How hard could it be to find the best RV Park? There are so many, all over the US and Canada, it should be a breeze. However, every RV park is different from price, amenities, and pet policies. It takes quite a bit of planning and research and you still might not find exactly what you are looking for. Keep reading to find what you need to know to make a good decision and get as close to finding the best park as possible.
What’s Important in an RV Park?
To find the best RV park, make sure you know what you want in an RV park. Just because an RV park is highly rated, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will best for you and your RV needs.
Before you begin your search, you should already have an idea on what your ideal RV park is like.
To get started, start thinking about the following and how important they are to you:
How Much do RV Parks Cost?
RV park rates vary greatly. The same park in the Georgia mountains will be at least double out in California.
The most expensive parks are:
- Near tourist attractions (hello Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort)
- In popular states (such as the River Run RV Resort in Colorado)
- Near natural wonders (like the Paradise by the Sea Beach RV Resort)
- Full of amenities (luxuriate at the Everglades Isle Luxury Motorcoach Retreat)
If this is the ultimate RV trip that you have been saving up for, you may go for the most expensive one. If you are on a budget though, you might have to be a little further from the attractions, choose a park on the border of your targeted state, or go for fewer bells and whistles at your RV park. Only you can decide what you are comfortable spending.
If you want to save on RV parks, especially those that take many RV road trips or are full-timers, click here to read about RV park saving strategies.
Do RV Parks Charge for Electricity?
Once you know the campsite rate, you need to find out if you will also be charged for electricity. It might not matter, especially if you are only RVing for vacation. However, if you are on an extended RV trip or a full-time RVer, paying for electricity might be a budget buster.
Nightly and Nightly Campsites: include electricity.
Monthly Campsites: Don’t always include electricity. Some RV parks will cover electricity until a certain amount (for example – they cover up to $90 and you pay anything above that). Other RV parks meter monthly campsites and the RVer pays for all of the electricity at the end of the month.
Do RV Parks Charge for kids?
Some RV parks will also charge per kid. A few bucks here and there are OK, but some add a substantial fee. This could be cost-prohibitive for large families or families on a tight budget.
What Kind of Amenities do RV Parks Have?
Just like every RV park charges differently, every RV park has different amenities.
Here’s just a short list of RV park amenities:
If RV park amenities are really important to you, make a list of what amenities you must have before you begin your search.
Make sure that the amenities are actually available before you book. There’s nothing worse than expecting a week long family trip at an RV park with a lazy river only to find out that it’s closed for maintenance! Sometimes things come up and an amenity has to be closed for safety reasons or unexpected emergencies, but sometimes what you see on a website is not what you really get. I recommend calling before you book and once again right before your trip to help avoid disappointment.
Where is the RV Park Located?
Railroad Adjacent.
You would be surprised at the number of RV parks right next to active railroad tracks or noisy interstates.
If you are staying for one night, the location might not be too important. However, if you are staying for longer, a train coming through at 2am every night might be an issue.
Some RV parks are very honest about their location, but others are not. The best way to find out about an RV Park’s true location, is to look at an online map with satellite view. If the satellite image is not very good or you have questions, call the park and ask them.
Convenience versus Nature
There are RV parks almost everywhere, but where do you want to be?
If you are interested in touring cities or tourist attractions your search will probably be pretty narrow. Your choices may range from walking distance to a 60-minute drive. While being super close is always appealing, your wallet might take a major hit.
If you are interested in a retreat from the hustle and bustle of it all, you might find yourself with more park options and more money in your pocket.
Where to Search for RV Parks
Now that you have determined your costs, amenities, and desired location, you can start your search. Before you simply google “RV Parks near the Grand Canyon”, we have some suggestions on websites and apps that will include park reviews.
Good Sam’s – This is both a website and App. It lists both Good Sam’s and non-Good Sam’s campgrounds and RV parks
RV Park Reviews – This is both a website and a Facebook group
Campendium – This is a website only. It is owned and maintained by full-time RVers
All Stays – This is a website and App, but the App is the most recommended
RV Parky – This is a website and App as well. And like All Stays, everyone uses the App
Final Tips & Recommendations
Lastly, I wanted to talk about some things that you may need to ask the RV park directly.
For those of you with kids, please pay special attention to whether the park has a playground or if they have excessive rules listed on their website or park policy (usually available online). This might be a sign that they are not kid friendly.
Find out the park’s pet policy. Some have breed restrictions and others charge for pets or put you in a different part of the park.
Do you have a large RV? Make sure that the park can accommodate your RV and ask if they have large trees. I’ve heard of people having difficulty avoiding low limbs or have scratched their roofs while parking or leaving.
