The Difference Between an RV Park Campground and Resort

Knowing and understanding the difference between an RV Park, RV Campground within a Park, and an RV Resort can be very confusing. Unfortunately, some OWNERS don’t know the difference when they list their location, which consequently adds more confusion into the mix! This is what we have found to be true within each location to typically be. HOWEVER, the best thing we can recommend you do is to either look into the location you’re interested in with their App (here’s a list of our Top 15 Free RV Camping Apps) or website specifically or give the location you are wanting to visit a call to find out the definitive amenities, rules, and requirements. Nonetheless, we will try to answer the question “What is the Difference between an RV Park Campground and Resort?” the best we can!

RV Park

RV Parks are usually privately owned and where an RVer would more typically “park” their RV when staying on a more permanent basis, however, they do still tend to have weekend campers as well. Furthermore, these do tend to be the largest confusion point between an RV Park and an RV Resort, mostly because both are usually privately owned.

RV Campground

RV Campground are usually in a park owned by either State or Federal. Additionally, they tend to have necessities such as a Fire Pit, picnic table, and a pad to park on (concrete or gravel) in the best locations and additionally offer more primitive sites as well.

RV Resort

RV Resorts are the more glamorous places an RVer would tend to visit. They are usually more expensive, offer many more amenities (usually), tend to have limitations on the age and appearance of RV’s allowed into their resort, and tend to charge more per night with additional fees.

The Difference Between an RV Park Campground and Resort

So, obviously you can see that the Difference Between an RV Park Campground and Resort is that an RV Resort will certainly have many more amenities to offer you, whereas an RV Park and Campground have some amenities they are a more relaxed atmosphere in the sense of “traditional” camping.

As we mentioned above, it might be easier to determine the type of place you’re planning to visit by checking out their campsites and what is offered.

Below you will find some of the OPTIONS available within a campsite at a camping location and then some suggestions on what to look for.

CAMPSITE OPTIONS

Primitive Campsite

Primitive Campsite: generally speaking, a primitive campsite doesn’t include any amenities such as water or electricity. Basically, you are dependent on using the public shower houses, bathrooms, and laundry areas available in the campground only.

Partial Hookup Campsite

Partial Hookup Campsite: typically, a partial hookup campsite has water and electricity but no sewer hookups. Therefore, you will need to use the dump station for black and grey water dumping.

Full Hookup Campsite

Full Hookup Campsite: As a rule, full hookup campsites tend to have at least the main 3 hookups: electricity, water, and sewer. Additionally, some resorts include Wifi and Satellite or cable hookups.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN RV CAMPSITE

Campsite Size

First, make sure that your RV will fit in that site! (Booking online helps to ensure your RV will fit because they all tend to show the length of each campsite).

Pull-Through Campsite vs. Back-In Campsite

Next, pull through site vs. back-in (your decision on what you’re comfortable with) undoubtedly, they are exactly what they state. A Pull-Through campsite is a campsite that allows an RVer to pull into the site upon arrival and drive right on though and out of the campsite without any backing in or out. A Back-In campsite is exactly what it sounds like. The RVer must back-in their RV to the campsite and then pull out of the campsite upon departure. Consider this when booking online. Most websites and apps list which type the campsite is.

ADA Accessible Campsite

Furthermore, are you looking for more amenities such as ADA Accessible, having a much larger Rig, or a tent camper? Be sure you inquire about these important needs as we have discovered many times RV Campsites are NOT one-sight-fits-all!

Conclusion of The Difference Between an RV Park Campground and Resort

We hope this helps you understand the difference between an RV Park Campground and Resort and that the suggestions we have given you will help make it easier to determine the campsite you are needing, making reserving a campsite whether in an RV Park Campground or Resort, much easier! HAPPY RV CAMPING!