The INSANE prices being paid for overnight camping

This week on the RV Podcast:

• Just HOW MUCH would you pay for an RV campsite? $200? $300? $400? You won't believe how expensive it has become
• Starlink’s entire global network pretty much collapsed for hours last week, causing reliability concerns for what had been pretty much a trouble-free online source for RVers
• Talk about scary! A mountain lion attacked a four-year-old girl while she was hiking with her parents out west last week. The dad saved his daughter, but she had to be airlifted to a hospital.
• All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 557 of the RV Podcast

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

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RV NEWS OF THE WEEK

Starlink's Global Blackout Leaves RVers and Ukraine Military in the Dark​

A growing number of RVers rely upon Starlink to stay connected while traveling, but last Thursday the satellite system was down for several hours world-wide. The company said the rare blackout was “due to failure of key internal software services that operate the core network” and was quickly fixed. Starlink is used by 140 countries, including Ukraine, where the outage affected combat operations.

​Packed Parks, Empty Coffers: Oregon Parks anticipates 14% shortfall by 2027​

Despite raising its fees, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is anticipating a 14% budget shortfall by 2027 and is seeking the public's input as it works to develop new ways to fund its parks. Oregon Parks is one of the most visited in the country, experiencing record visitation with more than 56.6 million estimated visits in 2024. The state has an online survey, and those who complete it can enter a drawing for a free Oregon State Parks annual parking permit.

​Hero Dad Fights Off Cougar That Attacked His 4-Year-Old on Popular Trail​

A family hike turned terrifying when a cougar pounced on a 4-year-old near Hurricane Ridge's Victoria Overlook in Olympic National Park. The child's father immediately pursued the animal, heroically forcing it to release his child. The child was airlifted to a medical center and released the next day. And rangers hunted down the animal and euthanized it.

​Mountain Lion Kills Colorado's Reintroduced Wolf ​

Speaking of big cats, last week, the state provided an update on the cause of death of two wolves that were part of its efforts to reintroduce gray wolves back to the state. The wolf found dead at Rocky Mountain National Park died from a mountain lion attack, and a second wolf's death was traced to injuries from a foothold trap used for coyote control. Other reintroduced wolves died after crossing into Wyoming, where at least one was shot, but others do remain alive and free in Colorado.

​Your Chance at California's Crown Jewel Campsites Just Got Better​

California State Parks announced it is making upgrades to its campsite reservation system, allowing campers to see in near real-time campsite availability and status of openings at other nearby campgrounds at its site ​Parks.ca.gov​. State park is also expanding a pilot lottery reservation system to give more people an opportunity to nab a reservation at three of its most desired locations, including Malibu Creek State Park later this month, and Morro Bay State Park and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park later this summer.

​Half Victory: Black Canyon North Rim Opens as South Rim Fire Battle Rages On​

Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison WILL open its north rim July 30 after a wildfire forced the closure of the park earlier this month. (Previous news reports said the park was closed for the remainder of 2025.) The north rim has 13 campsites that are first-come, first-served and are open only to RVs 22 feet or smaller. The fire in the South Rim is continuing to burn, though it is starting to be contained. The date for reopening that section of the park is unknown.

SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.

Recently, Michelle had a post in our RVLifestyle Facebook Group that read: “Price shocked! Just checked Sun Outdoors Frontier Town for July 3-6 and it was $353 a night!!!”

When I saw this post, I couldn't believe it, so I looked up a campsite myself and was quoted even more. The reason is Sun Outdoors apparently does what many hotels do – and that is use dynamic pricing. That means prices are NOT set by season, like most campgrounds, but rather it is real-time supply and demand, meaning at peak demand periods, prices can soar.

So this led to us asking both our private RV Lifestyle Community and our Facebook group what was the most they ever paid for a campsite, where that campsite was, and did they pay it, and boy, was it ever interesting!

Hundreds of people responded and the highest I saw was $400 a night for a campsite.

One person who splurged was Jill who paid that at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina in California. She splurged for two nights, the campsite was on the water with its own fenced-in grassy backyard. 

