By Russ and Tiña De Maris
As the sun begins to fall, you not only see it, but feel it. If you’re piloting your motorhome or tow vehicle down the highway, it’s that old body clock telling you it’s time to get off the pavement and relax before hitting the hay. But like many RVers, it’s not always easy to find a place to park the rig, at least not without a reservation at an RV park. There are plenty who respond to the beckoning Walmart sign and pull into Wally’s parking lot. But for those who “get their kicks” on Missouri’s part of Route 66, there’s a new overnighting game, and it’s not Walmart. However, unlike Walmart, there’s a price tag.
Southwest of St. Louis, on what’s also known as Interstate 44, is the tiny burg of West Sullivan. The town has the distinction of hosting what may well be the first self-service RV park in the nation. Tired out? Don’t need a lot of “flash and splash” but just a place to park the rig and hook up to utilities? Then RV Self-Park might be just the place for you. Roll in, park it, swipe your credit card, and hook up to water, electric and sewer. Need a good internet connection? You’ve got one. If you “plan” your trips, you can also reserve one of the 24 sites – all of which are wide, clearly marked, and pull-through, by the way.
The brains behind the new-wave RV park is Jim Turntine, himself an RVer who’s personally experienced the difficult drama that RVers can find themselves in at the end of the day with no place to stay. Turntine wanted to make a place where RVers could stop, have their needs met with ease and get on with their travels. Turntine says, “Our goal is to provide the most stress-free parking experience possible.” If a lack of security adds to stress, then relax. RV Self-Park is well-lit and loaded with security cams that keep a watchful eye open 24/7.
And what about cost? A 16-hour layover runs $39, but an additional $10 will buy you a full 24 hours. Like it here a lot? Rates drop the longer you stay, down to $35 a day from two to six days, then down to $32 per day for a week to 28 days. Those rates accommodate two, two-legged guests, and one four-legged one (provided the pet is less than 15 pounds). Kids under 3 are free, but additional older guests and additional pets run $5 a head.
While Turntine’s project is in the “soft opening” phase at present, he’ll soon have the fully automated payment system in place. Will the future mean more self-parks? Jim says a “massive” expansion will happen if the concept takes off, but even if it should go slowly, he fully plans to open more of these “in-and-out” RV oases in the near future. He’s talking about franchises as well, for those who are interested.
Will the concept fly? Here’s our personal opinion: For the big rig RVer who needs full hookups, this might be just the ticket. But those of us who can easily dry-camp, $39 to simply park off the road overnight is too steep. We have proposed a business almost identical to this one, but we believe it can be profitable to its owner charging no more than $20 a night. We’d also limit stays to a day or two to help ensure space is available for RVers just passing through.
For folks with discount campground memberships like Passport America, you might easily be able to get your full-hookup sites for quite a bit less than $39.
Still, there’s something to be said about the spirit of competition. Should RV Self-Park really take off, other knock-offs might well try to jump in at a far lower price point (our hope). Regardless, for those with the need, a network of RV Self-Parks may be just the ticket on their way across the country.
All photos courtesy RV Self-Park
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I had an idea like this several years ago, but didn’t have the resources or energy to implement it. I’d suggest two additions – first, pick a highway or interstate and set up one of these at regular intervals (like 400 miles), so people would be able to plan a day’s drive between parks. Second, try to hook up with some fuel company to build small gas stations close to the parks. It’s always convenient to be able to fill the tank in the morning before leaving for a day’s drive.
Your idea sounded good until you said like 400 miles interval. We are seniors and usually limit our daily drive to approximately 250 miles. Of course we’re traveling slow enough to SEE the country at 62 mph. 40 years ago I also traveled at 400-500 miles per day when my only concern was my destination and not the journey.
I think this place has fuel and food nearby.
Self Serve RV Park
Sounds like the city run campground in Seward, AK
Great idea but too expensive for me in my Class B that enjoys Wally docking and cheaper state and county parks. For me, if the price were $20-$25 I would definitely consider a self-serve park in my travels.
Besides the high price, the only-one-pet-under-15-pounds is sure to limit the number of guests!
Please read my post. This is a complete misunderstanding about pets! We LOVE DOGS! Dogs and pets of all kinds are completely welcome to our facility! Pricing is addressed as well.
Too expensive. If you need to stop for one night even the smallest (no pop up) travel trailer can dry camp for a night. It would be better to have just a security controlled parking pad and may be a dump station for $10/night.
