How Much Is RV Camping? (Ultimate Breakdown + All Hidden Fee)

You’ve been thinking about going on a life-changing RV adventure for months now. But before you start imagining curvy roads, rolling hills, beautiful sunsets, starry skies, and campfire stories, you’ll need to figure out the answer to the question, “How much is RV camping?”

This guide will help you break down the average cost of RV camping in the United States, from daily rates to weekly, monthly, and seasonal prices. You’ll also find out how much it costs to purchase a permanent RV campsite. Finally, you’ll learn some hidden costs that you should expect at an RV park.

Let’s roll!

How Much Does it Cost to Stay at an RV Park Per Night in 2024?

The cost of renting an RV campsite per night comes down to the amenities the park offers, how popular that destination is, the time of year, your type of RV, and of course, the number of nights you plan to stay. We’ve stayed at an RV campground that charged $12 per night, one that charged $150 per night and all prices in between — so we know firsthand that the cost to stay at an RV park per night can vary wildly!

Here are the average rates of different RV accommodation options.

Average RV Campground Rates: $15 to $40 Per Night

Campgrounds are the cheapest form of paid RV camping. They are usually located on federal or state land, bringing you very close to nature and offering a rustic feel. A few are privately owned. Campgrounds offer a minimum number of amenities for RV camping, and they also welcome tent campers.

Typically, they have a gravel pad, zero or partial hookups, a dump station, potable water, a fire ring, and picnic tables. They may have flush or vault toilets and showers, but it’s not a guarantee. A few campgrounds are well-developed and have laundry, full hookups, and a playground. Notably, the roads to most public campgrounds aren’t ideal for big RVs.

Average RV Park Rates: $35 to $120 Per Night

RV parks are a mid-tier camping option. They are privately owned and have a decent variety of amenities to keep RVers comfortable and entertained. Expect amenities like bathhouses with clean showers and restrooms, a playground, a general store, and a designated pet area. You’ll also have level gravel or concrete pads with full hookups. Sites can be a mix of pull-through and back-in.

Some RV parks have swimming pools, a clubhouse, and a number of sports courts. Most of these parks are dedicated to RVers, so most don’t welcome tent campers. They are often close to town, which makes them easier to access compared to campgrounds on public land. You’ll also benefit from on-site staff as well as well-kept access roads. Generally, you’ll pay more for RV parks near popular tourist areas.

Average RV Park Franchise Rates: $50 to $150

RV franchises are chains of related private RV parks that offer a higher standard of amenities compared to regular RV parks. They also stand out because each chain has a distinctive feature that draws a particular breed of guests.

For instance, Harvest Hosts attracts patrons who prefer to camp in unique locations like farms and wineries, while KOA entices guests who want robust recreation and staff-led activities. Other popular franchises include Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, which has amazing family-fun amenities and Sun Outdoors, which offers a luxurious feel.

Average RV Resort Rates: $100 to $350 Per Night

RV resorts are luxurious glamping options with all the bells and whistles you can imagine. Their cozy ambiance makes them the most comfortable type of RV accommodation. Some will only accommodate Class A RVs or new, expensive rigs. Beyond the regular RV park amenities, these getaways offer large pools, hot tubs, fitness centers, multiple sports courts, and even eateries.

The cream of the crop also offer golf courses, private marinas, organized boat tours, spas, movie theatres, and shuttle services to nearby points of interest. Their campsites are also nicely landscaped and roomy, providing modern full hookups, a concrete pad, a BBQ grill, a private patio, and even fully appointed tiki huts. Most are located close to cities and popular attractions. RV resorts are the most expensive camping option.

Cost of RV Camping: Weekly and Monthly Rates

Here are the average RV camping rates if you plan a week or month-long stay.

Public RV Campground Rates(14-day maximum stay) – $210 to $560 two weeks
Small Private RV Campground – $180 to $300 weekly, and $500 to $800 monthly + electric
RV Park Rates – $250 to $500 weekly, and $600 to $1,500 monthly + electric
RV Resort Rates – $600 to $1700 weekly, and $1,000 to $2,500 monthly + electric

Cost of Seasonal RV Camping Sites (180 Days)

For a three-month stay, expect to pay between $1,500 and $7,000 depending on the quality of the retreat, on-site amenities, and location. Notably, only a select number of RV camping options offer RV sites for more than a month. Seasonal campsites are great for snowbirds who want to escape the cold climate back home.

Cost of Purchasing an RV Lot or Permanent RV Site

If you prefer to buy your own little piece of paradise, expect to spend between $10,000 and $100,000. Luxury beachfront sites in prime destinations can go for more than $1,000,000. A permanent RV lot is a great option for RVers who want to remain stationary or those who like to return to the same destination each year. Plus, you can rent it out when not camping.

Hidden RV Park Costs

Beyond the regular nightly rate, many privately owned RV campgrounds, parks, and resorts have extra charges to silently squeeze more money out of your pocket. If you’re not attentive, you may end up spending nearly double of your nightly rate per day.

