RV Camping Resources

Written by Cassie Parker

There has been a massive surge in recreational vehicles, or RVs, sold in the past year. It is no wonder since they provide the perfect way to travel and take a vacation while maintaining social distance. RV trips, whether in a small camper or a fancy motorhome, or anything in between, allow travelers to enjoy the great outdoors while not having to sleep on the ground in a sleeping bag or likely-to-deflate-by-morning air mattress. Traveling by RV provides for flexibility. There are campgrounds worldwide, and they are typically less expensive than staying in a hotel or rental house.

What Should I Bring?

RV-ing can be wonderful because, unlike tent camping, you do not always have to repack. An RV can stay stocked with the essential cooking tools, and if traveling occurs frequently, it can even keep shelf-stable food handy. Any camper, whether in a tent or an RV, should be well prepared for any situation. For RV campers, this means taking into account the proper maintenance items needed for the RV, as well as season-appropriate clothing, activities to stay busy at the campsite, and anything needed to enjoy the great outdoors, like hiking equipment, campfire supplies, and fresh food.

Safety

Safety should be of utmost priority when doing any kind of camping or traveling. When RV’ing, there are specific guidelines to be followed that can ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation. The RV should be maintained, and the driver that is either pulling a camper or driving a motorhome should make sure to follow all safety guidelines concerning the specific type of RV they are using. There are significant differences in driving with an RV as compared to driving in a car. In addition to these specific-to-RV safety rules, there are some camping safety rules to be aware of as well, such as knowing how to keep campfires where they belong and how to avoid and handle wild animal encounters. Have a plan in place regarding what to do if there is food poisoning, animal stings or bites, physical injuries like a broken arm or sprained ankle, or a weather emergency. Friends or family back home should always be aware of travel plans to follow up if campers are not home when they should be.

Camping Resources

Once the trip is planned and safety precautions are in place, it is time to enjoy the vacation. To get the most from the vacation, take advantage of hiking trails, games, stories, and great food.

What To Know Before Choosing An RV Campsite

Budget

Before looking for campsites, figure out a budget and be prepared to stick with it. RV-ing is an excellent way to enjoy a road trip without the expense of hotel accommodations. Of course, there are still expenses to account for, including gas, tolls, parking fees, park entrance fees, facility fees, food, and extracurriculars.

Length Of Stay

When looking at amenities and other offerings at campsites, how long the trip will be should play an important role in the decision. Go cheaper and with fewer amenities for places that will only be a pass-through point with a one or two-night stay, and spend more on the longer stays in order to get the most out of the budget.

Proximity To Planned Activities

Take into account when booking a campsite how close to or far away from your planned activities the different campsites are. Driving hours a day to and from the campsite would put a damper on any trip.

Understand Your RV Camping Options

Campgrounds

When picking a campground, there are different styles available, and it is important to consider personal preferences. Some campsites are busy with lots of people and scheduled group activities, while others pride themselves on giving campers a peaceful, almost isolated feeling. Campgrounds are usually a good option for people wanting a calm and simple place to stay. There are also typically water, electric, and sewer hookups as well.

RV Parks

RV parks often have fewer trees and are often less spaced out than campsites, but often have a variety of amenities for families and children. These parks may also have the hookups needed to make the most of your RV and often host RV clubs. They are wonderful places to meet others who enjoy the RV lifestyle.

RV Resorts

RV resorts are the place to go for campers wanting a lot of amenities close to other activities. These are great for beginner campers that do not want to “rough it” too much. Note that these resorts are often a bit more expensive than RV parks and offer a number of the same amenities. They may also host special events for guests to enjoy.

Free Camping

There are places to camp for free overnight, often known as “boondocking.” These are places like large store parking lots, open grassy fields, and casinos. Not all places allow this, but it can be a great option to save money for overnight stops.

RV Camping and Recreation Links