How to Compare Campground Listings and Find the Best Campground

It’s not controversial, at least around here: RV camping is awesome. But it’s also true that finding the right campground (or… not finding it) can significantly impact your travel experience.

While the old rule from real estate does hold true and location matters a great deal, when it comes to a truly excellent campground experience, the “where” alone is not enough information. Finding a campground with great amenities, sites the correct size and type for your rig, safety features, kid- and pet-friendly add-ons and great reviews can upgrade your camping experience from “home base” to “home away from home.”

RVshare has been an industry-leading voice in the world of finding the perfect RV rental for a long time. But now, we’re also helping you find the best place to park it. RVshare Campgrounds is the easiest way to browse and compare campground options across the country, no matter where you’re headed. Along with RV sites, we’ve included tent spots, glamping opportunities and more to bring you the best possible vacation getaway experience. 

Below, we’re going to dig our hands into all the details that help RVshare Campgrounds — and you — determine which campgrounds are good enough, and which ones are great. We’ll show you how to evaluate the location, amenities, safety info, access to nearby attractions and more to help ensure you choose the very best place for your stay. 

Let’s get going!

What Should I Look for in a Campground Listing?

Campground listings can offer a lot of information. Here’s how to make sense of it all — and prioritize what matters most to you. 

Location and Nearby Attractions

Chances are, you’re traveling toward a specific destination. While it’s not all that matters, where your campground is located clearly matters a lot! Some easy places to start include:

• Distance from your destination
• What nearby parks, lakes, and attractions sweeten the deal
• What the access is like to amenities like fuel, groceries, and services

Of course, sometimes, the entire point of a camping trip is to seriously get away from it all and go boondocking —  in which case, the deeper in the woods, the better.

Campsite Types and Accommodations

Next on the list: What kinds of accommodations does the campground offer? Yes, you might be traveling in an RV, but are its sites big enough? If the kids are planning to sleep in a tent behind the rig, is that allowed?

Common campsite types and accommodations you might find include:

• RV sites, including both pull-through and back-in sites (always double-check any length restrictions, and consider also whether they’re paved or gravel)
• Tent sites, and potentially the option to put a tent on an RV site as an additional sleeping space
• Cabins
• Yurts
• Other glamping opportunities

For RV spots, you’ll also want to double-check what the hookups are like: does the campground offer full hookups (electricity, water, and sewer), or only electricity or electricity and water? If so, is there potable water on-site, or a dump station?

Campground Amenities

Beyond the individual sites, it’s worth considering the broader campground amenities as well. After all, you’re probably not going to stay in your RV all day! Some common amenities to look for include:

• Wi-Fi (which may or may not be strong enough for streaming or video calls; check with the campground representatives for more information)
• Restrooms and showers
• Laundry facilities
• Swimming pools
• Playgrounds
• Pet-friendly areas

Some campgrounds go way above and beyond, offering spas, water-park-like features, and lots more, but even a few of the above can be a big bonus.

Reviews and Ratings

We live in a culture where everything is up for review. And sometimes, that can be a good thing. Checking out guest feedback can help you ascertain what people like about a campground — or, on the other hand, what the most common complaints are. While almost every business gets an iffy review once in a while, looking for overall consistency can help you make sure you stay in reputable places.

How Do Campgrounds Compare Safety Coverage and Access?

Safety comes before everything, and different campgrounds have different standards when it comes to safety. You, too, many have various expectations in this department; some people are comfortable boondocking alone in the middle of nowhere, whereas others prefer to have a gate between them and the wider world. Here are some campground security features you can look for the bring you peace of mind.

Campground Security Features

• Gated access (often with a code or RFID opener)
• Staff presence
• Security patrols
• Well-lit common areas

Emergency and Safety Resources

• Emergency contact availability (i.e., signal enough to call emergency services if you need)
• Fire safety measures (such as fire lanes and pre-arranged evacuation routes)
• Weather preparedness information

Road and Site Accessibility

• Wide roads for larger RVs and easy turnarounds
• ADA accessible campsites
• Easy navigation within the campground

Seasonal and Environmental Considerations

• Transparency and mitigation for flood-prone areas
• Information about seasonal access to mountain roads and other remote locales
• Information about any seasonal closures, both of the campground and nearby attractions

When comparing campground safety features, it’s really all about what’s most important to you. However, common things to look for include secure access points, well-maintained facilities, emergency resources, good lighting, and clearly delineated campground rules. And if you’re traveling in a larger RV, always be sure you’re only staying in campgrounds that are built to handle big rigs, for both comfort and safety reasons!