Excellent concept. Seems to be aimed at more than the night type stops. I can think of several places along I-10, I-75 where the run to Florida would be aided by a “just the night” stop. A pad, electricity, water, and perhaps a dump site (most expensive and labor intensive of project) all that is needed.
$20 would be very fair. Longer stays should be controlled.
Even just a pad with electricity would work for one night. A chain of these, located a day’s run from each other would be great.
Pets under 15 lbs??? My CAT weighs in at almost 19!! LOL!
Like the idea of the self service park but this is not the first. There is one in Burley Idaho off of I84. Cheaper a good spot for a over night stop. Also stayed at a city park with a drop box for cash, $15 a night for water and elec with a dump station in a small town in Kansas.
There is an RV park in the Texas Panhandle that has been doing this for several years already. I’ve been there at least once a couple of years ago. Pull in and find a spot and go to the kiosk and pay with a credit card. Don’t recall it being any more then the other RV parks around there.
Interesting idea. I would want a rest room with showers, and a couple of work campers to stay at the facility. I would build one behind the walmart and the Buckey’s .
I-80 turnpike in Ohio has overnight RV parking with electric in each space with water and dump station on the exit for $20. Due to the awkward traffic patterns, we found it’s best to gas up at one rest stop and overnight at another.
I know exactly what you’re saying! At the turnpike rest stops, if you pull up to the gas pumps, you can’t get to the RV area. If you pull into the RV area, you can’t get to the gas pumps… totally ridiculous how they’re laid out!!
After all is said and done, it sorta sounds like an ordinary RV park, only much smaller. Reservations, up to month-long stays, full hookups? For a one night quick-stay, $39 is awfully steep, especially if you really don’t NEED all this fanciness.
Maybe if he pitches this as a no-frills RV park it might be better received. What it’s not is a quickie get-off-the-road and get some sleep stop. I like Chuck’s idea better, but Turntine didn’t contact him for ideas . . .
Not new, have had one off I-10 in Florida for years, Great Idea, we use it on our way west
Defeats the purpose of overnight rest area if travelers are allowed to stay days and weeks at a time.
I could see it filling up with permanents and travelers would be out of luck.
Concept is good, deployment not so much.
I can see one or possibly two nights max… that should be the limit, but you’re right EG Willy, these alleged “overnight rest areas” will get filled with permanent squatters and the travelers actually looking for a place to overnight will have to go elsewhere!
Small towns along the Trans Canada Hwy in the praires have many parks like this. Cash. Honour system. Around $24 per night and that’s Canadian. Lol We stayed in several on our trip west.
I can see where bigger dogs could be problematic, but 15 LB limit would basically mean no dogs except chihuahuas. This would leave us out from staying there.
AND if it is a behavioral issue, note that chihuahuas are some of the most ill tempered dogs. I’d rather wrestle around with a happy Rottweiler than a nasty chihuahua.
Please read my post. This is a complete misunderstanding! We LOVE DOGS! Dog are completely welcome to our facility!
Check out the Ohio Turnpike. Several rest stops with electric and water possibly a dump i don’t remember. it was 5 or $10. a night . Sites are smallish but it worked as i disconnected my tow vehicle
Ohio Turnpike rates are $20 for overnight which is reasonable. The sites have electric only but water and a dump station is available at no extra charge.
There is a self-serving campground inhttp://ghosttowntexas.com/terlingua.html. The campground is called BJ’s, and has all hookups. It is near Big Bend National Park.
Found a place like this in Iraan, TX. It is a city run park and all self serve. Nothing special but works great for a place to stop for the night. We were there 2 yrs ago and price was $15.
Now THAT’S affordable!
I agree with all the others. If there isn’t anything special about it it seems like a rip-off. Only slightly cheaper than regular RV parks without the personnel if you need help.
Rolling Hills Casino in Corning, CA has had a RV Park with an automated pay station for years! Last time we rolled through there, it was $25/site with FHU.
Seems like a road side rest. But it costs you. If you don’t need power, water, etc. stay AT A REST STOP IS EASIER.
Exactly. I have a small pull behind trailer with no hookups. Rest stops are fine for me. I don’t “camp”. I just sleep in my hotel room on wheels.
Overnighted in Brush, Colorado. A city owned park where the first night is free with water and electric. $5 to dump if needed.
As far as the “self service” goes, Iron Rangers have been around for years. In 2014 when we were in Alaska, shoot, we used quite a few parks that had that were “self serve”, credit card machine, etc. and they sure weren’t $39.00! Sure wouldn’t work for us, as this would be a “drive by” as we call it.
