© Janet Groene
Hard Choices: Campgrounds 2026
Has your RV life been turned upside down by the floods of new RV-ers on the roads and the soaring cost of RV sites? The current landscape is almost unrecognizable to long-time RV travelers.
Here are some thoughts on finding an affordable, safe camp-outs.
* Don’t pay for amenities you don’t want nor use. Many new RV resorts have splurge appeal for families (extravagant water parks or theme parks) and others for adults (resort style swimming pool, swim-up bar, dance band evenings.)
* Take a close look at reservation policies. You may be able to book a choice campsite as much as a year ahead or as late as the same day. When you are loyal to one campground chain, it may be easier to make reservations at your present place for the next member campground on your route.
* Closer attention is now paid to eviction laws, which vary by state. Your rights and obligations as a park tenant vary according to whether you are a short- or long-term occupant. Eviction laws apply differently to long-term stays. Tourist taxes may also apply differently to long-term stays.
* Many RV parks now admit day visitors to use the pool, water park, fitness facilities and other amenities for a price. With day visitors inside the gates, and the pool more crowded, will you feel less private and secure in the campground ?
* Read the fine print on the rate sheet. Resort fees are a popular way for campgrounds to charge more without raising basic rates. Fees are usually per site, per night so they add up quickly. They may also be called a destination fee, facility fee or amenity fee. Also creeping into the camping world are energy surcharges, service fees and charges for the beach shuttle, access to ATV trails, trash pickup and/or metered water or power.
* Know how you will pay. Some campgrounds are cashless. Some are cash only. Some charge a convenience fee, usually about 4%, for using a credit card.
* What do you get for your resort fee and can you opt out? If so, can you opt out piecemeal or must you take or refuse the whole package?
* Be prepared to evacuate for a flood, fire or other emergency. A new trend in campgrounds is to build them on flood plains. It may be years before the next mandatory evacuation but it’s always smart to keep your mobile home mobile.
* Does the campground have a storm shelter and a tornado warning alert? Many do.
* The controversial 10-year rule discriminates against an RV by year, not condition. Enforcement seems to be growing, shrinking, ignored, subject to challenge and otherwise confusing, depending on who you ask. Know before you go.
* Security is getting tighter. Be prepared to be subject to a background check and/or credit check, especially if you are reserving a seasonal or long-term stay.
* Has the local Chamber of Commerce/BBB had complaints about the campground? How were they resolved?
* Concerned about the location? The internet makes it easy to check crime rates by city or neighborhood and to find maps showing locations of convicted sex offenders. See FamilyWatchdog.us and NSOPW.gov/ You’ll need to search by physical address.
* For crime rates in general, see AreaVibes.com, SpotCrime.com and CrimeMapping.com. Different websites have different criteria and different access to statistics and updates, so check several sources.
Again, ask yourself.....
Do you seek an outdoorsy campground experience, a resort experience or just an affordable place to live?
Do you dream of living and traveling in a complete home on wheels? Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition by Janet Groene & Gordon Groene is a total guide to the full-time life on wheels. Should you sell the house or rent it out? Downsize possessions or put them in storage? Too young to retire? See our chapter on ways to make a living anywhere. Kids on board? We cover home schooling and also an exit strategy if and when the time comes to settle down. Order at any book store or let Amazon gift wrap and ship it for you. https://amzn.to/29XFEkq
RV PARKS & CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
These just-in news breaks are from our local sources and may be incomplete or premature for RV travel planning. Follow up on your own as the story develops.
NEW & FUTURE PLACES TO FIND RV SITES
Mark your map with Brighton, Colorado where another Love’s Travel Stop is just off I-85 northeast of Denver. The complex has overnight parking spaces for 80+ trucks and two RV’s plus showers, four diesel bays, food and dining outlets and restrooms with showers. Check loves.com for the opening date.
The Pepsi Sports Complex in Laverne, Alabama is going to be everything sportsters could ask for including an RV park. Features will include a 40-acre lake, a state-of-the-art track, two regulation football-soccer fields, two fields for girls’ softball and little league and a lighted walking trail. Phase One is slated to open next year.
PARK UPGRADES, NEW OWNERS, CHANGES
After a year of hard work the campground at Harrison Lake State Park, Fayette, Ohio is now showing off its new shower house and spacious, pull-through RV sites with full hookups. The 142-acre park] in northwestern Ohio has a lake for swimming including a dog swimming area plus fishing, camping, disc golf, picnics, archery and paddle sports. In season it’s open for waterfowl hunting. See ohiodnr.gov/
Near Lake Wales, Florida, the small campground in county-owned Lake Rosalie Park is open again. The park has 20 RV sites, water and 20/30-amp power , showers, flush toilets and a daytime-only boat ramp. Reservations are required and can be made up to a hear ahead or as late as the same day. Pay by cash or credit card. Go to www.polk-county.net or call (863) 679-4245
EVENTS
Hurry to get tickets with RV camping for the Withlacoochee Bluegrass Festival, Dunnellon, Florida, November 20-22. Sites with water and electric are going quickly. The schedule of star performers starts on Thursday with Valerie Smith, the ETSU Bluegrass Band and others, and ends Saturday with acts including Fast Track and Dave Adkins and Mountain Soup. For details and tickets go to WithlacoocheeBluegrass.com/
SCUTTLEBUTT
Winter storage for motorhomes, trailers and boats is available after October 22 at the county fairgrounds in DePere, Wisconsin. Service will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a first-come basis. Prices vary. Call for information, availability and rates at (920) 448-6242
The promised amusement park for Bonner Springs, Kansas is now closer to reality and so is a luxury campground for the 180-acre property. Mattel Adventure Park will have a year-round Christmas village, an indoor rain forest, hotels, shops, a 10-acre lake and an RV park. Construction is to begin in 2027 and completion is expected by 2030.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE NEWS FROM LAST WEEK
Comments? Suggestions? News to share? Email janetgroene@yahoo.com
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