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. RVtravel.com 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.
A great investment
Ann R. says, “We bought a membership at Treasure Lake RV Resort. We have no problem and still see it as a plus. We get to camp when we want, and we get to leave our RV in Branson. Great way to vacation. It was a great investment. We are retired. Come to Branson.”
… and now campgrounds!
Joseph A. shares: “Hedge funds are turning campgrounds into monopolies. Grant Cardone et al. are horrible. First it was private prisons, then residential housing, now campgrounds.”
Site lock fee? Not so locked!
Randy O. wrote in and said, “A group of us reserve sites well in advance at the same time and are willing to pay the site lock fee so we will be together. Two years in a row at the same campground, one of us was moved without any phone call.
“They just sent an email that said you have been moved and your site lock fee has been refunded. In one case, a camper was moved into my site because of problems on their site; instead of moving them into the site they gave me! The rest of our group wasted money paying a site lock fee so we could be together. And no, I’m not that hard to camp near.
“The second time, another group member had it happen and called to ask what the site lock fee was for, and was just given the response of, ‘Oh, well’.”
RV parks for the rich or senseless?
Joe G. writes, “We have a fully self-contained RV, so paying $50-$80 per night is ridiculous. These RV parks are for the rich or senseless. We live on SS, so we put in effort to find something reasonable, usually boondocking. I think the COVID RVers will disappear and sensible RV parks will return. At least I hope it happens before I get too old. Many national park campgrounds are barely within reach of budgeting retirees.”
Have a plan B and C
Douglas C. says, “Miles (my dog) and I are vagabonds and migrate between Texas beaches in winter, the Colorado mountains in the summer, and a stroll back and forth with the birds. We don’t usually stay in campgrounds, but we find that the best time to arrive is Monday through Wednesday. Boondocking is always our best option because Miles hates his leash. Much better campsites, most of the time.
“The key is having a plan B and C. Texas State Parks allows me to set a notification if something becomes available. I usually get a flurry. We understand that some are new at camping and give some grace. We were hosts for a few years, and campers are mostly great. A few newbies will come from the city with all that plastic smell and actions.”
Taxpayers are definitely the losers at leased out COEs
Marcia S. comments, “We live in KY and just bought an RV in 2025. Have really enjoyed the camping experience. The distressing thing is that the Army Corps of Engineers is allowing campgrounds to be leased and run by private individuals. As a senior, you lose your discount at these campgrounds. You work and pay taxes, then when you can benefit as a senior, they do that. Taxpayers have no choice in the matter. We are definitely the losers.”
International tent camper always finds sites
Robert S. writes, “As a tent camper, I never come up empty regarding a site. In Europe, sites are more plentiful than here in the States, and we’re usually the only Americans. Central America is less safe, and all foreign sites require using the native tongue for the best service. Love it!”
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: ‘Too expensive to camp, owe too much to sell; RV sits in storage’—an RVer’s tough reality
RVT1234b
So I guess we are senseless RVers because we sometimes pay $50 a night for an RV site? Absurd.
$50 today has the buying power of $13 in 1980 when we started camping as a family. IIRC, private campgrounds with hookup were around $15 to $20 a night back then. So with inflation, if we pay $50 now it’s no different than what we paid in 1980, in terms of monetary value. And since we mostly utilize state or county parks, we’re paying $30, give or take, for E/W sites. I don’t remember paying <$10 in the 80’s for sites.