Not the first in the country. I remember camping at a park similar to this at Maria Texas at least 10 years ago. Not sure if it’s still there.
This seems like a legitimate way to provide space for road weary travelers. It’s about an hour from St. Louis and even closer to it’s suburbs. I can see laying over before going to or through the city. Price seems steep though.
Dog under 15 pounds? So we all have to have chihuahuas or other frufru dogs to stay here? I’ll keep driving. Nobody tells me what kind of dog I can have. Why does a dog’s size matter? My dog will be inside my trailer with me other than bathroom time, when she will be on a leash so I know where the land mine is that I will pick up with the bag I have in my hand. I am sick to death of these people and their arbitrary weight limit bullshit. My 14 year old blind dog weighs 30 pounds. She is a threat to no one, and well behaved, as I know how to train dogs. So because of my dog’s size I can’t stay in this overpriced shangri-la? I’ll pass anyway because of the price, but this dog discrimination has to stop.
Please read my post. This is a complete misunderstanding! We LOVE DOGS! Dog are completely welcome to our facility!
I agree the price is steep. As members of Boondockers and Harvest Host, we get far better valu and much more interesting places to stay.
These places are getting to the price point that for 10 more dollars you can stay in a motel and have access to a real shower and a real bathroom and real TV and a real bed….. etc.
There has been a self serve RV park at Rolling Hills Casino in Corning CA for several years.
Pull up to shack with card reader in side pay for length of stay then pull down to open RV site place receipt in holder on post at front of site.
I am sick to death of places that discriminate against owners of larger dogs. I have a 30 pound, 14 year old blind and almost deaf dog. She stays in the trailer with me until potty time when she goes out on a leash and I stand with my plastic bag waiting to clean up the mess. We don’t all have bischon and chihuahua sized dogs. And frankly I would boycott this place, complete with picket signs, to force them to adjust to reality. 15 pounds…. ridiculous.
I have 2 bichons and a cocker spaniel and none of them are “frufru” dogs. They all are nearing their 30 lb limit. I also would not stay due to the fact that I have 3 dogs and also a handicapped son with his personal service worker (my daughter) that lives with us. I think that is a lot of extra dollars!
I’d like to know why there is an extra charge for a larger dog. Is it to discourage people with larger dogs from using their facility? Charging extra isn’t going to change the nature of the dogs they are discriminating against. If it’s because their poop is bigger, there are plenty of owners of little dogs that don’t clean up after them because “it’s just a little poop”.
I would like to add that the smaller ankle biters are usually the ones that never stop barking with the owners seemingly oblivious.
That was my husband’s idea years ago. Only difference is that he did nothing with the idea. Way to go, we will use them for sure!
We favor a no frills safe place to overnight at around $20. When we are traveling we are just looking for a safe place for a night not amenities. We are willing to pay for those when we get to where we are going. There is a place for both in the traveling world.
Please check out their Facebook page so as to understand what they truly offer. I believe this article does not give a clear picture of their concept and policies. I do not know the owners but I am excited that they are in an area close to home where rv parks are few and usually far off the highways.
While we certainly welcome the attention and publicity, we feel the article missed a few things. At the risk of seeming ungrateful here’s our response:
WE LOVE DOGS! There is an apparent misunderstanding and it is probably my fault. I probably did not answer the questions clear enough when asked before the story. We allow the one small pet for FREE with an up-charge of $5 (one time) for additional or larger pets just like we do for extra people. We did this pricing in this way because that is what we have experienced in our own travels and thought this structure would be a good place to start. We paid as much as $10 per day per pet for our own two dogs. We have a nice fenced in dog run and plenty of room all around for pets to do their business. Pets of all kinds are completely welcomed at Route 66 RV Self-Park…
The story didn’t mention RV Self-Park is completely paved. Many parks aren’t paved at all. That amenity alone accounts for 30% of our build costs. Our access roads are wider that our State Highways and every Self-Park site is more than 15′ feet wide, much wider than any rest area parking spot. We are doing everything we can to make this the most stress free parking experience possible. Yes, there are costs and choices to make. We plan to build more of these, this is a proving ground built on property we owned and frankly we’ve overbuilt so as to use this a model to show prospective City Governments to be appeased when visited during expansion efforts to come.
From our perspective the only comparison we know of, to our business model, is the Ohio Turnpike at the $20 price point – the price range the writers seem to think we should be.
That’s short sighted, we believe, because there’s a big difference in the stress reduction and parking experience we provide by virtue of the following more obvious considerations:
1) knowing you can reserve a site instead of hoping, to luck out, to maybe get into one of those rest-area spots when you arrive at the next rest area.
