How Much Do RV Parks Cost (+ How to Save Money)

Are you wondering how much RV parks cost? And how to save some money while camping with your RV?  

Rving can get quite expensive, especially if you don’t figure out how to keep the RV park fees low. Because RVing should be a wonderful experience that lets you enjoy travelling and staying away from home without worrying too much about your finances. 

You can have a seamless RVing experience if you know how to tame RV Parks costs. And that is precisely what we want to share with you in the article

So whether you’re an RV enthusiast who has just secured their first camping vehicle and doesn’t know a thing about RV parks or a regular RVer wondering how to keep the camping costs low, this article is for you!

At the end of this article, you’ll have a clear answer: How much do RV parks cost? Also, we’ll explore insights into how to reduce your RV park cost. 

Let’s get started!

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How Much Do RV Parks Cost?

RV park fees vary depending, for example, on the length of your stay, the amenities, the time of year and the location.

The cost varies from free to more than $100 per night. But in some places, you can expect to pay up to $200.

I still can’t believe we paid $130 for a night in a campground in Carmel-on-the-Sea during our California coast road trip. It’s insane. And we found those prices in other RV parks along the cost.

What makes RV Parks’ Prices Vary?

So the overarching question is: What makes some RV parks cheaper than others?

Here are some of the key reasons. 

Length of Stay

The length of your stay in an RV camping will impact the rate per night depending on if you’re opting for a nightly rate, weekly rate or monthly rate.

For example, here is what you can expect to pay for:

• Nightly Rate: prices range from $20 to $100+per night
• Weekly Rate: prices range from $250 to $700+ plus
• Monthly Rate: prices range from $500 to $2000+per month

Hookup Vs. Non-Hookup

The type of RV camping site you’re choosing will also affect the cost and the quality of life you’ll lead while RVing. So let’s look at each one of them in detail. 

Full Hookup

Some campgrounds offer campsites with full hookups, and such RV parks are undoubtedly the priciest of all. In such an arrangement, you’ll have access to:

• RV Electric Hookup: This means that you have a place where you can plug in your cables and continue using electricity as if you were operating from your house. 
• RV Water Hookup: This hookup ensures you can connect your kitchen sink to the water source and wash utensils. It also avails water for use in the toilet and the bathroom. Thus, with the water hookup, you can be sure you’ll run all errands requiring water without worrying that it might run out. 
• RV Sewer Hookup: You have a sewer hookup on the ground where you can dump all the waste rather than carry it to wherever you’re going. You don’t have to go to the dump station to purge your RV from grey and black water. 

Partial Hookup

If you find the budget for a full hookup park relatively high, you can opt for the partial hookup option. You’ll have access to an RV water and electric hookup but no sewer hookup.

It’s a great option, especially if you don’t require to camp for long. 

No Hookups

Lastly, there are some campsites where you are offered no hookup. They are sometimes called “dry campsites” This means that you have access to some ground with gravel or grass, and that’s all. Again, such parks are the cheapest if you run on a small budget. 

If you decide to use a campsite without any hookups, bring plenty of water and a portable power station if you need to charge some electronics.

State & National Park Campgrounds vs. Private Campgrounds

National & State Parks Campgrounds

If you are a camping family interested in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and biking, then camping in national parks and state parks is ideal. The state or the federal government owns them. Thus, they are relatively cheap.

But you’ll have to make some tradeoffs when settling for these parks. Most campgrounds in national parks have no hookups, meaning you’ll have to rely on your RV for everything. You’ll find some that offer electricity and water, but not all.

You’ll be inside some of the most beautiful locations in the country. So it’s worth it. For families, kids will also love the ranger programs and activities some parks offer.

Plus, you need to book them early in the season, and they usually fill up quickly.

Private RV Parks

You might find private parks that offer just the bare necessities while others are showered with all the amenities you might think of. There are even some luxury RV Parks.

Thus, the price of one private park will vary from the other, primarily based on the amenities in the park. And, of course, the pricing model of the owner. 

These campgrounds are privately owned, as the name suggests. Thus, they are well-kept in most cases, and there is a high likelihood of finding a full hookup on the site. Also, you have access to WiFi, dog parks, and recreation rooms, even a fitness center, among other key luxuries. 

The downside of private parks is that there no much fun as you’d find in a national/state park. 

Location

An RV park in rural areas will be less expensive than one near a town where you can access all the amenities. Nonetheless, there are respective upsides and downsides for each. 

For instance, a rural RV ground is synonymous with the conventional campground. Thus, you can enjoy the benefits of camping in the bush, such as hiking, setting bonfires, and access to nature trails. It’s, therefore, best suited to an RVer interested in nature exploration. 

Of course, just because an RV park is in a rural setting doesn’t necessarily imply cheap. It all depends on the available amenities and the nature of ownership. 

On the other hand, an urban-based RV park has access to luxuries such as good WiFi connectivity. Thus, you can expect it to be relatively pricier.  And some are more like a parking lot than a nice green campground.

Additionally, there are expensive RV parks despite being set in remote locations. For instance, an RV park with a breathtaking ocean view will be more costly than one in a congested part of the city. 

Amenities

Lastly, an RV park will be as expensive as the number and the nature of amenities on offer. For instance, campgrounds with the full hookup option have a relatively high number of amenities. Therefore, they are quite pricey but comfortable to camp in. On the other hand, the price is higher for high-end RV resorts equipped with outdoor patios and other luxuries. 

