The following RV camping tips for seniors will help you make the most of your retirement in a safe, comfortable, and FUN way…
Like many people, Jennifer and I dreamed of becoming RVers when we retired. We made that dream a reality over a decade ago and have traveled North America for most of the year ever since.
We are big believers that senior citizens can live their best life with an RV with proper preparation and expectations. We believe it because we live it!
To help you live it, too, we have compiled some of our top RV camping tips for seniors.
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13 RV Camping Tips for Seniors
While this is not an exhaustive list, the following tips will help you better enjoy your travels in different ways. We share some of the best things and resources that have made RVing possible for us. And we hope they help you, too!
1. Try Before You Buy
No amount of research compares to first-hand experience. We highly recommend renting an RV for a trip (or several trips) before committing to purchasing one. This will help you determine not only if the reality lives up to the dream but also help you decide what kind of RV is best for you.
(Try Outdoorsy for your renting adventure.)
Older adults often save for years to purchase an RV, and we were shocked to learn how many people regret their decision once it is too late. In most cases, people don't regret joining the RV lifestyle; they regret which size RV they got.
Some people wish they would've gone bigger; others wish they would've gone smaller. But all wish they would've tried out the different RV classes before they bought.
To find your “goldilocks RV” that's “just right,” we recommend reading 10 Top Tips for Finding the Best RV Size for You.
And then there are those who wish they'd never bought an RV at all, which leads to our next tip…
2. Ease Into the RV Lifestyle!
We've seen and heard of many older people selling their homes and most of their belongings to dive headfirst into RVing. Only to regret it.
It's a good idea to EASE into the lifestyle before becoming a full-time RVer or even downsizing to RV part-time. Start with a test run in your driveway or close to home. Then take a few trips, stay at different campgrounds, and figure out through experience if RVing really is right for you.
Here are some helpful articles related to this tip:
- Why You May Want to Think Again About Fulltime RVing
- 7 Big Cons of RV Living (Part-Time & Full-Time)
- What’s Holding You Back From Full-Time RVing? (& Solutions)
- Becoming Full-Time RVers? How to Tell Family & Friends in 5 Steps
3. Embrace Being a Senior RVer
Once you've determined that the RV life is for you (whether full-time or recreationally), then GO FOR IT! And don't let anything or anyone stop you!
This may sound easy, but there are challenges you'll face as a senior RV that you wouldn't expect. Like, for instance, a surprising lack of enthusiasm and support from your friends and family members.
So, we highly recommend you read How to Embrace Being a Senior RVer to overcome such challenges, including How to Tell Family & Friends. But we also have more practical tips for you to live your best RV life here…
4. Invest in a Good Night's Sleep
I've learned firsthand why my grandfather used to say, “Getting old hurts.” It does… especially if you don't have a comfortable bed. We've learned the best way to make the most of every camping day is to get a good night's rest before.
Here are some good resources to help you create a sleeping oasis in your recreational vehicle:
- The 3 Best RV Bedding Solutions [REVIEW and VIDEO]
- From Sore Backs to Sweet Dreams: How to Replace Your RV Mattress
- 5 Tricks to Take Your RV Dinette Bed from Lumpy to Comfy
Mike and Jennifer's NEW RV Lifestyle Merch!
5. Make Driving More Comfortable
Road trips are a lot of fun, but they're MORE fun when you're comfortable. This is true for both the driver and passengers.
Here are some helpful accessories and tips to keep you comfortable while driving:
- How to Stay Comfortable on a Road Trip (10 Accessories)
- How to Calm Your Nerves While Riding Shotgun in an RV
- Sitting Disease: A Real Health Risk for RVers
- How To SURVIVE a Long Road Trip in Your RV
Discomfort leads to irritability, and irritability leads to a bad camp set-up experience! The last thing you want is to arrive at the camping site irritable with a crick in your neck. So, the above information can help get your trip off on the right foot (er, on the right wheel?). The next tip will also help…
6. Adopt the 330 Rule
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When we finally hit the road after retirement, I wanted to see as much as possible as fast as possible. I pushed us day after day, driving several hours and hundreds of miles every day until Jennifer finally put her foot down. And I'm glad she did!
Pushing yourself to drive too long and too far is one of the most common RVing mistakes. I finally learned my lesson, and we adopted the 330 Rule, which is one of the 15 Things RVers Wish They Had Known Before Becoming RVers.
The 330 rule goes like this: “stop when you have driven 330 miles, or it’s 3:30 in the afternoon.” I recommend reading more about the rule and its many benefits.
7. Install Additional Safety Features
Perhaps the most important thing for senior RVers to do is to make their RV SAFE. As seniors, we need to understand our physical limitations and make accommodations as necessary.
Don't make the mistake of installing safety features after you've been hurt. It's far better to take extra precautions (even if you think you're not that old) to prevent injuries that can squash your travel dreams.
We have compiled a list of 7 RV Safety Products that can make your RV safer and more comfortable for you. Some products address specific special needs, but a few of the products are helpful for most older citizens.
