Let’s talk about different ways to spend a night in your RV.
Campgrounds
Campgrounds are not usually the best way to go Motorhome camping. If you have a van or maybe a small Cass B – C, you may get a spot overnight but Tents are the most popular here. They usually do not have electricity wired to the sites. Water will be available but shared among your neighbors. There are usually communal bathrooms and showers for all to share. Sites are usually small and will have enough room for a car and a tent. I don’t go to privately owned campgrounds unless they have RV sites and power hook-ups.
Usually State and National Parks have room for both since RVs have become so popular. There is sometimes a restriction on the length of RVs they allow. I always check the Website or call first before I show up at a Government owned Park. This is usually the cheapest of the paid Camping areas available.
RV Parks
In North America this type of Motorhome Camping is usually better designed for the comfort of the RV owner. These Parks usually have sites for all sizes of RVs with different demands. If you are coming in for just one night, you may want to have a site with electricity only. There is usually a free dump station and water available on the way out. This might be cheaper than paying for full hook-ups, if you don’t mind doing it this way.
A lot of these Parks now have both 30 amp and 50 amp service. My RV is a 50 amp plug-in because of my two air conditioners, big microwave-convection oven and large fridge-freezer. I can put an adapter on it and run a 30 amp plug but have to keep my power usage down a bit. It will keep the lights on, power one air conditioner and keep the batteries charged, so a lot of times I will just settle for the 30 amp to save money if it is just one night. In these Parks you may have Premium sites that are waterfront or have a particular view. If you don’t mind paying a bit more, you may get a beachfront or poolside site that makes your stay more enjoyable. Some, but not all, RV Parks may have Pools, Jacuzzi’s, Playgrounds, TV Areas, Laundry, Game Rooms, and usually a Store. You need to do your homework to find one that has all the amenities you like, especially if you are planning to Vacation there for a while. Depending on the Park, the amenities it provides and it’s location, you could expect to spend anywhere from $30.00 to $75.00 a night. You may get a discount for multiple nights if you ask.
I like these parks, but if I am traveling, I usually stop to sightsee and for rests all day long. When I am done driving I will stay in a truck stop, rest area, Walmart or other area they allow overnight parking. My RV is pretty self-contained with a Generator, an Inverter and plenty of batteries to last all night. I am going to add Solar to my roof, but that is for another Post down the road.
RV Resorts
RV Resorts are for the more luxurious style of Camper. A lot of these places have memberships and many Resorts all over the place. I have never used one but know many people who have. There are sometimes restrictions on the age and size of your RV. A lot of them have poured concrete pads to park on and don’t want a leaky RV staining up their expensive sites. They usually have a Clubhouse, Restaurant, Indoor and outdoor pools, and tons of rules. It’s not for me, but a lot of people like to buy a membership and then they know what to expect before they get to a new Resort.
There is always something for everyone and if this would appeal to you, then go for it. I think that maybe if I could afford to do this then maybe I would at least try it. For me though, I would rather spend my money on Solar panels and long-lasting batteries so I can stay somewhere for free and still enjoy the comforts of home while traveling. RV Resort memberships vary on the price per year and the type of plan you buy. I think a beginning plan could start around $800.00 if you are going to use it a lot. I will cover this more later on when I do more research on it.
Boondocking
Boondocking is what I like to do. There are some disagreements as to what Boondocking is. Some say it is staying out in the country somewhere, without water, sewer or electricity hook-ups. Others say it is parking overnight without these amenities anywhere you don’t have to pay for it. I like to call what I usually do Boondocking. I pull over where ever I get tired and spend the night. Unless I stay at a Walmart, I usually end up at a rest stop or abandoned business lot or truck stop. A lot of Casino’s will let you park there for free, but want you to check in and get a membership hoping you will gamble or eat there. If I stay at a Casino I always go for the Buffet or spend some time at a slot machine.
We have spent nights in church parking lots but avoid them on weekends to not take up Parishioner’s parking. Usually if you see a lot of trucks at a fuel center you are pretty safe but be prepared for a loud night because they don’t shut off their engines and come and go all night long. When you are tired enough, they won’t bother you.
There are some new apps like Harvest Host, where you pay $50 a year and if available you can stay at Wineries or Breweries on private land. While you are there, I would hope you do a wine tasting and spend a few dollars on their products as thank you for the hospitality.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways to go Motorhome Camping. You can try them all and do what ever suits you. Start small and if you like it, work your way up. Just give it a try. Get out there and see your country. You only live once.
This is an informative and educative article. You have thoroughly put everything in perspective for anyone reading this post to understand the points. These are lovely guides on how to spend yhe night in my RV which is an eye opener for me. I never thought of these insightful tips. Thanks for the live changing sensitization. I will surely implement what you have written in the article
Hello Ola…..thank you for the nice comments. It makes it all worth while when someone tells you that they will use your information as it was intended. Thank you again. I really appreciate it.
