Average RV Park Rates: Nationwide Campgrounds Prices per Night

Staying in an RV has been one of the best ways to travel the country, and it’s becoming more and more popular as people start transforming their own vans to become small RVs or grab a travel trailer to pull behind their car. If you’re looking to travel, then it’s a good idea to be prepared for park rates around the country.

So, how much do campgrounds and parks charge for RV stays? On average, you can expect to pay about $40 to $55 a night. However, this number is dependent on several different factors, including:

Time of year
Size of your RV
Location of where you park
What amenities you want
Length of Stay

Because there are so many different factors, you’ll have to plan your RV trip carefully, especially if you’re going to many different places sequentially. There are also plenty of ways to save money while you’re staying at RV campgrounds and parks, so planning helps you there too!

Table of Contents

Private and Public Campgrounds Average Rates

Two main companies, RVshare and Outdoorsy, are always offering discounts and deals. They can be hard to pass up, especially for those who love traveling across the country or just going away for a fun-filled camping weekend.

Prices will differ from state to state. But if you book long-term, either by the week or month, you can get a great discount when renting a spot in an RV park.

Here’s a rough estimate of the average rate of different types of campgrounds available across the US.

Private Campgrounds

You’ll have access to all basic amenities, such as electricity, water, and the sewage system. Their price will range between $30 – $60 per night.

This price can increase depending on the location of the campground, as well as the amenities they’ll provide you. Some private campsites will offer a water view, cable, WiFi, mini-golf, and even a swimming pool.

These luxury RV resorts, like Disney’s Ft. Wilderness, can cost you anywhere from $70 – $200 per night.

Public Campgrounds

Public campsites are less expensive than private ones. Of course, you’ll have to do with fewer amenities.

Some will offer you water and electricity. You’ll also be able to use their dump station. Others can offer you full hookups. This all depends on the location of the campground and the funds each municipality has set aside for their RV parks.

Yet, public sites have their advantages. They offer more natural scenery. It’s a great way to get to experience the area’s natural wildlife. Besides, they’ll give you better privacy, unlike their crowded private counterparts.

On average, a public RV park can cost you anywhere from $40 – $55 per night. Again, prices vary according to the location and provided amenities.

Going on exciting adventures to new amazing sites is what RVing is all about. The trick to enjoying your RV excursion is to plan, find great discounts, and book in advance.

This way, you get the best spot, save money, and enjoy a fun-filled trip. It’s a win-win!

Average Rates for 10 Most Popular Campsites

In the following table you will find the average prices for the 10 popular campsites. Prices may vary depending on many other factors, remember that prices are per night:

Campsites	Price winter	Price spring	Price summer	Price autumn
Camp Gulf; Destin, Florida	$65-$85	$90-$125	$97-$130	$65-$90
Zion River Resort; Virgin, Utah	$35-$55		$60	$50
Durango RV Resort; Red Bluff, California	$50-$65, with a daily use fee ($5), fee for each extra visitor ($3), guest fee ($3), and extra vehicle fee ($2)	$50-$65, with a daily use fee ($5), fee for each extra visitor ($3), guest fee ($3), and extra vehicle fee ($2)	$50-$65, with a daily use fee ($5), fee for each extra visitor ($3), guest fee ($3), and extra vehicle fee ($2)	$50-$65, with a daily use fee ($5), fee for each extra visitor ($3), guest fee ($3), and extra vehicle fee ($2)
The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Course; Borrego Springs, California	$64 – $84	$77-$101	$77-$101	$64 – $84
Mill Creek Ranch Resort; Canton, Texas	$162-$260	$162-$260	$162-$260	$162-$260
Oak Grove Resort Campgrounds; Holland, Michigan		$55	$60	$70
Libby’s Oceanside Camp; York Harbor, Maine	$60-$105 with visitor fees ($3), additional adult fees ($5), additional child fees ($3), and additional vehicle fees ($5)	$60-$105 with visitor fees ($3), additional adult fees ($5), additional child fees ($3), and additional vehicle fees ($5)	$60-$105 with visitor fees ($3), additional adult fees ($5), additional child fees ($3), and additional vehicle fees ($5)	$60-$105 with visitor fees ($3), additional adult fees ($5), additional child fees ($3), and additional vehicle fees ($5)
Sea & Sand RV Park; Depoe Bay, Oregon	$44-$59	$54-$74	$64-$84
Five Pines Camping & Recreation; Farmington, Pennsylvania	$10-$41	$10-$41	$10-$41	$10-$41
Doc’s RV Park; Gulf Shores, Alabama	$40 year-round, with an additional $40 for monthly RV storage if desired	$40 year-round, with an additional $40 for monthly RV storage if desired	$40 year-round, with an additional $40 for monthly RV storage if desired	$40 year-round, with an additional $40 for monthly RV storage if desired
Camp Hatteras RV Campground and Resort; Waves, North Carolina	$43-$45 [you’re charged for each child ages six through 18 ($4), each extra adult ($8), each pet ($3), and for cable TV ($3)]	$65-$75 [you’re charged for each child ages six through 18 ($4), each extra adult ($8), each pet ($3), and for cable TV ($3)]	$81-$110 [you’re charged for each child ages six through 18 ($4), each extra adult ($8), each pet ($3), and for cable TV ($3)]	$63-$75 [you’re charged for each child ages six through 18 ($4), each extra adult ($8), each pet ($3), and for cable TV ($3)]
Grand Canyon Camper Village; Grand Canyon, Arizona	$41-$45 (with a 50-amp full hookup)	$56-$60 (with a 50-amp full hookup)	$56-$60 (with a 50-amp full hookup)	$41-$45 (with a 50-amp full hookup)

