These are some of the things I look for when I am evaluating RV parks:
GPS Coordinates or Landmarks?
Does the RV Park have a resident Manager or is the Manager absentee?
It is a fact of life, things go wrong. An on-site Manager can often deal with a situation before it gets out of hand.
What are the office hours? Note lunch breaks, hours of operation and weekends. If you intend to arrive at hours when the office is closed, get information on the proper protocol.
What kind of RV hookups are available? A full hookup means you have access to water, electricity and waste disposal at your assigned space. Partial hookups depend upon the RV Park but normally mean electricity and water hookup with waste disposal at a dump station in the RV Park but not accessible at your assigned RV space. Dry camping means you have none of these amenities.
What additional amenities are available at the RV Park? Many newer RV Parks or ones that have been renovated offer a variety of amenities in addition to full hookups at your RV space. Here are some of the most common:
Laundry Facility
Showers (Separate Male and Female or combined)
Club House
Pool
Hot Tub
Exercise Facilities
Tennis Courts
Walking Trails
Even if you find the website of the RV Park and see photos, you should ask in-depth questions about the RV Park and it’s facilities. For example, you will want to ask about the age of these different items, condition, cleanliness, etc. Just having these amenities is no guarantee they are desirable.
One VERY important feature that is often overlooked, even by the seasoned RVer is the ease of egress and ingress as well as lot sizes. I have found that in many instances, the RV Parks were beautiful but due to the low hanging trees, created a possibility for damage. How wide are the drives? Are they gravel, dirt or hard surface material? Is your RV lot paved or on gravel or dirt? How wide and deep are the RV spaces? One problem associated with small RV spaces is the distance needed both for the camper’s with slideouts. Another is the inability to park a vehicle, either a tow vehicle or a “toad” at the RV lot. This necessitates parking in a remote place and walking back and forth to your camper. Not a problem when it is pretty but not so good when it is pouring down rain!
Last but no least, find out if the park has “Quiet Hours” and who monitors this. Many RV parks have a strict timeline, very often 10PM until 6AM or similar. Those RV Parks that do not have a rule end up with noisy visitors who can ruin your plans for sleep.
As a rule of thumb, see if the RV Park has affiliations to national organizations such as Good Sam, AAA and similar organizations but don’t take the affiliation for granted. Check out each park, look for comments on the internet, review sites and good old common sense judgement.
Enjoy your trip!
