Is Seasonal Camping Right for Your Family? Tips, Tricks, Costs, and Considerations

What this episode covers

Is Seasonal Camping Right for Your Family? If you love RVing but find yourself struggling to make time for weekend getaways, seasonal camping might be the perfect solution. Rather than hauling your RV to a new campground every trip, seasonal camping allows you to set up at one campground for an extended period—typically an entire season or even a whole year. This setup offers a home-away-from-home experience without the hassle of hitching, towing, and setting up every time you want to enjoy some time at the campground with family and friends. In this episode of The RV Atlas, we explore seasonal camping and whether it’s a good fit for different types of RVers. We also talk with Ali Rasmussen from Spacious Skies Campgrounds, to learn about their seasonal camping options in New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the South. Could seasonal camping be the right choice for your RV adventures? Let’s dive in. Thanks to Bill Sferrazza for the cover photo for this post. Why Try Seasonal Camping? For many RVers, seasonal camping is a game-changer. Instead of spending time planning, packing, and traveling, you can arrive at a pre-set site that’s ready for you to enjoy. Here are some of the top reasons why seasonal camping might be a great option for your family. 1. You Have a Busy Schedule but Still Want to Camp Between work, kids’ sports, and social commitments, finding time for weekend camping trips can be challenging. A seasonal site allows for last-minute getaways. Many families with sports schedules, for example, can head to their campsite right after Saturday morning games without the stress of packing up their entire RV. 2. You Want an Affordable Weekend Escape For those considering a vacation home, seasonal camping is a much more budget-friendly alternative. Buying a beach house or mountain cabin is out of reach for many, but setting up a fifth wheel or travel trailer on a seasonal site offers similar perks at a fraction of the cost. 3. You Can’t Park Your RV at Home Many HOAs and city ordinances prevent RV parking in driveways, forcing owners to pay for offsite storage. Rather than spending money just to store your RV, why not put that investment toward a seasonal campsite where you can actually use it? 4. You Want to Be Part of a Campground Community Photo by Bill Sferrazza Seasonal camping provides the opportunity to develop friendships with fellow campers. Many seasonal campgrounds have community events, from cook-offs to game nights, making it easy to get to know your neighbors. 5. You’re Not Using Your RV Enough If you’re worried that your RV is sitting unused, a seasonal site could help you maximize your investment. With less effort required to set up camp, it becomes much easier to enjoy spur-of-the-moment trips. 6. You Love a Specific Destination Do you find yourself returning to the same region again and again? Whether it's the Jersey Shore, the Adirondacks, or the mountains of North Carolina, seasonal camping gives you a home base in your favorite spot. How to Find the Right Seasonal Campground If seasonal camping sounds like a good fit, the next step is to find the right campground for your needs. Here are some factors to consider. Many of these tips come from our friends Jon and Heather and an earlier podcast we did with them a few years back. 1. The Campground’s Overall Vibe Some campgrounds are family-friendly and bustling, while others cater to quiet retreats. Do you want a lakefront view, full-hookup convenience, or amenities like pools and playgrounds? Visit in person if possible to get a feel for the atmosphere before committing. 2. Ease of Entry and Exit Photo by Bill Sferrazza