How to Pick a Good RV Campsite

Know what you want with the campsite. Beautiful scenery? A place to plug in your electrical, water, and sewer systems? Cable TV and wireless would be nice. A swimming pool? Clean, well maintained bathrooms and showers? A laundry room? Public transportation? A flat space where you can put chairs, have a fire in the evening, and relax? Access to what you came to the area for: hiking trails, fishing, theme parks, shopping malls, Disneyworld.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Kampgrounds of America Directory
• Good Sam Club Directory
• AAA Campsite guidebooks

1. Sunset at Louisanna campground Choose the site that is right for you by checking the amenities it lists against what you want.
2. National and state parks often are in the most scenic spots, but frequently don’t have hookups for electrical, water, and sewer. (It might have a dump site). Many travelers enjoy “dry” or no hookup type of camping. Just be sure you have plenty of groceries, water, propane, and gas before you make this choice.
3. Kentucky campsite Follow recommendations. Two nationally known names are the Good Sam Club and the Kampgrounds of America. (Websites below). Good Sam Club has a catalog of campsites and also have a stamp of approval that they give campsites that meet their standards. Kampgrounds of America also have a directory. Their sites generally meet high standards, have swimming pools, stores, and other amenities.
4. Campsites are often somewhat remote from downtown areas. You may have to unhook your vehicle to do your sightseeing. Alternative ways of getting around are public transportation, bicycling or walking. Many campsites aren’t in places that make these options easy or even possible. If this is important to you, check it out.
5. How many people are staying at the campsite? Sometimes campgrounds have many vehicles in place, but upon looking closer, many of these vehicles are parked for the season. The writer has seen campsites that appear to be almost full, but the majority of the owners are absent. It can feel weird to be almost the only live person in a campground, especially if it’s isolated.
6. Sometimes a significant number of vehicles are owned by people who live there. While that isn’t necessarily a problem, some of these areas are less well maintained. It can change the character of the campsite.

Tips & Warnings

• When possible, it is helpful to tour the campground before deciding to stay there. Everything isn’t necessarily apparent from the office or the entry area.
• Find out if there is a manager on site and, if there are curfews (for loud music).