Camping and Campgrounds FAQ

Are campgrounds safe?

Written by Rex Gambill
Generally, yes. But there are no guarantees. Crime, alas, can occur anywhere, even in places you'd least expect it. Use common sense and you will likely never have a problem.

Are reservations necessary at public campgrounds?

Written by Rex Gambill
Only in the busy summer months, especially on holidays when spaces in popular campgrounds are almost impossible to find without a reservation.

Generally, though, the farther you are from a big city or major tourist destination (like Yellowstone or Yosemite), the easier it is to find a campsite.

National Forest campgrounds are often the last to fill. While they offer few amenities, their settings in forests, often by lakes and streams, can be peaceful and scenic.

Reservations are a good idea at private campgrounds especially in the prime seasons and on holidays.

Do campgrounds have restrooms with showers?

Written by Rex Gambill
Many do, including nearly all private campgrounds and many state parks. They are usually free to overnight campers, but some require depositing a few quarters.

How does an RV camping vacation compare with one taken by car?

Written by Rex Gambill
On average, RV camping vacations cost about 50 percent less than driving the family car and staying in hotels. This is according to a study by PKF Consulting, which determined that the most expensive RV camping trip totaled $590 for a week-long vacation. This included fuel expenses, campground fees and groceries to cook 75 percent of the meals in the RV with the rest eaten in restaurants. The survey did not include the cost or rental of the RV.

How much do campgrounds cost?

Written by Rex Gambill
A few are still free, but not many. Forest Service campgrounds start at about $8. State park campgrounds go from $12 to $25, depending on the state and location. Private campgrounds with full hookups average from a low of $10 in out-of-the-way places to $30 and up in popular locations. Budget-minded campers should get Don Wright's book "Free Campgrounds."

Most public campgrounds have a fixed fee, no matter how many campers occupy a site (although they will likely have a limit). The rates at some campgrounds, though, like KOA, are based on two campers per site. An additional charge of a dollar or two per extra camper may be charged.

Is it easy to find campgrounds?

Written by Rex Gambill
In most cases, yes. No matter where you travel, campgrounds are there.

All together, there are about 16,000 private and public campgrounds in the United States. They range from primitive sites operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service, to luxury resorts in the desert with golf courses, health clubs, swimming pools and whirlpools.

What about spending the night at rest stops?

Written by Rex Gambill
Many RVers hole up in them frequently without problems. But every so often you hear a horror story.

Our advice: Stay in rest stops only as a last resort (and only when the rules permit). And when you do, make sure you have ear plugs on hand; the noise of big rig trucks coming and going can be pretty loud.

What are membership campgrounds?

Written by Rex Gambill
Membership campgrounds for members only. Coast-to-Coast (800-790-2267) and Thousand Trails (800-328-6226) are a few examples.

The advantages to membership campgrounds are they are almost always attractive and secure parks with plenty of activities and member interaction. Members almost never have a problem getting a campsite; some RVers literally travel from one park to another, spending a few days or even weeks in each.

But membership campgrounds are not for everybody: most RVers prefer to go it alone, camping at public campgrounds and private ones like KOA.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a private campground over a public one?

Written by Rex Gambill
Each has its pluses, and it's a bit dangerous to generalize.

However, the plus side to a private campground is that full hookups are (usually) available (electric, water and sewer), and it's likely that other amenities will be available like telephones, laundry facilities, playgrounds, a TV lounge and even an amusement area. Private campgrounds also tend to be located closer to towns and/or tourist areas.

Public campgrounds, on the other hand, like those in state and national parks and national forests, are more often in scenic or recreational areas, and campsites may be larger and more private. Keep in mind, however, that individual parks, private and public, vary hugely in appearance, location and amenities.

What are the best guides to campgrounds?

Written by Rex Gambill
If you are a member of AAA, pick up their annual "Campbooks," published annually.

The best guides to private campgrounds are published by Trailer Life and Woodalls. They are sold in most big bookstores. KOA publishes a free annual directory of its campgrounds that also includes a good road atlas of the USA and Canada.

What does it mean when a campground has "full hookups?"

Written by Rex Gambill
It means you can plug into 120-volt household current electricity, fresh water, a sewer and sometimes even cable TV. When your RV is fully hooked up, you can live pretty much like at home. Some campgrounds, especially public ones, often offer only water and electric hookups.

What does the term "boondocking" mean?

Written by Rex Gambill
It means camping outside a campground, usually for free, and relying on onboard 12-volt DC power systems. Many RVers boondock for weeks and even months on end during the winter on public lands in the Southwest. They charge their rigs' deep cell batteries with solar panels or by cranking up the generator now and then. By conserving water and liquid waste, they can minimize trips to the dump stations. In some popular desert boondocking spots, a "Honey Wagon" will come by to remove the waste tanks for a reasonable fee.