Imagine the freedom of the open road, exploring scenic parks and campgrounds across the country in your RV home. Waking up to stunning new views each day. It’s the dream of the full-time RV lifestyle, but is it affordable?
One of the biggest questions for RVers is: What will it cost to stay at campgrounds and RV parks?
Campground fees can make or break your budget as a full-time RVer. To help you plan realistically, use the 2025 state-by-state table below as a baseline, then apply the 2026 budgeting guidance and sample scenarios that follow.
The Data: Average Campground Costs by State in 2025 (Baseline)
In 2026, campground pricing is still highly seasonal and location-dependent, and many RVers report noticeable increases, especially in destination markets and peak travel windows. Use the state table below as a 2025 baseline, then apply the 2026 planning ranges and tactics in the next section to budget more realistically.
Note: These state numbers are best used as a planning baseline, not a guaranteed quote. Rates vary widely by location, season, hookups, and demand.
| State | Avg. Nightly Rate | Avg Monthly Rate |
| AL | $35 | $750 |
| AK | $45 | $950 |
| AZ | $40 | $850 |
| AR | $30 | $650 |
| CA | $50 | $1,100 |
| CO | $45 | $950 |
| CT | $50 | $1,100 |
| DE | $40 | $900 |
| FL | $45 | $1,000 |
| GA | $35 | $750 |
| HI | $60 | $1,400 |
| ID | $35 | $800 |
| IL | $40 | $900 |
| IN | $35 | $750 |
| IA | $30 | $650 |
| KS | $30 | $650 |
| KY | $35 | $800 |
| LA | $30 | $650 |
| ME | $45 | $950 |
| MD | $40 | $900 |
| MA | $50 | $1,100 |
| MI | $40 | $850 |
| MN | $40 | $850 |
| MS | $30 | $650 |
| MO | $35 | $750 |
| MT | $40 | $850 |
| NE | $35 | $750 |
| NV | $40 | $850 |
| NH | $45 | $1,000 |
| NJ | $50 | $1,100 |
| NM | $35 | $750 |
| NY | $50 | $1,100 |
| NC | $40 | $850 |
| ND | $35 | $750 |
| OH | $40 | $850 |
| OK | $30 | $650 |
| OR | $45 | $950 |
| PA | $40 | $900 |
| RI | $50 | $1,100 |
| SC | $35 | $750 |
| SD | $35 | $750 |
| TN | $35 | $800 |
| TX | $35 | $750 |
| UT | $40 | $850 |
| VT | $45 | $1,000 |
| VA | $40 | $850 |
| WA | $45 | $950 |
| WV | $35 | $750 |
| WI | $35 | $800 |
| WY | $40 | $850 |
2026 Update: How to Budget for Higher, More Variable Campground Pricing
In 2026, the biggest driver of sticker shock is not every campground everywhere. It is how many parks now price like hotels: peak-weekend premiums, destination markups, and added booking fees.
Costs can rise with labor, utilities, and infrastructure upgrades, which show up most in high-demand corridors and national park gateway towns.
The most reliable way to manage campground spending in 2026 is to control when and where you pay peak rates: travel during the shoulder season, stay midweek, and camp 20 to 45 minutes outside headline destinations when possible.
Note: Prices vary by location, amenities, season, and demand. Monthly rates are often discounted compared to nightly rates, but savings vary by park and time of year. Always research specific campgrounds for exact rates.
Real-World RV Campground Budgets: 2026 Scenarios Using a 2025 Baseline + 2026 Planning Assumptions
Here are sample campground budgets for common full-time RV scenarios. These use the 2025 baseline table above, then apply 2026 planning assumptions to reflect peak pricing, fees, and destination markups.
Solo Nomad Budget (2026)
Travel Style: Boondocking half the time, 15 nights/month in paid campgrounds.
Avg Paid Nightly Rate (2026 planning): $50
Monthly Campground Fees:
$$ 15 \times 50 = 750 $$
Dump/Water/Incidentals: $25
Total:
$$ 750 + 25 = 775 $$
Total: $775/month
Retired Couple Budget (2026)
Travel Style: Longer stays to capture monthly pricing, fewer move days.
Avg Monthly Site (2026 planning): $900
Months in RV Parks:
$$ 9 \times 900 = 8100 $$
Months mostly boondocking/low-cost stays:
$$ 3 \times 125 = 375 $$
Total:
$$ 8100 + 375 = 8475 $$
Total: $8,475/year or about $706/month ($8,475 \div 12 = $706.25)
Family of Four Budget (2026)
Travel Style: Mix of public parks, private parks, and some boondocking.
Public-leaning monthly stays:
$$ 6 \times 800 = 4800 $$
Private park monthly stays:
$$ 3 \times 1050 = 3150 $$
Boondocking/low-cost months:
$$ 3 \times 125 = 375 $$
Total:
$$ 4800 + 3150 + 375 = 8325 $$
Total: $8,325/year or about $694/month ($8,325 \div 12 = $693.75)Note:Boondocking on public lands can be free for limited stays, but you may still pay for dump stations, water refills, and propane depending on your setup.
Estimating Your Campground Costs in 2026
Ready to budget for your RV adventure? Follow these steps:
- Determine your travel style: prefer public campgrounds, private RV parks, boondocking, or a mix?
- Research rates: check nightly, weekly, and monthly rates in the areas you plan to visit.
- Factor in extras: include costs like reservation fees, hookups, or dump stations.
Use these tools to plan and compare:
- RV Trip Wizard for route planning
- HookHub RV Living Cost Calculator to estimate your full RV budget, including campgrounds, fuel, and maintenance, tailored to your travel style
- GasBuddy for fuel prices
Join RV memberships for discounts, stay longer for monthly rates, and travel during shoulder seasons to save more.
Hidden Campground Costs to Watch
Don’t let these sneaky costs catch you off guard. These are typical ranges and vary by park:
- Reservation fees (often $10-$50 per booking)
- Extra person fees (over a set number of guests)
- Pet fees (often $1-$10 per night)
- Electric, water, sewer hookups (if not included)
- Wi-Fi or laundry costs
- Firewood/propane costs
- Extra vehicle or resort amenity fees
- Dump station costs (often $10-$25 per use)
FAQ
How much does it cost to stay at a campground?
Expect roughly $30 to $100 per night, depending on park type, season, and demand. Monthly stays can still be one of the best values, with many long-term sites commonly landing in the $500 to $1,200+ range depending on location and whether utilities are included.
What’s the cheapest way to camp in an RV?
Boondocking on public lands, like BLM areas or national forests, is often free for limited stays. Invest in solar and water storage for off-grid living.
Is it cheaper to pay nightly, weekly, or monthly?
Monthly rates are often discounted compared to nightly rates, but savings vary by park and time of year. Weekly rates can be discounted too, but it depends on the park.
How can I save money on campgrounds as a full-time RVer?
Use HookHub for affordable sites, join RV memberships for discounts, stay longer when monthly rates make sense, travel off-season, and boondock when possible.
Conclusion
With savvy budgeting, you can find campgrounds to fit your RV lifestyle. Use the 2025 baseline table to set expectations, then plan your 2026 route and timing around peak pricing, fees, and destination demand.
Use the HookHub RV Living Cost Calculator to plan your full budget, from campgrounds to fuel.
Explore HookHub’s RV parking listings to find affordable stays and reduce last-minute price surprises.
Happy travels!
