Trying to figure out how to receive a package at a campground? Whether you're a full-time RVer or just going on a camping trip, getting mail on the road can be a challenge. But, thankfully, it's now easier than ever with general delivery, virtual mailboxes, mail forwarding, and more…
Jennifer and I are on the road about three-quarters of the year, often moving from place to place. So, we've had to learn how to receive a package at a campground in many different locations.
Getting standard mail is one thing, but getting a package while camping can be a whole other issue. It's not like junk mail that can wait for your return or small envelopes that can be easily forwarded or virtually sent to you.
I have another article on How to Manage Mail While RVing: Short and Long Term that discusses mail in general. In this article, I'm going to focus on packages and larger parcels.
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How to Receive a Package at a Campground
Thanks to technology and the fact that more people order online than ever before, there are quite a few shipping options to choose from when on the road.
I'm going to share what mail services we use, as well as what members of our RV Lifestyle Facebook group recommend (you can see the full Facebook post here.)
1. Campground or RV Park Office
Sometimes campgrounds allow mail delivery to their camp office. All you need is their approval and their office location's mailing address. In some cases, the office manager will instruct you to list your site number for more direct delivery.
Just be sure to call ahead and check with them first. Their willingness might depend on the number and size of packages, and the frequency of deliveries. Understandably, they don't want to serve as your personal post office, but most don't mind an occasional delivery.
If you only need to receive one package and are staying temporarily, I suggest trying this method first. It's the easiest, most convenient option… and it's often free. Though, additional charges for this service aren't unheard of.
2. Anytime Mailbox
Anytime mailbox is a virtual mailbox and mail forwarding service that Jennifer and I use. It's an app that turns your physical mail into a digitized format. It then places it into your own personal virtual mailbox.
When setting up your Anytime Mailbox, you pick a physical location where your mail can be received. There are over 675 locations to choose from across the United States. This location can be in your home city, or across the country – you choose!
Many times, the location address is a mail business center or “cowork” location that is authorized by the US postal service to receive and digitize your postal mail and packages. Packages (and any mail) can then be held or forwarded to wherever you wish with a push of a couple buttons (i.e. to your campground office).
Plans start at as low as $9.99 per month when you sign up.
3. Escapees RV Club
Some part-time RVers and full timers use the Escapees Mail Service as an alternative to Anytime Mailbox. The biggest difference being Escapees only offers annual plans, not monthly.
When you subscribe, you get a unique mailing address in Texas, South Dakota, or Florida. Then you give that address to anyone who sends you mail or packages by US Postal Service, UPS or FedEx.
Escapees receives and holds your mail (including packages, certified, and registered mail) for you. When you’re ready to have your mail forwarded, you just call, email, or send them instructions online with where you want them to send it.
Annual plans start as low as $95.
Mike and Jennifer's Official Summer T-Shirts for you to explore
4. P.O. Box
If you're RVing in an area for an extended period of time, you may want to rent a local P.O. Box. It's easy to rent a P.O. box online through the USPS website. You simply sign up and pay online, then pick up your keys in person when you arrive.
In addition to the Federally-ran local post office, you can sometimes rent a PO box at a local UPS Store, Fed Ex store, or privately-owned local mailing services.
5. USPS General Delivery Mail
The United States Post Office also offers a general delivery service for those without a permanent address, like RVers! They even describe it as “A participating Post Office to serve transients (people who travel extensively) and those without a permanent address.”
General delivery does not require an application. You just need to speak with the local postmaster since they determine if and how long you're able to use it.
6. Amazon Locker
With all of our Amazon RV Shopping Lists, you know Jennifer and I use Amazon a lot! Who doesn't these days?!
As the masters of delivery, Amazon often offers “Amazon locker pickup” in thousands of locations across the U.S. So, instead of shipping to a physical address at your current location, you can have them ship your Amazon packages to a locker in your area.
These lockers are located most often in metropolitan areas. So, they may not always be nearby when camping but can often be “on the way” to wherever you're going. Since Amazon orders usually provide a specific arrival date, you can plan your delivery and pickup around your itinerary.
7. Send to Family Member or Friend
If you're in no hurry to receive your package and don't mind calling in a favor, you can always ask a family member or friend. They can become your own personal mail forwarder or perhaps just hold on to it until you see them next.
This is usually the best option if you're only going to be gone a short time or if you're RVing to that loved one for a visit. Just remember, it's a good idea to double check with them that it's okay to ship something to them. Plus, you want to make sure they'll be home to receive it before porch pirates can get to it!
How do you manage your mail and packages?
Let us know in the comments or in the socials. And now that you have your mail figured out, where to go next?
What About the Florida Keys?
Do you want to hit Key West, the Everglades National Park, and all the other great things the Keys have to offer? Well, we have just the thing for you. Jennifer and I love traveling to the Keys, so we've created a complete 7-Day RV Adventure Guide: Florida Keys. This downloadable guide includes a suggested itinerary and a list of the best RV parks along the way.
We also have a 7-Day RV Adventure Guide to Florida's Atlantic Coast and Florida's Gulf Coast. If you're interested in all three, you should check out our Florida RV Travel Guide Bundle.
6 Responses to “How to Receive a Package at a Campground (7 Ways)”
Comments are closed.
September 26, 2022at2:27 pm, Kevin Davis said:
I have found that several companies have quit using USPS in 2022. I also found a lot of restrictions on General Delivery across the country. Either not allowing or only allowing in certain locations.
Even my mail service (MyRVMail) has started offering a FedEx service that is cheaper than USPS. Thus you need a physical address other than a USPS location. FedEx has a drop off pickup service at various national chains such as Walgreens and Dollar Generals. Several times this summer I’ve found a Dollar General near my remote campsites.
Luckily an Amazon Locker is available near larger cities. I wish someone would create an app to help find Amazon Lockers along a route. Amazon seems to think everyone knows the Zip Code of every place you visit.
September 27, 2022at3:04 pm, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thanks for adding this important information to the conversation, Ken! Happy Trails – Team RV Lifestyle
September 26, 2022at8:32 am, Steve Schrimsher said:
An 8th option, if the shipper ships via UPS or FedEx, is to ship it to one of their customer service centers and have them hold it for pickup. This usually is only available in larger cities. Some companies such as Chewy or Adorama use only one shipper. Check with the company before placing the order to make sure. Amazon uses many shippers and you can’t specify one so this doesn’t work with them. I have found FedEx to be the most unreliable –they are at least a daylate about 40% of the time, so allow for that when ordering.
September 26, 2022at10:26 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Also excellent addition – thank you again, Steve, for sharing this to help others! Team RV Lifestyle
September 26, 2022at8:05 am, Steve Schrimsher said:
Amazon Lockers are very limited in what they accept. They have small size limits, no hazardous materials such as lithium batteries, bear spray, etc. Plus, many sellers who don’t use Amazon warehouse shipping won’t ship to them at all. They are almost useless for a sizeable order.
September 26, 2022at10:25 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:
Thank you for sharing this, Steve! Good to add this to the conversation for those who are ordering packages that fall in those categories – Happy Trails! Team RV Lifestyle