Forum Discussion

MikkiEkanger's avatar
MikkiEkanger
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2025

Question for Full Time RVers.

I'm currently checking out options related to whether I should  park at a site longer or Travel Longer.  Some of the options I'm seeing are the Work Kampers, such as Camp Hosting or other types of positions.  

Has anyone done this?  Is it helpful?  Does the work obligation end up not being worth it?  

I'm on a fixed income and am looking at these as decent options.  Does anyone have any feedback on their own experiences?  

Most of what I see is for couples, While I have a Couple of Dogs, that certainly wouldn't count in my situation as I'm going to be living full time by myself.  

Lastly, if I'm establishing my residence out of state, am I limited with how long I can be at a campground before that state requires I file for residency?  Would it be better to leave the state for a couple days and return if need be?  

 

  • Residency is what you make it. 
    Nothing to worrry about packing up and going somewhere for x number of days.  
    The govt isn’t watching you …yet. 

  • 30 year full timer here with lots of workkamper experience.  Keep in mind an employer will probably want to you to stay for a season which can be about six months at a time.  With the price of campsites now, workkamping is an attractive option.  Residency is hardly ever questioned in my experience as you are a traveler.

  • like PBEverly said, I think most state parks nationwide run with a similar model. You get a FHU site and are responsible to prepping sites when people leave, helping guests and being a watchful eye - expected work about 20 hours/week. Most parks employ regular staff for cleaning bathrooms and maintenance. As far as being a couple, I don't think it's a requirement but if I were to guess, the parks assume that couples travel together and 2 people cleaning a site can have it done quicker, so it might be a bit more challenging with just one person. You also have built in redundancy with 2 people and can divide and conquer or coverage if one of you is not feeling well. But I can't imagine it's a deal breaker. I am not sure how competitive it is trying to land a spot as a host, but if 5 other couples are in the queue and you're single it may work against you. I don't know what the ratio is but it in parks I've been in it seems like one host for about 20 sites and at least one per loop. It doesn't really cost the park anything as host sites are not in the books for rental. Total win for the parks to get essentially free labor. And total win for the host. Free site for a season with minimal work. It is 7 days a week though and I am not sure how it works as far as getting to go out for dinner, grocery shopping etc. Maybe that's really where a couple comes in. Camp host sounds enticing but I wouldn't want to be chained to the CG and "on call" all the time.  

  • At the SC State Parks the Camp Host typically gets a free FHU campsite and are required to work 20 hours a week. Duties typically include clean bathrooms, cleaning campsites after someone leaves and helping campers. Duties will vary some at each park.