Knowing how to find good RV campgrounds is a crucial skill for RVing. It can determine whether you have a delightful or stressful experience on the road. Finding the right campgrounds is especially important for full-timers and snowbirds who spend long periods of time in one location. Just imagine being stuck at a campground you dislike for 30 days or more. So, what can you do to ensure almost every spot you visit is worth the trip?
1. Create a List
If you are new to RVing, you might not immediately know what to expect from campgrounds and RV parks. Even so, know what your realistic bare minimum expectations are:
- Are you looking for an adults-only campground?
- Should it have a pool or a hot tub?
- Do you need to be close to a large body of accessible water?
- Is it necessary to be close to or on a golf course?
- Do you prefer to be in the city, suburbs or rural areas?
- Do you prefer a location where fires are allowed?
2. Consider the Area
No matter how amazing RV campgrounds are once you get inside, if the surrounding area could use some work, chances are that you won’t like it there. If political affiliations are important to you, you can check this with a quick Google search or via the Niche website or app. For travelers concerned about the crime rate and the types of crime, Niche can help you determine this too.
There are some fun reasons to consider the area as well. Are there national parks nearby? What about national forests, famous restaurants and other attractions?
3. Consider the Season
Some places have excellent weather all year round. San Diego in California is one such location. Then, there are others where seasonal weather changes could make them unpleasant at specific times of the year. For example, the Southwest is a snowbird hotspot, but during the summer, temperatures reach triple digits.
Likewise, Florida has great weather all year round — unless a hurricane batters the coast. In the Midwest, tornadoes occur more frequently at specific times of the year. Note that some RV campgrounds charge cheaper rates during less favorable seasons.
4. Ask Other RVers
Whether they have been full-time RVing across America or only take regular vacations, other RVers can tell you where to go. Keep in mind that you might absolutely love some of the places other people have hated, so take one-off recommendations with a grain of salt.
To better determine whether this is a place that would appeal to you, ask a lot of questions and try to listen without interrupting. Then, refer to your list and see whether it matches up to what you’re looking for.
5. Google RV Campgrounds
Once you have an idea of where you plan to visit, checking online is fairly easy. Google will provide you with a long list of options just for querying “RV Parks in Texas” or another location. You can also rank these according to specific factors, such as the star ratings.
Ideally, you want to choose locations that have at least a four-star rating or higher. The aggregate rating helps to account for varying experiences. Google also provides the operating hours, website and phone number so you can do more digging.
6. Try Campground Apps
There are tons of apps on the market that are dedicated to helping travelers find the perfect RV campgrounds. Most of these are free and allow you to filter for free and paid campgrounds. Some other services might require payment to access premium content.
The downside to this is that most apps are focused on showing travelers free campgrounds on federal land or at parks. These sound appealing until you realize there are usually no hookups. Unless you have a small rig, dry camping for long periods might not be possible or might not appeal to you at all.
7. Join Communities
There are several RV communities available, particularly for long-term and full-time RVers. Common membership clubs include Escapees RV Club and Good Sam. Having access to these memberships makes it easier for you to connect with other RVers who might be able to answer your questions about which RV campgrounds to visit. They might even have extra tips on how to pick the best spots.
In some cases, memberships might also help you get discounts on accommodations. For example, campgrounds that partner with Good Sam sometimes provide 10% discounts.
8. Audit Reviews
When you start to narrow down your options, check reviews on Google and other sources. Be sure to look beyond just the collective numbers to identify what people liked or disliked about the space. You could find some revealing information.
For example, if you find a lot of people are complaining about the Wi-Fi being slow and you need that wireless connection to work, you’ll know ahead of time to find alternative connection options. It’s also important to check as many sources as possible, such as Yelp or TripAdvisor.
9. Check Websites
In the modern business world, you would assume all businesses have a website or at least a Facebook page. Sadly, some RV campgrounds fail to invest in this. This is not to say the campground won’t be a good one, but it usually sets the tone for lower expectations. Here are some things to look for on the website:
- Rates
- Amenities
- Cancellation policy
- Pet policy
- The tone of the website
10. Look for RV Campgrounds Footage
Campgrounds often do not look like the pictures posted online. In the best-case scenario, they exceed expectations. However, quite often the opposite is true. Look through the photos on the website, but even more important is checking the photos in the reviews or Google image searches.
You might even find a full blog post or drive-through YouTube video. Knowing exactly what the property looks like will help you set realistic expectations.
Are you ready to discover some of the best RV campgrounds in America? The Boston Group manages some of the most beautiful properties in the RV community. Use our portfolio to help you narrow down your choices.
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