2) actually getting off the road – into a quieter and surely safer environment, than being on a turnpike. Here you can then pick and choose from all the other services nearby too (food, fuel, shopping, entertainment, etc). You can call for delivery too… Or, come and go as you please. I suspect when you move out of that rest area spot you’ve forfeited your occupancy.
3) the option of staying longer if you need/want to.
4) Sewer drops at every site.
We recognize that maybe we’ll need to adjust pricing somewhat. But if we do, that diminishes our ability, perhaps, to know if this business model will enable us to purchase more expensive property in more popular places and in or near much larger population centers? Perhaps we’ll find pricing will need to be adjusted to match each market, in a market-to-market scenario. It’s just too soon to tell…
Lastly, we are yet to open completely, our website and kiosk are yet to be installed and on. We will be able to offer dynamic pricing and discounts as these things unfold in the coming weeks/months. meaning pricing can be offset by offering revisit credits and cumulative hourly rates…. where our pricing will allow banking of hours not used and 2nd night free and so on. I suspect we will end up in a net costs to our Guest of about $1 per hour when that system is on line. That puts our pricing squarely within the target of even the most conservative range of all the feedback I have seen so far.
In any case, we certainly appreciate the attention to our project and all feedback is welcome! Thank you! Safe travels!
I agree with the author…. $39 is too high for overnight. Maybe to cut costs have a sewer drop or two for folks as the come in and leave. I think the price point you should aim for is $20. I can get good spot to park, full hook ups, using Passport America for that or less very easy. This is your competition…. the Passport America parks.
You might have missed the information near the end of my reply. where I wrote “I suspect we will end up in a net costs to our Guest of about $1 per hour when that system is on line. That puts our pricing squarely within the target of even the most conservative range of all the feedback I have seen so far.” And we have sewer hook up at every site. Not sure if you knew that. Thanks, Jim
I’d stay for $1/hour. $16 overnight. When is that price going to be in effect?
Sounds like a great idea for short term stays. I hope it works out for you. Don’t let the long term low rent RVers take over.
Per person pricing isn’t a good place to be at all. Parks that charge by that model generally are long term stays, where number of occupants has an impact on daily life for residents.
In hotels, they charge by occupants since there a direct correlation between occupancy and demands placed on infrastructure.
But in an RV park the guest provides the structure, you just provide the utilities and parking. Higher occupancy doesn’t cost you notably more, and travelers aren’t staying long term to irritate reach other with large party sizes.
I’m a fan of your concept, but I feel very strongly that this is a bad pricing strategy, and I have to let you know that many of us larger families will avoid anyplace that starts making us account for how many people we travel with.
Water is expensive in many areas…how can you say that more people doesn’t raise costs? 2 showers vs. 6 showers? 6 flushes vs. 20 flushes? more electricity for more devices? etc. etc. I’d say reconsider your math.
Jim your price point is way out of wack, I don’t care if the spot is extra wide and paved. At a site like yours I just want to lay my head down for the night and be gone.
I’ll pile on and say that the Price seems…. “pricey”, but that will be clearly shown to you throughout the near future! I applaud your ambition and forethought tho, and wish you the Best of Luck.
Good luck on this venture. On a recent winter trip we had an electric meter on our sites. For those two separate visits we used 46 and 47 kilowatts. Overnight temps were in the low 40’s. I expect in summer with two air conditioners running full blast we would see an equivalent usage. We were probably in the campsite 16 to 18 hours in the winter. With that kind of electricity usage a buck an hour doesn’t leave much for the campground owner. We paid about $36 per stay. Sounds like your pricing is right on if you are going to have a going concern.
I’m glad to see something like this and wish you luck on your venture. It is always nice to have more options. I think a lot of the people commenting have missed the point. The author of the article caused part of the problem by calling this the first self-service RV park in the nation, it is clearly not, so that set a lot of people off. Others talked about free BLM land (great if you are out West, not so much east of the Rockies) and small town parks in Red Bay, Alabama or somewhere (not very convenient if you want a quick overnight on the interstate, or in Alaska and the Yukon. I would recommend simplifying your pricing by eliminating some of the extra charges for pets, kids, extra hours, etc. – – it’s not like you have a pool or other amenities that kids will be using. And as for me personally, I think if you build more of these parks the construction price could be kept down by not putting in sewer or water. I don’t need that for a one-night stop, but I do want 50A electric, and I’m guessing there are a lot of like me.
