Stop the Campground Price Gouging! 

One of the most irritating things to me is when people make reservations and then don't show up, if you can't keep the reservation then at least be courteous enough to cancel.

Pretty simple, people need to stop patronizing these places.

I agree with BLM charging more fees, they need more security and more services ie.garbage and dump. $600 is less than $100/month.

My wife and I have spent the last 2 years learning, listening and looking into the RV lifestyle. We’ve toured dozens upon dozens of towable, Class B and Class C RVs. We’ve watched hundreds of hours of RU-vid videos, like this one, reached out via social media and have had the good fortune of connecting with many like minded people who have all been very generous in sharing their honest feelings and feedback about the RV lifestyle. In short, we’ve made the decision to outfit our F150 to enable us to carry kayaks, bikes, golf clubs, a portable BBQ, a 12v fridge and everything else we need to enjoy life on the open road. No matter how we approached this issue, the math on buying an RV (using a cost of $160,000) vs driving the F150 across North America over a 5-year time line simply didn’t make sense. The all in cost of RVing, including using $100 per night as an average campsite vs $300 night for hotels/VRBO/AirBnb ends up being well over $130,000 more over that 5 year window assuming 120 nights per year on the road. We understand that at the end of 5 years, we won’t have an asset, however, if we are looking at an initial investment of $160,000, then the chances of recouping that $130,000 are pretty slim if not non existent. The used RV market is flooded with every make, model and configuration going making the resale value on used RVs questionable at best. The other upside to hotels/VRBO/AirBnb is a real bed, long hot showers, at most hotels, a free breakfast each morning and no time spent setting up and breaking down camp. Each to their own, however for us, the numbers and the challenges that the post-Covid RV industry is facing ultimately made this an easy choice for us. The reliability, gas mileage and ease of operation of our F150 are the icing on the cake. We can go anywhere we want, find easy parking, a Ford dealer in every town and the peace of mind knowing that we are money ahead each and every day. Safe travels to everyone.

Corp of Engineering campgrounds are where its at for my $$$...All the amenities like electric, water, garbage, dump, showers ...Almost always by some lake or river area...And you cant beat the prices ....Avg prices are from $20-$40 a nite but if you got the Geezer pass (American the Beautiful National Parks Pass) its half off these prices...Have stayed several nites when traveling for under $20 with the pass...Beat that

What I see is that campgrounds are responding to the current economic market. They are finally realizing that campgrounds are not just for recreation opportunity anymore. Because of the lack of affordable housing and the rise in remote working, more people are "living" in their RV. It's not a camping fee anymore it's rent. That's also the problem with fees for pets. I've personally camped next to someone with 3 dogs. Young families who live in an RV often homeschool their children. Extra fees for guests is a response to people renting 1 or 2 sites on a lake and then inviting everyone they know over. Often people renting a site on the lake are local folks and not vacationers. They bring their boats and entertain every weekend cuz its cheaper than buying a place at the lake. For us personally, we simply choose not to go to places that overcharge.

I can understand the higher fee on boondocking. Someone has to clean after after those campers leave. Too many times I've seen trash left, dog poop and even human feces.

Just days away from picking up my used class c Rv. Inspection scheduled tomorrow, so fingers crossed nothing major is found. I bought a TT Adventure membership just because of these crazy fees. Knowing I’ll always have a spot so long as I stay at a TT campground gives me peace of mind. I’ll use it heavily 1-2 years then I can decide how much I wanna use it but I will get my moneys worth.

One fee that is not talked about much but is growing is a credit card fee. I’m finding more and more businesses are charging 3 to 5% to pay with a credit card. What’s worse, you have to use a credit card to make the online reservation. On a recent trip I calculated we paid about $100 in credit card fees. We usually, for security reasons, don’t take large amounts of cash but in the future we may need to pay cash for what we normally use a credit card for or just not buy much.

I understand the van and rv traverlers love to live for free but that 600. for 7 months rent is a pitiful sum when we get honest about our state of Arizona having to clean up after you all prvide water trash sewage never mind our road wear and tear etc etc

Sugar Loaf Key / Key West KOA was $125/night in 2022, now $260/night for the same site. It’s a corporate owned KOA, which means KOA owns this campground Disney World during the same week is $144/night So Disney World is $116/night cheaper than Key West KOA in January. BLM was too cheap for too long. Pennsylvania State Parks are high, New York State Parks are hiqh. Monroe County (Webster Campground) outside Rochester, NY. is $40/night. Yes, a county park. Our local Army Corp Campground ( Ives Run/ Lake Hammond ) was $19 / night in 2019. Now in 2024 is $42/night.

I didn't hear you mention anything about water on that 10k an acre land from your sponsor

We have a Class B and don't mind reserving a site, but i don't want to be moved. I pay the same amount per night as a larger rig.

We ran into a shower fee. On top of the space, this fee and that fee in northeast! Very costly.

I belong to coast to coast and RPI (resort parks international) and was enjoying very low or no cost camping for quite a while. Recently one of my camps charged a $35 fee per night for what he says was electricity rate increases. I thought that was outrageous as my small Class B would never use a fraction of the $35 (per night!). I which I had my Tesla then to charge up a storm. RPI said they had no control of this charge. We set up our rig now with more solar and lithium so we can boondock more during longer trips.

WOW!! So many expensive fees...Terrible....Thank you for the video. Blessings to you.

Next should be an episode to get the campground owners perspective. We have all complained about people who don’t know camping etiquette but what do those activities cost the campground? Maybe raising the cancellation fees would be more acceptable than more reservation fees. It might encourage people to be more responsible with their reservations.