The Different Things that Affect RV Campground and RV Park Rates

While you can expect to pay around $50 a night at most RV campgrounds and parks, that price can vary by a lot. Let’s take a look at the various things that affect the price you’ll pay to park your RV.

The Time of Year

Similar to other types of vacation places, the time of year has a huge impact on prices. For example, hotels near the beach get much more expensive around spring break and in the middle of the summer. However, in winter and even the early spring, you’ll be able to get hotels at almost half the price.

That’s just the beach. Everywhere you go is going to have hotspots, and people tend to travel more in the summer, making most places rise in costs. Families tend to travel more in the summer since schools are out.

Most places have peak times that literally vary by a week. Before booking your trip, see what kind of prices are being charged in the weeks surrounding your original plan. You might be able to change the days you go and save big!

If you’re going to a campground that’s attached to something like a concert hall or race track, then think about when those events are busiest. While it’s not bad to try camping when you know there are fun events going on, it can definitely up the cost of your stay.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some campgrounds actually have special events that they’re known for that can cause increases in price. For example, some campgrounds are known for their Halloween events, and they draw large crowds in October. If you’re not checking the costs of other dates, then you might not realize that it’s actually an inflated cost.

Quick Tip: Many campgrounds close throughout the winter months. While not all do, you’ll want to make sure wherever you plan to be during the colder months is open—this is especially important if you plan on taking a long-term RV trip around the country.

How Big Your RV or Trailer Is

You can get an RV or Trailer in all shapes and sizes. Some have pop out areas where beds and tables fall into, and others have it already laid out. Some have full-sized bathrooms while others have half-baths (or no baths at all).

The size of your RV has an impact on the size of the spot you’re able to rent. Typically, smaller RV spots cost less than larger RV spots because the campground or RV park can afford to put more smaller spots in compared to larger spots.

There is less competition for these smaller spots because there are more of them, therefore you’ll pay less than you would for a larger spot. This is similar to how motels and hotels work, too; you’ll pay more for a larger hotel room with multiple rooms and a full kitchen compared to a motel room that has a kitchenette.

There’s also the fact that many large RVs require additional support, which can drive up costs because of the maintenance required for each site. Pretty much, everything about larger sites makes them more expensive.

If you’re still in the planning stages of RV travel and you haven’t gotten an RV or trailer yet, then think about getting the smallest size that will fit your needs. This will also help you save money on gas along with campsite sizes—even 14 foot RV trailers have bathrooms in them!

The Location of Where You’re Parking Your RV

The location of your campsite has a lot to do with price as well. If you’re travelling to popular areas, then RV sites are going to be much more expensive. If you’re sort of roaming areas that aren’t as popular, then you’ll notice that RV sites are much cheaper to entice people to come stay.

