Are you camping right now? If not, think back to the last place you stayed the night in your RV. Maybe it was a quiet campground tucked into the trees, or a full-service RV park with hookups and a view. For today’s poll, we want to know: What was the nightly cost of the last RV park or campground where you stayed?
For some of you, the answer was probably refreshingly low, or maybe even free. Public campgrounds, off-season rates, or simple no-frills parks can still make it possible to camp without breaking the budget. Maybe you stayed overnight in a Walmart lot or maybe in a friends’ driveway. When all you really need is a safe place to park and sleep, price can matter more than amenities.
Others paid a bit more. Full hookups, laundry, strong Wi-Fi, paved sites, or a great location can quickly push nightly rates higher. In busy areas or peak season, higher prices are often just part of the deal.
And then there’s the sticker shock. Many RVers have noticed prices creeping up over the years, sometimes reaching hotel-level rates. Whether it’s resort fees, premium locations, or simple supply and demand, nightly costs can vary wildly from one stop to the next.
According to Harvest Hosts, the average cost of a full-hookup campsite in the U.S. ranges from about $55-$90 per night. Luxury resorts can soar to $150 or higher per night.
So what about you? When you think about your most recent stay, what did it cost per night? Go ahead and vote in today’s poll. Thanks!
MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
- When was the last time you saw a movie at a movie theater?
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- How often do you go for a walk?
- Do you have a favorite place to camp that you return to often?
- Do you worry about paying your bills every month?
RVT1244
We live in New Mexico and normally stay in NM State Parks. Very recently, NM began issuing NM military veterans state park passes for free access and camping. The prices of camp sights are normally $10 (no hookups) to $14 (electricity) and a $3.50 per night reservation fee. With the Veterans Pass, we only have to pay the registration fees. So a 5-night no electricity stay would cost $10.50 instead of $80.50. All that’s required is a copy of your current ID card or DD214 and proof of NM residency (driver’s license) at your local VA office.
Basic stay in NM has gone up, e/w sites are now 30.00 dollars, still a bargain.
Yes, I spent $200+ per night! But I was at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Mostly my average is 50 to 80 a night here on the east side of the USA.
I just can’t imagine ANYTHING that would want me to spend $200.00 to camp at Disney World. With one exception- if I was taking very young grandkids.
First rule of Disneyworld.
NEVER take children under 6 years old!
Under 6 they will not remember the trip and those toddlers will dictate as in ruin the experience for everyone else!
When my son was 3, the look of happiness on his face when he saw the Disney characters was worth more than a million dollars and well worth the trip.
I just checked my reservations for two of my upcoming trips this year.
Low was $57/night and high was $77/night.
Stayed 7 days in a National Forest campground. The $18/ day was $9 with Senior Pass, then $10 more for electric site, so $19/day. No water at site but pump at Host Site to fill from.
Only pit toilets, no showers. I’m not complaining one bit. Nor do I feel guilty. I’ve been over-taxed all my working life so getting a bargain in my remaining senior years is appreciated.
We’ve camped at Army Corps. of Engineers, National Forests, county and city parks, and Cracker Barrels. At CB, we eat breakfasts as our thanks. Even have done Bass Pro-Cabellas overnights and bought something.
My motorhome is a no-whine zone. Can’t imagine that some dwell in complaint-filled lives, always angry.
We are now on monthly. As snowbirds we do a semi-annual migration of about a week. We abandoned our most expensive overnight stop at a KOA. All of our stops last fall were below $50/night at private RV parks. I think the lowest was $36.
The ever increasing RV site rental rates are turning more and more RVer’s into Hotel guests.
In their zeal (campground owners) attempting to turn their facilities into destinations, local governments increasingly placing new restrictions on campgrounds/short term rentals, increasing labor/maintenance costs, huge property tax increases by local governments and the increase in value of large acreage tracts near cities and popular entertainment attractions RV parks are pricing their products too close to Hotel prices.
Only thing missing in Hotels upping their game is the evening campfire and weenie roast!
No trailer or motorhome to buy and maintain.
Hotel for the win!
We paid $880. for 9 days (booked back in Oct.) in Hill City SD through 4th of July. That is where we wanted to be during that time for all the festivities around the 250th anniversary and to see fireworks from the top of Mt. Rushmore. It is full hookup, and I considered it a good bargain. I have no doubt that as time gets closer, prices are going to rise, as right now with hotels and b&bs along with RV parks most are already booked, and some are minimum 7-9 days.
The “nightly cost” was lower because we were there for two weeks so we paid the weekly rate. It was only 10 minutes from our daughter’s place. We have paid over $150 per night and as little as $35 using our Passport America membership.
Free at a state park near Watkins Glenn NY.
You asked for the nightly rate, but we were paying the monthly rate which was about $50. That’s in South Florida, worth it for the warmth.