In a recent RVtravel.com poll, we asked you, our readers: Have you spent $100 or more on a campsite in the past year? The responses painted a varied picture of how RVers approach campground expenses and campsite costs.
The average nightly campsite cost
The reality? According to J.D. Power, a data analytics company, average campsite costs hover around $29 per night, but that depends on the type of park and its amenities. Every RVer has their preferences, as we see from the results and the many comments on the poll. If there’s a view or the site is on a waterfront, maybe you’d pay more. If more amenities enhance your experience, maybe you’ll pay more for that, too. But for a simple site at a simple park? You say, no way!
Majority says “No way” to $100 campsite costs
Out of those polled, a whopping 78 percent had not crossed the $100 per night threshold for a campsite within the past year. For them, the idea of shelling out a Benjamin or more for a mere plot of land seems as outrageous as paying for air in their tires. “No. And never will. For an overnight stop? Total ripoff!” exclaimed Phil, echoing the sentiments of many who view such expenditures as an unnecessary dent in their travel budget.
But then there are those who have dipped their toes into the pricier waters, albeit cautiously. Bobby chimed in, admitting, “We haven’t paid $100 but close at KOAs… but when that starts getting over $100, I will search for other places.” It’s a delicate balance between amenities and cost, a dance many RVers are all too familiar with.
Terri R. offers a glimpse into the allure of premium pricing, sharing her experience of splurging for a site right on the ocean in the lower Florida Keys. For some, the breathtaking views and exclusive locations justify the hefty price tag, especially when other options are limited during peak seasons.
Jeff, on the other hand, finds himself in the uncomfortable position of reluctantly forking over $130 a night for his upcoming July reservations. “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the time is coming, faster than anyone would like, where $100/night is going to be a bargain!” he lamented, highlighting the sobering reality of rising campground costs.
But amid the chorus of discontent, there are voices like Fred’s, who proudly proclaim their allegiance to the art of boondocking. “NO!!!! And never would,” he asserts, citing years of full-time travel and the savings reaped from being self-sufficient in remote locations.
Then there are those who draw their line in the sand, like Rick T., who refuses to succumb to the allure of resort-style RV parks charging exorbitant fees for amenities they don’t need. “Just full hookups and a clean quiet park,” he declares, underscoring the simplicity some seek in their RVing adventures.
Jim J. echoes similar sentiments, expressing concern over creeping prices even in non-resort settings, while Bob S. takes a more drastic stance, threatening to hang up the keys if costs continue to skyrocket beyond affordability.
And in the midst of it all, Terry offers a glimpse into the multigenerational dynamics at play, with grandchildren driving preferences for water park-laden campgrounds, juxtaposed against the frugality of seniors seeking out state parks with discounts.
Your thoughts?
Private RV parks versus public campgrounds, amenities versus simplicity, convenience versus cost – these are the variables that shape the RVing experience and the dollars spent along the way.
Would you ever pay $100 a night for a campsite? If so, what are your requirements? What are your limits for daily campsite costs? Please leave a comment below.
##RVT1150
$29 seems low, even our state parks in Florida with tax and electricity charges are at least that. I guess COE parks have low rates so that helps keep the average down.
I find many parks hugely overvalue themselves. But I guess as long as some people are willing to pay ridiculous prices they will continue to charge ridiculous rates. I Boondock 99.999% of the time. I’m just winding up 5 months in Southern California boondocking the entire time.
Let’s try to keep this boondocking thing on the downlow. If too many people find out how cool it is to be self reliant, there will be fewer places for us.
I enjoy small town life and like the same with RVing. When I travel/camp I stay away form the large we have it all campgrounds and prefer the small Mom and Pop with the basics or boondocking.
I have reluctantly paid over $100 A night for destination campgrounds. It all depends on your travelling lifestyle. We travel for 4 months every summer to escape the Florida heat. To add spice to our travels we always add new destination locations. Since they are highly desired we have to pay a great deal more. On the other hand, what do you do or buy at present that doesn’t cost a great deal more than it should!!!!!
After using a nice KOA at Badlands National Park, I regret I did not call AAA first. I learned later several motels were less expensive, I could rent a room with breakfast, and park my little rig in the parking lot.
I’m interested in what the two campgrounds at Badlands Interior will be costing now that one company purchased both! Other than the NP campground, those two were it to be right in the Badlands: The White River KOA and the Badlands Interior Hotel & Campgrounds. Bet the prices for both will be skyrocketing!
I am with a great majority of the comments here in that I appreciate the small tucked away camping areas that are usually inexpensive and not overly crowded. But, I do love New Orleans and whenever I’m in the area, I always shell out $140 a night to stay at French Quarter RV Resort. I suppose it’s all relative to what we enjoy. That is the most I’ve ever paid for a campsite anywhere I’ve ever traveled, but to be able to walk four blocks to Bourbon Street and sleep soundly at night in a walled and gated facility, it’s worth every penny!
Haven’t and won’t. Spent a night at a Flying J once.
We don’t stay at any campgrounds near tourist traps. They charge inflated prices only because of their location. I’ve found the smaller family owned ones are a better choice. They may not have all the fancy amenities, but that also makes them quieter and more enjoyable, and usually have larger sites.
