Where to Stay?
Finding the Right Campground
Finding a place to stay has become much more challenging over the past few years. Since 2020, the number of RV owners has grown dramatically, and campground demand has increased right along with it.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is plan early.
Many popular campgrounds begin accepting reservations a year or more in advance, and some fill up within days. If you’re planning to visit a popular destination or attend a major event, the earlier you make your reservations, the better your chances of getting the site you want.
For example, we’re heading to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks later this summer, and our reservations have been made for months. Even then, some of our first-choice campgrounds were already full. We’ll continue checking for cancellations, though, because sites do open up from time to time.
Recommendations Are Personal
I see countless posts in RV forums asking for campground recommendations. While those suggestions can be helpful, remember that the “perfect” campground means different things to different people.
Some campers want a quiet, wooded site with plenty of privacy. Others prefer a resort with a pool, activities, and full amenities. Some want to be close to hiking trails, while others want to be within walking distance of restaurants and attractions.
Before you start searching, think about what is important to you.
We’ve developed a checklist that we use whenever we’re looking for a campground. It helps us compare locations and make sure we’re choosing one that fits our style of camping. You can find that checklist on our Tips page.
I’ve stayed at campgrounds that friends highly recommended, only to discover they weren’t a good fit for us. That’s not because the campground was bad. It simply didn’t match what we were looking for.
Pick Up the Phone
If you’re planning an extended stay of a week or more, don’t hesitate to call the campground directly.
Speaking with the owner or manager gives you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss your site requirements, and get a feel for how they operate. A five-minute conversation can often tell you more than a dozen online reviews.
Leave a Review
Once your trip is over, do your fellow RVers a favor and leave an honest review.
Whether you use campground apps, Google, Yelp, or another review site, your comments can help other travelers decide if a campground is right for them.
We also review the campgrounds we stay at here on Rick’s Ramblings on RVing. Our list is still growing, but we’ll continue adding reviews as we travel.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right campground takes a little planning and research, but the effort is well worth it.
When you discover a campground you really enjoy, share your experience. Your review may help another RVer find their next favorite campsite.