8. Bring a Dog to Keep You Active
Many people think campers hike and play all day, but the reality is a lot sit around their campsites or in their RV. It's easy to fall into “couch potato” habits when you actually travel with a couch.
It's important to get plenty of physical activity when you RV, and what better way to enjoy it than with a dog? Their energy and enthusiasm will keep you motivated, not to mention the necessity of potty walks. It's one of the 5 Best Perks of Traveling with a Dog.
We love traveling with our dog Bo, and he certainly keeps us out of our favorite camping chairs. We have an Ultimate Resource Guide for RVing with Dogs and an Amazon Shopping List for Traveling Pets.
Looking for a way to keep your dog on your property without using a physical fence? Check out SpotOn GPS Dog Fence™
SpotOn works almost anywhere — but you need a lot that’s at least ½ acre
Why? Because you’ll need to allow for the fence alert/warning zone. The effective boundary for your dog is 10 feet inside the fence boundary that you walk. Walk your planned boundary with SpotOn's dog collar and your phone or draw your fence in the app. Truly, watching this video will show you how cool this technology is! True Location™ technology builds on conventional GPS and makes it better, giving you the most reliable fence boundary that never requires calibration. So your dog can have a great adventure without risking a great escape. Get professionally-developed training programs that’ll have your dog using SpotOn in a few simple steps!
9. Keep Your Campsite Info on Your Fridge
When you're having a great time, the last thing you want to think about is something going wrong. But emergencies happen, and you need to be able to tell first responders where you are. Many people don't think of this until the first time they call 911 and realize they don't know their exact location!
A great way to avoid this scary situation is to write down the name of your campground, the campground's address & phone number, and your campsite number on a post it note and stick it to your fridge. Or input the info in your cell phone. Make it a part of your set-up checklist when you arrive at camp.
People of ALL ages should take this safety measure. We also recommend that everyone skims our long list of Life-Saving RV Emergency Preparedness articles. This compilation resource serves as an index for all of our safety and health resources, including Emergency Survival Gear, Driving & Camping Safety, Health & Medical, and Severe Weather.
10. Carefully Plan a Budget
Most seniors live and travel on a fixed budget, whether it's their retirement income or social security. As such, it's very important to take the time to make a practical budget.
RVing is often more expensive than people think. Travel, maintenance, and repair costs can add up quickly, and can strangle your travel plans.
We have some resources to help you prepare and plan for the costs you'll encounter:
- Can I Afford Full-Time RVing on Social Security?
- Affording Fulltime RV Life on Social Security
- Fulltime RV Living: Count the Cost
- Buying an RV: Seven Hidden Costs to Consider
- How to Budget for Full-Time RV Life (5 Steps + Resources!)
We also have some tips on how to stretch your budget so you can enjoy more for less…
11. Save Money with RV Memberships & Clubs
You can save a significant amount of money by joining RV campground memberships, camping clubs, and reciprocal memberships. These memberships and clubs give you access to discounts, free resources, and more.
There are many different memberships to choose from, and they're not all worth it. However, depending on your travel lifestyle and preferences, there are likely at least a few memberships you can benefit from.
Here are some resources to help you find memberships that will save you money:
- Are RV Campground Memberships and Clubs Worth It?
- 10 Best RV Campground Memberships & Clubs
- Save BIG with Reciprocal Memberships for Museums, Zoos & More
12. Purchase a Lifetime National Park Senior Pass
Speaking of memberships, there is one membership that every RVing senior should have. It's called the America the Beautiful Senior Pass.
Seniors gain access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies for one low price.
Seniors can choose between the $20 Annual Senior Pass or the $80 Lifetime Senior Pass. Jennifer and I have gotten our money’s worth on our annual pass 10 times over!
With this pass, you enter the parks for free and can then stay at free or low-cost campgrounds in the parks.
13. Try a Workkamper Job
Our last tip for you today is a win-win because it stretches your money farther while enjoying the great outdoors. Work Camping is a practical method of travel, where you can offset camping costs or earn some extra cash to supplement your income or social security.
You can volunteer at many state parks and national parks in exchange for a free campsite, work as a camp host at private campgrounds, or earn money on the side while you travel. There are some excellent resources to help…
- Work Camping Jobs: 10 Best Resources for Workamper Jobs
- Make Money While RVing as a Pet Sitter!
- How to Make Money as a Travel Photographer (9 Ways)
Happy Camping!
We hope these camping tips for seniors help you enjoy the open road and breathe in the fresh air across the country. We believe RVing is the perfect way to see all the United States has to offer, from its national forests to historical landmarks and so much more.
So, we'll leave you with the most important tip: make the most of your time on this planet!
Mike and Jennifer's Favorite Places in Florida – all 3 ebooks!
We RVers may wander far and wide but it’s true for most of us that we end up with some favorite “Go-To” places – places that draw us back again and again.