Heather was quoted $400 a night for a back-in waterfront site plus a $100 lock-in fee at the Sun Outdoors at Rehoboth Bay in Delaware. Now this park does include a lot of extras, like a swim up pool bar, a private beach, large pool and often entertainment – so it is certainly not your typical campground – but is it worth $400 a night?

One trend we saw is that people would pay for a special location, like the Florida Keys.  Several in our group paid anywhere from $238 to $300 a night to stay at the Sugarloaf/Key West KOA Resort. And most seemed to think it was worth it!

We also saw really high prices around special events, like last year's solar eclipse. Remember that? Marcy was looking for a campsite at that time and was quoted $300 for one night. The killer was this campground was normally just $50 a night. She opted not to stay.

Jane paid $300 per night to stay at a campground that was 1/2 mile down the street from Churchill Downs for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. She was not thrilled with that price.

And Butch was quoted $320 a night at the KOA in Albuquerque, New Mexico during the balloon fiesta. His quote: “Never again.”

Finding a campsite near a national park can also be super expensive.

Robin was quoted $225 a night to camp at the KOA just outside Glacier National Park, for example

And several campground chains came up over and over as the highest prices anyone had ever paid. Those chains were Sun Outdoors, Jellystone Parks, KOA resorts and Camp Margaritaville.

Some people said they actually found it was cheaper in some locations to get a hotel rather than a camping spot.

Deborah said she was quoted  $115 per night for a campground in Pigeon Forge, TN. She and her husband found what she said was a nice hotel in the area that charged them $80 a night and the hotel had a pool and included breakfast. 

Obviously by finding state or national parks, using an America the Beautiful pass, or a membership with a group like RVOvernights, you can find ways to camp each night for less.

But overall the theme of these hundreds of comments is that campsites do cost significantly more than they did just a few years ago 

Perhaps Eric said it best. Eric said they just spent $190 a night after taxes to stay at a campground in Pagosa Springs, CO, which was about double what they paid 3-4 years ago. Eric said in general most things have been $80+ out West this year. 

And perhaps most telling …. He said it feels like $80 a night is the new $45.

What do you think? Do you see campground prices significantly up? What is the most you were ever quoted? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Why so high? Campgrounds are getting hammered by the same inflation affecting everything else – their electricity, water, insurance, property taxes, and labor costs have all surged.

Liability insurance for campgrounds has gone through the roof due to increased claims and aging infrastructure needs constant repairs and improvements.

Most RVers seem to think that the drastic increase in campsite fees is due to campground owners' greed. However, the further we dug into this, the more we have come to realize that's truly not the case. It takes an incredible amount of money to effectively run a campground or RV park.

Bottom line, though, is these fees aren't likely to come down anytime soon. Most campgrounds are just trying to keep up with their own rising costs while maintaining the facilities and services campers expect. Many are also dealing with overwhelming demand, which doesn't help pricing pressures.

RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: Dear Mike and Jen, can you recommend any resources or books or YouTube instructional videos about a step-by-step process of how to tow a small trailer with a small truck or SUV as well as the necessary equipment and modifications of our towing vehicle that are necessary? We are thinking about getting a trailer to tow when we go to national parks and out west . We have a motor home but having a car or small truck would make it much easier to unhook. We have no experience in towing and we would like a good reference to study before we do this. Thank you both, you are both very helpful on your website and your YouTube channel!  Frank 

ANSWER: 

Everything You Need to Know Before You Hitch Up and Head Out

If you’re thinking about towing a small RV trailer with your SUV or light-duty pickup—especially for trips to National Parks or out West—you’re not alone. Many RVers like you enjoy the freedom of a motorhome but want the added flexibility of a towable RV setup. Whether it's a compact travel trailer, teardrop, or lightweight camper, here’s a step-by-step guide and curated list of resources to help you start towing confidently.

