By Gail Marsh
Who wouldn’t want a little peace and quiet? From morning to night, daily noise hammers at our senses. Work, traffic, technology, conversation, and more assail our ears in a never-ending cacophony. Wouldn’t a nice, quiet getaway be welcome? Yes! But how can you find a quiet RV park?
Is boondocking the only alternative to quiet RV parks?
Boondockers know that BLM land and other off-grid opportunities offer secluded and quiet spots. The problem? Not every RVer wants to boondock. So what’s a non-boondocker’s alternative?
Search out quiet RV parks
Every area of the United States offers some quiet RV parks—you just need to know how and where to look. If you’re tired of the noise in your life, follow these suggestions and find your own quiet RV park.
Avoid parks near big attractions
RV parks near or within theme parks and other big attractions are often noisier. Campgrounds with enthusiastic families and excited children naturally will be louder. (I love hearing that kind of “noise” if I’m not seeking a quiet getaway.) Just know this fact and expect noise in campgrounds near attractions.
Exception: You might happily discover quiet moments during certain times of the day. We’ve camped in a popular fishing area. It’s noisy early in the mornings as anglers head to the lake and again when they come back in the late afternoon. The in-between times are noticeably quieter.
Think smaller
Numbers matter. While not all large RV parks are noisy, many tend to be that way. It just makes sense that the more people and vehicles, the noisier the park can be. When seeking only nature’s sounds, we look for smaller campgrounds.
Fewer amenities
If a campground features a pool, climbing wall, putt-putt golf, and more, it will be noisier. If you’re the kind of camper who doesn’t need these amenities, look for campgrounds without them.
Pet-less campgrounds
RVers looking for peace and quiet might find it in parks that do not allow pets. The problem of “barking dogs” always ranks high on the list of noise frustrations for campers. Note: Some campgrounds have begun to divide their RV park. One side of the park allows pets, while the other side does not. It pays to inquire about this.
Childless campgrounds
If you’re over the age of 55, try seeking out 55+ campgrounds. These are surely quieter than popular campgrounds like state parks or KOAs, which are often family-favorite destinations.
Quiet times in quiet RV parks
Off-season might be your best chance to find a quiet RV campground. Keep this in mind when you plan your “quiet” trip.
Off the beaten path
Another way to narrow your search for a quiet RV campground is to look beyond the interstate. Campgrounds well away from main highways are often quieter. It’s nice falling asleep to the sound of crickets rather than highway noise. (Use a tool like RV Trip Wizard to make sure your route will safely accommodate your RV’s width/height.)
Ask other RVers
Many times, we’ve been directed to quiet campgrounds by other RVers. Ask your friends who also RV where they’ve located quiet campgrounds. Check online blogs and forums, too.
Keep it quiet
Once you locate your place of peace and quiet, make sure to follow the park rules. That means no raucous outside poker games or leaf blower usage. Be sure to keep outside speakers turned off, too. Remember, you’re there to enjoy the quiet. Help others do so, too!
If you just can’t find any peace and quiet, perhaps some noise-canceling headphones or a sound machine will help…
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RVDT2828
If your dog is a barker. Buy a shock color and put it on the dog. When your dog learn not to bark you can put the shock color on without turning it on as a deterrent. Surprisingly my little dog wants the shock color on. We just don’t turn it on unless she barks. You figure.
Hubby and I are planning a 3 week trip to the UP in Michigan before Memorial Day for fishing and waterfalls. Since we are retired we don’t want or need to be camping over a holiday. Unfortunately for us, many campgrounds don’t open up until May 15 which means we either cut our trip extra short or endure a noisy weekend. We’re choosing the noisy weekend.
I have found that state parks are generally quiet except for a few near major attractions.
Agreed, especially the smaller ones off the beaten path. Also, parks that are heavily wooded are also quieter by design, as the vegetation buffers the noise.
I’ve found that finding a quiet RV park isn’t a big problem. Finding one that is not filled with full-time residents is the problem. Even KOA has catered to full-time residents. They used to be my go-to stopping spot.
Small state forest campgrounds with NO amenities & large forested lots, especially in the fall