One of the most important things you can do to make sure your next RV trip goes off without a hitch is to book the best campground for you. Where you stay can really make all the difference in the world, so paying attention to details when choosing a campground is a must.

That said, most people don’t book campgrounds every day, and many don’t know what to look for in an RV park. That’s why we’re here. The tips below will help you pick the perfect campground for you, your travel party, and your camping style.

Consider Your Camping Type

Some people visit RV parks simply to have a place to park while they see the sights. On the flip side of that, there are those who camp purely to escape into nature with no intention of ever leaving the campground.

It’s important to know what you want to get out of your camping experience. Obviously, those looking for a nature escape won’t want an RV park that is mostly concrete, and those who merely want a place to park probably won’t want to be out in the countryside, far away from everything.

Know How Long You’ll be There

How long you’ll be staying in a particular place might make a difference when choosing a campground. You see, some campgrounds are geared toward more stationary RVers, offering long-term rates but fewer amenities. Meanwhile, there are campgrounds that are focused purely on transient guests. Of course, there are some that offer a mix of long-term and transient sites.

Know what you’re looking for and don’t be afraid to call and ask about weekly, monthly, seasonal, and annual rates if need be.

Be Sure Your Whole Party Will Be Welcomed

Some campgrounds welcome kids with open arms, offering playgrounds and even kiddie pools. Other campgrounds allow kids but aren’t particularly welcoming towards them, and then there are those who don’t allow children at all.

Pets are another thing to consider, as some parks invite them to stay, while others don’t want them on their grounds at all, and still, others do allow them but have very specific rules to be followed.

Check out the rules for children, pets, and party size to make sure your whole family is welcome in the park you are considering.

Pay Attention to Location

Location is incredibly important. If you are visiting an area to see a particular site or attraction, make sure that place is within a reasonable distance from the campground. Keep in mind that some cities are quite sprawling, so simply staying in the same city as the attraction may not be enough.

Another thing to watch out for? The part of town you’re in. While many campgrounds are in rural areas surrounded only by peace and quiet, some city RV parks might not be in the best areas. Try to do some research to make sure the park you choose is in a safe place.

Research the Campsites

Once you know the location will work for you, you’ll want to do a bit of research on the campsites themselves:

• If you require full hookups, make sure that option is available.
• Need a super long site? Ensure the park has sites big enough for your rig.
• You might also want to find out whether the sites have concrete pads, whether Wi-FI and cable TV are included, and—if you’ll be staying long-term—whether or not utilities are included in the rate you’ll be paying.

Check for Amenities

The campsites themselves are one thing, but the amenities included in your stay should also be taken into consideration. If you have kids and a playground is a must, check to see that one is available. Want a pool? A hot tub? What about a clubhouse? These are all things you can find if you are willing to search for the right campground, and we recommend taking the time to do so.

Read Reviews

Often, what a website says about a campground and what the place is actually like are two different things. For this reason, we recommend using the campground website for your initial research and then branching out to see what other campers think by reading reviews. This will give you a real feel of the place and help you know what to expect.

Some good sites for reading reviews include Campground Reviews, The Dyrt, and Campendium.

Join Camping Membership Clubs

Lastly, if you plan to camp often, we highly recommend joining some camping clubs. While you will still have to research each campground before you book it, joining a club will help narrow down your options while also giving you a discount on the included campgrounds. This makes camping more affordable, allowing you to go out more often.

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About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Craig S. FL~ “I am extremely pleased with the service I received. Your representative kept in constant contact with me to make sure everything was going as planned. I never felt like I was in this by myself. Thank you!!!!”