It’s also pretty common to find areas that are more expensive even if they’re closer to popular attractions. By choosing to stay a few miles away from places like Disney World or the Grand Canyon, you’ll find much better rates. You’ll also find quieter campgrounds and RV parks, which can be a bonus.

Another location issue that can arise is how many other RV parks and campgrounds are in the area. For example, if there are four parks within a few miles of each other, then each campground is going to be competing against each other. This causes rates to drop, and you’ll probably find special offers going on at at least one of the parks.

However, if there is only 1 RV park in an area, they can charge whatever they want. They don’t necessarily have to worry about bringing in campers, so you’ll typically see higher prices (unless the campground is in an area that’s not full of tourists—this really only applies to highly populated areas).

What Amenities You Want at Your Campsite

There are a plethora of different campsites that exist. Some are meant to give you the bare essentials while some of them are meant to feel like a luxury resort. There are plenty of options that can affect how expensive your campsite is, and there are some options that should come almost everywhere you go.

One thing you’ll probably find everywhere is a sewage and/or water hookup. Most RVs have a small bathroom and kitchen with a sink. Before you can use these items, you’ll have to hook them up to various lines. Most all RV sites you’ll find will have both of these hookups.

You’ll probably also come across electricity hookups with most RV sites. However, these aren’t always included, and you might have to pay extra. Keep an eye out for what comes with your campsite and what is available at your campsite; if you have any questions, feel free to call up the campground or RV park you’re looking at.

You’ll also want to find out about any kind of caps on water or electricity usage. This isn’t extremely common, but there are campgrounds that cap these things so that you don’t go overboard.

Another thing that’s up in the air is WiFi. Your campsite may or may not have it available, and it may or may not be free. However, some campgrounds won’t have access to any kind of internet; this is typically the case, especially if you’re staying somewhere more remote or in the woods (the trees make it difficult for WiFi to get through, and most campgrounds are too far out for internet lines to be run).

Other things to think about are the features that the campground has itself. This is especially important if you’re staying for long periods of time. One thing that can make or break a campground is whether or not it has a laundry area. This can cost you more, especially if the laundry area costs money. However, it’s worth it if you plan on parking your RV there long-term.

Other features you can think about are things like a pool, a sports area, a gaming area, and even a lakefront. While these aren’t what everyone wants, they’re things that can make RV trips more enjoyable, and it’s definitely something that can help keep large families sane while staying in a small RV. They will also cause your campsite to be more expensive.

Think about it this way. You’re paying for the campsite itself, along with the ability to use any of their amenities. The campground and RV park itself has to pay for the maintenance of these areas, so it’s going to be factored into the cost of your campsite.

Taxes and the Cost of Living in the Area

While you’re staying on the campsite and not necessarily living in the area, the local economy is going to play a part in your RV trip. This includes both the taxes and the cost of living in that area.

While you won’t necessarily see it listed in your payment that you’re being charged for the income tax or the sales tax in the area, you will notice that prices are higher. If you’re really looking to get the best deals possible, then do some research about cheap places to live near wherever you’re going and look for campgrounds or RV parks in that area.

The cost of living typically dictates how much the campground itself has to pay for its land; this carries over to how much money they need to make and how much money they need to charge at each campsite to stay in business.

Who You’re Travelling With

Some campgrounds actually charge you on the number of people staying at your campsite. This can make a huge difference in cost, especially if you’re travelling with your family and you have multiple children.

If you have pets, you’ll more than likely have to pay a pet deposit too. Before bringing any pets, make sure you know the campground’s pet policy beforehand. Many have rules against leaving pets alone in RVs, so you’d have to bring them anywhere you go (which can be a hassle, especially if you’re trying to explore the area), while some campgrounds don’t allow pets at all.

Each of these fees aren’t always discussed upfront, so make sure you check the small text on their website (or give them a call). You definitely don’t want to get packed up for a trip, drive somewhere, and have to turn around just because of hidden fees and rules.

How Long You’re Staying at Your Campsite

It’s pretty common for people to live in their RVs and travel through the country; because of this, many companies offer discounts for extended stays. Sometimes that includes week long trips, so you can make an extended vacation ever cheaper! It also gives you plenty of time to explore the area and experience everything it has to offer.

The reason campgrounds offer extended stay discounts is because they don’t have to worry about the site staying vacant for a period of time. They’re ensured money and profit through you, so they’re willing to offer you a better deal.

