4 Things to Look for in a Seasonal Campsite
Leasing a seasonal campsite is a convenient way to enjoy the great outdoors all summer long.
Quick weekend camping trips typically look like planning for weeks in advance, packing up after a long day of work on Friday, spending Saturday enjoying your site, and a Sunday spent breaking down camp and traveling back home.
Not exactly ideal for a supposedly “relaxing” weekend away!
But with a seasonal spot, you’ll only deal with the hassle of setup once, and enjoy the fruits of your labor all season long.
If you think seasonal camping is the right move for you, here are some things to consider when deciding which campground to call home.
Seasonal Site Location
The first thing you’ll want to note about campsites of interest is the location. To really get your money’s worth on a seasonal site, you’ll want to make sure it’s within a reasonable commute so you can visit frequently throughout the summer.
You’ll also want to make sure it’s in a location that you’ll enjoy long-term. You might give each campground a few trial run weekends to make sure you won’t get bored after spending more than a couple of weeks there during the season!
Is there enough to do within an hour’s drive of the campground? Will it be a good homebase for summer adventures? Do you enjoy the campground amenities? If the answer’s yes, it might be a good option for a long-term stay.
Seasonal Lease Pricing
Leasing a long-term site makes for a great affordable vacation home for the season!
For reference, these seasonal camping sites typically range anywhere from $2,000-$10,000 for a typical 3-6 month camping season.
And with RV park nightly rates averaging $45 and RV storage rates factored into the mix, you’ll want to measure these costs against the cost of a long-term leased site to see if you’ll use the site enough to make the investment worth it.
You’ll also want to make sure you know what’s included and what’s not included in a seasonal site’s rate. There can be added fees for things like utilities, pets, and reservation cancellations, so make sure you familiarize yourself with a campground’s fee schedule before you book.
Another consideration when choosing a long-term campground is whether or not they have a monthly payment plan over the course of the season. Some campgrounds expect you to pay up front while others will allow you to spread payments out over the duration of the season.
A commonly overlooked cost of seasonal camping is the cost of setting up your RV site with everything you need for the season. For example, you might want to include an RV deck or twinkle lights in your long-term setup! For a list of other campsite accessories you might want to add to your packing list, check out our blog 14 Seasonal Campsite Ideas to Jazz Up Your Site This Year.
One thing you can’t put a price on is convenience, so if the thought of a hassle-free camping-filled summer sounds too good to be true, it might be worth the price tag even if it averages out to be a little more than you’d spend on multiple overnighters.
Seasonal Campsite Services and Amenities
You’ll be spending a lot of time at the campground you select as your home away from home, so you’ll want to check out what amenities and services your campground offers.
Look for amenities like power hookups, a pool, a pet area, fishing docks, restaurants, and anything else you might want access to during the season.
You’ll also want to see if the campground offers services like accepting and sending mail, Amazon deliveries to your site, and if you can leave items outside of your RV for short periods of time while you’re away.
If your site doesn’t allow you to collect mail or deliveries, you’ll want to get your packing list right the first time!
Campgrounds often offer a variety of amenities, but you’ll want to make sure whichever one you choose has just the right combination for the perfect camping experience.
Campground Reputation and Reviews
Who better to ask about a campground’s seasonal camping experience than the seasonal campers themselves? Read through reviews from past long-term campers and try to gather as much information about their experience as you can before you commit.
Some campgrounds offer both seasonal sites and overnight spots while others are strictly for seasonal campers. You’ll want to decide if you appreciate the variety of new neighbors every other weekend or if you’d prefer to really get to know your neighbors and live in a tight-knit community of like-minded campers.
There are options for both!
Remember those trial weekends we talked about earlier? Here’s where we highly recommend spending at least one of the popular holiday camping weekends at the site before you book for a season.
Some campgrounds are known for their holiday party atmosphere, while others are focused on curating quiet and relaxation. Whatever your preference, you’ll get a sense for what those summer holidays will look like and which atmosphere best fits your camping style.
Leasing a seasonal campsite is the perfect way to experience a summer full of adventure, relaxation, and quality time with your loved ones. Create a new family tradition or give yourself the gift of a last minute escape you can enjoy all summer long.
Learn more about the seasonal site offerings at one of our idyllic destinations right on the Chickahominy River. River’s Rest Marina & Resort is the perfect homebase for an unforgettable summer vacation!