Calculate Camping Costs
RV Campground Costs Explained
RV campground costs vary dramatically by location, season, and amenities. National forest campgrounds charge $10-25/night with no hookups. State parks run $20-45/night with electric. Private RV parks cost $35-80/night for full hookups. Luxury resorts in popular destinations (Florida, Arizona) charge $60-150/night in peak season.
Full hookups include 30/50-amp electric, fresh water connection, and sewer dump. Water/electric sites have no sewer (use dump station). Electric-only sites require you to carry fresh water and dump waste elsewhere. Boondocking (free camping on public land) costs $0 but requires self-sufficiency.
How to Save on Campground Costs
Memberships: Thousand Trails ($600/year) offers unlimited camping at 80+ campgrounds. Passport America ($44/year) provides 50% off at 1,800+ parks. Good Sam ($29/year) saves 10% at 2,000+ locations. Full-timers save $1,500-3,000/year with memberships.
Boondocking: Free camping on BLM land, national forests, Walmart/Cracker Barrel parking lots. Requires solar power or generator, fresh water tanks, waste holding capacity. Mix boondocking with paid sites to reduce monthly costs by 40-60%.
Extended Stays: Weekly rates save 10-20% vs. nightly. Monthly rates save 30-50%. Example: $50/night = $1,500/month nightly rate, but often $900-1,100 on monthly deal.
Budget-Friendly Camping Options
National Forest Campgrounds: $10-20/night, no hookups, beautiful locations, 14-day stay limits. Peaceful and scenic but basic facilities.
Corps of Engineers Parks: $20-35/night, often have electric, near lakes/rivers. Excellent value for hookup camping.
State Parks: $20-45/night, varied amenities, advance reservations recommended for popular parks.
Harvest Hosts: $99/year for free overnight stays at wineries, farms, breweries. Support small businesses, unique experiences, no hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for camping?
Budget travelers: $600-900/month mixing boondocking and cheap campgrounds. Average RVers: $1,200-1,800/month at mix of state/private parks. Luxury travelers: $2,500-4,000/month at resort parks with amenities. Your camping budget depends on travel style, comfort needs, and locations visited.
Are campground memberships worth it?
Yes for full-timers. Thousand Trails pays for itself in 12-15 nights. Good Sam saves 10% which covers annual fee in 10-15 nights at member parks. Weekend warriors rarely use enough nights to justify membership costs. Calculate your annual camping nights before buying.