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Must-Read Guides for First-Time RV Trailer Towing

• CURT's Towing 101 for RV Trailers
  Covers every aspect of towing—hitch selection, tongue weight, trailer wiring, loading best practices, and safe driving habits. It’s a complete guide for anyone starting out.
  ➤ CURT Towing 101 on YouTube
  
• RVnGO’s “How to Tow a Camper Trailer with an SUV”
  Written with RVers in mind—this covers SUV-specific issues like sway control, brake controllers, trailer size limits, and safe loading.
  ➤ RVnGO Beginner Guide
  
• RV Education 101 – Mark Polk's channel has excellent foundational videos on trailer safety, pre-trip inspections, and proper towing procedures.
  

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Best YouTube Videos for Towing an RV Trailer

• “Tips for Driving With A Trailer | How To Tow”
  A great video for new RVers that walks through hooking up, braking, turning, and driving with a trailer safely.
  ➤ Watch on YouTube
  
• “Towing for Beginners: How to Tow a Travel Trailer”
  Excellent if you're buying your first small travel trailer and want real-life how-tos.
  ➤ Watch on YouTube
  
• “How to Hitch a Travel Trailer Properly”
  A must-watch if you’ve never connected a hitch and want a visual walkthrough.
  ➤ Watch on YouTube
  

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Necessary Equipment for Towing an RV Trailer

Item	Why You Need It
Trailer Hitch Receiver	Choose a Class III (or higher) receiver hitch for safe towing. Make sure it’s frame-mounted, not bumper-only.
Weight Distribution Hitch	Helps level your RV trailer and reduce sway—especially important with travel trailers over 3,000 lbs.
Sway Control Device	Prevents dangerous trailer sway from wind or sudden movement—often combined with the weight distribution hitch.
Electric Brake Controller	Required by law in many states for RV trailers over 2,000 lbs. Syncs the trailer brakes with your SUV/truck.
7-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness	Needed to power the trailer’s brake lights, turn signals, and electric brakes.
Tow Mirrors (optional)	Extend your field of view when towing wider trailers. Clip-ons or permanent upgrades both work well.
Transmission Cooler (optional)	Especially helpful for towing in the mountains or hot weather—protects your vehicle’s transmission.

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Key Modifications to Consider

• Upgrade Suspension: Airbags or helper springs can help reduce rear sag when towing.
  
• Install Backup Camera: Many RV trailers block your rearview—this is a lifesaver when reversing or parking.
  
• Tires & Brakes: Ensure both your vehicle and RV trailer have tires rated for towing and good brake condition.
  

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Smart Beginner Steps

1. Know Your Numbers
   
   • Check your vehicle’s towing capacity (in the manual or driver’s door jamb).
     
   • Know the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of your trailer and match accordingly.
     
2. Practice Before You Travel
   
   • Hitch up in a quiet lot and practice turning, braking, and backing up before your first road trip.
     
3. Load Properly
   
   • Keep 60% of your weight forward of the axle, and aim for 10–15% tongue weight.
     
4. Stay Legal & Safe
   
   • Don’t exceed weight limits. Use your brake controller and follow trailer safety inspection checklists.

Final Tip

Even if you already RV in a motorhome, learning to tow a small RV trailer will give you new flexibility—especially for adventurous routes or when you want to detach and explore with just your vehicle.

The key is understanding your vehicle's towing capacity, choosing the right trailer weight, and mastering the basics before your first trip. Start with short local trips to build confidence before heading to those national parks!

MIKE & JEN’S STORYTIME – The Best RV Night We Never Planned

Mike: You know, Jen and I have always been believers in serendipity travel – just hitting the road and seeing where it takes us. But I'll tell you, that evening near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, we were starting to question everything about our no-reservations philosophy.

Jen: Oh my gosh, yes! There we were, rolling west along I-94 on the northern route from Michigan towards Glacier National Park, and the sun was getting lower by the minute. We'd been RV campground shopping all afternoon – if you can call it that – and it was turning into a comedy of errors.

Mike: First place we stopped? “Sorry folks, we're completely booked.” Second place wanted seventy-five dollars for what would basically be a twelve-hour pit stop. I mean, come on! We're not staying at the Ritz!

