How important is having access to the internet where you camp? Is it a “must have” or an “I don’t care” proposition?
Some RVers are so addicted to social media that they go into withdrawal when they can’t post a photo or report every little thing they’re doing to their adoring fans. Heaven forbid they can’t get an internet connection. (We’re just giving you a hard time—we’d have a hard time being without internet, too!)
Others, of course, work from their RVs and need access to do their job.
In general, RVers increasingly demand having internet access where they stay, whether it’s free or available for a fee. It could be a matter of an RV park having good Wi-Fi, or it could mean they’ll only stay where there’s cell phone service, where their phone or its hotspot function can connect them with cyberspace.
Nowadays, Starlink is a popular option among RVers, which makes getting internet from anywhere pretty easy.
How about you? Will you stay for longer than a day where you’re on your own, not connected to the outside world?
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RVT1232
I’ve stayed at Sinnemahoning State Parkin Pa that had no internet, TV or radio reception and no phone service.
We’re 70 and I find the (adult) kids want to keep as close an eye on us as we did on them as teens. Free to roam, but you have to check-in. I really can’t disagree, but find it funny when I remember them rebelling about this minimal oversight – just like we did when we were teens.
Otherwise, <gasp> you mean our only communication this evening is to talk to each other or read a book?
We’ve done this many times. No WiFi and very weak or non existent cell service. I have a few downloaded tv shows and movies on my laptop to enjoy in the evenings.
I would miss my early morning RVtravel, but not much else.
I would be ok for a couple of nites, but we have starlink, so far it is tough not to have connection.
Not a second thought. Love the solitude, sounds of nature the crackling of a fire and a good western and an old camp lantern.
Recently stayed 5 nights in the Pocono Mtns at Promised Land State Park with no cell service (which is also our internet via hotspot). Even driving around the area produced no usable Verizon signal.
I have to admit that we like having cell service to stay in touch, but it’s not a crisis if it’s not available.
We found with our unlimited data cell phone plan, we can use it to watch our streaming cable channels by “Mirroring” whatever program on the cell to the Smart TV. We used to have that unreliable satellite service, and paid $79 a month. Now we watch Netflix, Prime, Hulu, YouTube and more for free in our Motorhome! So we do enjoy cell service internet, and if no cell service we most likely would move on.
As long as I know from the description of the RV park, in advance, that’s the case I’m okay with no WiFi.
For just one night?….Very likely. As a destination?…depends on the destination. Years ago we spent a week in NC in an area with no cellphone access. Inconvienent…sure. A deal-breaker…hardly.
Hartwick Pines State Park has no Cell Service, we had to drive about two-three miles towards Grayling to get service. We stayed fifteen days with no issues. I had a lot of reading material and we needed to go into Grayling a few times for our Ice Cream Fix.
I have a Starlink system, I don’t use the campground wifi.
The question is without service of any kind having a Starlink is with service not without service.
One day I am going to figure out how to turn my cell fone on! Then the challenge of figuring out how to call/answer on it! We have two CD players in the MH for rainy days or nite use with the TV – not sure they still make them. Rving/camping for over 40 years I guess we grew up without the luxury of staying in touch 24/7. However, I admit times have changed – some good – some not so good changes. The public element and trust we put in others has also changed – so I guess staying in touch is not all bad either. (Now if I can find that cell fone book…..)
DW/ND, I’m with you. As long as I have my pager, I am just fine, and it hasn’t bothered me once since I’ve retired.
We had no cell phones or internet before our sons were grown. So why would we care whether we are “connected” 24/7 now? With the ability to download free E-books and audiobooks from the library and even Netflix movies and series on a laptop before leaving home, why would we need WiFi or cell service while RVing now? We can go a week or more without cell or WiFi while boondocking and will need to dump our tanks before we need to connect again. Our sons are now in their 50s, so don’t stay in constant touch even when we are home. We generally tell them when we are going to be on the road, but that’s the extent of our “checking in”!
Our kids always know where we are. We have a GPS tracker in our RV, so they know where we are.
Depends on the cell phone coverage
Normal for us at many of the state and national parks out west.
Most state parks we stay at have no internet access. However, we usually can get to an internet accessible location within 20 minutes and our family likes us to check in every few days, if possible.. We once stayed a week in an area that had no signal for 50 miles around. We were glad to get back into communication.
Even better, no dogs, no generators.
I’ve never used the internet while camping. Never watched TV either. I read books. Part of camping, to me, is getting away from all media. I do have a cell phone, though, but rarely use it.
ALL media? Books were once considered to be media. lol Yep, another word has had its definition changed. I used to be considered a gay person that enjoyed seeing a rainbow after a storm.
For me it would depend on why I was camping in that location and what there is to see and do in the area. I am single and I have camped in places with no internet and no cell service but planned ahead and either let my family know I would be out of touch for awhile or located somewhere close by that I could get internet service to check email etc. I found that if I was in the area to explore a park or something I would encounter at least cell service somewhere in my travels every day.
I don’t need internet access, except: I only keep having someone working on my computer, to keep it running, JUST SO I CAN READ RVTRAVEL, and getting the daily “NO REPLY” messages from my health providers. (I would think that if a doctor got no reply that he should be worried.)
We have stayed at a few NPs with limited to no internet access. However, when working remotely, we do need the internet for work and plan accordingly.
None the campgrounds that we camp at have cell or data coverage.
I wish we could stay somewhere with zero connectivity. However, as part-timers still working, a vacation is only time away from the office, but not time away from the responsibilities of the office. As such, we cannot be without coverage for more than a few hours. Part of my campsite selection criteria is also looking at the AT&T coverage map.