K/M Campgrounds

Is it easy to find campgrounds?
In most cases, yes. It’s easier in the West than the East because campgrounds are more plentiful in the West. But no matter where you travel, campgrounds are usually there. All together, there are about 16,000 private and public campgrounds in the United States. They range from primitive sites operated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service, to luxury resorts in the desert with golf courses, health clubs, swimming pools and whirlpools.

What are membership campgrounds?
Membership campgrounds are those you join for a fee and then renew with annual dues. Coast-to-Coast (800-790-2267), Thousand Trails (800-328-6226) and the Northwest’s K/M Resorts (800-494-9376) are a few examples. The advantage to a membership campground is that its parks are almost always attractive and secure with plenty of activities and secure with plenty of activities and member interaction. Members seldom have a problem getting a campsite; some RVers literally travel from one park to another, spending a few days or even weeks in each. But membership campgrounds are not for everybody; most RVers prefer to go it alone, camping at public campgrounds and private ones like KOA. However, if you think a membership campground is for you, contact one of the organizations above and ask about a free “trial” stay.

Are campgrounds safe?
Generally, yes. But there are no guarantees. Crime, alas, can occur anywhere, even in places you’d least expect it. Use common sense and you will likely never have a problem.

Are reservations necessary at public campgrounds?
Only in the busy summer months, especially on holidays when last-minute spaces in popular campgrounds are almost impossible to find. Generally, though, the farther you are from a big city or major tourist destination (like Yellowstone or Yosemite), the easier it is to find a campsite. National Forest campgrounds are often the last to fill. While they offer few amenities, their settings in forests, often by lakes and streams, can be peaceful and scenic.

What does it mean when a campground has “full hookups?”
It means you can plug into regular household current, fresh water, a sewer and sometimes even cable TV. When your RV is fully hooked up, you can live pretty much like at home. Some campgrounds, especially public ones, often offer only water and electric hookups.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of private campground over a public one?
Each has its pluses, and its a bit dangerous to generalize. However, the plus side to a private campground is (usually) that full hookups are available (electric, water and sewer), and its likely that other amenities will be available including telephones, laundry facilities, playgrounds, a TV lounge and even an amusement area. Private campgrounds also tend to be located closer to towns and/or tourist areas. Public campgrounds, on the other hand, like those in state and national parks and national forests, are more often in scenic or recreational areas, and campsites may be larger and more private. But we generalize here. Individual parks, private and public, vary hugely in appearance, location and amenities.