RV camping offers a unique blend of home comforts and the freedom of the open road. For many, RV parks seem like the go-to option, with amenities like electrical hookups, Wi-Fi, and communal spaces.
However, after years of RVing across diverse landscapes, we’ve found ourselves avoiding RV parks in favor of boondocking, dispersed camping, or public lands.
Below, we outline five reasons why we steer clear of RV parks, supported by real voices from the RVing community on X, reflecting our preference for a more authentic, cost-effective, and serene RV lifestyle.
1. Lack of Privacy and Space
RV parks are often designed to maximize capacity, packing rigs into tight spaces. The result is campsites so close you can hear your neighbor’s conversation, smell their campfire, or even see into their windows. For us, RVing is about escaping the hustle, not replicating a crowded suburb.
In many RV parks, sites are arranged in tight rows, with just a sliver of grass or gravel between you and the next camper. This can feel claustrophobic, especially when seeking a peaceful retreat. We’ve endured stays where loud music, barking dogs, or late-night gatherings disrupted our calm. One stay at a Southwest RV park had us so close to another rig we couldn’t extend our awning without hitting their slide-out.
As X user @RVNomadLife lamented, “Packed into an RV park like sardines. My neighbor’s snoring kept me up all night. Boondocking next time for sure!” This sentiment echoes our frustration with the lack of personal space.
Contrast this with boondocking on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land or national forests, where you can find spots miles from others. Dispersed camping offers room to spread out and soak in nature. Camping near Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, we enjoyed a sprawling desert vista, alone for days. The solitude is unmatched, making RV parks feel like a compromise. X user @WanderFreeRV shared, “Nothing beats a boondocking spot in the middle of nowhere. Just you, the stars, and silence. RV parks can’t compare.”
The lack of privacy in RV parks also extends to shared facilities like bathrooms and laundry rooms, which can feel like a step back from the self-contained RV life. Constant foot traffic and communal spaces detract from the independence we cherish. By avoiding RV parks, we control our environment, relying on our rig’s systems and choosing secluded locations.
2. High Costs for Limited Value
RV parks come with a steep price tag that often feels unjustified. Nightly rates range from $30 to $100 or more, depending on location and amenities. For full-time RVers, these costs accumulate rapidly, turning an affordable lifestyle into a financial burden. We find the value RV parks provide rarely matches the expense, especially with free or low-cost alternatives available.
A typical RV park charging $50 per night might offer a concrete pad, full hookups, and a pool. But if your RV has solar panels, a generator, or a robust water system, these amenities are redundant. We’ve equipped our rig with solar power and a composting toilet, enabling weeks of off-grid camping. Why pay for utilities we don’t need? X user @RoadTripTales vented, “$60/night for a gravel spot and spotty Wi-Fi? I’ll take free BLM land any day. RV parks are a rip-off.”
RV parks often add fees for extra vehicles, pets, or slow Wi-Fi. At a Florida RV park, we were charged for a second car and a “resort fee” for a pool we never used, with a three-night stay nearing $200. That could have funded a week of fuel for boondocking in Ocala National Forest.
X user @CampOnADime echoed this, posting, “RV park wanted $75/night plus $5 for my dog. Found a state park for $15 with better views. Never again.”
Public lands, state forests, and Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds offer free or low-cost sites with scenic surroundings. BLM boondocking is typically free, and apps like iOverlander or Campendium make finding spots easy. By skipping RV parks, we’ve saved thousands annually, redirecting funds to national park visits or gear upgrades.
3. Overcommercialization and Loss of Authenticity
Many RV parks, especially large chains, feel like resorts rather than campgrounds. While some enjoy mini-golf, themed events, or on-site restaurants, we find this overcommercialization strips away the adventurous spirit of RVing. Cookie-cutter layouts, branded merchandise, and manufactured “camping experiences” feel disconnected from nature.
RV parks often prioritize profit over immersion. Instead of waking to birdsong and mountain views, you get manicured lawns, neon signs, and highway noise. At a highly rated RV park in the Rockies, we expected a mountain escape but found a complex with paved roads, a gift shop, and cruise-ship-like activities. The natural beauty was overshadowed.
