How To Find The Best RV Park For Your Family

If you want to know about How To Find The Best RV Park For Your Family read this blog. There are so many factors to consider when looking for an RV park. From location, amenities, and price to activities nearby, you need to know what each park has to offer so you can choose the best one for your family.

This is an important decision because it will be where you hang your hat at night while exploring new places across the country. You want a peaceful place that’s clean and safe with friendly folks running it. And of course, you want access to things like bathrooms and showers and WiFi and cable TV service! Here’s everything we learned about picking out an RV park:

How To Find The Best RV Park For Your Family

Picking The Best Place For Your Family

There are three main types of RV parks — private campgrounds with owners on-site (who also tend the campground), park-model villages that are privately owned, where residents live the most of the year, and public campgrounds where they’re run by a municipality. All have their pluses and minuses which you must consider when picking one for your family.

Private Campgrounds & Owner’s On-Site

These are often referred to as “campgrounds,” not RV parks because they’ve got tent camping spots for folks who want to rough it, plus full hookups where RVs can plugin. The owners also maintain the grounds so there is usually a consistent level of cleanliness at all times with regular garbage collections, mowing, and landscaping. Sites vary in size from pull-throughs that can accommodate 50-foot rigs down to rustic spots for smaller campers.

Some older properties are more rustic with picnic tables and fire rings rather than full hookups. The biggest downside to these places is that the owners live on-site, so if something breaks or needs attention, you have to wait for them to get around to it — or go ahead and call someone yourself if it’s an emergency.

Trash Disposal

You’ll also need to take care of your own trash disposal since many don’t offer dump stations. Fortunately, there are other resources available online where you can find reviews about each park by actual users just like us! We use reviews from The Dyrt at dyrt.com along with reviews on Yelp and TripAdvisor. We also check the state’s listings on their official website for contact information and services provided.

One big benefit of private campgrounds is that they usually offer discounts to members of the Good Sam Club which provides insurance, roadside assistance, and other benefits at $44 per year. Also, look into getting an annual membership to Passport America which offers 50% off camping fees on its participating RV parks nationwide. You should consider how does it cost to live in an RV park.

Park-Model Villages

This is where you’ll find permanent “campers” who live most of the year in mobile homes with full hookups. The cost of keeping these RVs is high with monthly leases or lot rent charged by the park owner. But there are also pluses since these folks are full-time residents who are more likely to keep things neat and tidy.

These places don’t offer tent camping, but they do have spots for smaller RVs with some offering special “cabins” where you can park your larger rig. We found our perfect spot on AllStays.com which is an RV’ers go-to website with a huge directory of all types of campgrounds, free dump locations, propane prices, and other useful information.

Public Campgrounds

While the City of San Diego offers some very nice public campgrounds which require reservations online up to six months in advance, most municipalities only provide one or two options that are just okay at best. The biggest benefit is that they are inexpensive with some offering free spots. But most are old and very limited with no RV hookups, dump stations, showers, restrooms, or WiFi access — just open spaces to set up your tent or park your small travel trailer.

Best For Families

So what’s the best choice for you? We recommend private campgrounds since there is more of a sense of community among the full-time residents who live on these properties year-round. Your neighbors are usually friendly with similar interests where kids play together coming home from school in the afternoon after playing all day at their designated playgrounds.

People always walking their pets along walking paths with big trees shading many sites to keep things cool during hot weather. And if you call ahead, most campground owners can tell you which spots are best for your particular RV so there’s less hassle in finding a good parking spot once you arrive.

Nearest Towns or Cities

Another thing we always take into consideration is where the nearest town or city is located so we have easy access to shopping and entertainment options for time away from the campsite. just in case it rains! So here’s our shortlist of campgrounds that we recommend for family stays:

Lake Morena County Park – a very popular place with a sandy beach along Lake Morena Reservoir offering swimming, fishing, hiking trails, and boating. Sites offer full hookups with restrooms and showers among other amenities. Prices range from $33 – $50 per night depending on size.

