Campgrounds Offer a Variety of Amenities

by Laura Weaver

The amenities a campground offers can be the deciding factor for RV-ers in selecting a place to camp.  Following are some common-sense tactics that prove to be very beneficial when attracting RV-ers.

1.  Easy In/Easy Out.  It is important for weary travelers to have easy access to campgrounds.  Campgrounds need to be well marked with easy-to-read signs directing the RV-er which way to turn. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to find a campground on a narrow roadway after driving all day with nowhere to turn around if you happen to get lost.  The campground entrance needs to be wide enough to accommodate the wide turns RVs need to make.  There should be ample room for several RVs to park near the office at once because, often, more than one coach checks in at the same time.  The campsite must be marked clearly for the RV-er to find, so as not to occupy the wrong site by mistake.  By the same token, campgrounds need to have arrows directing traffic out; especially if there are one-way roads, as many campgrounds have.

2.  Pull-Through Sites.  These sites are becoming the popular option which most RV-ers prefer.  Pull-through sites are great for over-nighters because of the ease in parking…simply pull in.  They are not only easier to park in than the back-in site, but the locations of the hook-ups are easier to see, too.  RV-ers who are towing a vehicle appreciate the convenience of the pull-through campsite, as well.  Because backing a towed vehicle is impossible, the RV-er would need to unhook their tow-car in order to use the back-in site; find a place to park their tow dolly and car; and then re-hook the tow vehicle before continuing their trip.  What a hassle!  The pull-through campsites are definitely more preferable than the back-in slots.


3.  Full Hook-Up Campsites. The convenience of having full hook-ups (including sewer) makes a very comfortable stay.  Not having to use the dump station for gray or black water tanks is not only a time-saver, but a desirable amenity because of the ease they create in dumping right at your site.  Being able to use the campground’s water source instead of your rig’s on-board supply gives the RV-er peace of mind about not running out of water.  Having electricity handy allows the use of all appliances without the need for running the generator.  Full hook-up sites usually include television and internet service, too…a welcome and widely used amenity.

4.  Laundry Facilities.  Just because we travel doesn’t mean we don’t have to clean our clothes.  In fact, because we don’t have a lot of room for clothing in our RVs, we probably need to do laundry more often than if we were in one place all the time.  We typically do laundry about every five days; more frequently if we have wet weather.  The convenience of having a washer and dryer at the campground is a huge amenity.

5.  RV Wash.  Though most campgrounds don’t allow the washing of vehicles at the campsite, some do.  We try to take advantage of this amenity every time we have it.  Afterall, our motorhome gets quite dirty and muddy from road grime and wind debris.  Once in a while, we find a campground that has an actual RV Wash Bay, which is wonderful, because this allows us to power-spray everything from the roof to the undercarriage.

The amenities a campground offers can make your RV-ing experience quite comfortable, indeed.  Careful comparisons of the amenities can help you choose the campground that’s most comfortable for you.