A recent trip to Whistler saw us with rates in excess of $110 per night in a commercial campground, that was with full services however, still IMO a crazy price! Extra if you want to guarantee a specific spot. Reservation fees per night are common too. One nice thing here (British Columbia) : before June 15 and after Labour Day all Provincial park fees are 50% off for B.C. residents age 65 or over. So if a simple rustic campground that means you pay only $9 per night…but still an extra $6 PER NIGHT that you stay if you make a reservation. Winter rates usually kick in in late fall for everyone and they are usually much less expensive, but very limited services in any of the parks then that remain open. Largely just a place to put your garbage and pit toilets, but thats fine. Most, but not all dump stations are $5 in parks, but in winter they are often closed regardless.

I quit going to any place like that a long ling time ago, ripping your head off and not being content with a decent profit. They say that Corporations began taking over all the campgrounds they can snap up.

We live in AZ & have camped at Quartsite several times in an RV park. Yes the season & rally draw a large crowd. BLM provides restrooms, showers, water, dump stations, & trash containers. I can see an increase, not $600, &250. maybe.

It's necessary now to ask each campground for a list of all potential fees before booking. When reservations go down, perhaps the campgrounds will revisit their charges.

My wife and I thought about buying an RV to travel about (not fulltime) instead of a room, cabin, BnB, etc. I was admittedly stuck in the past when it came to campground pricing!!!! I figured it had gone up but not to $100 a night!!!! Yeah it depends on where, when, the amenities, length of stay etc but its still gonna be in that range or more!!! Plus electricity is usually extra, the plethora of fees, crowded conditions. Then the cost, insurance, maintenance of an RV. Not to mention the greater stress in driving and parking an RV!!! Geez. No thanks, we will just continue doing what we have been doing.

Dynamic pricing is coming to many businesses near you. What is dynamic pricing? It’s the ability of a businesses to track sales of items on their shelves and as the volume of an item begins to sell out the store can raise the price of that item. The same is coming to camp grounds. Did you know Ford has patented a process to place ads on your cars computer screen? It has not been applied yet and may not in the future if enough people complain. The idea is to track the cars movement and to display ads on your computer to fit your location. Some are suggesting audio ads could play in your car when the radio is turned off. You may be able to opt out of this service but then things tied to the ads service such as GPS tracking for your navigation system may not function. Check this out Steve Lehto’s post regarding this patent about Ford.

It’s not just RV’s being gouged. Decades ago we could tent camp in AZ’s National Forest for free. Now, many charge $20+ a night to sleep on the ground. Ridiculous.

Please add the link in the description of this episode to the BLM website so people can oppose the huge proposed fee increase - this would be very useful.

The campground overcharges are very frustrating. But even more frustrating in 2024 are campgrounds that require cash/check payments and have no reservation system (or website). Establishing a web page with an e-commerce interface doesn't cost that much. And credit card payments are more secure than check payments.

The problem is as long as folks continue to reserve they will continue to raise prices and find new revenue streams into your pockets! Kinda like the government.

You should see campground fees in California! Some parts are $300 per night easy.

we prefer not to enjoy commercial campgrounds, we do like COE, State and county parks,

Amenities out there are very limited - for a $600 fee I hope they are adding showers and a swimming pool !!!

Shouldn't RV park owners have the right to charge what they want?

If I can’t pick the site I will not stay at the campground. I am disabled and pick a site that suites my needs. Often the designated disable sites do not work for me.

They will kill the industry, next year used RV's will be available by the 100's of thousand and the the Parks will start closing and they will cry mercy.

Great episode

Kingman? They are running out of water, literally! Research that before you purchase any land there.

I do everything I can possibly do to avoid commercial/ private campgrounds.

Let's see, how many campgrounds have gone out of business... So it's really about greed. Paying extra to make an online reservation is stupid, talking to a receptionist is more expensive, so I just call and clog their phone lines... This happening more and more as corporations buy up the small camp grounds, all about $$$

It’s a woman thing Mike!

When I go to a campsite it's because I really have no choice. Normally I prefer boondocking.

We are from Minnesota and our weekenders. Next summer we are dropping our trips from like 10 in the summer to 3, just can't afford it anymore.

Residents provide a stable income for parks; there should be a break for permanent or long-term residents.

Look forward to Jennifer’s preping

I think it is terrible for the USA National Park System charging more for RV'ers visiting the parks as full time RV'ers! just saying that as our full time RV people have trippled annually! We should be able to have a set price for national park site with full hook ups! Or partial Hookups! So what is going on with all the super increased fees for RV parks! Why can we not establish a full service fee for nightly full service hookups (power, Water, Sewer!) throughout our most beautiful National Park Systems!

COE. 16 dollars with an American the beautiful pass

Did you say September 5th? The hurricane is headed to Southern Louisiana today 9/11. Be aware of tornadoes as far north as Missouri! Hopefully your trip is next year, stay safe!

You can’t even travel no more . The RV resorts even any where from 1200 -3000 . Retired and on disability people like me can’t afford these prices. You’re better to go to motel .this is monthly fees .

The age of the internet has lead to unthinkable ways to upsale in everyway possible...... 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

Is there a system for renting from private owners of lots like yours in TN and this one in AZ?

I just stop camping sell everything love camping but I live on limited income.

All these extra fees are going to make it too hard for seniors on fixed income to go anywhere. Those numbers are for total visitors, not those staying there. BLM does not provide anything worth $600 a month.

Inflation is raising the prices of everything including campgrounds - think about this when you vote in Election 2024 !!

But who wants to stay in AZ. 110 degrees. Maybe during the winter and then you deal with the snow birds.

Hudson Run

You don't seem to understand how capitalism works. It's not price gouging if you have lower priced alternatives but you choose to pay the higher price anyway.

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