Selecting a Campground/ RV resort

We've stayed in places we loved and others we found disappointing. With travel experience and trial and error, we have developed ways of better vetting which campgrounds appeal to us and how to avoid staying in ones that might not.

Our general planning starts with making a list of things we'd like to go and do in a certain area or city. In that area, we look for an RV park we can set up as a home base within a 2-hour drive/radius of the activities we want to do. Taking the RV everywhere isn't always possible, so finding a spot central to what we want to do allows us to do many activities without having to move more often.

We have a list of amenities and hookups we require at a campground/RV site, as well as a list of deal breakers, i.e., places close to railways... complete deal breakers for us. The noise from them is dreadful. There are things you just don't consider when new to this that, once you check in, can ruin a stay. Trust us when we say living next to a main railway line for 2 weeks felt like torture. It ran every 20 minutes, day and night; the noise was deafening and shook our RV.

After selecting a city and area, we start our search for RV parks in that area. We check out websites first to see if the resort has the hookups we require and can accommodate the length of our rig. When we find options we like, we then look at Google reviews or RV Life. We also use Google Maps to cross-check where major railway lines run. We prefer somewhere away from the main highways and train tracks, as they can be quite noisy. Preferably, we look for a location near nature and also close enough to nearby gas stations, grocery stores, and amenities. We don't need bathrooms, showers, or laundry, as we have those in our rig, but everyone is going to have different needs. Below is a list of considerations when choosing where to book and stay.

Do they have...

Sewer hookups

The length of the sites

Do they have pull-throughs

Accessibility for large rigs

Water hookup

Power/ Hydro Hookup

Cable

Wi-Fi

Bathrooms/showers

Laundry

Pet friendly

Are children allowed/many parks in the US have some only 55 plus

Handicap access

Activities on site: Pools/Hot Tub/games rooms or courts

Additional parking if needed

Do they have events

Can you have real fire or fire pits

On-site convenience store or restaurant

Propane service on site or close by

RV mechanic and/or services in the area - unexpected repairs can happen

We no longer always trust website reviews; people don't tend to post bad reviews or bad photos of their own businesses. We came across one website where the park was not at all like what was advertised and arrived at a fully dilapidated trailer park with mostly full-timers living in it. Now we always explore and search out additional reviews and photos found online. Be sure to look at the most recent reviews, as a place that may have once been reviewed as a great stay may have changed ownership and now be less maintained or desirable, or the other way around. We also noted some bad reviews may not reflect the truth if a disgruntled former resident of the park leaves untrue, nasty reviews. We mainly read reviews that go back at least a year or even two, then weigh if they lean more positive or negative, and then decide.

Places we have stayed

We have also found that even if you end up at a great resort, at times you may get placed next door to an unpleasant neighbor and a personal pet peeve: excessively barky dogs. Most times, if you ask to relocate in a park and they have room to do so, it's likely not going to be a problem. We had to move once when we found ourselves beside excessively noisy people. Don't be afraid to ask to move if you're not happy with your site.

There are many site searching tools as well as RV memberships.

Here are some of the ones we use:

• RV Life: https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/

• Google. Type in the name of the park and read recent reviews and pictures

• iOverlander: Excellent for finding boondocking (free/wild camping) spots and essential services like dump stations.

  
  

More tools available we have not used but you may find useful.

• Campendium: Highly rated for detailed reviews from real RVers, including specific reports on WiFi/cell signal strength.

• The Dyrt: Features extensive photos and reviews, often including helpful tips on navigating narrow roads.

• Harvest Hosts: A membership program that lets you stay at unique locations like wineries, farms, and breweries for a more curated experience.

• Good Sam: Uses a standardized 10/10/10 rating system for facilities, cleanliness, and environment, which is helpful for comparing luxury resorts. 

• USA: Use Recreation.gov for federal lands (National Parks, Forest Service) and individual state park websites.

• Canada: Use Parks Canada for national parks and provincial sites like BC Parks or Alberta Parks.

  
  

  Pro Tip: Many popular sites book up 4–6 months in advance. If a site is full, tools like Campnab can alert you to cancellations or call the resort/campground directly as the office will have the most up-to-date information on any cancellations.

  
  

One of our general drive day and stay rules is The 3-3-3 Rule: Plan to drive no more than 300 miles, arrive by 3:00 PM, and stay for a minimum of 3 days... sometimes 2 days depending on our plans.

The best way to set yourself up for success is prepared planning. It's a bit of work upfront but will allow you peace of mind to relax and enjoy your travels later.

Bill & Cat