If it feels like campground stays cost more than they used to—even when you’re booking the same kind of RV site in the same season—you’re not wrong.
New national pricing data backs up what many RVers have been noticing for a while now: Campground prices have gone up and, in most places, they haven’t come back down.
A newly released 2026 Outdoor Hospitality Pricing Report compiled by Insider Perks shows that while the sharp price spikes of the past few years have eased, nightly rates have settled at a noticeably higher level than many RVers remember.
What the numbers show
According to the report, the median nightly price for an RV site nationwide now sits just over $60. When other camping accommodations are factored in, the overall average climbs into the low $70s.
That’s a sign the market has stabilized—but at a higher baseline. Prices may no longer be jumping year after year, but they also haven’t drifted back toward pre-pandemic norms.
For RVers who still remember paying $35 or $40 for a private park site without thinking twice, the change is hard to miss.
Why campground stays feel more expensive
Part of the frustration comes from the way campground pricing has changed.
The report suggests that geography now plays a much bigger role than timing. Coastal states and destination-heavy regions consistently command higher prices, regardless of season. Traveling midweek or in the shoulder season may shave only a few dollars off the nightly rate, while moving inland—or just crossing a state line—can make a much bigger difference.
That reality runs counter to long-standing RV travel wisdom. Going off-season no longer guarantees meaningful savings at many private parks.
Amenities are another factor. Full-hookup sites carry a clear premium over dry or partial-hookup options, and waterfront sites—especially oceanfront—can more than double the nightly cost.
Then there’s demand-based pricing. The report found wide swings for the same site at the same park, depending on demand. It’s a pricing model RVers know from hotels and airlines, but one that still catches many campers by surprise.
How RVers can manage higher campground prices
Higher prices may be the new normal, but the data also points to ways RVers can avoid paying more than they have to.
Shopping locations instead of just dates often makes the biggest difference. Moving a trip away from coastal or destination-heavy states can save more than adjusting travel days.
Checking multiple arrival dates also matters more than it used to. With dynamic pricing now common, shifting a stay by just a few days can unlock noticeably lower rates for the same site.
Amenities are another place to be selective. Full hookups and waterfront sites come at a cost, and for shorter stays or overnight stops, simpler sites can offer much better value.
The report also suggests RVers shouldn’t assume higher ratings automatically mean better pricing. Some mid-rated parks charge more than nearby parks with stronger reviews, making side-by-side comparisons worth the extra time.
Finally, longer stays can help soften higher nightly rates. Weekly or monthly discounts aren’t always advertised, but they can significantly lower the average cost per night for RVers who move less often.
Still a value—but a different one
Even with higher campground prices, RV stays remain significantly cheaper than the average hotel room. What’s changed is the sense of value.
Nightly campground fees now take up a larger share of RV travel budgets than they once did, especially for those relying on private parks. For RVers who feel camping has become more expensive, the data offers reassurance: It’s not just perception.
Campground prices haven’t exploded—but they have reset. And for many RVers, recognizing that new reality is the first step toward planning trips with fewer surprises and less frustration.
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RVT1250b
What about affordability?
We have always been happy to avoid most private parks/resorts (parking lots!) since we’ve been RVing. IF we do use a private park, it’s the mom and pop variety that are often less expensive than the resorts. Don’t need all the amenities or the hookups. State, national, county and city parks are where it’s at anyhow.
will continue as tariffs continue to push things up. Hopefully we don’t have as high as a second bump like the 70s
“While the sharp price spikes of the past few years have eased, nightly rates have settled at a noticeably higher level than many RVers remember.”
So, you are blaming the tariffs from the last administration, are you??? That is the problem with printing gobs of FREE money, is cause high inflation rates and “NEWSFLASH” causes prices to go up.
Tell us Dave R, what have the inflation rates been since the tariffs were implemented compared to the inflation rate with all the free money printing? WELL????????????????
Don’t you know…. the tarrifs implemented in 2025 caused the 22% total inflation in 2021 thru 2024? C’mon Man. Without all that printing of money, the Somalians would have had nothing to steal….C’mon Man.
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Yeah, them highly educated from their learing centers!
I own a small RV park in MS(38 sites). Some context on why prices have increased since 2020. ELECTRIC—Dec2020-$2590.73 Dec2025-$4153.18. Jan2021-$3049.66 Jan2026- $4191.95 To offer parkwide WIFI 2020- cost me $12,000 (just for equipment), COMCAST internet access 2020 -$190.41/month(200mbps). 2026-$353.36(200mbps, same speed) I’ve researched-can’t obtain better pricing. Waste Management(2 dumpsters) Dec2020 – $194.68/month. Jan2026 (new contract) -$530.64/month!! So just for 3 vendors – my monthly cost has increased $1,641.20/month. That’s an additional $19,694.40 more per year. AND that’s only 3 vendors. EVERYTHING has increased. So please don’t hate us. We’re trying to survive…
Indeed, and thank you for sharing that information. Wishing you a prosperous season ahead. ✌️😎
Interesting. I notice the costs you are dealing with have anything to do with tariffs like Dave R is trying to imply. It is nice to see real facts rather than delusional opinions!
It actually does have to do with tariffs, but even worse than that, the number one reason all those prices went up is AI and the inability or lack of desire of our leadership to rein them in. That really is what’s causing the increased prices.
“It actually does have to do with tariffs”
Of the three things she listed, would you care to explain HOW tariffs effected them or are you like Dave R who make is nonsense comment a d then flees?
Also, I surely would like to hear you explain this comment, “the number one reason all those prices went up is AI”!
But, like Dave R, I m sure you will not actually support your comment with facts.
WOW… I sure would like to see the spiderweb of thread that connects all those dots for you, unless of course you just nod your head in agreement inside a frog costume at a D rally.
Thank you for the news, Russ and Tina. This is helpful and contributes to realistic expectations, which reduce disappointment. Have a great weekend and safe travels!
The US experienced up to 9% inflation during 2021-25 due to increased government spending and printing more money, which causes businesses costs of operation to need increases. Don’t blame that private RV park operator for not wanting to go broke.
We’re already seeing progress in the US economy to repair that 4 years damage. Tariffs only affect foreign produced goods. Buy American made whenever possible. Some of the RV quality problems are tied to cheap products made in China. There’s your problems.
BINGO!!! But the people whining about affordability and tariffs want cheap produces made overseas with child labor rather than USA made products made by higher wage earners. . Of course, these are the same people who get up on their soapboxes and scream, “US workers need to make a living wage” yet refuse to buy the product produced by these workers making that “living wage.” That is why we are approaching $20-$30 hamburgers.
Typical for the wishy-washy left!
I’d love to find out where Melanie has her business. Her willingness to explain and her positive attitude gives me reasons to camp there when we travel to MS.
Folks, we’re in this together. We need places to accommodate our traveling and they need us to support their businesses.
MS is a beautiful state, rich in US history. Vicksburg has the best Civil War battleground display. Best fried catfish, best fried chicken, beautiful Natchez Trace road, and Southern hospitality is real. Natchez has beautiful old homes and churches. Biloxi has many attractions including the Jefferson Davis museum (don’t let political bias get in the way of learning history.)
On point, Dave!!! Hopefully we hear back from Melanie because I will definitely make a note of her park and location and make it a stop and stay for our travels in MS. Nothing political about it, just good folks being good folks, with good folks.
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