Florida is one of those places for us. And we know it is for many RVers looking to get away and explore during the winter.
That's why we've created three guides, covering Florida's Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the Keys.
Each of these guides is a seven-day guided exploration of one of the coasts. And each stop is a curated view of the best things that we’ve enjoyed on this trip and want you to experience.
Altogether these guides are over 300 pages of content!
FAQ's about Florida Gulf Coast beaches of interest to RVers
What is the weather like along Florida's Gulf Coast?
The weather along Florida's Gulf Coast can vary depending on the time of year and the specific location. In general, the area experiences hot, humid summers and mild, pleasant winters.
The Panhandle region can be quite cool in January. It is seldom below freezing, but daytime highs are typically in the 50s. It warms up about 10 degrees each month.
You can also generally add about 10 degrees for every 150 miles you travel south down the Florida peninsula.
By the time you hit Naples, daytime highs in January are in the comfortable 70s.
Did Hurricane Ian destroy many beach campgrounds on the Gulf Coast?
While it severely damaged almost two dozen RV parks and campgrounds, about 8-10 campgrounds in the Naples-Ft. Myers area were completely destroyed. Most of the damaged campgrounds have been repaired and reopened.
Check with the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds if you have questions or concerns.
Are there any websites that can help me get a reservation for a Florida beach campground?
One of the best resources we can recommend is called Campnab. This service monitors parks for cancelations and sends you an alert when an opening matches your criteria. That said, it isn’t magic. The app doesn’t create availabilities.
The service works – but it is not free.
Campnab offers two ways to use the service. The first is individual pay-per-use scans. These watch for vacancies at a specific park for a specific date. These work well if you know exactly when and where you intend to camp. Pay-per-use scans cost $10 – $20, depending on how frequently you want them to check availability.
The second way to use the service is through a membership. These typically run monthly and are tailored to those who camp more frequently or are looking to maximize their chance of finding a site. Membership allows you to scan multiple parks and/or dates simultaneously. With memberships, you pay a monthly recurring fee ($10, $20, $30, or $50), depending on your needs.
Are there places in Florida where you can literally camp on the beach for free?
Not many. And they are very pricey. If you want to sleep directly on the sand in an RV, you'll have to stay at a developed commercial campground like Camp Gulf on the Emerald Coast or an RV resort like Big Pine Key Resort in the keys. Some state parks like the Gamble Rogers State Memorial Recreation Area in the Atlantic Coast or Bahia Honda State Park in the keys or Fort Desto State Park near St. Petersburg have beachside sites, too.
But are there free, unrestricted RV beach camping spots in Florida?
Sorry, none that I know of that would work for RVs.
There is unrestricted camping on wild beaches on a couple of islands, but you need a boat to get there, and it is for tent camping only. If you want to sleep directly on the sand, there is Anclote Key offshore Tarpon Springs, and Shell Key in Pinellas County. Another favorite is Keewaydin Island between Naples and Marco Island but that area remains pretty devasted from Hurricane Ian.
Our RV Buying Secrets
Next to your home, an RV is most likely the 2nd most expensive thing you'll ever purchase.
We get questions every day of other RVers wondering. “How do you buy a new or used RV?”
So we created a 75+-page downloadable digital guide to help you understand the nuances that come with purchasing an RV, where you can save thousands of dollars in the buying process, what the right questions are to ask dealers, what things to look out for, how to select the right unit, amenities, warranties, and so much more!
We created this guide to help you understand the nuances that come with purchasing an RV including:
- Where to save thousands of dollars in the buying process
- What questions to ask dealers
- How to select the right unit
- How to narrow down RV amenities
- Understanding your warranty and what it covers
This ebook is designed to help make your purchase process as smooth as possible. And to teach you step-by-step exactly what to do so you can start your RV Lifestyle today!
September 18, 2023at3:52 pm, bruce edelman said:
hi, maybe you can help meet.i am looking a motor home on a piece of property I am a senior and do not own a camper .I will like to rent a moter home in a senior motor park , for a second home . I am living in the boca Raton area , can you help me…BRUCE
September 19, 2023at2:20 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Hi Bruce – Have you joined Mike and Jen’s RVLifestyle Facebook group? it is a community of 225,000-plus RVers and a great resource for questions like this. Here is a link – https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtreking
– Team RV Lifestyle
July 31, 2023at10:50 am, Alice Carroll said:
Thanks for the tip about how finding online reservations can also be a good option when looking for a 55+ RV park. My grandfather is interested in that because he wants to be able to travel more frequently at his age. Being able to adopt an RV lifestyle will be great for him for sure.
[Link deleted]
July 31, 2023at1:50 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thanks for the feedback, Alice – Team RV Lifestyle
March 30, 2023at7:42 am, Ritchie Blanford said:
As a senior RVer and traveling RN I found your article both interesting and informative. I look forward to reading more Thanks for the article.
March 30, 2023at9:33 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thank you for your encouragement, Ritchie! Team RV Lifestyle