Which Campground Amenities Matter Most?

The amenities that matter most to each camper can vary significantly. Just like any other part of life, everyone’s priorities are different!

Below, we’ve broken down some of the amenities that might figure prominently in your own calculations, depending on what kind of trip you’re taking.

Essential Amenities for RV Travelers

• Full hookups ensure comfort and continuity, especially if you’re staying for more than a few days
• Dump stations can make up for a lack of sewer hookups
• Reliable water access is also important if you’re staying in a campground without water hookups (and you’ll want to ensure it’s potable water)
• Electrical service options vary from 30 amps to 50 amps, so you’ll want to double-check what your RV draws

Amenities for Family Trips

• When traveling with kids, access to playgrounds goes a long way toward ensuring they’ll sleep well
• Other types of recreation areas, like game rooms, can also come in handy
• Group gathering spaces make playdates with other campground kids possible

Amenities for Extended Stays

If you’re staying somewhere for longer than a couple of weeks, the following amenities begin to look a lot more attractive:

• Laundry facilities that won’t require you to drive off to a different laundromat
• Strong internet access to keep you connected (and, in some cases, able to work)
• Mail and package services (not available in every campground — in which case, you might need to have mail sent to the postmaster general or a mail forwarding service specifically for RVers and nomads)

Pet-Friendly Features

Traveling with Fido? RVing is one of the best ways to take pets along for the ride. The following features make it a lot easier for our four-legged family members

• On-site dog parks or fenced runs
• Nearby pet-friendly walking trails
• Inclusive pet policies (some campgrounds disallow certain breeds, so always check ahead of time)

How Do Reviews Help Compare Campgrounds?

As we mentioned above, reviews can be really helpful when you’re trying to determine if a campground really is as good as it sounds. Both good and bad reviews can be equally helpful if you know what to look for.

What Positive Reviews Often Reveal

It’s not just about the star rating — it’s about what campers are saying. Scan good reviews for evidence of:

• Squeaky-clean bathrooms and other shared facilities
• Friendly, accommodating staff
• Easy check-in experiences (and check-out experiences)
• Quiet and peaceful surroundings, including enforcement of quiet hours

Red Flags to Watch For

On the other hand, bad reviews can offer a lot of information, too. Especially keep an eye out for:

• Any consistent complaint (if more than one camper reports an issue, it might not just be a one-off)
• Safety concerns
• Misleading listing information indicating that something being advertised isn’t quite true

How to Identify Reliable Reviews

Every business gets a bad review once in a while. It’s more about the sum of many reviews than a single iffy one. When looking through reviews, take review volume (i.e., how many people have left reviews) into account, and prioritize recent feedback (the campground may have changed management). Finally, look for recurring themes to help understand what complaints actually have merit, and which are possibly the result of someone being overly cranky.

How Do I Filter Results by Dates and Amenities?

RVshare Campgrounds makes the filtering process easy, so you can narrow down on the campgrounds that truly have the amenities you need — and which are available on the dates you’re traveling. Here’s how to use our filter system to find the perfect campground for your next getaway.

Start with Travel Dates

When you click into RVshare Campgrounds, you’ll see that the travel dates are one of the first data points you’ll be asked to input. These help ensure that whatever campground you find will actually be available for the days you’re traveling. (No one wants to learn about the perfect campground, only to discover they won’t actually be able to stay there!)

Keep in mind that campground availability can fluctuate with season. During the height of summer, when more people are traveling, it may also be more difficult to find an available campsite.

Along with the dates, you’ll get to put in a location to get started, though you can also choose to focus on campgrounds nearby your current location or with certain features such as nearby biking, walking trails, or fishing.

