Challenge Accepted! Choosing a Campground – a Good One – in 5 Minutes

Choosing a Campground can be a real challenge. But we can help you find a good one in 5 minutes if you follow these suggestions.

Hitting the open road an RV is one of the best ways to travel nowadays. However, if you are not a seasoned camper, RV parks and campgrounds around the U.S. can be hit or miss.

Start with the Basics when Choosing a Campground

If the campground is on our short list of well-known websites and has good reviews and photos, this will save you so much time!

Here, you will find helpful photos to help you make an informed decision based on your preferences.

Get honest reviews from our short list of notable sites:

• Campground Views (you can get 24 hours of unlimited access to everything at Campground Views when you first sign up. They have monthly and annual memberships available.)

• Campground Reviews (which is now part of RV Life – with excellent Review pages for Campgrounds and reviews by RV type. You can see a lot on the site for free, but membership will unlock all the info.)

• The Dyrt (you can see a lot for free, but their membership allows for some great perks, including being alerted when a campsite is available.)

• Campendium (one of the best places to see state parks, national parks, and boondocking spots. This site is one of the first places you should check.)

The photos on these websites will tell much of the story. Want a great view? You are likely to get a good idea of the surrounding area in the online photos.

Choosing a Campground: Online Reservations are Your Friend

Most good RV campgrounds will do this, but if they have a clunky system, you may want to look elsewhere. However, if the campground serves your needs otherwise and the reviews are good, try booking by phone, and if the staff knows the sites well and what would fit your RV, all the better.

Choosing a Campground: What Kind of Hookups Do You Need?

You’ll want to choose a campground that meets your hookup needs. These can vary from site to site, so choose wisely. If you are just staying the night and don’t necessarily need hookups, dry camping sites are a cheap alternative and should cost you less than twenty bucks.

Here’s a handy video Jennifer and I recently did:

How to set up your campsite once you reach the campground

Choosing a Campground: Make Sure the Price is Right

The whole point of RV camping is so you can save money on accommodation, so if a campsite is more than $50, it may not be worth it to you. There are plenty of good campsites for $20-35. Anything more than that is likely in a luxury RV campground resort with lots of amenities you’ll probably not use. But if that’s your desire, go for it!

Choosing a Campground: Have a Furry Friend with You?

Traveling with your pet can be a lot of fun. Be sure the campground accepts pets! Most do these days, but you will want to make sure.

CLICK HERE to read an article we wrote on traveling with pets

This info about camping with pets should be readily available on the campground website, and if it’s not, it is safe to assume they do not take pets.

Choosing a Campground: Know Your Preferences

Some RV-ers need campgrounds with WiFi, and some don’t. But if this is important to you, make sure the campground you choose offers it. Same with laundry facilities. Most RV resorts have them but will charge extra – be sure to take that added cost into account.

Do you need extra privacy? Then try to avoid campgrounds that advertise themselves as family-friendly, especially for weekend stays. You don’t want screaming kids next to you if you’d rather enjoy peace and quiet. But if you are bringing your own family, then this will not be a big deal for you.

Choosing a Campground: Once You Get There

Do a quick assessment to make sure everything checks out. This should be obvious within the first five minutes of your arrival. Make sure your site is level enough for your RV, and the hookups you need are there.

Things to Avoid when Choosing a Campground

• RV websites with unlisted pricing
• Campsites with tight spaces. Especially in the era of social distancing, you don’t want to be too close to your neighbor with your RV
• Campgrounds that charge added fees on top of the listed price that is not stated clearly on the website
• No dump station and/or sewer hookups. It’s fine for one night if you’re in a pinch, but should be avoided

When in Doubt, Boondock It

If you find yourself in a remote area with no convenient campground in sight, you can always boondock on public lands for free RV camping! However, this means no hookups and no amenities whatsoever – just you, your RV and glorious nature all around you.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR MEGAPOST ON FINDING CHEAP OR FREE CAMPGROUNDS