We would just like something for overnight stays from CA to FL on I-10 or I-80 with even just electric only. Then we would make a stop at RV park for water/sewer when/if needed. Return trip we usually pick places to stop for a few days to visit so would probably not use as much going as we would going out. Price and longer terms (28 days!) seem to negate a park that would attract overnighters. We are getting ready to leave on our cross country trek next week. I already made reservations a couple of months ago for all but 2 parks (but will probably call before we leave). However, last year, when we pulled in, turned out wasn’t really necessary in all but one. Since we are 40ft with a tow and don’t want to unhook or get stuck in a tight spot, we are picky and request specific site numbers. Try to make trip as stress free as possible.
The price for a quick overnight is too high IMHO. When we pull off for shut eye, we like electricity but have done several nights with no hookups at all. We just hop in bed and often don’t even unhook.
If the concept truly is to give the road warrior a stop for the night, I’d think they would limit lengthy stays and reservations. That seems to go against the concept of serving the traveling RVer.
Truck stops, casinos and rest stops that we feel safe in are fine for our 6-8 hour stay. And often they provide electric.
When we need to overnight when traveling from A to B, we don’t need to hook up to any services. That’s why we bought a self contained motorhome. If this concept gets legs and spreads to other parts of the country, we’d certainly consider using for a small fee, if unserviced (boondocking) sites were available and positioned in a similar quite off the highway location. If unserviced sites are too close to the highway, say between the highway and the full service sites, forget it…….. I can get the same at Walmart.
For those who need/want something like this, I sincerely hope this is successful.
For just a simple overnight (or 2), stay, there are two (2), things wrong. – – (1) If it’s over $10.00, the price is way tooo steep. – – (2) The size limit and the number of pets. Some people travel with more than one (1), pet, and some of those pets are larger and weigh more than 15 lbs. – – Generally my wife and I don’t travel, or camp with pets along. On top of that, a lot of people are living upon low income retirement wages so they don’t have a lot of extra funds available for renting places like this unless it’s for $10.00 to $20.00 max, even just for one night. – – No, Thanks, there are millions of aces of BLM land out there where I can go Boondock for free. My wife and I are used to camping without all the frills, bells, and whistles anyway, as our little teardrop trailer doesn’t have such amenities. Besides, anything above a teardrop trailer, is basically not camping anyway, it’s just taking your house with you because you can’t live without it, and all of it’s conveniences of home even for just a couple, or a few days at a time. If you have to have all of those frills, bells, and whistles with you, and you can’t get along without them, then you might as well just stay home in the first place. In a teardrop, you have the conveniences of a roof over your head if it starts to rain or during other adverse weather conditions, a bed to sleep upon off the ground and inside away from prowling predator animals, and a simple, small, no frills, Galley (kitchen) to prepare meals at. – – Sorry, I’m not talking about those with children along, I’m just talking about a couple (2 people), as yes, a family with children, does need a larger camper to accommodate all of the family members. – – My original point was that the price is way too high for a lot of people, and that the pet rule is too limiting in both size and weight.
I live in my 29ft motorhome. A choice but not always happy to be living in a box. Haha
Sorry Old Prospector, but $10 a night campsites passed us by years ago, except in government owned sites that our tax dollars are paying for. A bare bones self service park of 50 sites, charging $10, with an average occupancy, during weeknights & weekends, of 70% year around, would only generate $127,000/year, far short of the revenue needed to make the venture profitable. Start up costs could easily run $500K & maintenance, due to abuse, breakage, theft, etc., due to lack of a fulltime, onsite manager, would be higher than in a fulltime managed campground. If not managed well with a lot of TLC, these parks would become trashy & unappealing very quickly.
Muleshoe, Tx. Has free rv lot full hookups, day limit. After that $25 per night? Good idea
I think that is awesome. It is a place my Yorkie and I would like on my way west. However, I would love to see it at a little lower since it is for 16 hours. Looking forward to stopping by to stay for awhile!
I think it is an awesome idea. I would definitely stop by on my way West. Wish the rate would be a little less for 16 hrs. Looking forward to stopping by!
https://rvselfpark.com/rates/
Self-serve RV parks are nothing new. Hundreds of county parks and NPS/BLM/USFS campgrounds have self-serve kiosks and no staff.
Great concept other than the headcount limits and charges. That part isn’t very friendly to family travelers, can’t be enforced without more hands on management then the rest of the business model implies, and is largely irrelevant in a setting where you expect quick overnight stops instead of long term camping. Don’t be nosy and try policing what is happening inside the rig, just set rules to enforce consideration of others and your property.
