Along your motorhome travels, you’ll undoubtedly come across both RV resorts and RV parks. You’ve always wondered about the difference, as not knowing has held you back from staying at either. How are RV resorts and RV parks dissimilar?
Here are some telling differences between RV resorts and RV parks:
- RV resorts are higher quality
- RV parks are lower-cost
- RV resorts offer more amenities
- RV parks have less privacy
- RV resorts may have more rules
In today’s guide, I’ll take you through all the differences between RV resorts and RV parks so you can choose the option that’s most suitable for you at any point in your travels. I’ll also share some pointers for what to look for in a good RV resort and RV park, so keep reading!
What Is an RV Park?
Let’s start by looking at both RV parks and RV resorts separately so the differences between the two will be more poignant.
What can make matters confusing is that RV parks sometimes call themselves resorts.
That’s because an RV resort is a more upscale option, and so an RV park will strive to make itself look more appealing to passersby.
An RV park or caravan park will offer campsites or sites for visitors to pull into. The location of the park is convenient for travelers, as these parks will be positioned outside of towns or right within a town’s borders.
If you need to camp for just a night, maybe two, an RV park is a suitable place to do it. You can even stay long-term, although how long-term will depend on the park’s rules and policies.
Most caravan parks have at least some amenities, making them a step up from staying at a campground (which may have no amenities).
I’ll talk more about which amenities are going to be afforded to you at an RV park versus an RV resort, but it’s all the basics you could want.
You might not be overly comfortable, but you’re not lacking for much either.
The proximity of you and your neighbors at an RV park is rather close, and you may end up sharing the amenities with your new neighbors as well. You might as well get friendly with them!
What Is an RV Resort?
While RV parks may try to pass as resorts, the opposite will not happen. That’s due to how RV resorts are regarded as premium lodging options for the traveler who wants that little something extra.
You’ll get all your basic amenities plus those that are exceptionally lavish to restore more of those creature comforts of home.
The attractiveness of the sites makes RV resorts an appealing option to many. You won’t be staying just within the town’s borders but in truly beautiful locales that may overlook stunning mountain views or even a picturesque beach.
You won’t park on dirt, grass, gravel, or asphalt but on a designated parking pad. The resort might be gated so not anyone can get in, which creates a sense of privacy and exclusivity that is very likeable.
The duration of your stay at an RV resort varies. As was true in RV parks, if you want to camp out for only a night or two, that should be no problem.
The posh quality of an RV resort might inspire you to stay even longer than intended, which is typically allowed.
Do be aware that to upkeep the quality that RV resorts are known for, many of these resorts have rather strict rules in place.
The Differences Between RV Resorts and RV Parks
Now that you have a better understanding of RV parks and RV resorts on their own, let’s go over the points per the intro and differentiate between these two lodging options for campers.
RV Resorts Are Higher Quality
Everything about an RV resort is primo quality.
As I touched on in the section above, the locales of RV resorts are usually breathtaking natural spectacles that anyone would be proud to park their motorhome in front of for a couple of days or weeks.
If an RV park has lovely surroundings, that’s usually because you’re staying in a nice part of town. It’s less of a requirement since these parks are of lower quality overall.
Some RV resorts even have gates to prohibit outsiders from entering, as you’ll recall.
By comparison, you won’t ever see an RV park gated off unless the park happens to be full, and the owners want to detract more people from showing up.
The amenities of an RV resort are more lavish as well, and I promise I’ll get to that momentarily.
RV Parks Are Lower-Cost
If you’re a traveler on a budget, then you’ll naturally gravitate more toward RV parks than resorts, as the former are a lot less pricy.
Although the prices will vary from park to park, the average fee you’ll spend for one night at an RV park is between $35 and $70.
The nightly rate of an RV resort will be considerably more expensive. It starts at $100 but can be much more.
There’s yet more to it than that. If you look into RV communities such as Good Sam or Passport America, you’ll come across RV park after RV park.
This is done intentionally so that the already-cheap RV park can offer its services even more cheaply.
You might also find that you can save some moolah at an RV park by requesting an extended stay for a week or even a month.
Of course, you do get what you pay for. The reason that RV resorts edge out RV parks in the quality department is that all the money goes into maintaining the resort’s quality.
RV Resorts Offer More Amenities
As promised, let’s talk amenities.
At an RV park, you can expect to find a power connection, phone and TV connections, and a sewer connection. You’ll have access to Wi-Fi, but it can be rather spotty.
