Which Type of Long Term RV Campground Fits You?
For a month, a season, or maybe even longer, are you intending to ground your RV into one location? Making the leap to long-term RVing is exhilarating, but the success of your prolonged stay depends a lot on the choice of home base. Unlike a short weekend trip when little hassles are acceptable, your long-term campground becomes your neighborhood and shapes your daily schedule, financial situation, and general happiness. This blog will enable you to review your priorities and negotiate the many world of long-term RV campsites so that you land into a location that really fits your way of life.
Types of Long-Term RV Campgrounds/Parks
The term "RV park" covers a vast spectrum of facilities. Knowing the distinct categories helps narrow down your search based on what each typically offers.
Standard Commercial RV Parks
These privately owned campgrounds form the backbone of RVing infrastructure. They offer sites for various durations, from overnight to monthly or seasonal arrangements. Quality and amenities fluctuate dramatically from park to park. You might find basic gravel lots or well-paved sites with patios.
Description: The businesses provide RV sites with essential hookups (water, electric, sewer – often referred to as Full Hook-Ups or FHU) and varying levels of additional facilities. Rates are available nightly, weekly, and monthly.
Pros: They are widely available across the country, offering a broad range of price points depending on location and features. Many are situated conveniently near towns or attractions. They generally accommodate a diverse mix of RVers without strict age or membership barriers.
Cons: Consistency is not guaranteed; one park might be pristine while another feels neglected. Popular parks, especially in desirable locations or seasons, can be quite expensive and crowded. Rules regarding pets, site appearance, and guests can differ significantly.
Best For: Individuals or families looking for flexibility in location and stay duration, needing a moderate suite of amenities, and preferring straightforward access without exclusive membership or age requirements.
RV Resorts (Standard & Luxury)
As you move up the scale, RV parks try to offer a better experience. These parks focus on high-quality amenities, well-kept landscaping, planned activities, and a more service-oriented atmosphere. They often look and feel like traditional holiday resorts. Many times, the age and type of RV that can be in the luxury tiers are very strict (for example, only Class A RVs less than 10 years old are allowed).
Description: Higher-end facilities focused on extensive amenities like large pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, clubhouses, sport courts (pickleball, tennis), organized social events, and often, enhanced site features like concrete pads and patios.
Pros: Expect well-maintained grounds and superior facilities. Many foster vibrant social scenes with calendars full of activities. The environment feels comfortable, secure, and often aesthetically pleasing.
Cons: This level of service comes at a higher cost, often significantly more than standard parks. Strict rules concerning RV appearance, age, type, site decoration, and pets are common. For some, the manicured environment can feel less like authentic camping.
Best For: RVers who place a high value on amenities, social interaction, and a polished, comfortable setting. This option suits those with a larger budget and often, newer or specific types of RVs that meet resort standards.
55+ RV Parks/Resorts
As the name implies, these communities cater specifically to seniors, generally requiring at least one resident per RV to be 55 years of age or older. The focus is typically on providing a peaceful environment and activities geared towards an older demographic.
Description: Age-restricted parks designed for the 55+ community, emphasizing quieter living and relevant social opportunities.
Pros: The atmosphere tends to be more tranquil than all-ages parks. Activities, such as card games, potlucks, craft groups, or golf outings, are tailored to residents' interests. A strong sense of community often develops among peers.
Cons: The primary drawback is the age restriction, which limits multi-generational family visits or stays. The pace and type of activities might not appeal to everyone within the age group. Some may find the environment less energetic than mixed-age parks.
Best For: Seniors, couples, or individuals seeking a quiet, predictable, adult-focused community where they can socialize easily with others in a similar life stage.
Membership Campgrounds (e.g., Thousand Trails, Coast to Coast)
These operate on a different model. RVers purchase a membership, granting access to a network of affiliated parks. Memberships vary greatly in cost, benefits, and usage rules. Some allow park-to-park travel with stay limits (e.g., 21 days in, 7 days out), while others might offer specific long-term options at designated "home" parks or through upgraded membership tiers.
Description: Networks of campgrounds accessible through a purchased membership, offering varying levels of access and stay durations based on the contract.
Pros: For RVers who travel frequently within the network and whose style aligns with the stay limitations, memberships can be extremely cost-effective compared to paying nightly or monthly rates elsewhere. Access to multiple locations under one system is convenient.
Cons: A significant upfront investment is usually required. The common stay limitations at individual parks can conflict with truly stationary long-term plans (staying 6+ months in one place). Park quality and amenities can vary considerably within the same network. High-demand parks or seasons can make reservations competitive.
Best For: RVers planning to move between different network parks on a semi-regular basis, rather than settling in one location for an entire season or year. Also suitable for those who find a specific membership park that explicitly offers affordable long-term arrangements aligning with their needs.
Workamping Campgrounds/Situations
Workamping involves exchanging labor for an RV site, often with full hookups, and sometimes includes wages or other benefits. Positions range from camp hosting and office administration to maintenance, groundskeeping, or activity coordination. Specific seasonal opportunities like Amazon Camperforce or agricultural harvests also fall under this umbrella.
Description: An arrangement where RVers perform work for the campground or an associated business in exchange for their site and potentially other compensation.
Pros: The most significant advantage is the drastically reduced or entirely eliminated cost for the RV site. It can provide supplementary income and offers a way to become deeply integrated into the park's operation and community.