Jen: And don't even get me started on that third place. Mike took one look around and said, “Nope, we're not staying here.” It looked like something out of a horror movie. Weeds growing through the gravel, sketchy characters hanging around…

Mike: So there we were, plodding along, and I'm starting to get that sinking feeling. You know the one – when you're wondering if you should have done more research, made some reservations, been more… responsible.

Jen: But then we saw this beautiful lakeside restaurant right there on Detroit Lakes. The parking lot was huge, and Mike said, “Well, at least we can get a good meal and figure out our next move.”

Mike: I should point out that Detroit Lakes isn't just one lake. It’s more than 400 lakes, all within 20 miles. Anyway, this restaurant was on one of the larger ones. The moment we walked in, our spirits lifted. The place had this warm, welcoming atmosphere, and when they seated us by the window… wow. The view was incredible – the lake stretching out like a mirror, reflecting the sky.

Jen: We ordered dinner and tried to enjoy ourselves, but I could see Mike was still stressed about where we'd sleep. We even talked about just driving through the night, but neither of us was thrilled about that idea.

Mike: Then dessert came, and we're sitting there watching this absolutely spectacular sunset paint the sky in oranges and purples. The water was so still it looked like glass.

Jen: I remember looking out at that perfect scene and just sighing. “Wouldn't it be amazing if we could just stay right here?” I said it half-joking, but also half-wishing it could be true.

Mike: And that's when it hit me. Why not just ask? I mean, what's the worst they could say? No? We were already getting plenty of those.

Jen: Mike flagged down our server – this lovely young woman who'd been so friendly all evening. I was a little embarrassed, honestly. Here we were, about to ask if we could basically camp in their parking lot.

Mike: I pointed out toward our RV at the far end of the lot and explained our situation. “I know this might sound unusual,” I said, “but would there be any chance we could stay here tonight? We'd be gone first thing in the morning.”

Jen: The server's eyes lit up, and she said, “Let me check with my manager!” She was back before we could even finish our coffee.

Mike: I was bracing myself for the polite “no” – you know, something about insurance policies or company regulations.

Jen: But instead, she had this huge smile on her face. “No problem at all!” she said. “We close at ten, and after that, you'll have the whole parking lot to yourselves.”

Mike: I think my jaw actually dropped. Here we'd been driving around for hours, getting turned away left and right, getting more frustrated by the minute…

Jen: And all we had to do was ask! Not just ask at the right place, but ask the right question of people who cared enough to say yes.

Mike: That night was magical. We had front-row seats to the most incredible sunset, and when we woke up the next morning…

Jen: Oh my goodness, the sunrise! It was even more beautiful than the sunset. The lake was perfectly still, and the sky just exploded in pink and gold. We made coffee and just sat there in absolute peace.

Mike: You know what we learned that day? Sometimes the best experiences come not from perfect planning, but from perfect people. People who are willing to say yes when they could easily say no.

Jen: And sometimes the solution to your problem isn't found in a guidebook or a reservation system. Sometimes it's found in simply being brave enough to ask and being open to the kindness of strangers.

Mike: That restaurant didn't just give us a place to park for the night. They gave us one of our favorite travel memories ever, and reminded us why we love this spontaneous way of seeing the world.

Jen: The moral of the story? Don't be afraid to ask for what you need. You might be surprised by how many people are willing to help, and you might just discover that the perfect spot was right in front of you all along.

Mike: Sometimes the best adventures happen when you stop planning and start asking. And sometimes, the most beautiful places to stay are the ones you never thought to look for.

Jen: Trust in serendipity, trust in people's kindness, and always, always be brave enough to ask. You never know what wonderful surprises are waiting for you.

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Got RV Questions? Talk One-on-One with Mike!
Mike Wendland is now available for private consultations to help you navigate the RV Lifestyle with confidence. Whether you’re planning a big trip, considering full-timing, exploring boondocking, or just looking for guidance on the RV lifestyle—this is your chance to tap into Mike’s decades of on-the-road experience.

Please note: Mike is not a technician or mechanic—these are not troubleshooting or repair calls. This is for lifestyle questions, travel advice, planning tips, and practical RV living insights.

Book your personal one-on-one conversation (up to an hour) at: https://RVLifestyle.com/TalkWithMike

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