Sometimes you’ll find campsites that you really love; you can oftentimes look into getting permanent sites where you can leave your RV parked throughout the year and vacation whenever you want. This is pretty common for RV parks and campgrounds. However, be aware that this can be costly, and you’ll want to do it somewhere relatively close to where you live. That can take the thrill of vacationing away, so be wary before doing this.

Why Are RV Parks So Expensive?

RVing stopped being something only retired couples do. It’s become a favorite of the young and old, couples and families, working and retired. Even though you save money on hotel bookings and restaurants, RVs still have their fair share of expenses.

Recently, the prices of RV parks have shot up. This has caused many RV adventurers to ask:

Why are RV parks so expensive?” The reason for the steadfast increase in RV campsite fees is because more and more people are buying or renting RVs. With this increase in the number of RVs, there has to be a rise in campground costs. These costs include employees, security, water, electricity, and the sewer dump tank. Plus, there’s the maintenance and continual upkeep of the grounds themselves.

5 Ways You Can Be Cost Effective Throughout Your RV Trip

While RV camping can be expensive, there are ways you can cut costs, especially when it comes to things that you have control over. You might not be able to find the best deals on a campsite, but you can follow any of these tips to get a good idea of what else you can do to lower your budget.

1. Drive Slowly

You might not believe it, but you’ll actually get better gas mileage if you take to the roads slowly. Don’t rush to get wherever you’re going; instead, enjoy the scenery and maybe even play a road game with the family if they’re with you. If not, take this time to enjoy some great music or a new podcast while you drive.

2. Keep Your RV and Vehicle Properly Maintained

There are several reasons why you should keep up with the maintenance on your RV or your vehicle, and part of that has to do with going through gas. If you notice you’re going through gas too quickly, then do a quick check on all the tires—you’d be surprised how a tire that’s not got enough air can cost you in gas. Keeping up to date with maintenance will also prevent more expensive problems in the future.

3. Try to Camp in Mild Weather

Since some campsites can charge you more or cap you at certain electric usages, try to stick to using as little electricity as possible. You can do this by camping in mild weather. Camping in cold weather or hot weather can also cause things to break on your RV quicker. You’d have to condition your RV before doing anything else, and that can cost a ton of money.

4. Cook in Your RV

A huge cost during any vacation is food; it’s tempting to go out to eat, whether you’re tired from whatever activities you’re doing during the day or you’re ready to try local restaurants. Trust us—you’ll enjoy your pockets not being drained more than you would spending a ton of money on your stomach. If you’re traveling with other people, then this tip becomes even more important.

I recently wrote an article on this site called “15 Effective Ways to Stop Condensation in Travel Trailers or RV“. In it, I mentioned the issues with condensation for example while cooking in the RV. There is plenty that you can do to protect yourself from condensation.

5. Pay Attention to Any Toll Roads on Your Way

Toll roads are becoming more and more common, and it can take you by surprise if you’re living somewhere that doesn’t have any yet. Make sure to do your research beforehand and see what kind of roads you’ll take. Don’t forget that you’ll have to pay for tolls on your way there and back. This can add up pretty quickly without you realizing it.

Is Owning an RV Park Profitable?

If you want to take your chances with owning an RV park, the income should be among your top considerations. Is it profitable? Is investing in one a good idea? According to statistics, 56% of North Americans had plans to increase camping trips in 2018 alone. This percentage has grown from 46% in 2016, which tells you a lot about what the majority of the population has an interest in.

Is Owning an RV Park Profitable? Yes, owning an RV park can be a nice way to make more money, and if done well, your profit can reach thousands of dollars. As an RV park manager, you can make from 50,000 to 90,000 dollars per year. The park itself can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars if it becomes a success.

With this knowledge in mind, you can enter the world of RV parks with a degree of confidence that a lot of people would use your campsite.

Of course, the amount of money you can make from owning an RV park ranges according to many factors. These include:

The park’s popularity
Location
Assets

Want another proof that investing in an RV park can be a profitable step in your financial life? You should know that from 2015 to 2020, the campgrounds and RV parks industry has grown with a rate of 3.2%.

Experts in the RV parks industry expect their sales to reach about 7.5 billion dollars at 2020 end.