Firstly I would like to commend you for this nice article about motorhome camping. I have had just a one time experience with motorhome camping and I’m so looking forward to trying it out again, in a new style and a place totally different from where have been. The last time I did it was a state owned camping site and I really enjoyed my time there. I’m also looking forward to registering as amem8in knew of the privately owned resort and experience another kind of motorhome camping there. Great article
Hi Seyi….Wow, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. You should go somewhere different next time. Going different places and seeing different things is a great experience. You never know whats around the next corner. Thank you again.
Hi there, this a great review about motorhome camping, all the three camping areas are the best place to visit reading this your review thoroughly, you have actually analyzed very well the three camping starting from the RV parks, am actually OK with the price range from 30$-70$ and since it’s can be negotiated if am spending more nights, others like Rv resorts and boondocking are also not bad to visit, but I think personally starting with RV parks is good for a start. Others can be visit later
Hi Yormith….Thank you for your nice and insightful comments. I agree with you that it might be best to start staying at RV Parks until you get to know more about what you are doing. The Parks are safe and secure and you would have the amenities to use until you learn how to stay without them. Thanks again.
Thanks so much for this. I have tried to find some ways to go motorhome camping but I couldn’t get what I needed online. I have always known about the campgroud camping and I have tried it once. The experience was awesome. The next I am going to try out is the Boondocking and I will love to share my experience with you.
Hi Kenechi….Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I would love to hear about your experiences. I bet it will be very interesting. We all learn from others so anything you wish to share would be awesome. Thank you again
Motor home are becoming very popular in america in recent years. they can easily be used at Campgrounds, RV Parks, RV Resorts and Boondockin. the comfortabilty in these Motor home are now comparable to the one at the hotels and houses. infact if you are inside some of them you couldn’t tell the difference between them and a hotel. thanks for sharing.
Hello Jay….Thank you for commenting on my Post. You are right about the popularity of RVs now. There’s a whole new trend out there called RV Nomads. People have sold everything, bought an RV and are living on the road. They follow the good weather around and live pretty cheaply. Some of the RVs are just like houses inside. Well, you only live once. Thanks again.
Hello Wright, Thanks for this post. I really enjoy your point of view on motorhome camping, which is great. I support the fact that Campgrounds are not usually the best way to go Motorhome camping. If you have a van or maybe a small Cass B – C, you may get a spot overnight but Tents are the most popular here. Motorhome Camping is usually better designed for the comfort of the RV owner. These Parks usually have sites for all sizes of RVs with different demands. I had a motorhome camping during my last year of first degree when we went for a research. It was great. RV Resorts are for the more luxurious style of Camper. A lot of these places have memberships and many Resorts all over the place, although I had never had this before. This article actually enlightened me on reasons for motorhome camping and why it varies on location of camping. Thanks for sharing.
Hey there Topazdude…. Thank you so much for your great comments and insight. I hope you get to go Rv camping again. Its a great way to see our country or other countries. Thank you so much
camping is a fantastic way to get up close and personal with a beautiful corner of the globe, that’s slightly on the larger side! The country’s natural attractions are its best features, and you can see them all when you rent a motorhome. Just hit the roads by day and park up at night and if i was going to go motor home camping it would be with an Rv because I haven’t tried it before and would love to experience it.
Hi Seun…. I love RV camping. You are able to stop any time or any where you please. I have seen things I never would have because of the RV. Rent one sometime and see if you like it. Thank you for your nice comments on my Post.
Motorhome camping is a wonderful experience to have in this life time. It’s a way to enjoy and live in a home(motorhome) away from home (house). I agree with you that camp site is not the right place to enjoy motorhome as it lacks amenities like electricity etc as been mentioned in the article. I haven’t had the opportunity to go on motorhome but reading between the lines in this article I think RV parks is the deal as access to many amenities are available. I just hope to go on motorhome someday. This article will sure be helpful to those planning to go on it. Thanks
Hi Olalekan…Thanks again for reading one of my posts. Maybe you should try renting an RV to see if you like it. Thanks again for your nice comments.
Now this is a subject that is close to my heart. I am assuming from reading the post that you actually own an RV is that right
My wife and I have looked at owning one on manyy occassions, and while we don’t have one yet, we do own our own lakeside lodge, which is nice, but have felt that an RV would compliment that, as we both like road trips and as your article points out, having one means that you can possibly get the best views in the world, from locations which are not always 5 star hotels. though there are times when a 5 star hotel is nice
I guess that the community side of things, is good and would think you have made many friends, some one off others more longlasting through this venture, not to mention the lovely peace and quiet as well
This post made enjoyable reading
Hi Dave…. Yes I own the RV in the pictures put on the Post. We own property on a river but there is nothing like heading out somewhere new to explore in the RV. We have met so many great people and have kept in touch socially. If one of us plans a trip we Email the others to see if anyone wants to join us. Its our own little community. Thank you for your kind words and interest in this subject. We don’t get any younger. I meet so many RV owners who say they wish they had started sooner.