Hey campers, welcome back! One of the most alluring parts of RV travel is that it can be much more cost effective than typical types of vacations. With RV camping, we are able to take more trips each year, and stay longer at our destination than if we were flying and staying in hotels. With that said though, there is certainly a lot to keep in mind when budgeting for your RV campsites! Costs can vary wildly depending on the campground and location. So today, we’re going to dive in to the important question – How much do RV campsites Cost?
The allure of the open road beckons many, but can RV camping truly offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional vacations? While sticker shock from campground fees might raise concerns, a closer look reveals a plethora of financial benefits waiting to be explored. Let’s delve into the economic realities of RV travel and unveil the potential for significant savings.
RV Campsite Types and Cost
When looking into how much RV Campsites cost it’s important to understand the different types of campgrounds that are available. Different types of campground offer different levels of services and amenities, and that is all reflected in the cost!
Boondocking
Boondocking, also known as dry camping or dispersed camping, refers to camping off the grid in an RV or tent without hookups to amenities like water, electricity, or sewer. This typically involves staying on public lands managed by agencies like the National Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management (BLM), where designated dispersed camping areas are available. Sometimes, private land owners will also allow boondocking on their land.
Since boondocking is a primitive style of camping, it often has the lowest costs, if any at all! On average you can expect to pay $0 – $30 per night.
Apps like Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome connect travelers with free campsites on farms, wineries, and breweries. Supporting local businesses while enjoying complimentary stays presents a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Keep in mind that with the benefit of low or no cost camping comes a few cons. These campsites often offer no amenities like electric, water or sewer hookups. You need to come prepared with everything you’ll need for your stay and be okay with living off grid for a few days! The biggest thing to remember here is the principal of “leave no trace”. The land you camp on should be undisturbed by your trip and look exactly the way you found it when you leave!
State Park Camping
Dreaming of epic landscapes, outdoor adventures, and unforgettable memories? Look no further than your local state park! Offering a blend of natural beauty, budget-friendly options, and unique adventures; state parks might just be the perfect backdrop for your next RV escape. Compared to private campgrounds, state parks often shine with significantly lower fees. This translates to substantial savings, especially for extended trips or families.
State parks often offer different levels of camping. You can choose from sites with no hook ups for lower costs. Opting for electric and water hooks ups may be a little higher priced, but still incredibly affordable at a state park. Not all state parks have sewer connections, but if they do it’s often included in the slightly higher tier of amenities.
Each state park will vary, but typically you can expect to pay between $20 – $80 per night. Some state park campgrounds may offer discounts for in-state residents making it even more affordable!
We always find that state parks are incredibly well maintained and often on the most beautiful land in the area. You can read more about 2 of our favorite state parks in our posts about Fisherman’s Memorial Park in Rhode Island, and Myrtle Beach State Park in South Carolina.
One slight downside to state park camping is that they often have a 14 night maximum. This is fine for part timers like us. However if you’re looking for a longer stay you might need to bounce between a few state campgrounds.
Resort Style RV Parks
Resort Style RV Parks are the top of the line when it comes to RV Campsites. These campgrounds are often very large and cater to those looking for that real “vacation” feel. These are privately owned campgrounds, or even sometimes part of a larger organization or group of campgrounds.
These types of campgrounds are packed with amenities. Think pools, sports areas, general stores and more! Staying at a resort style RV park is great for families, or longer stays since there is so much to do. You can keep yourselves and kids entertained all day without even leaving the property. These campgrounds also typically put on activities like movie nights, barbecues and more.
With all the convenience comes a cost, and these are definitely the most expensive type of campground to stay at. Resort Style RV campsites can cost anywhere from $80 – $140 per night.
You do get a lot of value for that cost, and if these RV trips are your main vacations for the year it can be worth it to stay somewhere with so many amenities! The campsites are typically very well maintained and staff is ultra friendly. This is really more of the “glamping” side of RV life. It’s also still less expensive that most 3-4 star hotel stays.
You can check out some of our favorite Resort Style RV campgrounds in our articles about Lake George RV Park in New York and Apple Island Campground in Vermont.
Other Costs to Consider
While the nightly rate is usually the main consideration for the cost of RV Camping there are also other considerations to factor in.
Initial Investment
To begin RV camping, there is obviously a large initial investment when getting your camper. There are many things to consider when first purchasing an RV (in fact we have a whole article about it here). After you decide what type of RV you’d like to buy you can always explore used options if new is out of your budget.
If you are interested in camping, this will pay itself off over time. After a few years your cost per use will be minimal. This is an investment! The annual maintenance for a well cared for RV is minimal. There are certainly some initial tools you’ll need as well but you can accrue these over time.
Gas
The second largest cost for RV camping is gas. Depending on the type of RV you have you’ll either need to fuel the RV itself or your tow vehicle. When you’re towing an RV, your vehicle will use more gas than a normal trip so you’ll need to refill more often. Gas prices can fluctuate a lot season to season, so keep this in mind when planning!
All in all, we think the cost of RV campsites and camping in general are well worth it! Considering a typical hotel is $150-$200 per night the campsite fees of the most expensive campgrounds are still a savings. If you consider air travel, luggage fees along can be a few hundred dollars!
With several types of campgrounds to choose from you can certainly plan a trip to fit your budget. The cost of an RV campground can vary, but as long as you plan and research well ahead of time you can find great savings. With RV travel, getting there is half the fun and that means the gas is worth every penny. Till next time, happy camping!