If these numbers don’t tell you enough about how owning an RV park is a great idea, nothing else could.

How Much Should It Cost You?

Of course, for your business to bloom and grow, you must invest in several essential utilities. By providing a mistake-free service, your park should be popular in no time, thus rewarding you with the profit that you’re seeking.

Let’s discuss the main aspects that you should include in your plan along with their average cost.

Location

The first thing that you need to search for is a nice location that should draw customers. The cost of buying land for your RV park can range from 10,000 to 50,000 dollars depending on the size and the location.

Generally, an acre of your park can contain 10 campsites. Therefore, you should determine this based on how much you’re willing to spend.

Utilities

Essentials like freshwater, Wi-Fi, and electricity should cost you from hundreds to several thousands of dollars. On average, you might spend 4,000 to 5,000 dollars.

Employees

To get an RV park running, you’ll need to hire employees to take care of several things like taking care of the landscape and utilities. Also, don’t forget the maintenance.

Insurance and Legal Steps

You should form an LLC or a corporation to start your RV park. Neglecting this can lead to fines that you might not be prepared for.

Thus, make sure that you consult an attorney to fill you in on insurance and other legal details that you should be aware of.

How Much Does an RV Park Owner Make?

It’s quite fascinating that such a laid-back environment that you’d normally find in an RV park can be so profitable. If you’ve done everything right as an owner, you might be able to make thousands of dollars out of your RV park.

How Much Does an RV Park Owner Make? On average, a successful PV park owner can make from 50,000 to 90,000 dollars per year. Quite impressive, right? However, in most cases, it isn’t easy to know if your investment is worth it. Sometimes, you might be a bit hesitant to take a leap of faith.

We might be able to help you arrange your thoughts. Let’s dive in!

Understand an RV Park’s Return on Investment (ROI)

To put into simple wording, you can measure the success of a business by knowing the industry’s ROI. This means that the more percentage of your investment that returns to you, the more profitable your business is.

Most people who own an RV park can expect a return on investment of about 10% to 20%. Of course, this can be good news for you.

However, it might be a bit hard for you to start this business without previous experience. For this reason, your best bet can be to buy an existing RV park with all its amenities.

Therefore, all you’ll need to do is maintenance if anything’s broken, and you might be ready to go. Nevertheless, you should look for top-quality RV parks and take a lot of factors into consideration.

For instance, the park should include all the necessary services that should make people want to stay. These include Wi-Fi, swimming pools, dog parks, and more. Also, it’s a plus point if this park is located by a lake or a water source for fishing.

Another point you should keep in mind is infrastructure. The park that you should invest in must have solid water and electricity systems. Therefore, you wouldn’t need to spend extra cash on these details.

Figure Out Its Capitalization Rate

Knowing a business’s ROI isn’t enough to determine your next move. As you know, the world of investment includes many layers.

Another method that you should use besides the ROI is the Capitalization Rate. Wondering what it means?

This is a formula often used to find out the profit of a real estate based on its Net Operating Income. More tough words, we get it!

NOI is the annual income that you get out of a property after subtracting all the expenses that are incurred from some operations. For instance, these include taxes, managing the property, and even insurance.

To determine an RV park’s Cap Rate, you can calculate it using an easy formula. Simply, divide its NOI by its current market value.

This formula can help you choose between potential RV opportunities. If they’re all equal in other perspectives, then the one with the highest Cap Rate should be your best option.

What’s the Best Time of Year to Go RV Camping?

You can argue that any time of the year, with the exception of winter, is the best season to go RV camping in. Everyone has different preferences, and there are a ton of good points on every side. Where you go also has a huge impact on how well you enjoy your stay.

Spring

Some people think that spring is the best time to go camping. For one thing, spring break definitely has a pretty big hold on the price of campsites, so it’s at least a busy time to go camping.

If you have children, then spring can be good because they’re out of school during spring break. The weather is just starting to warm up as well, and everyone’s ready to get outside and feel the sun again. If you’re going somewhere that’s got pretty warm weather, it’ll be mild in the springtime.

If you’re looking for somewhere that’s out in nature, then you’ll see everything begin to bloom. This can be beautiful, and you’ll have great memories and pictures to remind you of your trip forever.