Nope! Paid $75/night in Alaska over 4th of July weekend simply because it was the holiday. COE parks and National Forests for the win! (Or anyplace else that accepts our Old Fogey’s pass)
Love my Old Fogey’s pass!
The most we ever paid was for a KOA near Glacier NP. Close to $100 I think with taxes. 2 nights, peak season. It stung, but it was worth it to us as we couldn’t find anything else that was convenient. The KOA itself had good facilities, but it was a madhouse. Small, cramped sites too unless you pay well over $100 for their luxury sites.
I spent 22 years in the military “boondocking” so no more of that. We enjoy RV Resorts with all the amenities. Pools, concrete sites, restaurants, bars. We travel 6 months a year and truly enjoy high end resorts.
Great choice Engineer.
Happy Easter.
Don’t intend on ever spending that much. State campgrounds seem to be about $30-40, so I don’t know where they got the average from.
We have not nor ever will pay $100 or more a night. I will stay home we can’t afford that along with the inflated cost of everything else. Fuel cost are really cutting in to our budget as well. When people are willing to pay the price it will keep rising till they can’t pay anymore.
We have just finished booking our 3 week trip this summer. I’d say on average we are paying $65 a night at the various camp grounds we have booked along our journey. Most of these camp grounds we have stayed at before and they have not increased their prices from the last two years.
We have been “seniors” since before we bought our first RV. So we have been using 1/2-price Federal cgs. for 15 years. We are accustomed to inexpensive, discounted COE, USFS, state park, county and city park, fairgrounds, and casono cgs., generally with partial hookups. So RVers who seem to limit their search only between “RV resorts” and “mom-&-pop” RV parks seem to be missing out on a third choice–public cgs. Some of the most beautiful public cgs. we have stayed in are in the East–COE and state parks. They are scenic, they are inexpensive, and they take reservations, so why not save money and choose them over RV resorts?
Would you pay $100 for a used tire with tire plugs sticking out? Didn’t think so…same goes for a campground spot. Of course the so called “RV resorts” are another rude awakening.
Absolutely no on paying $100 a night
Each person has autonomy of choice for a comfortable price point they pay, for anything. One RVer may be comfortable with $400/night and others with $40.00/night. Neither are bad choices, they are different and personal choices.
Price or cost tolerance is proportional to one’s own value or cost tolerance system.
Ritz Carltons exist and Motel 6’s exist.
Filet mignon exists, Chuck steaks exist.
Hyundai or Cadillac? Volkswagen or Bentley?
We all make choices that reflect our individual value tolerance equation and it is personal for most.
No judgment here, either side of that coin.
Well said, and so true.
I paid once, to stay in New Jersey across the river from NYC. Ferry at campground. That was a once in a lifetime splurge.
Never will I pay higher camping fees. They’re out of control as it is now.
I did pay $100/night to stay on the beach in Myrtle Beach. It was a large pull thru 50 yards from the beach. A KOA near us in Fort Collins has been charging over $100/night for a pull thru. We are going to suck it up one more time this year before I retire and move to the east coast because we like the campground, but I have avoided this campground for 3 years because of the price.
We have probably paid $100.00 or more in the past, maybe once or twice, but location is probably our #1 consideration. We’ll shop for actual sites and pricing as we get nearer to our next destination.
I think they justify it during peak season for prime locations and on weekends, such as at the beach or parks with lots of amenities. But midweek rates should be much lower. Some state and local campgrounds do not reflect this discrepancy and there will be many spaces that are empty during the middle of the week. Perhaps they don’t want campers’ midweek because of the extra wear and tear on the parks. If I have to pay $100 a night, I’ll go somewhere else or boondock.
Planning a trip to Yellowstone? All full hookup RV parks within 15 miles of any Yellowstone entrance start at $100/night and do not offer weekly or monthly discounts. If you can get a reservation inside Yellowstone at the only full hookup RV park (Fishing Bridge) you might pay as low as $90/night.
Would I pay $100/night? Hmm, … maybe. If it is someplace that DW really wants to be, then yes. However, DW usually (almost always) makes reservations or picks the campground, so she’d decide whether to pay $100 (or more)/night based on preferences and alternatives. She is more frugal than I am, so it is pretty unlikely than we’d end up paying $100/night. Thank you, RV Travel, safe travels, and happy Easter! 🙂
There is no way I’m paying $100 a night !!
We’ve been more focused on state parks, county fair grounds and boon docking.
With Covid pretty much behind us and many Covid campers going back to their type of vacation.
I just going to sit back and wait for so many of these over priced campgrounds get a reality check. Sooner or later they will have to lower prices or close their doors.
My thoughts on a $100.00 a night, no way would I pay that.
The only time we pay more than $100 is at a private cg In Maine for a family camping get together. At least this year it’s Being offset by a trip to Acadia NP at $15/night in the same trip. Last year we took a 7 week trip from New England to Florida & back & paid anywhere from $18 to $68/night. Mostly state parks & a couple koas. Koa was the highest plus we also stayed at 3 harvest hosts in between
Never….$40.00 is about my limit. Fortunately old enough to have all the passes for 50% off.
Hotel rooms are typically 3×4 times a campground site per night. Would you pay $300 for a resort hotel room in a destination local, if not you likely wouldn’t pay $100 for a resort campground site either. A beautiful city campground in Gadsden AL we stayed at about 15 yrs ago was around $15 a night and I just checked current price. $48.50