Cons: This path requires a firm commitment to specific work hours and duties, reducing personal freedom and flexibility compared to simply paying for a site. Job availability is often seasonal and geographically dependent. The nature of the work might not suit everyone.
Best For: Budget-conscious RVers who are willing and physically able to work. It's ideal for those seeking to minimize expenses, possibly earn some money, and stay grounded in one location for an extended period through a work exchange.
Basic/No-Frills Long-Term Parks
These parks prioritize function over form. Their main goal is to provide reliable essential hookups (water, sewer, electricity) at a competitive price point. Amenities, organized activities, and aesthetic considerations are typically minimal.
Description: Campgrounds focused on providing core utilities for long-term stays with few, if any, extra amenities like pools, clubhouses, or planned events.
Pros: The primary appeal is lower monthly rates compared to parks laden with features. Management and rules may be less intrusive.
Cons: You sacrifice amenities; don't expect a pool, fitness center, or sometimes even laundry facilities on-site. The visual appeal might be lacking, and a strong sense of community may not naturally develop.
Best For: Self-sufficient RVers whose main priority is cost savings. If you don't need or want extensive amenities and prefer a straightforward place to park with essential services, this could be a practical fit.
Public Campgrounds (State/National Parks, County/City Parks) – Limited Long-Term Options
Government-run campgrounds are beloved for their natural settings but are overwhelmingly designed for short-term recreational stays, typically imposing limits of 14 to 21 days. True long-term options are scarce. The most common way to stay longer is by securing a seasonal volunteer or camp host position (a form of workamping). Very occasionally, a specific public park might have a designated section for longer stays, but this is the exception, not the rule. Given the limited electrical hookups in many public campgrounds, a portable power station can be essential for extended stays.
Description: Campgrounds operated by government agencies, primarily for short stays, often in scenic locations. Long-term possibilities are usually tied to volunteer/hosting roles.
Pros: Locations are often unparalleled in terms of natural beauty. Costs, when long-term stays are possible (usually via hosting), are generally lower than private parks.
Cons: Strict stay limits are standard policy for regular campers. Finding genuine long-term sites unrelated to work duties is rare. Amenities can be basic; full hookups, especially sewer, are less common. Reservations, even for short stays, can be intensely competitive.
Best For: Primarily workkeepers serving as volunteer hosts. These are generally not a reliable avenue for the average RVer seeking a standard, paid long-term site.
How to Select the Right Long Term RV Campground: 6 Essential Criteria
Just knowing what kinds of parks are out there is only half the battle. The next important step is to honestly think about your own needs and wants. What really matters about your long stay?
1. Calculate your true monthly costs
Figure out how much you can spend each month or during the season on site fees and any other costs you expect. Is energy metered, which means you pay for what you use, or is it included? Think about how much it might cost to improve the Wi-Fi, do laundry, get more propane, and pay extra for pets, extra cars, or overnight guests. If expenses are high, a base rate that isn't very high can become pricey.
2. Define your preferred social environment
How much contact with other people do you want? A park with lots of things to do or a quiet place to relax? Do you like places that are active and busy, or do you like places that are calmer? Think about the demographics: do you want a place that is good for families, only for adults (55+), or a mix of both? Do you want a close-knit neighborhood or would you rather have more privacy and neighbors who come and go?
3. List your non-negotiable amenities
You should make two lists: "Must-Haves" and "Nice-to-Haves." Describe it. What does "reliable internet" mean? Does it mean being able to browse the web or video chat? Do you have to have a pool, hot tub, exercise center, well-equipped laundry room, dog park, or a certain type of hookup (like 50-amp service)? Also, think about the spot itself. Do you need a concrete pad? Do you need a picnic table, some shade, or a certain amount of room between sites? Consider whether a reliable power source is essential - some RVers find a portable power station invaluable, especially for remote work needs.
4. Determine location requirements
What kind of distance do you need to be from shops that sell food, medicine, hardware, or groceries? Is it important to be close to your job, your family, or certain places to have fun (like beaches, mountains, hiking tracks, or cities)? What kind of setting do you like best: the ease of living in the city, the balance of the suburbs, the peace and quiet of the country, or being far away in nature?
5. Check RV compatibility
Does your RV meet any possible park rules about its age, class (A, B, C, fifth wheel, travel trailer), length, or general condition? Read the pet policies carefully. Are there limits on the amount of pets, their size, or the breeds they can be? Are there places set aside for pets? If you work from home, make sure your cell service and Wi-Fi are reliable, and find out how to accept mail and packages. Write down any special needs you have for accessibility.
6. Evaluate park rules and regulations
How structured do you like things to be? Some parks have a lot of rules about how the site should look (no trash, only certain signs), how many vehicles are allowed, when it's quiet, and how guests can behave. Some people are more relaxed. Think about whether you want clear rules or more freedom for yourself.
Prepare for Your Extended Stay
Ultimately, there's no single "best" type of long-term RV campground—only the one that aligns best with your unique combination of needs, budget, and lifestyle preferences. Conducting a thorough self-assessment clarifies what you value most. Following that with diligent research into specific parks that fit your chosen category is essential for ensuring your extended stay is comfortable, affordable, and enjoyable. Your needs might evolve, so be open to exploring different options as your RV journey continues.