However, if you’re someone with allergies, then spring camping can be difficult. Hay Fever and other allergic reactions typically take hold of people in the spring months, so staying indoors might be the best option. You don’t want to ruin your vacation because you’re not feeling well.

Summer

Summer is the first time most people think about when they think about vacation time—children are out of school, the weather is great, and there’s plenty to do no matter where you are. Plus, every theme park and water park in the nation is open to enjoy.

You’ll have plenty of places to choose from when it comes to where to stay. You can pretty much go anywhere in the country, and there are always music festivals to enjoy if that’s what you’re into.

You can also spend time in different places. You’ll more than likely find campgrounds that offer discounted rates to be competitive, and there you can find people to socialize with if you’d like; meeting new people can be part of the fun when you’re RV camping.

However, summertime means dealing with crowds. If you’ve got really young children, this can turn stressful quickly, and some people just don’t deal with crowds well. If you’re not someone who enjoys the heat, then summer can also be a bad time as everywhere starts to heat up.

Fall

Many people, especially RV campers, love camping in fall. The weather is mild, and kids are going back to school, so you don’t have to worry about crowded campsites. This can be a huge benefit for those who like camping in solidarity.

Halloween activities are also huge at campgrounds, which can be fun for families who choose to take vacations around this time. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, then you’ll easily find campgrounds running specials around this time.

Nature is also beautiful at this time—the leaves are beginning to turn, and you’ll see the serenity of lakes across the nation as people won’t be in them as much. This is definitely the best option for those who enjoy slow-paced vacations and quiet time.

However, some campers dislike fall because of the weather. The days can get pretty hot in some areas while the nights get cold; if you’re someone who gets sick easily, then these fluctuations in weather can cause you to get sick quickly.

Winter

Winter requires an entirely different look on camping. It can be dangerous and extremely expensive, and you can rack up costs quickly without meaning too. Make sure to do plenty of research on winter camping before tackling this—you’ll need a lot of experience and some thick skin to RV camp during the winter months.

What Does Full-Time RV Camping Look Like? Does It Change Anything?

Full-time RV camping can be great for any digital nomads; it’s a relaxing way of life that appeals to a wide variety of people. If you get the opportunity to full-time RV camp, then think about it hard before making any decisions.

RV camping can be great for anyone who’s looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of regular life. It’s a way to live a slower-paced life and to enjoy the world around you.

It’s also pretty simple! While full-time camping won’t change anything we’ve talked about in this article, it’ll definitely affect how you think about certain things. For example, you’ll definitely want a campsite with a washer and dryer available, and you’ll probably be more focused on price than things like a pool or gaming area.

If you’re going to go into full-time RV camping, then make sure you have a reliable source of income. This might require you to have access to WiFi at all times, so make sure you’re looking at that when choosing an RV park or campground.

You can also think about moving between campgrounds pretty quickly. This lets you take advantage of long-term discounts while also seeing more of the world. If you have a camper that’s got everything you need, then this is a great idea!

>> Can You Rent an RV for a Whole Month? (Read This Before)

What’s the Benefits of RV Camping Compared to Tent Camping?

RV camping allows for plenty of luxuries that tent camping doesn’t, and it’s a way to feel a little more at home while you’re out on the road. While tent camping has its own perks, RV camping can appeal to more people. RVs are easier to set up and provide a much better experience overall compared to tent camping.

For example, most RVs have bathrooms. This is something that tents just don’t have, and it can be uncomfortable to use the bathroom outside or to use public showers (depending on the type of campground you stay out).

RVs also have plenty of space that’s weatherproof. When you’re tent camping, you have to worry about things like rain or high winds putting a damper on your vacation. However, RVs offer a place of protection from the elements, and you won’t have to worry about anything you have getting ruined by rain.

In most cases, you’ll also have access to things like electricity and air conditioning. This can be a deal breaker for some people, and it’s definitely a way to bring your home into nature while enjoying the scenes around you. Some people just don’t enjoy being unplugged, and RV camping gives you a way to enjoy everything you love.

RV camping also means sleeping on a bed compared to sleeping in sleeping bags on the ground. This can make your vacation better because you’re more comfortable and not irritable from a bad night’s sleep. It may cost a few more dollars for the RV site, but it will increase your comfort quite a bit. It’s also beneficial for anyone with back problems or older folks in general.