Personal preference is a big part of choosing your ideal RV park. But when deciding where to stay, and for how long, there are many things to consider before committing yourself. By using these guidelines, you stand a better chance of selecting the right camp ground that fits the needs of you and your family for however long you stay.
Personal Preference
You will need an RV park with sites large enough to accommodate the size of your RV. Keep in mind what power connection you need; if it’s 50-amp that you need, it may not be available in all parks.
The next thing is to consider the people that you’re camping with. For kids, playgrounds and other recreation areas are important. And if you have pets, individual park regulations tend to vary. For instance, a particular park may be selective of breed, size, or number, and may charge extra to bring your pets along. Also check to see if the park has an off-leash area or other pet-safe zones.
And of course – amenities. Do you want cable television for instance, and Wi-Fi is a ‘must-have’ for most people.. Laundry facilities are important too, as well as social areas, entertainments, and pools. Quite frequently there is a store onsite with propane and water supplies, but if not, you may want to check to see how close the local stores are.
Pricing
What are you willing to pay for the cost of the campground? If you were planning to stay primarily at the park, taking in any activities and entertainments available, you may want to pay more for those extra services. But if you intend to explore the surrounding areas, then a lower budget would be appropriate since you’ll be spending more outside the park. Look at reviews of the parks you choose, and compare different parks to find the best value and quality within your budget.
Location
Again, if you intend to spend all or most of your time at the RV campground, you probably want the peace and quite offered found in a park with natural surroundings.
However, if you’re exploring the area, shopping, and eating out, choose a park closer to where you want to explore.
Online Presence
You can determine a lot about a campground from its website and social media. Having a informative website is normal practice these days, and an expected characteristic of a successful site. It should provide campers with good information in regards to the park itself and the surroundings, and shows the attention the owners and managers put into running the park. In general, if the website is good, then the park is more likely to provide a better experience for their camping visitors.
Provincial Parks
When looking at provincial parks, there are benefits and limitations to be aware of. For a naturally beautiful and tranquil environment, you can’t do any better than a provincial park. Plus, they are very reasonably priced, and some offer additional activities, such as hiking, rafting, or horse riding.
Limitations include the location and amenities. Provincial parks are generally located well away from towns, and rarely offer amenities like Wi-Fi or cable. You don’t tend to get water or sewer hook-ups at individual sites, and many restrict the length of time that you can stay.
To find out more about provincial parks, check out sites like this one.
Reviews
Always check user reviews as they can be really helpful when deciding on a campground. Guides get printed annually and can be found at libraries and at book stores, but these can become out of date quickly. A better option for many is to go online and check out sites like TripAdvisor, and Google. They provide user reviews and ratings, as well as a list of amenities and other relevant information about the park.
Services
Many people like a reliable wireless Internet service when at an campsite, a weak, slow, or lack-of-signal can an inconvenience. Other services include the access to an onsite store with typical supplies: propane, firewood, and basic commodities. And if there is an on-site RV maintenance service, this is a real bonus.
Personal Mail
The ability to receive personal mail is a important for those staying at an RV site long-term, so check for availability before you book.. If you are away for weeks or months at a time, having your mail forwarded to your temporary location is vital. Remember that P.O. boxes often require log-term contracts, so choosing a park that receives mail for their guests is worth looking into.
Community
Social activity is important to many RVers. Some want a campground with privacy where guests can just do their own thing, whereas other campers may prefer the social environment provided by many parks, often frequenting the clubhouse and campground social events. Choose the part that best fits your social requirements.
Laundry Facilities
To most campers, laundry facilities are a must, especially for more long term visitors; being able to do laundry onsite is more than just a convenience.
A good facility has more than one working washer and dryer. Preferably, the machines are frequently serviced to ensure they run properly. A great facility charges no more than a local Laundromat – you don’t want to be paying extra for the convenience of washing onsite.
Talk to the RV Park Office
Once you have narrowed your choices to one or two, it is a good idea to contact the park, ideally by phone call but an email is good to as you get a reply in writing. Verify that the information you have found is correct. Check to make sure all of the services listed on the campground’s website is actually there, such as WiFi, laundry, stores, pools, services, etc.
In Conclusion
Finding a great campground can seem like a major exercise, but using these tips can help you choose the right site for your group, your purposes, and your pocket.
For more information on campgrounds in the Shuswap and Okanagan, contact the team at Tri Crown RV.