You’re about to head off on an RV trip, but you’ve been wondering what the best options are for overnight stays. We’re absolutely blessed with so many RV parks and sites up and down the country, though some are very different than others. You’ll encounter different types of RV campsites, so this little guide will help you understand the differences between them all and which one is right for you.
Full-Service RV Parks
A full-service RV park is normally the absolute pinnacle when it comes to overnight stays. Here, you get everything you need for a comfortable night or two:
- Bathroom facilities
- On-site cooking areas
- Outdoor spaces for pets
- Wi-Fi
- On-site shopping facilities
- And everything in between
They also act as full hookup RV sites, which means you can connect your RV to receive electricity, water, and sewage. If you need all the home comforts, then a full-service RV park is easily the best bet. It’s also ideal for longer stays and family travel.
State Parks
Next up you have state parks, which are large campgrounds run by individual state governments. They’re nowhere near as all-inclusive as full-service RV parks, but you normally get electricity connections at the designated RV sites. Expect some very basic facilities here:
- Bathrooms
- Showers
- Rubbish stations
But that’s about it. The main reason some people like to stay here is that it’s a cheaper option, and you normally find state parks in beautifully scenic areas. So, if you’re all about that RV life and want an experience closer to nature, this could be a great option.
National Parks
Or, get even closer to nature and remove more amenities at National Parks. You will find campgrounds at National Parks across the country, and they include almost no facilities or features at all. You might get the odd bathroom and a few RV sites with electric hookups, but that’s rare.
Staying here is all about getting to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. You’re normally nestled within a National Park, so expect to see gorgeous wildlife and scenes that take your breath away.
Free Camping
Also known as boondocking, free camping is when you simply park up and enjoy an overnight stay wherever you want. Well, as long as it’s on public land. This lets you enjoy as much remoteness and privacy as you want, just without any amenities whatsoever. You’ll need a generator and a good water supply to get through your stay free camping, but many people find it to be invigorating.
It’s a great choice if you fancy an adventure or just want the benefit of saving money and not paying for accommodation. For some, that’s enough of a reason to choose it over anything else on the list.
These are the four main types of RV parks or camping grounds you’ll encounter during a road trip, so which one do you prefer? Families and people on longer trips – or anyone who needs home comforts – will always benefit from a full-service RV park. After that, it’s a case of deciding how many amenities you can do without before deciding which of the other options fits in your budget.