Calavera Hills

A private RV park (269 spaces) with tent camping is located three miles from the City of Borrego Springs off State Route 78. Large, shaded sites with full hookups including WiFi and all types of power outlets to connect your toys. Clean restrooms and showers along with a nice clubhouse and activity center for those who like to stay busy during their vacations. Sites range from $40-$50 per night.

Quail Springs Oasis RV Resort & Spa

Another private campground located just outside the town of Julian in San Diego Country Estates with large, shaded sites offering full hookups including WiFi and 30/50 amp service as well as 50 amps for just about anything you can plug in. Nice clean restrooms and showers along with a heated pool, spa, tot lot, game room, clubhouse, laundry facility, sports bar lounge for those who like to eat out during their stay. Sites range from $50-$55 per night.

Lake Gregory

The county park has 65 sites (43 nonelectric with pit toilets) located near Lake Gregory with large shaded spots offering 30 amp electrical service at best – no WiFi or sewer hookups available here. The beach is across the street where children can play with hiking trails around the lake as well as fishing if they have a license. No pets are allowed here which makes it difficult for families traveling with furry friends but very quiet during your stay if that’s what you prefer. Sites range from $23-$34 per night.

Another option is to check out the many California state parks that offer a few campgrounds with primitive sites along with a dump station for your RV. Most only allow tents or small travel trailers under 21 feet in length but all have restrooms and showers as well as water spigots for drinking water. No hookups, WiFi, or cable TV is available here. Just peace and quiet away from the busy city life where kids play freely among their peers without any worries. For those who like to hike, bike, boat, picnic, explore caves and mines — these are some of the best places to do so since they’re usually located near trails and playgrounds:

Arcadia

Located about one hour east of San Diego off I-8 at the foot of the Laguna Mountains. Nearby residents can enjoy 24 RV campsites with fire rings and picnic tables (must bring your own wood). Sites offer water and 30 amp electrical service along with restrooms and showers within walking distance. Camping reservations are not accepted here but it is first-come, first-served for those who arrive early enough to grab a spot.

San Onofre

Located between Los Angeles and San Diego near Trestles Beach offers over 200 RV spots (about 97 electrical) as well as tent camping for those without RVs. All sites have full hookups including cable TV although restrooms/showers might be located outside your site depending on where you’re placed. Sites range from $30-$55 per night.

Picacho

Located between Los Angeles and San Diego near I-10 offers over 110 RV sites (about 39 electrical) as well as tent camping for those without RVs. All sites have full hookups including cable TV although restrooms/showers might be located outside your site depending on where you’re placed. Sites range from $20-$35 per night.

Cabrillo

Located in San Pedro just off the coast of Los Angeles near Long Beach this state park campground offers about 150 shaded spots with a half-circle drive-through area to accommodate large rigs, a dump station, and restrooms within walking distance from most spots. TV service is available but no WiFi access. Sites range from $20-$30 per night.

Laguna

Located about 40 minutes east of San Diego near the city of El Centro offers about 70 shaded spots with a drive-through area to accommodate large rigs, restrooms within walking distance from most sites, and a dump station. No WiFi or TV service is available here so it’s definitely for those who want to get away from it all during their stay. Sites are first-come, first-served only so arrive early to grab your spot before they fill up!

Julian Gold Rush

Located just outside the cute little town of Julian this state park campground offers over 90 shaded spots with fire rings and picnic tables (bring your own wood) as well as restrooms with showers located nearby. A dump station is also available for those who need it with 20/30 amp electrical service at some sites. Sites range from $19-$35 per night.

Anza Borrego State Park

Located among the beautiful hills & canyons of the Anza Borrego desert this state park offers over 500 shaded spots, restrooms with showers, a dump station, and over 150 full hookup sites including cable TV. Water may be turned off during winter but electricity will still be available during that time as well as WiFi access if you’re close to the visitor’s center or one of the surrounding campgrounds where they connect to WiFi towers. Most spots are tent camping with RV length restrictions of 26 feet so it’s a great place for smaller rigs too. Sites range from $20-$45 per night depending on amenities and location within the park.

