify the cost of campgrounds now
Jeanette D. shares, “As much as I’d prefer to stay in my campervan, I have ended up in a hotel room several times this year because it was cheaper. I took a trip to Washington state to visit the National Parks up there. The park campgrounds were full, and the closest private campgrounds were all $100-$125 per night. We found a Ramada Inn for $89 and stayed there instead. I just can’t justify the nightly cost of some of the campgrounds now.”
Is everyone in the campground armed with assault rifles?
Joseph C. says, “I wouldn’t consider staying in any campground during the busy season. Crowded, noisy, dangerous (everyone armed with assault rifles). I stay in the backcountry during the busy season and campgrounds in the winter.”
“Why do you need a TV?”
Michelle S. shares, “We were at the Hershey RV show in 2000, and the salesman was really proud to tell us there was a large TV included in the RV. Our 13-year-old said, ‘Why do you need a TV?’ The salesman looked stunned and we both laughed… that’s our girl. We were always doing something together, playing games or being busy outside. We still don’t watch TV!”
Jim notes that tourists keep the local Michigan economy going
Here, Jim J. is replying to Sandra H. and her hurricane camper: “Sandra obviously lives in a tourist economy area, Florida. I’m going to flip this around by 6 months. We live in a tourist economy area, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. During the summer, July and August especially, and only marginally less so during the fall color season, you’d better have a reservation made well in advance if you want a nice campsite. This isn’t a complaint. The seasonal tourists keep the local economy going, and campgrounds have bills to pay year-round. It’s a great time to do all the maintenance while our camper is parked. Most trips within the U.P. (why we are called Yoopers) are either day trips or we find a hotel room. Or we use our camper where the crowds aren’t. It’s a big country.”
Hard for James to get sites in Michigan during the summer, too
James B. says, “Living in Michigan is tough to get sites during the summer at the more popular state parks.”
Off-grid and no problem finding sites
Brenda B. writes, “I’m off-grid and I never have a problem finding a place to stay. National forest campgrounds are great options. I’ve never not found a place to park, and many are free or very low cost. I recently spent $25 for two nights about 7 miles from the eastern entrance to Yellowstone. I’m a senior, so get that half-off discount.”
“I’ve also stayed at rest stops, truck stops, Walmarts, Cracker Barrels, etc. I rarely plan beyond deciding which direction I’m heading and checking out Campendium, RV Parky and others for options. If people get solar and a composting toilet, you don’t need to be tied to a place with hookups.”
Paula will knock on a camper’s door if the outside lights are left on
Paula P. comments, “I, too, detest people who leave their ‘decorative’ outdoor lights on the entire night. If it’s 9 p.m. and I haven’t seen anyone outside for the past hour, I go to their door and politely ask them to turn them off. I have yet to be yelled at—I truly believe they went inside and just forgot to turn them off. All I ask is that they be a little more aware of their campsite when they are going in for the rest of the night.”
Kelly likes full-hookups and good Wi-Fi
Kelly S. “We have stayed at private campgrounds due to a need for full hookups and a preference for good Wi-Fi. Spacious Skies in NC was good and Kingdom Campground in VT was outstanding.”
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: Reader vents: ‘I am sad’ about the state of camping these days
RVT1231b
The only place I seem to have trouble getting a campsite when I want it is in our home state of Iowa! What’s up with that? I seldom book until I know we are leaving, but I generally can get a spot at my first choice in most other states. We decided to spend a couple of days in the Abiquiu area in New Mexico, and I reserved a site (the last one available) at the Riana Campground with beautiful Cerro Pedernal centered in front of our site.
I don’t understand “the need for full hookups”. Any RV that has FHUs has fresh, gray, and black tanks, which means it can be used for at least several days without water or sewer hookups. Years before we had solar or a generator, we could dry camp for several days in Alaska with a couple of Walmart 12v deep-cycle batteries and a full water tank in our 22′ trailer. If we had just a 30A electric hookup (as in a $14/night New Mexico state park), we could stay a week without dumping. Most RVs, other than teardrops and some vans, are “self-contained”, meaning they can be used at least overnight with NO hookups!
Steve, our rig can boondock for up to 12 days no problem but we still use FHU.
When it gets 105+ outside, it just doesn’t make sense to run our (air cooled) generator to keep the inside temperature tolerable for the pets. Overnighting in unsleepable heat just wears on the soul.
Our rig has a washer and drier so when it’s time to do laundry, hookups are nice to have an “endless” supply of water, power and wastewater disposal.
But yes, I agree that it seems silly to purchase, insure, maintain and haul the weight of off grid capability and not use it but there’s times it actually does make sense.
Safe travels!
Everyone in RV Parks is armed with “assault” rifles? 🤣🤣🤣
We have camped in over 40 states and 4 provinces over a period of 55 years (counting time as kids) and have never seen a weapon (except for law enforcement) in any private, state, or federal camps we’ve been in! Have seen some bows and arrows in parks that had archery facilities and one local city campground hosted an annual historical rendezvous with “assault” muskets. 😉
Was Joseph camping on the South side of Chicago???
My thoughts exactly. I’ve never seen a weapon displayed in 50 years of rv camping.
When I’m camping I’m always armed with a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun in my TT and a small 9mm in my pocket. But no one would know. Should always be discreet. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Your comment made me chuckle, mrpavet. When I go to my remote mountain property (which black bears, mountain lions, etc., kindly share with me), I’m packing my .357 magnum S&W. No one can see it (if I saw anyone up there), and no one would suspect an old grandma of having that on her hip. Of course, my two 6’8″ sons (one a Marine combat vet), also armed, are with me, so I doubt I’d need to pull my weapon out of the holster. But it’s there “just in case,” as you say. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane aka Mountain Mama
Glad your son is on the mend. Hoping the renovations have gone swimmingly!
thanks for sharing your adventures
Are hotels cheaper? In our experience, we save so much when we cook for ourselves, plus, we eat a lot better. We are just finishing a short road trip in a rental car and this has proven true again. The ownership costs continue, of course, even when parked in the driveway.