I agree with you. The price point is just a bit high. Along interstates you can get a hotel room for not much more and that often includes a free breakfast. I think a $29 price point with a $20 no hookup area might do the trick to entice my rig off the road.
There’s a self-service asphalted RV parking lot next to the White Rock Visitor Center in NM. Convenient to Los Alamos and Santa Fe. Free shuttle to Bandelier National Monument. $20/night, 14 day max, machine to pay by credit card. No reservations, 16 sites 15′ x 50′, all with 30/50 Amps. Water and dump station on site. Fenced dog area. Gas station, hardware & grocery across the road, We’ve stayed there a few times and found it very convenient. The Visitor Center staff are very helpful and informative for tourists.
Just about 10 miles away from this self serve park is a large full service, full hookup campground with pool, fishing, etc. for $21-$25 Passport America rate for up to two nights during the week.
Having been on the road fulltime for 10 years now, I feel that $10/night is no longer realistic
for a self service park to make a profit. But around $20/night should be possible for a bare bones park, just for overnighters, with a price reduction for more than 2 nights, but a limit of 4-5 nights. You could allow exceptions to the limit, based on current occupancy rates. If the park was near full, you would enforce the limit, but if the park had low occupancy, you could allow an exception.
I think this park may be trying to appeal to too broad of a range of rvers & will end up pleasing no one. What’s really needed is the concept of bare bones self serve parks for overnighters, placed along major travel routes, with a price structure & bare bones amenities that discourage long term squatters that take over many of the current, older, reasonably priced campgrounds.
This is a terrible idea for my budget and expectations and life and family and pets and…
I’m used to paying $25-30 for a REAL campsite with power and water, usually in a decent pretty area. I wouldn’t think of stopping at rest-stop-plus-power for more than $10, preferably $5. THat’s my pricepoint.
And I travel with a family of 4 and 2 dogs, each one 90lbs or so. Really, unless I’m a problem outside the box, it’s none of their business who’s inside my RV.
You’re probably a responsible pet owner, but, in reality, there are far too many pet owners who don’t pick up after their dogs & don’t control their dog’s barking. In the last 10 years of fulltiming, I can’t begin to count the number of campgrounds we’ve been in where the experience was ruined by dog poop all over & nonstop barking dogs, day & night. If pet owners spent the same effort training their dogs that they spend training their children, society would be a much more pleasant place. Of course there are some parents who train neither their dogs nor their children.
If your extra people don’t use electricity, water or sewer, it wouldn’t be any of there business haw many of you there are. But, I would bet that all of you use these services which must be paid for. Your comments sound like the guy that was parked near us during December and January is South Carolina. He ran 3 portable heaters in his 32 foot trailer because the electricity was “free” and propane for the furnace was expensive.
I
m waiting for and hope it happens sooner than later with campgrounds that void kids under 18 and dont allow pets. Tired of the nosie of the little darlings on the golf carts at all hours and the mess and barking I see and hear on regular bases around the camping spots visited as of late.I liked the idea until I saw the extra person charge. We travel with 2 kids so our cost would be $49. Just to stop and sleep? That’s too much and not very family friendly.
https://rvselfpark.com/rates/
It is a great idea but too much money. I was quite happy to pay 25.00 a night at Burley City RV Park in Burley, Idaho. Nice new small park, don’t remember for sure but only about 15 back-in sites, full hookup 30 & 50 amp but no wifi. No other requirements other than sticking your credit card in the slot at a kiosk. Next to the Snake River at a fairly large parking and boat launch, so some traffic on the weekends. Also had bathrooms & showers although I didn’t use them so can’t comment except that they too were new.
Too expensive for us. We would stay at another rv park for that price. There are many many out there that are $40 or less per night. With Passport America, we seldom pay more than $20 for full-hookup and sometimes with cable. This would be a NO from us.
This is not new. I often stop at small community campgrounds or even government campsites in the Yukon that are fully self-serve. You choose an available site, put your payment ($12 – $20 CDN) in the dropbox and enjoy your stay. I also recall stopping at a self-serve location along Route 66 in 2014 where you chose an available site and paid by credit card at a self-serve kiosk.
Way to much on the budget. We have 1 child and 2 small dogs, may as well find a cheap motel. Far to costly to just sleep.
Glad to see an innovative RV Park idea. Time will tell what price you should be charging. Good luck!
What would be nice is if they had 2 tier pricing. For $39 a night you get the full hookups, for maybe $20 a night just dry camping.
Why pay $20 for dry camping when you can do it for free in any Walmart, Cracker Barrel, or truck stop?
