How to Choose The Right RV Park As First-Time RVers

RV vacations aren't anything new and have been around for many years now. They've been a staple in travel for many Americans. However, in recent years, more and more people are choosing the RV lifestyle. Whether it's renting an RV to take short trips in them, buying one to take frequent excursions across the country, or they're living the “van life” and using their RV as their home on wheels, life on the road or out in nature is suddenly much more appealing than it once was.

And there are undoubtedly many benefits to pitching up in a home on wheels and taking off on the roads with everything you need to hand.

However, for first-time RVers, that maiden trip out on the road can be quite naive and a steep learning curve. And part and parcel of making your first RV trip as smooth as possible means finding the right RV park. Not all RV parks are equal or have the same facilities or amenities, and it's worth doing your homework so you know what to expect and can plan your stops to make sure the parks you choose have everything you need.

Let's take a look at some top tips for choosing an RV park so your trip doesn't let you down, regardless of where you end up.

Download An App

These days, there are numerous apps you can use to help you find campsites so you can choose the perfect site for you.

Apps like Allstay have paid versions that are well worth the investment to help you uncover the best RV parks on your route, so you're ahead of time what is available. Other apps that can be worth checking out include RV Life and The Dyrt too.

Check Reviews

Checking out reviews on sites, such as Campground Reviews, can allow you to get a more realistic experience of what different parks are like. Are people mentioning getting stuck in the mud? They struggled to access the site with certain sizes or styles of RV, i.e., if you have a fifth wheeler, you can look for other reviews from people with fifth wheelers to get an idea of whether it's suitable for you. Look for common themes in the reviews, not just of the overly negative or glowing ones. Information to look for can include

Internet/phone hookup limitations/charges
Utility issues
Narrow roads
Size
Bathroom and facilities
Security
If pets are allowed

Amenities

Next, you need to check what amenities you want or are available so you don't get stranded, assuming a site has what you need when it actually never advertised it. Some parks are full hookup RV parks, while others don't offer this; some are long or short stay only. For your first item, it's probably a good idea to look for full hook-up sites that have everything you need, including electric, water, septic, and wifi services, for your convenience, so you can get used to things like charging appliances/batteries and handling your tank and getting fresh water while you get used to life on the road in the van. It just makes life so much easier.

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