RV parks are not one category. A public campground with a water tap and a vault toilet is a different product from a resort with a pool, wifi, and a dog wash. Knowing which tier you need is the whole decision — paying for amenities you will not use is the most common waste in RV travel.
Amenity tiers
| Tier | What you get |
|---|---|
| Basic public | Vault toilet, water tap, fire ring |
| Developed public | Flush toilets, showers, electric |
| Full hookup public | Water, electric, sewer, dump station |
| Private RV park | Full hookup, wifi, laundry, store |
| Resort | Pool, clubhouse, activities, cable |
Hookup types
| Hookup | Means |
|---|---|
| Full hookup | Water, electric, sewer at the site |
| Water and electric | No sewer; use the dump station |
| Electric only | Fill water before arrival |
| No hookup | Dry camping; tanks and battery |
| 50 amp | Two air conditioners possible |
| 30 amp | One air conditioner |
Check the amperage before booking a summer stay. A 30 amp site in 100 °F heat is one air conditioner and no microwave at the same time.
Site types
| Site | Best for |
|---|---|
| Pull-through | Big rigs, overnight stops |
| Back-in | Longer stays, more privacy |
| Premium | Patio, furniture, view |
| Buddy site | Two rigs sharing a patio |
| Tent site | Tents only, no hookups |
Pull-through costs $5–15 more and saves ten minutes of reversing. For a one-night stop, it is worth it.
Cost by tier
| Tier | Per night |
|---|---|
| Basic public | $15–30 |
| Developed public | $25–45 |
| Full hookup public | $35–55 |
| Private RV park | $45–75 |
| Resort | $70–120 |
Monthly rates at private parks run $500–1,200 and halve the nightly cost.
Location trade-offs
| Location | Trade-off |
|---|---|
| Inside a national park | No hookups, booked months ahead |
| Gateway town | Full hookups, 20–40 min drive |
| Highway corridor | Convenient, noisy |
| Rural resort | Quiet, far from services |
The gateway-town park is usually the practical answer: full hookups, a shower, and a short drive to the trailhead.
Season
| Season | Park behaviour |
|---|---|
| Summer | Peak rates, book early |
| Shoulder | Discounts, fewer crowds |
| Winter, south | Snowbird rates, monthly stays |
| Winter, north | Many parks closed |
Snowbird season in Arizona and Florida runs November–March and is booked a year ahead for the best sites. Summer in the Rockies fills by February.
What to check before booking
- Amperage and hookup type.
- Site length and whether it is pull-through.
- Wifi: park-wide or clubhouse only.
- Road noise from a highway.
- Cancellation policy.
- Whether the pool is actually open.
Amenities worth paying for
| Amenity | Worth it |
|---|---|
| Full hookup | Yes, for stays over two nights |
| Shower block | Yes, if the rig has no shower |
| Laundry | Yes, on trips over a week |
| Wifi | Rarely; use your own hotspot |
| Pool | Only if you will swim |
| Dog park | Yes, with a dog |
Public versus private
Public campgrounds are cheaper and better located; private parks have the hookups, the showers, and the space for a big rig. The practical pattern for a touring trip is to alternate: two nights in a park with no hookups, one night in a private park to dump, refill, and shower.
That rhythm keeps costs down and solves the tank problem without a long detour.
Booking windows
Public parks open reservations 3–6 months ahead and fill within minutes for summer weekends. Private parks take bookings a year out but usually have space. For a national park trip, book the public site the day the window opens and keep a private park as the backup.
Read the reviews for noise, not stars
Reviews that mention highway noise, trains, or a bar next door are worth more than a five-star rating. Location within the park matters as much as the park’s location.
Ask for the total
The nightly rate is not the price. Ask for the total with taxes and fees before you book.
Monthly beats nightly
If you are staying more than five nights, ask for the weekly or monthly rate. Most private parks discount 20–40% and do not advertise it.
The park is the destination
A park with a pool, a shop, and a playground is a resort you drive to, and it is the right choice for a family with young children. A park with a gravel pad and a view is the right choice for a couple touring. Neither is better; they are different products, and the price reflects it.
Where to go next
For hookup procedure, see the RV hookup guide; for costs, the RV budget guide; for free alternatives, the free camping guide.
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