Looking ahead to your next vacation? It’s never too early to start making plans, even if they need to be a bit flexible for the time being. If you’re thinking of an RV getaway and want to stay at a campground, it’s worth doing a bit of research beforehand to make sure you pick the perfect camp site and get the ideal spot.
Choose Your Campground
Campgrounds run the gamut, from backcountry locations with only primitive, walk-in tent sites to fully connected RV sites offering cable hookups, so you’ll want to make sure you choose with your camping intentions in mind. Some campgrounds are secondary to the destination while others are a real destination unto themselves. Think about whether you want to stay at the campground throughout your vacation or just use it as a place to rest your head after a day’s adventures out and about.
A campground with more amenities and attractions on site may be more appealing for those looking to stay in place. Some campgrounds feature playgrounds, swimming beaches, arcades, snack bars, dog parks and more, while others offer more basic accommodations and leave the focus on the surrounding nature. Theme parks and other major attractions often have onsite campgrounds as well, so you’ll really find a wide range of possibilities.
You may also want to check on details like wifi availability, enforced quiet hours, fireworks policies, pet friendliness and other things that may make or break your camping experience. Online resources like Recreation.gov for federal public lands, state park websites for state-owned campgrounds, and KOA.com and the like for private campground networks allow you to search by location and amenities so you can find the best place for your group. State and local tourism websites also provide great information to help you narrow down your options and plan your trip.
Size It Right
Camp sites are not all created equal, and since campers and RVs aren’t either, you’ll need to pick a site that can accommodate your vehicle(s). A teardrop trailer or popup camper requires significantly less space than a grand Class A RV. Most campground websites include information on what lengths of vehicles each site can fit, but you may need to call the campground host to ensure you choose correctly. Slideouts might also be a factor. Depending on the size of your group and how much time you expect to spend outside your camper, you may also want to pick a site with plenty of picnic tables and room to stretch out. Satellite View on Google Maps can help with this.
Hookups Available
Often, you don’t need to connect to utilities, especially if you’re just pulling over for the night mid road trip or boondocking at an off-the-grid location. Your battery can handle a few lights for a night, and you can go for a bit without emptying your waste tank. But if you’re staying for a few days at a campground, you may want the creature comforts available in your RV.
RVs usually run on 30- or 50-amp systems, and you’ll need to know which your RV requires to choose a site that can accommodate it. Water connections are more straightforward, but you’ll want to figure out in advance how you’ll be able to evacuate water and waste. A “full hookup” means the site offers electric, water and sewer connections, whereas a “partial hookup” indicates electric and water connections only. In that case, you’ll need to discharge your wastewater at the campground’s communal dump station at the end of your stay.
Proximity and Accessibility
Do you want a central spot close to your campground’s shared facilities or would you rather be tucked away in a quieter back corner? Older campers, families with young kids, and campers with limited mobility who will be using the campground’s bath house may want a spot nearby to shorten the walk, but that does mean you’ll have others frequently walking past. Groups with kids may want to consider a spot near the playground.
Another factor to consider is the surface and levelness of your camp site. Paved sites are usually pretty level, and they accommodate wheelchairs and strollers well. Other sites have gravel or grass surfaces, and you may need to level your camper before you get too comfortable. All Williamson RV Rentals LLC, rental units come with leveling blocks, and some of our drivable RVs feature automatic leveling systems.
Finally, take a look at your campground’s map or Satellite View on Google Maps to see whether you’re looking at a pull-through or back-in site. Back-in sites, especially those on the edges of a campground, often feature more privacy from other sites. On the other hand, pull-through sites are a lot easier to manage for drivers unused to backing up a trailer or a large RV.
In a nutshell, think ahead about how you envision your camping experience, and learn as much as you can about the campground you’re considering and the differences in the sites available there to make sure you know what to expect. Enjoy your trip!