I like the $20 a night with no hook. Or 1 night at $20 and 1 night of full hook to dump , fill tank and top off batts. How about total cost with Taxes, $45-47
Seems to me the appropriate price should depend on location. $39 is great close to metro areas, but it’s a no-go near Barstow where unlimited free space is available.
Not sure why you, as a business person, would want to try to push it down to $20.
My Question is what about slobs, litterbugs, noisy partiers & Campfires?
I like the idea of the self-serve rv parking for overnight but $39.00 for less than 24hrs is a bit pricy. Some interstate rest areas (we have used ones on the Ohio turnpike) have rv sites with electric at ea site with potable water and dump stations avail for $20.00 a night. Plus there is the use of the restrooms and restaurants inside if you want.
Completely useless for pet owners and definitely not the first in the US by a long shot.
Overpriced and the fifteen pound limit on dogs will preclude many RVers from even giving the overnight campground a try!
I have 3 small dog’s, 9 lb, 7 lb, and 2.8 lb. We are meticulous with picking up not only after our dog’s droppings but extra piles along the way. The extra charge for my dog’s will keep me from stopping, the humans use the water and electricity, the kids just tag along. I don’t understand the extra charge, it’s my unit.
Think it is a great idea! An easy in easy out with full hook-up is easily worth $39 for a night. Plus you get your own bed, you own bath and shower. I think this guy is ahead of the curve because more and more Walmarts (and others) are going the opposite way with prohibiting over night camping in their lots.
I don’t know of too many motels that charge $39 a night that I feel too comfortable staying considering the cleanliness of many cheap motels now days.
The number of people in the rv DOES matter just as it does in most motels. You are paying for utilities as well as the space, and of course fees now towards taxes, up-keep, maintenance, etc.
Get the price down to mid twenties and I’ll be ready to invest in the company. Something has to be done the way RV parks are sky-rocketing up and availability of spaces is going down. A few days at a stop is all I need. Don’t really “camp” for any length of time. By the way, the OHIO TURNPIKE stops are nice
And Ohio Turnpike stops $20 with electric(2019)!! They may need to rethink the price.
Love, love , love the idea! I wish i would have seen one of these on my last trip! I am very interested in a franchise opportunity!
Truck stops are free to RV users. I don’t consider this in and out if you can reserve it for more than 1 day. I’m not planning to stay more than I need to get some sleep. Sorry but this needs some more thought.
Truck stops are for Commercial motor vehicles and driver’s regulated to hours of service not RVs. It’s bad enough RV and ppl with trailers Park in Truckers slots at rest stops and posted signs for small trailers and RVs are posted directing them to the other side, but no they take up a 75 foot space designed for the CMV.
Derek, My coach+towed=73ft.
I fill up at the truck stop.
My tank is 300gals.
How many CMV’s hold 300gals??
Too spendy for me, but have been wanting such a thing in our state. The campgrounds are full and I don’t want to pay $30÷ for eight hours sleep.
This isn’t a new concept. There have been multiple of these in Red Bay, AL for years now.
So it’s basically just another campground, but self-serve if space available. Meh. And a hard no for us with that ridiculous 15 lb pet restriction. I’ve never understood that since it’s those little dogs that are generally the serial barkers and growlers. Our Great Dane never says a word and sticks to us like velcro, but wouldn’t be welcome. So, NO.
I agree with everything you said but what does meh mean?
Meh is an expression akin to shrugging your shoulders.
Not really a new thing…. Ohio’s Turnpike has self service RV only parking with Electric and a convenient dump station at a few of their service plazas…
Too expensive for what you are getting.
Nope. Too expensive for nothing but the spot and we don’t have a microscopic dog.
What if the park is full and you go thru the gate after a credit card payment?
We enjoyed the many self-service full hook up RV parking spots in Red Bay, Alabama. Cost is flat rate of $20/night or $100/week in the ones we used regularly. We thought it was brilliant and actually looked into trying to get one going in our “home” base city in Virginia. Sadly, ground was just too expensive. We have since stopped full time RVing. We think it has merit and especially once the automated payment method is used.
Cline’s Corners in New Mexico on I40 $20/night for full hookup.
What? 1-4 legged guest under 15 pounds? Every person I have met on the road has has 2-four legged family members with them and a lot are big dogs. Price is too high for a parking lot off the highway. It’s a good concept and I would consider this for an over-night stop IF the pricing was different and furfamily was 2 at any size. Charging for each child over 3 for an over-night stay? At this time I would pass it up and use my Passport America or Thousand Trails pass.