Filter by RV Requirements

Next up: ensuring that the campgrounds you’re looking for can actually accommodate your rig! Under the filters, you’ll see any array of check-box amenities that can help make sure you’re getting everything your RV needs, from 50-amp service to pull-through sites to concrete pads.

Filter by Amenities

Next, the extras. Our filters also allow you to check boxes for additional amenities and nearby activities, such as walking trail access, Wi-Fi connectivity, laundry, pet-friendliness, and more. You can even search specifically for campgrounds that offer zip lines, food trucks or kayak rentals. The world is your campfire-roasted oyster

Filter by Price

At the end of the day, the bottom line is the line that matters most for many campers. That’s why RVshare Campgrounds makes it easy to filter results by price, whether from low to high or from high to low, to help ensure you’re staying on-budget.

What Is the Easiest Way to Browse Campground Listings?

Listen, yes, we’re biased. But we also have to say, we’re proud of what we’ve built at RVshare Campgrounds. This nation-wide directory includes everything from developed luxury campgrounds to one-off spots in a kind stranger’s backyard, and we do think it makes for one of the easiest ways to browse listings across the U.S.

Benefits of Using a Nationwide Campground Directory

When you search a database that includes campsites from across the country, you’ll benefit from a centralized search experience that has everything in one spot and consistent listing information that makes it easier to compare apples to apples.

We also think the tool is just plain fun to use! Check it out for yourself.

Why Search Filters Save Time

As when shopping for anything online these days, filters can really help you narrow in on what it is you actually want. Using our filters, you can quickly narrow results, eliminate unsuitable campgrounds (or suitable ones that won’t be available), and find the very best campground for your specific travel needs, no matter what they might be.

Comparing Multiple Campgrounds Side by Side

Using a tool like ours also makes it easy to compare multiple campgrounds side by side because of the consistent information on each listing. You’ll be able to see amenities and reviews as well as the per-night price and the number of sites available, all with just a few clicks.

Campground Comparison Checklist

One of the best and easiest ways to determine which campground is best? Make a tie-breaking comparison checklist. Below, we’ve included a side-by-side campground evaluation table that you can print out or rewrite on your own to help decide on a campground if you’re stuck between several.

Side-by-Side Campground Evaluation Table

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Booking

• Does the campground fit my RV size?
• Are the amenities I need available?
• Is the campground close to my destination?
• Are recent reviews positive?
• Does it fit my budget?

Common Mistakes When Comparing Campgrounds

Is it possible to make mistakes when comparing campgrounds? Yes, yes it is. Here are some of the most common pitfalls that you’ll fortunately avoid since you heard them here first!

Choosing Based Only on Price

Price is important, yes, but it’s not the only detail that matters. Even the most affordable campground in the world isn’t a good deal if it’s unsafe or unfit. Make sure you’re taking other factors into consideration well!

Ignoring Site-Specific Details

It’s happened to the best of us: you arrive for a cozy camping trip only to discover that your campsite only offers 30-amp hookups, and your rig needs 50 amps to run the power. This is why it’s so important to go through those filters and check the boxes that matter for you.

Overlooking Reviews

Again, a single bad review doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but consistent negative feedback is worth paying attention to.

Forgetting to Check Availability First

It’s the perfect campground, so you just set off into the sunset, ready to enjoy it… only to arrive and realize they don’t have availability. It’s pretty much a vacation nightmare, which is why we start with travel dates right on the first screen. (We also recommend booking your campground early!)

Find the Right Campground for Your Next RV Trip

At this point, you’re well-equipped for finding the perfect campground for your next RV trip. We recommend building a shortlist of absolute necessities (from the correct amperage to fire pits and swimming pools — whatever is important to you). Use RVshare Campgrounds to compare with confidence and match campgrounds to your travel goals. Now that you can rent the rig and book the campground all in one place, planning a trip has never been easier.

Comparing Campground Listings: Frequently Asked Questions

Final Notes on Comparing Campground Listings

Comparing campground listings is truly no big deal with RVshare Campgrounds. You’ll be able to find campgrounds available on your specific travel dates and with the amenities that matter most — to you.  

Start exploring campground listings and compare options nationwide with RVshare Campgrounds.