Are State Parks the More Economical Choice for RV Camping?

Top Sail Hill State Park in Florida is a new favorite.  They have a pool and beach access!

Are State Parks the More Economical Choice for RV Camping?

How We Balance Cost, Comfort, and Experience on the Road

Let’s talk RV travel budgets — because if you’re anything like us, you want to make the most of your trips without breaking the bank.

This year, our family will spend 51 nights RV camping. Here’s the breakdown:

• 33 nights at state and national parks
• 14 nights at private campgrounds or RV resorts
• A few free nights at a friend’s farm

So the big question is:
Are state parks more affordable than private RV campgrounds?
Short answer: Yes — by quite a bit.

Our friend's farm is a fantastic place to camp and is so peaceful.  We love the variety of our travels.

💰 Cost Comparison: State Parks vs. Private Campgrounds

After crunching the numbers, here’s what we found:

• Average cost per night at state parks: $55
• Average cost per night at private campgrounds: $78
• When we remove the free nights, the average private rate climbs to about $100 per night.

So yes, state parks offer a more economical RV camping experience. Not only are they easier on your wallet, but they also tend to provide the kind of quiet, scenic settings we love. About 65% of our RV stays are at state or national parks — and that’s no accident.

We’ve found that a balance of about 75% state parks and 25% private RV parks hits the sweet spot for our travel style and our budget.

Oak Mountain got a big face lift this past year.  The entire campground and all facilities are updated.  

The bike trails at Gulf State Park in AL are unmatched.  Plus this state park also offers a pool and beach access!

🏕️ Why We Love State Parks for RV Camping

We prefer state parks because they offer:

• Peaceful, spacious campsites
• Bike trails, hiking paths, and swimming areas
• Natural beauty and fewer crowds
• Great value for the amenities they provide

Looking for budget-friendly RV camping with beach access? Or a park with family-friendly trails and quiet evenings around the fire? State parks often have it all.

If you love fishing, hiking, or bird watching, there’s likely a state park campground that checks all your boxes — without the resort-level price tag.

We love the Hideaway Retreat in Navarre.  We decided to do more state parks this year and skip this one, but it is a wonderful spot for camping on the sound!

🌟 When Private Campgrounds Make Sense

While private RV parks are more expensive, they can be worth the splurge—especially for:

• Laundry facilities and propane refills
• Pool access or kid-friendly activities
• Convenient hookups and nearby towns on travel days

And let’s be honest—sometimes it’s fun to stay at a resort-style RV campground with food trucks, splash pads, and strong Wi-Fi. We sprinkle in a few of these each year, and our son absolutely loves the variety.

Love's Travel Stops are one of our stops for quick overnight trips.  These work perfectly to stop somewhere quick over night!

🚫 Why We Skip Free Overnight Options (For Now)

Could we save more by overnighting at Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lots? Definitely. And we might explore that option one day. But for now, spending $40–$55 per night for a safe, relaxing space with hookups is worth it to us. We enjoy being able to stretch out, wash clothes, and not feel rushed or limited.

Private campgrounds can provide lots of amenities that are appealing.  Biloxi Bay RV Resort in Biloxi, MS, has a pool overlooking the bay, a lazy river and lots of other amenities that make this a great spot to camp!

We have stayed at the French Quarter RV Resort 3 times.  It is not cheap, but it doesn't cost as much as a hotel and we don't have to board our dogs.  We love staying here!

🗂️ Track Your Camping Costs & Stay Organized

Want to stay on top of your RV camping expenses? I’ve created a free Camping Trip Planning Sheet to help you:

• Track where you’ve stayed
• Compare nightly campground costs
• Log what amenities you liked (or didn’t!)
• Stick to your travel budget

Private campgrounds are not always more expensive.  It depends on location.  Private campgrounds out west can be right around state park pricing.

Final Thoughts: Is State Park Camping Worth It?

State park RV camping is absolutely worth it—both financially and experientially. But you don’t have to choose just one style. A mix of state parks and private campgrounds offers variety, keeps your family engaged, and helps you travel smarter all year long.

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This is the Tumble Inn RV Resort in Marfa, TX.  This campground runs about $35 a night and is private.  It is cheaper than state parks in MS and AL for the most part!

What about you?
👉 Do you mostly stay at state parks, private campgrounds, or mix it up like we do?
👉 Have you found any amazing budget-friendly RV campgrounds?

Drop your tips in the comments! And don’t forget to download the Camping Planning Sheet to organize your next RV adventure.

Happy glamping, friends!

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