Not new idea. Some Nova Scotia provincial parks have been self service for some years.
I’ve talked to people about this concept before. Such a site say every 150 miles +/- along major RV routes with easy off – easy on access and just far enough back not to be very loud. But I’d rarely pay $39 for a simple overnight spot. Get it down to $20 to 25 and it becomes attractive. You could make bath house access extra. Second pet under 15lbs, get real! May be a third pet extra. Just provide long level pull through site pads, gravel or paved, I don’t really care. Provide a very simple online reservation process and site availability display.
Some RV’ers may need full utilities, but I’d venture most of us don’t for a one-night stay. I’d pay $15 for no utilities, $20 if there’s a dump station and place to top off fresh water. Electric only sites in many public campgrounds fill up quickly. Maybe a range of sites from no-service dry camping for $15 to deluxe for $35.
If the idea is to offer a lower rate because the place is unmanned, the rate has to be lower than $39; most rural manned campgrounds are less than that.
i Believe yo have the right idea. A range of options and prices. The concept is a good one!
I’ve been thinking of this for years. I would make it Ala carte pay a little to park and add on electric, water, sewer and internet.
I would gladly pay to stay where there are no dogs at all.
And there were some amenities……we do not drive all day.
250 miles a day is enough for us in our 28′ class A.
This concept not for us.
Can you imagine how much dog pee is soaked into campground lots?
Reminds me of self service registers at stores – you pay the same price but have to do all the work yourself.
But you don’t have to wait in line to get to a checker and a box person who does a lousy job.
That’s her point.
You don’t get a discount on groceries.
You don’t get paid to check and bag you groceries.
Really, your an RVer??
And you don’t have a couple extra min. to wait for a checker???
i like the concept but waaay too expensive. we encountered a semi-automatic park a year or so ago…just don’t recall where. u make a reservation online , pay and receive a gate code. all FHU pull thru sites. don’t recall the $ but i think it was less than $39.
Walmart parking lot is free !
Start up my generator got all i need !
Everybody loves an RVer who runs his generator in a Walmart. Maybe that’s why so many of them are disallowing campers.
Good idea but for that price there should be a bath house added, a game room….
Something close to a KOA Journey. I like the idea for a 1 or 2 night stop over. When we’re destination bound we usually stop for 1 night, 2 nights, 1 night, etc along the way. We do laundry and shopping on the 2 night stops.
Washer and dryers might be a nice addition.
So for a 24 hour stay it’s $49.00??? Is it just me or does that seem a little expensive?
Keep it expensive. That way it won’t be full and you don’t have to have your slide touching your neighbor’s awning.
Overnite. Why to you need an awi g or slide??
I don’t think people are going to find this offer too attractive. In Michigan I stayed at a park in a small town (forget where) that offered a gravel pad with picnic table. No power or water at site with 2 night limit for free, then $12.00 per night with a total maximum of 7 days. For an addition $3.00 a dump station and fresh water was available near the exit. This was all on the honor system. I used the vending machines and the drinking fountain. I also picked up after my #50 Labrador.
Now THAT’S cool! Was it crowded?
Love the idea of a “no touch” overnight RV Park and would use such a facility when traveling. I just have one question about the 12-hour reservation. If I stop driving before dinner time, say 4:00pm, I usually leave the next day at about 8:30 or 9:00 which puts me outside of the 12-hour window and I’m forced to sign up for the 24-hour plan.
The run of the mill along side the road RV park does not demand that you stop so late or leave so early for an overnight stay and many of those are less than $40.
Maybe $1 per hour beyond the initial 12-hour limit would make sense or a fee per hour at the outset like the kiosk in a parking lot say $1.50 with a minimum 12-hour fee.
I love the idea. All the complaints reminds me of the definition of an RVer: “Someone driving a $200,000 motor home looking for a free place to park.”
These could be the wave of the future. If we can pull in a spend the night with power and maybe water and sewer for a reduced price, why not. Campgrounds are hard to find for a one night stay.
I would be willing to pay 20 per night with just electric, that’s all I need when just passing thru.
It should be an overnight stop only, if you want to stay any longer find yourself a campground. Should offer electric only. A dump station to empty and top off fresh water tank. Priced at $18.00 to $20.00 for overnight stay.
“ONE NIGHT ONLY”
I’ve said for years that wal mart should put some power pedestals around the outside edge of their parking lots. A spot to plug in for AC overnight during the hot summer nights seems like a good idea. I think $40-$50 is a little steep for what you get.