Sweetwater

Located near Poway just off I-15 this county campground offers several shaded spots with a drive-through area to accommodate large rigs, restrooms within walking distance from most sites, a dump station, and cable TV. No WiFi or electrical service is available here. only water spigots. Sites are first-come, first-served only so arrive early to grab your spot before they fill up!

Lake Morena

Located about 45 minutes east of San Diego near Campo this state park campground offers over 200 shaded spots as well as tent camping for those without RVs. All sites have full hookups including cable TV and most spots offer 30/50 amp electrical service although some may be limited to 20 amps per park rules. A dump station and restrooms with showers are located nearby and most sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis although you can make reservations for larger groups or cabins (winter only). Sites range from $20-$35 per night.

Campo

Campo is the jumping-off point for several state parks such as Rancho de Tia Rosa (closest to town) near Tecate Baja California which offers over 200 shaded spots, fire rings & picnic tables provided, restrooms within walking distance from most sites, and a dump station along with 20/30 amp electrical service at most sites. No WiFi or TV signal is available however so it’s definitely for those who want to get away from it all even more than usual! Sites are first-come, first-served only so arrive early to grab your spot before they fill up!

Iron Mountain

Located between Campo & Buckhorn this county campground offers several shaded spots with 30/50 amp electrical service plus a dump station for those who need it. No other amenities are available though except restrooms that aren’t close enough to certain sites to walk to them if you have pets or young children in tow. There’s no water either so bring plenty of drinking water along with you during the months when temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. Sites are first-come, first-served only so arrive early to grab your spot before they fill up!

Buckhorn

Located along the border in a pine forest near Tecate Baja California this county campground offers over 200 shady spots with 30/50 amp electrical service at most sites plus a dump station for those who need it. A cafe is located nearby and restrooms with showers are available as well although they’re not always open during the week when there’s no one staffing them so plan accordingly if you have small children in tow. The best time to visit here would be from October through April when average highs aren’t quite so hot and nights can be chilly. even in summer! Sites range from $14-$25 per night depending on the type of site you choose.

Campo I-8

Located next to Campo near Buckhorn this is another county campground with over 200 shaded spots, 30/50 amp electrical service at most sites, and dump stations available although they’re not convenient to all campsites (one would be located nearby in the event you need it). A cafe is nearby as well as restrooms nearby although some may not have running water during winter months if there’s no one staffing them so plan accordingly if you have small children in tow. Sites are first-come, first-served only so arrive early to grab your spot before they fill up!

Picacho State Recreation Area

Located within driving distance from both San Diego & Campo this state park campground offers shaded areas with 50 amp electrical service at most sites, a dump station, and restrooms within walking distance. All sites are first-come, first-served only so arrive early to grab your spot before they fill up! Sites cost between $20-$35 per night.

Lake Morena

Located about 45 minutes east of San Diego near Campo this state park campground offers over 200 shaded spots as well as tent camping for those without RVs. All sites have full hookups including cable TV and most spots offer 30/50 amp electrical service although some may be limited to 20 amps per park rules. A dump station and restrooms with showers are located nearby and most sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis although some may be reserved in advance by calling 1(800) 444-7275 or online at reserveamerica.com for between $40-$60 per night.

Kwaaymii Point

Located just north of San Diego near Campo this county campground offers over 40 shaded spots with 30/50 amp electrical service plus a dump station for those who need it. No other amenities are available but restrooms are nearby (one would be located within walking distance in the event you need it). A cafe is nearby as well and sites range from $14-$25 per night depending on the type of site you choose.

Conclusion: How To Find The Best RV Park For Your Family

Camping is a great way to spend some time outdoors with family and friends during those times when it’s too hot, cold, wet, or damp to go out and enjoy the world! Just make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before booking a site at any of these locations by doing your research first. That said, I hope you’ve enjoyed this article and found it helpful for planning your next outing in the RV!