Here are hidden costs you need to be aware of when looking for an RV getaway.

Extra Person Fee

Most places have a maximum occupancy per RV site. They charge an additional fee of around $10 per extra person. If the maximum number of people per site is 4, and you’re a family of 6, you’ll pay an extra $20 per day for the 2 family members.

Visitation Fee

If you plan to invite a friend over after you reach the park, you may be required to pay a visitation fee even if the person doesn’t spend the night there. It ranges between $5 and $10.

Pet Fees and Deposit

Not all RV parks are pet-friendly. Some charge an extra $10 to $30 per pet. You may also be required to produce a refundable deposit of $50 to $250 per pet just in case your furry buddy misbehaves.

Special Dates

Campgrounds hike their rates significantly before holiday weekends, special events, or festivals in the area. Always double-check the rates around events to avoid surprises.

Electricity Charges

Many RV parks charge a separate electricity fee if you’re camping for a month or more. You are billed based on usage.

Fee for Charging Electric Vehicles

If you’re towing with an electric car, you may pay $10 to $20 per night to cover the EV charging costs.

Extra Car Fee

Most RV retreats only allow one vehicle plus the camper. If your family arrives in more than one vehicle, you may be charged between $5 and $15 to park the extra car.

Reservation Deposit

To avoid losing revenue when patrons cancel too close to the booked date, many campgrounds require a deposit of around 50% of the total stay price.

Security Deposit

Some RV parks, especially those that offer long-term stays, require a security deposit of $500 to $1500. This foots any expenses in case a patron damages something and bolts. RVers are also more responsible when their security deposit is at stake.

Taxes

A closer look at some RV park prices and you’ll notice they indicate the rates + taxes. These taxes are imposed by state, county, and city governments and can be 5% to 25% of the nightly rate.

Laundry Facilities and Showers

Another potential campground cost is coin-operated laundromats and showers. Typically, laundry is $1.50 to $3 a wash and $1.50 to $3 a dry. Showers may cost $2 to $3 per 2 to 8 minutes.

Dump Station

If the property doesn’t have full hookups, you may pay $10 to $25 each time you want to dump your tanks.

Fast WiFi

Many RV parks offer free basic WiFi to access emails and social media. But if you want unlimited high-speed internet for streaming and remote work duties, you may have to pay extra. Potentially $2 to $15 a day.

Early Check-In and Late Check-Out Fees

Believe it or not, an RV park may charge you extra if you arrive even an hour earlier. It may be $10 to $30 for early arrivals and $5 to $20 an hour for a late exit. All parks have an arrival and departure time frame, so stick to it.

Cancellation or Change of Date Fee

If you switch dates, shorten your reservation, or cancel your booking, you could be in for another added cost.

Firewood

You’ll need to budget for firewood if you plan to build a campfire. A one-night bundle of firewood costs about $5 to $12 on average. Many places don’t allow outside wood to avoid introducing invasive plants and bugs.

Ice

If you travel with ice chests, you’ll need to replenish the ice periodically as it melts. Expect to pay $2.50 to $4 per bag of ice, depending on size.

Resort Tax

Some luxury resorts may have separate fees for things you would assume are free. That includes pools, gyms, WiFi, shuttle services, patio lounge, cabanas, paddle boats, water park, and golf carts.

Other RV Camping Costs

Here are other major expenses of an RV camping trip.

RV Rental – The average cost to rent an RV is $184 per night, according to Go RV Rentals’ Price Index Report. That’s just the base price, and there may be extra costs such as pet, cleaning, and mileage fees.
Fuel – It’s better to be safe than sorry. Budget between $50 and $100 every 100 miles, depending on your RV’s MPG.
Food – If you plan to cook all meals, you’ll spend according to your regular grocery budget. Note that the average cost of a commercially prepared meal is around $15 per person.
Activities – For pursuits outside the campground, budget between $10 and $30 for every person in your group. That includes entrance fees for points of interest like national parks, state parks, museums, historic sites, wineries, water parks, and local events.

FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the costs of RV camping.

How Much Is RV Camping in the U.S.?

It depends on whether you stay at an RV campground or an RV park. The average nightly rates for RV campgrounds are $15-$40, while the average nightly rates for standard RV campgrounds are $35-$120. However, if you stay at a franchised RV park, you can expect higher rates — from $50-$150 on average per night. And RV Resort Parks command the highest fees due to their extra amenities. Expect to pay $100-$350 per night.

Use This RV Camping Costs Breakdown to Save

With so many hidden fees, an RV camping spot isn’t a decision to take lightly. Read their website thoroughly and visit the rates and policy pages to uncover any extra RV park costs. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to call the management. Of course, you can avoid most RV camping costs by boondocking on BLM land and using free overnight parking spots when traveling to your destination.

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Author Profile

Cynthia Measom

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Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.

The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.

How Much Is RV Camping? (Ultimate Breakdown + All Hidden Fees)