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.
One way to never “lose a day”
Greg A. writes, “Just finished a 13-day trip to Chattanooga from Richmond, VA. Used three Harvest Hosts locations, two state parks, and one county park. We only drive three hours between camping spots, so we never feel like we lose a day driving.
“No problem finding camping spaces anywhere, even with last-minute scheduling. With our 20′ Open Range bunkhouse trailer, we stop often to eat, have relaxing bathroom stops, and see sites that interest us. Our Greyhound and Chihuahua love it, too. The photo is our Harvest Host stop in Mosheim, Tennessee.”
On a different planet than the “grumpy” readers
Patrick M. says, “We have been camping for several years in a pop-up and now a 16 ft. trailer—one or two cross-country trips and many shorter trips near home every year.
“We seem to be on a different planet from most of your (grumpy!) readers. We always find a place each night, usually starting to look that afternoon, almost never have a problem with rude neighbors, and rarely pay more than $30, usually less, per night, and almost always have a beautiful spot in nature.
“It’s no big secret: we take our long trips in the shoulder seasons and our near-home trips mid-week, and we stay exclusively in national, state, and municipal parks. And even when full hookups are an option, we stay in the sites with electric only or no electricity at all (the tent-camping, backpacking crowd is usually better behaved, and the sites are prettier).
“Of course, the flexibility of retirement helps a lot! If people are unhappy with their camping experiences, I hope they consider, as much as they are able, camping in different types of places (no RV resorts!) and at different times (no peak season!), so they can enjoy/love camping like they used to and like we do now.”
Play games, instead
Karen R. writes, “We enjoy our RV very much. It’s home on the road with our own bed… our own everything! We play games instead of watching TV or being on our devices.
“Our two small pups are much happier in the RV than in a hotel. They each have their own couch, have plenty of space to play, and it has all the smells of home. We are rule-followers, especially with our pups, so it is a huge pet peeve when folks don’t adhere to campground guidelines or use common courtesies and/or safety when it comes to their/other people’s animals.”
Kids and parents are not respecting boundaries
Mary S. says, “My husband and I have been CG hosts at PA state parks since 2022. We’ve pretty much seen it all—kids AND adults not respecting site boundaries, dogs unattended, campers not cleaning up before leaving, rowdiness (especially on holiday weekends), crowding, etc.
“That said, those situations are not as common as we’re led to believe. Dispersed camping is an option if tolerating the above is not. Remember, all of those things exist where you live. Would you move because of them?”
Carrying on like a bunch of drunks!
Roberta A. writes, “My RV park here in Florida, with electricity, is around $450 a month. It has a clubhouse, a pool, shuffleboard, horseshoes, laundry facilities, showers, and other amenities.
“What I do not like is when visitors bring their dogs and think that everybody wants to listen to them bark at 7 in the morning. Some of us 60 and over are still having to work.
“So on my day off, I definitely don’t want to be woken up by your barking dog. Then, in the evening, it’s like you don’t know when to go to bed. I go to bed fairly late, but I still hear you guys laughing and carrying on like a bunch of drunks.”
Trees = camping?
James C. “If I can see trees from my hotel room, then I am camping.”
Upside down on RV and can’t sell
Joel R. shares: “I have a Class A motorhome and in the past 18 months I have not been able to book sites either in Florida state parks or the RV resorts. The parks are always full or booked, even if you try 6 or 10 months away, and the resorts are so expensive that we now opted to go cruising. Less expensive for us.
“In the meantime, our motorhome is being paid for and the storage as well. Therefore, we believe parks and resorts are being too off course with their prices. Also, letting people book and not use them at all. This is very disappointing for us. We cannot sell our RV since we owe too much on it. So it will sit in storage for now.”
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: From full-timers to fed up: Why we finally said, ‘Time for a house’
RVT1233b
I’ve been a follower of your RV travel for years, but I can’t deal with the new pop op ads so I will unsubscribe. Reading has become too difficult for this 83 year old. Too many distractions
A “donation in kind” (all of $5) will get you the subscribers edition Devoid of popups. $5! That’s likely one of the very best deals on the planet. I donate regardless, the value is immeasurable.
Thank you, Artful Dodger. We appreciate your support– verbal and otherwise. And we appreciate YOU! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
“And even when full hookups are an option, we stay in the sites with electric only or no electricity at all (the tent-camping, backpacking crowd is usually better behaved, and the sites are prettier).”
Amen. If we’re staying somewhere less than a week, we can easily live without the plumbing hookups, especially if there’s water available nearby and a dump station we can hit on our way out. Power is enough, and the power-only sites are usually much nicer with better views and further away from the annoyances.
If you have a depreciating asset (RV) that you cannot use, cut your losses and get rid of it. Coninuing to throw money away is a losing idea.
The smart money would agree with you. Holding a sure loss is never a good idea. Making payments, storage, and upkeep, not to mention continuing depreciation and slowly degrading due to disuse does not sound anything like good business decision.
I have operated and managed RV parks for years. Unless you are the rare exception, you will have to rely on long term to stay in business. The day of operating a profitable seasonal recreational business is more of wishful dream. The post COVID world will look a lot different. There is only one reason for any company, no matter how big or small, to be in business and that is to earn a profit for its owners and if a business cannot pay its bills-it cannot exist for long. This is the reality of today’s market mean the “good old days” of yesterdays are more likely nostalgia than any likely future reality.
Joel R. Needs to either cut his losses now and run, travel out of state for less expensive stays or learn to embrace boondocking/dispersed camping. I wonder if it was an impulse buy since research as to what they were going to do once they owned didn’t seem to come into play. It is depreciating and given the Florida climate, rotting sitting in storage unused. Sell it or use it.
Thank you for the compilation, Nanci! I am glad that all you receive is not negative. Perhaps that makes it easier to prevent your task from becoming depressing. Have a great week, a grand 2026, and safe travels!