On the flip side, an RV park with just gravel parking and partial or no hookup will be relatively cheaper. 

5 Tips to Reduce Your Daily RV Park Cost

Here are our top 5 tips to reduce your RV park cost and save on your nightly rates.

Boondocking

Staying in an RV park with free WiFi and other amenities such as heated pools and a freshwater supply is fantastic, but have you tried boondocking?

This means staying disconnected from the amenities in some remote locations. It might sound quite complex, but it’s one of the most enjoyable experiences. Also, finding a boondocking site is relatively easy as almost all public lands (BLM in the USA and crowds lands in Canada) are open to the practice. 

It’s also possible to do boondocking on person private land using the Boondockers Welcome app.

⛺ Try the Boondockers Welcome ⛺

Here are the upsides of boondocking. 

Saving on Costs

You don’t have to spend a dime to park your RV vehicle in some park or public beach; if you have to, it’s nothing compared to what you’d have to pay in a typical RV park. Thus, boondocking is cheap, especially if camping for a short while. 

Also, even if you want an extended stay, you can still boondock and recharge once in a while, and it’ll still be cheaper than staying full-time in an RV park. 

Privacy

Boondocking affords you the heavenly privacy you seek while out on vacation. This is easy to come by as you can leave your window open, and you’re sure nobody is coming to peep at your vehicle. 

We’re not saying that staying in an RV park is an exclusively bad idea. Nonetheless, it’s all good until it becomes congested and you start scrambling for the available resources. Thus, it would help if you just stayed in a secluded place where you and your beloved family and friends are free of charge. 

Clear View of the Surrounding

It gives you a better opportunity to interact with nature than if you were cramped in an RV park. In addition, you have access to great views, whether at the seaside or near a mountain. 

You can also watch animals in the wild as you relax safely in your vehicle. 

Harvest Host

It’s almost similar to boondocking, but the difference here is that you’ll have to pay a small fee, and that’s all. Harvest Hosts aims to ensure that RVers can easily find a safe and serene parking space throughout the US. 

Through the Harvest Hosts program, you can camp at a relatively low price at wineries, orchards, farms, distillers, and other unconventional environments. 

The upside of using Harvest Hosts is that the camping cost is relatively cheap. You’ll be required to pay a small fee of approximately $20, and you’re good to go for the night. Also, there are loads of discounts that you can redeem to lower the costs further. 

⛺ Try Harvest Hosts membership ⛺

The experience of camping under the program is also one of a kind. You’ll wake up to beautiful sceneries and scents away from the noisy city environment. And what’s more, you’re also assured of some privacy. It’ll probably be you and a few other campers at the site. 

In addition, you have access to farm-fresh fruits and wine at a low cost. All you require to enjoy all this is to sign up for the Harvest Hosts site. Next, you’ll be prompted to choose the package that best suits your travelling arrangements. 

For full-time Rvers, it’s cheaper and for those who plan to stay for quite some time. 

Thousand Trails Campground Membership

Like Harvest Hosts, this is another membership plan cheaper than paying for conventional parks in the long run. But first, you’ll need to open an account on the Thousand Trails site. 

If you are an infrequent  RVer, the basic membership and first zone pass are just enough. This will cost you, at most, $599. This booking will grant you access to the booking portal to make your booking. 

One advantage of this plan is that it allows booking 60 days in advance. It’s quite a downside for impromptu RVers as they cannot just wake up and decide to go RVing. Nonetheless, this arrangement is handy in ensuring no collisions in bookings. Thus, at no time will you find a clouded RV park. 

In addition, you can stay at one location for a maximum of 14 days. After these have lapsed, you’ll need to remain outside the system for a week then you can book again. In addition, the program allows you to add other zones to your camping wishlist at a small fee of approximately $54. 

For long-term RVers, this is one of the most economical packages. 

Reserve Sites Without Full Hook-Ups

You don’t have to stay at a site with all the amenities as, most of the time, you don’t need them all. This is especially applicable for short-term RVers. For instance, if you’re going RVing for about a week, your RV should be able to cater to everything without needing regular replenishments. 

Numerous sites offer partial hookups for those intending to stay quite longer. And their costs are also varied too. Thus, you can settle for the cheapest, especially if your vehicle is self-contained. 

Stay at Wal-Mart (or Other Free Hosts)

If you are an RV enthusiast, know that Wal-Mart founder, Sam Walton, cared about you. He knew that RVers made great customers and allowed them to camp at the stores free of charge. 

Thus, seize this offer, especially if the night finds you near a Walmart store, and save the cash you’d have used for camping. The other upside of camping at Wal-Mart parks is that you have easy access to the store and a fresh supply of groceries. It’s as though you are picking spinach from your backyard garden. 

In addition, most Wal-Mart stores are near other amenities such as gas stations and restaurants. Thus, you are spoilt for choice on where to get your supplies. Also, in addition to saving you money, you’ll spend less time travelling to the gas station and back. 

Nonetheless, you’ll have to put up with the homeless, who have also taken advantage of the free offer. Many infiltrate the parks at night. But at least you can be sure they are there for the same reason as you- to find a place to rest. 

Final Thoughts: How Much Do RV Parks Cost?

Rving doesn’t have to be pricey. The parking cost should be the least of your worries as you enjoy time away from your family and friends. Thus, it would be best if you kept the costs as low as you, making the above insights quite handy in your RVing journey.