Covid Camping: 10 Tips for Finding RV Camping Now!

I have the RV — now where do I go? Is full-time RV travel still possible with Covid-19 closures?

Yes, the Corona Virus Pandemic requires travelers to do a little extra planning, but here’s the good news: there is an abundance of camping styles and choices to be had in the U.S.

Even with Covid-19 you can find camping options that match your style, budget and resources. Here’s a guide.

RV Parks & Private Campgrounds

The status of private RV parks and campgrounds was muddled as Covid-19 closures began. Some state governments closed all RV parks, some allowed them to stay open, and others decided each on a case-by-case basis, creating a patchwork of closures across the U.S. As of June 14th, most are open but may have site specific restrictions. Always call to check on the status of your park before you travel, even if you have a reservation. Amenities and costs for private parks and campgrounds vary, so do your research.

Pros:
• Dedicated spaces
• Water, electric, trash and dump facilities
• Paved roads and on-site maintenance
Cons:
• Expense
• Proximity to neighbors

QUICK TIP: If you are a looking for a long-term RV Park residency, look out for the “Weekly/Daily.” During the winter, many parks charge a much lower monthly rate. In the summer, they might offer only a weekly or daily rate, making the total rental fee exponentially more than what a long-term camper might expect. If you want to stay until winter to get that break in price book it now; many RV Parks rent those spaces far in advance, meaning you might have to vacate in the fall.

Check out: Allstays, RV Parky, Park Advisor,  Campendium, and The Dyrt.

Federal Campgrounds

A wide variety of federal agencies provide public-use campgrounds across the U.S., including the National Park Service, the USFS and the Bureau of Land Management. These campgrounds are largely primitive, meaning they don’t provide connections for water, electric and dump, but some have water and dump stations nearby. These campgrounds charge a fee, but it is usually far less than an RV Park would charge per night.

Many federal campgrounds are slowly re-opening, but check with the local agency office before you visit to get the latest status. Some facilities are currently only open for day use, while others advise visitors to quarantine upon arrival or be prepared to clean public facilities (like bathrooms) themselves.

Pros:
• Dedicated campsite
• Water, dump-stations and trash services are sometimes provided or available nearby
• Generally, more space between you and your neighbor
• Closer to nature
Cons:
• Uneven spaces and dirt roads
• Poor or no wi-fi signal
• Typically no connection to shore power

QUICK TIP: While these campgrounds are all federally managed, each is controlled by a different agency. The National Parks is managed by the National Park Service, USFS by the Department of Agriculture and BLM by the US Department of the Interior.

Visit Recreation.gov to make a reservation for campgrounds managed by these agencies.

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Dispersed Camping, Dry Camping and Boondocking

Dispersed Camping, Dry Camping and Boondocking are all essentially the same thing: self-contained camping on public land. Now that’s social distancing!
Dispersed camping is essentially free in all National Forests and on BLM land, unless otherwise noted. To learn more on finding a campsite, see this video.

Both USFS and BLM allow free dispersed camping for up to two weeks, but rules vary. Some locations might require a permit. Most dispersed camping locations are beautiful and quiet, but they don’t have amenities like water, trash or a dump station. Plan ahead to find these services in a nearby town and be prepared to pack in and pack out your trash.
Unlike RV Parks and federal campgrounds, dispersed camping locations are less likely to be affected by Covid-19 shutdowns. However, it is always a good idea to call the local office that manages the land to make sure the campground you are planning to visit remains open.

Pros:
• Free!
• Camping in nature
• No neighbors (unless you want them!)
• Camping is allowed (typically) for up to two weeks
Cons:
• Access to sites are along dirt roads, sometimes maintained and sometimes not
• Sites are not designated, so finding the perfect spot can be a chore
• Spotty cell service
• Sometimes far from essential services

QUICK TIP: Cellular service can be tricky camping on public land. To find locations that might offer a signal, I recommend the Coverage ? App. To check out the roads and possible sites before you travel, preview the location on Google Earth.
The closer a dispersed camping spot is to a town, the more likely it is to be crowded on the weekends. Don’t try to find a spot on a Friday night or Saturday morning. If you see a lot of broken glass or graffiti around, move on.

Check out this video and Freecampsites.net, RVParky, Campendium and the U.S. Public Lands app.

Boondocking on Private Land

If you want to be a self-contained camper without the hassle, boondocking on private land might be for you. Unlike boondocking on public land, these sites provide a designated spot you can typically reserve in advance.

HipCamp, for example, allows private landowners to provide camping. Think of it as the Airbnb of boondocking. Sites vary from urban driveways to rolling acres, but each is provided by a private owner who makes a little extra money offering their land to campers.

Boondockers Welcome is a membership-based program which allows its members to provide and use private land on which others can camp for free! For a nominal fee, campers can join and get access to a network of camping locations across the country. Campsites are provided to campers – by campers.

Harvest Hosts provides a network of overnight camping spots at farms, wineries, museums and more. For one low yearly fee, members get access to a huge variety of host locations across the U.S. In fact, there are more Harvest Hosts locations than KOAs! Overnight camping is free to members, although good patrons should visit the host and make a small purchase.
Harvest Hosts gives RV travelers the opportunity to stay in amazing local places and sample the local food, wine or culture they would have missed if they just stayed on the highway. Use this link to get 15% off the annual membership price of $79.

 

Pros:
• Visit local places and people
• Less expensive than staying at an RV Park
• Access to a dedicated camping spot with a reservation
Cons:
• Not typically available for long-term camping

Overnight RV Parking

Staying overnight in a parking lot doesn’t appeal to most RV travelers, but sometimes it’s necessary on the way to a final destination. With Covid closures, having these parking lots available as a back-up is essential.

Add Walmart, Cabelas, Cracker Barrell, Rest Areas and Truck Stops to your en route, overnight arsenal of options.

Parking lots are not campgrounds, so most expect travelers to come in at night and leave in the morning, without setting up their barbeque grill and putting out lounge chairs. There are frequently local ordinances that prevent overnight camping, typically in larger towns and cities, and acceptance is at the discretion of the local manager.
Check out Freecampsites.net, Allstays, Casino Camper and Trucker Path.

QUICK TIP: To find out more about overnight parking spots, the rules, the pros and the cons, check out these videos:

 

 

 

To keep up on current closures that might affect  your travels, check out The Dyrt and Campendium; they both have extensive updated lists.

Check out CreativityRV’s Subscriber only resources here.

Have Happy Travels and Be Free!

 

 

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