X user @NatureRVr noted, “RV parks feel like theme parks now. Give me a forest clearing over their fake ‘nature’ vibes any day.”
Boondocking offers raw, untouched landscapes. Camping in Arizona’s Kaibab National Forest near the Grand Canyon, we were surrounded by ponderosa pines and wildlife, free of commercialization. The experience felt authentic, as if we were part of the landscape. X user @OffGridCamper shared, “Boondocking in the desert is real camping. No gift shops, no ‘activities.’ Just pure nature.”
Authenticity extends to people. RV park interactions can feel transactional, with staff focused on rules and upselling. In dispersed camping, fellow campers are often adventurers, eager to share tips or stories. These connections align with RVing’s ethos of exploration, making RV parks feel like a diluted version of the lifestyle.
4. Strict Rules and Limited Freedom
RV parks often impose rules that stifle RVing’s spontaneity and freedom. From quiet hours to bans on campfires, generators, or specific rigs, these regulations can make you feel like a tenant. For us, RVing’s joy lies in flexibility, and RV parks’ constraints clash with our nomadic spirit.
We’ve faced overly restrictive rules, like a California park banning outdoor cooking for “fire risk” (despite communal grills) or another requiring awnings retracted by 9 p.m. In Texas, a park prohibited our rooftop solar panels for “aesthetic” reasons.
X user @FreeWheelinRV griped, “RV park told me no generator after 8 p.m. How am I supposed to power my rig? Boondocking has no such nonsense.”
Boondocking on public lands offers freedom. Rules are minimal—usually Leave No Trace and a 14-day limit. You can set up camp as you like, run generators, and enjoy campfires (where permitted) without a handbook. This lets us tailor our experience, whether stargazing late or optimizing views. X user @WildCampVibes posted, “Boondocking means no one telling me how to camp. RV park rules suck the fun out of it.”
RV park reservations, check-in times, and minimum stays disrupt road-tripping’s spontaneity. Boondocking lets us arrive and stay on our schedule (within limits), preserving the freedom that defines RVing.
5. Environmental and Aesthetic Disconnect
RV parks often prioritize development over preserving nature. Paved lots, artificial landscaping, and sprawling infrastructure disrupt ecosystems. For us, RVing is about connecting with nature, not parking in a suburban-like lot.
Many RV parks clear trees and obscure natural features with concrete or fencing. In a Pacific Northwest park advertised as a “nature retreat,” we found a gravel lot with a distant forest view, overshadowed by RVs and utility poles. X user @EcoRVer tweeted, “RV parks pave over paradise and call it camping. I’d rather boondock and actually see nature.”
Boondocking lets us camp in harmony with the environment. In Nevada’s Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, we parked on a desert plain with sagebrush and peaks, untouched by development. These spots foster appreciation for the land. X user @GreenRVLife wrote, “Boondocking feels like living with nature, not on top of it. RV parks just don’t get it.”
RV parks’ hookups encourage resource-heavy habits, like excessive water or electricity use. Boondocking promotes mindfulness—using solar, conserving water, and minimizing waste—aligning with sustainable travel and Leave No Trace principles, which are harder to uphold in RV parks.
Will You Be Avoiding RV Parks?
RV parks may suit some, but their lack of privacy, high costs, overcommercialization, restrictive rules, and environmental disconnect push us toward boondocking and dispersed camping. These alternatives offer solitude, affordability, authenticity, freedom, and a true connection to nature—qualities that define RVing for us. Voices on X echo our sentiments, highlighting a shared preference for the raw, unfiltered experiences found outside RV parks.
By choosing public lands, national forests, or lesser-known campgrounds, we’ve crafted an RV lifestyle true to our values. The savings, serenity, and adventure are worth the extra planning and self-reliance. For those considering RV parks, explore the vast network of free or low-cost camping options across the U.S. Like us, you may find the best RV experiences happen far from crowded lots and neon signs.