Extra amenities can include exercise equipment on the park grounds, a dump station (which you may have to pay an additional fee to use), bathhouses or shower areas, and a barbecue area.
RV resorts have all the above, but the amenities are the best of the best in quality.
The bathroom area will be far nicer, the Wi-Fi quality will be stable, and the electrical connections will be at higher amps.
There’s yet more that RV resorts offer. Some have massage therapists, golf courses, private dinner clubs, swimming pools, and hot tubs available to RVers.
You’ll never find these kinds of amenities at an RV park!
RV Parks Offer Less Privacy
You’ll recall from earlier that RV parks are usually not that spacious.
I won’t say this is guaranteed from park to park, as it all depends on how much square footage the park can afford customers.
For the most part, you should expect that you and your fellow motorhome neighbors will be rather close to one another.
I won’t say you’ll be on top of each other, but the amount of space won’t be as much as you would prefer.
If they’re running a generator or playing loud music, you’re going to be able to hear it from your RV.
You won’t feel like you have as much privacy in an RV park as you will in an RV resort.
Remember, many RV resorts are gated. That limits the capacity so there’s never a risk of motorhomes being parked on top of one another.
The higher price of an RV resort is also going to deter all but those who are the most serious about staying.
You’ll be able to see your RV neighbors from your vehicle, but there will be enough distance between you and them that you can enjoy a more private experience.
RV Resorts May Have More Rules
By far, the biggest downside of staying at an RV resort versus a park is that the former has a rulebook that can sometimes be a mile long.
As I mentioned before, the rules exist to maintain the pristine quality of the resort so everyone can enjoy the same experience when they come.
For example, pets might not be allowed, or you might be limited to only one pet.
Some RV resorts don’t allow travelers with children, which can be a major deterrent to families living or vacationing in an RV.
You might be restricted on the size of your rig or how much power or water you can use.
The rules run the gamut, and they do vary from one RV resort to another.
Regardless of which set of rules greet you when you arrive at the resort, just know that they’re going to be strict.
RV resort rules are strict enough that some people liken resorts to homeowner’s associations or HOAs.
What to Look for When Staying in an RV Resort or RV Park
I’m not going to say that either an RV resort or RV park is better, since both can be the more ideal option for travelers at different points in their lives.
For instance, if you’re childless and have a big budget, then an RV resort stay will be a very appealing proposition to you.
If you always travel with your kids and/or your pets and you need to stay on a budget, then an RV park is best.
Either way, whichever is on your destination list, here are some pointers that will help you find the best RV resort or park around.
Be Choosy About Location
The location of the resort or park should be convenient so you can easily enter off a major highway or road and then exit when you’re finally ready to get moving again.
For longer-term stays, an appealing backdrop is always nice but is by no means a must-have.
More importantly, you want to select an RV resort or park that’s peaceful.
If the park is too close to the edge of the highway, then you might constantly hear rushing traffic.
That can get on your nerves when it’s both day and night and will make getting a good night’s rest difficult.
Select the Amenities You Most Want
If you have the option for a heated pool or a golf course onsite and those kinds of extras are within your budget, then why not?
Just make sure that the RV resort or park has all the basics you need first and foremost. You’ll want water, electricity, and a dump station if you’ll stay for more than a day or two.
It also helps if the park or resort has showers and toilets.
Do make sure the amenities work before you part with your hard-earned money. You should have electric service offered at various amps, such as 20, 30, 59, and 100 amps.
The water that comes out should be clean and include a pressure regulator.
All hookups should be accessible and workable, and the cable and Wi-Fi connections should be easy to hook up as well.
Once you have all those basics down, then you can add on the nice-to-have amenities, budget permitting.
Pick a Private, Secure Locale
Even RV parks should have some degree of privacy.
The park won’t be gated, of course, but should be secure in many other ways.
Look for adequate lighting for after-dark activities, level ground, and amenities set quite a ways back from the main road.
Ideally, you want sizable concrete pads for parking your RV. Parking on uneven ground can affect how your fridge works and other components of your motorhome as well.
The amount of space between you and your fellow RVers should be at least enough for both vehicles to open their respective slides or roofs without anyone bumping into the other.
The quality of the RV park or resort is very telling as well, especially when it comes to selecting a good RV park.
If the grass is overgrown, the trees are in desperate need of a trim, the concrete is cracked, and the whole area is just not taken care of, then you’re better off giving your business to somebody else.
Conclusion
RV parks and RV resorts have some rather poignant differences between them. Now that you’re more aware of those differences, you can plan your RV route with lodging that suits your needs and budget. Have fun out there!