Class B "sweet spot"-priced campgrounds, 2 adults

I had been thinking about starting this thread for weeks, but wanted to search the website first for similar. I just read 13 pages of another thread on campground pricing, to gain insight and prepare to post, only to find the thread was closed.

So here is my question, and prompt for discussion, and it is Class B focused. How to search for sweet-spot pricing on nice campgrounds that are not trying to be a resort destination for families with younger kids to keep entertained for a week. The point is, we need about a gallon of water a day into the RV, very minor electric load, no need for moon bounces or putt putt, very small volume dumping, but clean showers and a nice peaceful setting.

We are new Class B owners, and are starting our pre-retirement touring. We are not self-contained (no shower, and no generator) and enjoy staying at campgrounds. We just don't want to pay the same electric as a bus running two air conditioners and three TVs.

I am just re-learning campground approaches. I'm surprised at how few campgrounds have a budget rate for partial hookups or light utility use. I guess there is no perfect way to credit a small vehicle for their low utility use.

I want to find the best way to find more adult oriented, natural setting campgrounds that have $25 to $30 rates for small vehicles. What are the tips to look for these situations?

I believe this is a niche that should, and will, grow in the next decade. More retired couples traveling in Class B's, not wanting a Walmart every night, but not wanting to pay $50 for a one night stop over, or a park with everything kids might want. Don't get me wrong, family camping with kids is not what I am looking to avoid, we just don't need the youth activity amenities that might have appealed to us when the kids were younger.

I sense that State Parks and Federal lands provide half of the answer to this question, and I am researching those. What strategies have Class B owners used for finding private campgrounds with affordable water and electric hookups matching our smaller vehicles.

Class B

TinyoneRV
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Get a copy of the Good Sam Campground book and learn how to use the ratings system. Not everyone will agree with me but we have found these ratings to be accurate and objective. It doesn't rely on opinions for ratings but is based on a scoring system that leaves little room for opinion. The book lists the amenenities of the campground and the nightly charge for the previous year to help your decision. We look for campgrounds rated about 7/8*/7 as ideal for us. This gives us a clean restroom and shower with rasonable amenities. We spent three nights in campgrounds on this trip so far and paid about $30 per night at each one. If you have the book the rating system is explained in the front. You can see the rating system here:

http://www.goodsamcamping.com/HowToReadRatings.aspx
rr2254545
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Ok we do not look for the camping with the kids either, most campgrounds have a range of prices in your case ask for the lower priced sites will be just what you need -about all KOA's have tiered rates

Almost all campground will give a weekly discount which is usually buy 6 get 7 for fee this is a 14.3% discount most membership programs at 10%

I think you will find more budget rates as you head west
korbe
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
I have been to an Oregon State Park that had several 20 amp only receptacle pedestals. Other than something like that, I can't see how a park could regulate lessor electrical users.
wincrasher65
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Some places you can use a tent site - but you have to ask. Some will have a communal power and water hook up that may be you can hook up just for a while and fill your tank and charge batteries.

The Corps of Engineers system has small RV parks at some facilities like locks and dams. There are several in Florida I know of and they are pretty reasonably priced. Another option is municipal parks in small towns.

If you were ambitious, you could collect a listing of such places and make a website for sharing the info. I agree with you though, that there will be alot of demand in the future for lower-priced, non-destination type RV parks. It seems to me that prices have really spiked up in the last few years, yet the parks have not really been improved any.
dahkota
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
COE campgrounds are some of the best bargains out there.

Also try US Campgrounds, which lists all public camping, including the hard to find city and county parks.

Passport America offers 1/2 price camping at many private parks and is good for filling in between public parks, especially when you need to do laundry.

Believe it or not, even huge class As with two air conditioners and three tvs don't always need or want lots of electricity and amenities. Which is why you will usually find us boondocking off the grid or dry camping at public parks. We are completely self contained and can spend a week without any hookups or amenities what so ever.
bkroczak
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
https://www.campendium.com/ may also be useful for campground reviews and info...
401nailhead
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Thanks for the great answers so far. Great head starts on my further research. And yes, I see I was probably unfair in generalizing about the bigger RV's. Sometimes we all just need the basics in a pleasant setting or convenient location.

Also agreed that metering electricity is not likely to occur in the future, but would love to see some sort of innovative pricing, to hold pricing down, encourage more visits. Quick story - I stayed at a city fairgrounds one time for an event, and called ahead. They quoted $40 per night (a standard rate for various events), even though I had mentioned briefly I had just a van camper. Electric hookup only, no showers. When they saw the 19' van, they set me up on a three prong outlet and winked, "no charge" (non A/C season). But there was nothing in their pricing between $0 and $40, and I hope campgrounds look for ways to accomplish this in the future, at least to further promote off season price breaks.
Naio
Explorer II
Jul 05, 2015
I have never seen a campground that had a lower rate for small vehicles.

What I have seen are places with partial hookups (usually elec, a toilet building, and maybe showers). They cost less than the full hookup parks and are usually in state or national parks.

I figure sure, I use less elec, but I use the shower and bathroom and laundry buildings at private parks, which many people in big rigs do not. I am not sure I am a cheaper customer :).

Why not just stay at free or super-cheap forest service parks, and then stop one night a week or so at a full hookup park to recharge batteries, get water, showers, laundry?
GizmosMom
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
I was also going to suggest the COE Campgrounds but someone beat me to it. You can also find a limited number of National Forest Service campgrounds that have electrical hook-ups.

Recreation.gov
drsolo
Nomad
Jul 05, 2015
DO NOT MENTION VAN CAMPER when calling as some campsites will turn you away on that basis. Always respond with "2000 or better year and 19' B, not van. There is a difference in campground vs RV park. Campgrounds have lower priced sites for tents altho many have 120 electricity but no sewage or water. Those sites are suitable for little vans like yours (and mine) and campsites that allow tenting are mostly not as pricey or snobby. A big benefit of our tiny vans is campsites always seem to be able to fit us in somewhere even without reservations.

Actually, for longer stays I have seen campgrounds charge electricity by usage. In addition, in season vs out of season prices are usual as are higher charges during local festivals.

The pro version of Allstays.comAllstays.com has a menu selection of campsites by price for the US and Canada. They also have categories for campsite and RV, campsite only, camping club maps, and preferences can be set to exclude or include public or private, state, federal, municipal, etc.

http://freecampsites.net/http://freecampsites.net/ .. just google "free camping".

There is also a newish rating site. http://www.rvparkreviews.com/http://www.rvparkreviews.com/ I have been searching for a more permanent campsite in winter (warmer) since 2011. Finally found a site that meets my needs just this last winter. I tried different areas, camping in one place and then checking out other campsites during the day.