The Hidden Cost of “Cheap” Campgrounds
Every RVer has felt the temptation.
You are planning a trip. You see two campground options. One is forty dollars a night. The other is twenty.
It seems like an easy decision. Until you arrive.
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Over the years, we have stayed in our share of bargain campgrounds. Some were perfectly fine. Others taught us valuable lessons about the true cost of “cheap.”
We have encountered sites that were so tight you could barely open your slide. Places where electrical hookups were unreliable. Campgrounds located next to noisy highways, train tracks, or industrial areas.
And sometimes, the highest cost was not money.
It was stress.
When you arrive somewhere that feels uncomfortable, unsafe, or poorly maintained, it changes the entire tone of your stay. Instead of relaxing, you spend your time worrying.
We learned that lesson early, after one particularly cheap overnight stop in Wyoming. The first clue was when the dayworkers who camped around us came home from work. Profane arguments with someone's spouse were heard a row over.
Yelling, whooping, and partying that lasted until midnight went on two sites down
Then, at 2:30 Am, those who went to the bars must have been kicked out, and they noisily made their way back to the campground.
At 5:30 Am, early shift workers started their diesel pickups to head off to the job.
We slept poorly, felt uneasy, and left before sunrise.
In the end, we would have gladly paid more for peace of mind.
Here is the practical tip.
When choosing campgrounds, do not focus only on price.
Look at reviews. Pay attention to photos. Consider location, noise levels, and site quality. Ask yourself what kind of experience you want, not just what it costs. Because in RV travel, the cheapest option is not always the best value.
Sometimes, spending a little more buys something far more important. A good night's sleep.
And that is worth every penny.
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There is a difference between “cheap” and “less expensive.” Both those labels define quality.
Cheap is, well, cheap . . . poor value and quality.
For me, less expensive means good value . . . more quality or quantity for the money.
Sometimes, I get the choice wrong, but not a second time.