My wife and I have be RVing for 40 years.. Been to every state, some lots of times. Been to Alaska. We are planning a Thanksgiving trip. Going to Petaluma California from Green Valley Arizona. The two campgrounds that stick out, one in Pomona California, near puddingstone lake, and one in Morro Bay.. Here is the break down of pricing. The first one in Morro Bay.Staying seven nights. Base Price 75.00. Pet fee $2.00 per night. Booking fee $2.00 Credit Card Fee $2.62. Electricity surcharge.. $35.00 TOT Tax which is a tourist tax 12.5% $57.86 Tourism Marking Fee $8.68 dollars.. Total fees That's @128.00 in fees for 7 nights.. The one in Pomona California Base Price per night.. $88.00 Site Lock Fee @10.00.. Pet Fee $2.00 per night Online booking fee $2.00. TOT tax $141.84... We are not poor, but nor do we want to waste money.. We try to find Core Of Engineers Parks. State Campgrounds. We look for all types.. We have had a wonderful time RVing across this great country.. We can afford to pay these out of control fees. But we are not going too. After this upcoming trip. Time to Sell the Cedar Creek Fifth wheel.. It has been a good run.. Thanks
I won't argue with you that those are high prices for campgrounds, but before you throw in the RV towel, maybe ask yourself, how much would staying in a hotel cost to stay in the same areas? keep in mind that you would have to eat out for every meal which is generally much more expensive than eating "at home" in your RV. then consider the intangibles, like sleeping in your own bed (avoiding bedbugs), using your own facilities, and not having to live out of a suitcase. RVing is not for everyone,and can be a very personal choice, but one i will alway stick with because it suits our family.
For the 13 years we fulltimed and continuing as we now part time, we only rarely stayed at private parks for enroute overnights. All other typically two week stays have been in state or national parks at rates well below the private park rates. As an example, for the two weeks around the 4th of July, we stayed at Gilbert Lake State Park in NY on a large 50 amp site with water for just $24 per night with no other fees except the $7.25 Reserve America fee. It was health not costs that took us off the fulltime road. On edit: My wife reminded me that we also spent up to a month each winter some years at the Escapees Bushnell, FL park, with rates for full hookup sites comparable to state park rates.
Just ran across this thread and wanted to add a couple of things to the subject brought forth by the OP. In past travels we never encountered most of the additional "add on" costs mentioned other than perhaps a couple of reservation fees, etc that we were okay with. However most of the current add on costs some parks are adding are, to us, way out of line. But also but when you think about it for a minute or three, most private parks and CGs are struggling to stay above water without having to shut down. Utility rates have skyrocketed and some surcharges have had to be added in order for a given park/CG to "paythebill" (no pun intended Ron...) to their utility company, etc. Let's face it we are all suffering from a stupid high inflationary economy but as Fitzjohnfan pointed out, it is still less costly overall and way more enjoyable and private traveling by RV. along with not paying the higher cost of eating out at all the various eating establishments. Also there is no schleping luggage back and forth at each stop. In closing I will add one suggestion that may alleviate some of the current higher costs of RVing. Maybe think about making one less trip per year as the savings made doing that would probably cover all the added costs being encountered on the other trips? Food for thought on this subject.... I bid you all a fond adieu now and will go fill the RV gas tank with some of our current Calif. $5.00+ per gallon gas ,,, BankShot.........(aka Terry) =
Sadly here in Australia as well we have found increases in park prices that are making the option to simply stay in a hotel or resort more appealing. For example the top park in Queensland, Sandstone Point, which is incredibly well set up and location is incredibly are charging prices. For example in Australian dollars; Overwater villa (its over a dam) $1799AUD per night Luxury tent $599AUD per night Small Site (5m x 4m) $204 per night Large site (9m x 7m) $395 per night Its one of the reasons we sold the van as the cost of a site versus a hotel, particularly when you factor in vehicle registration and insurance per year (Van rego $850AUD, Insurance $1200AUD) you find if not using it 6 or 7 times a year, as we used too, makes it pretty expensive.
