Campgrounds vs. Boondocking: Which Camping Style is Best for You?

Campgrounds vs. Boondocking: Which Camping Style is Best for You?
Plus, why alternating between camping options may be ideal!

By: Kenny & Sabrina Phillips

I have good news for anyone trying to decide on their ideal RV camping style: there is no wrong choice. It really comes down to what you're looking for in your RVing experience, and that may change depending on your destination and other factors. In fact, if you were to ask Sabrina and I which we prefer, we would tell you it depends on where we are, where we're going, and how long we plan to stay once we arrive.

Campgrounds and boondocking are the two major camping styles to consider, and both have their pros and cons. So, let's get into which might work best for you and why!

Note: If you are new to the concept of boondocking, you can learn more here.

Socialization or Solitude?

Which camping style suits you depends a lot on your overall personality and how social you are. If you prefer being left alone with less rules to follow, then boondocking might be a natural fit for you. Typically, you're camping out in nature with few, if any, neighbors around. There are still laws and best practices to abide by, but many are common sense, such as cleaning up after yourself, properly extinguishing campfires, and respecting any local noise restrictions.

If you're a social butterfly and don't mind a few more guidelines, you'll probably enjoy staying at a campground. People at campgrounds are often quick to strike up a conversation about where you've come from and where you're headed next. We also frequently get questions about our Winnebago Vista, especially when people notice the travel map on our door.

Campground rules can vary, but they typically include keeping your dog on a leash, being respectful of noise levels (including barking dogs), and observing quiet hours at night. You'll also find low speed limits, expectations to keep your campsite clean, and rules about respecting your neighbors' space rather than cutting through their sites.

Pre-Planned Fun or Make Your Own Adventure?

I think one of the biggest differences between RV camping at a campground or RV resort and boondocking is what activities are readily available and the level of planning needed to enjoy them.

When you're boondocking, or dry camping, you pretty much make your own adventure. Maybe that's hiking, biking, off-roading, stargazing, or just making a quick stop on the way to your next destination. Everything happens at your own pace and on your own schedule. You decide what to do and when to do it, but it is also up to you to research nearby options and make sure you have everything you need.

Campgrounds, on the other hand, often have planned activities like scavenger hunts, tie-dye shirt making, archery, and crafts. These activities typically follow a schedule, but the nice thing is that you don't even have to leave the campground to enjoy them. Depending on where you're staying, it can feel more like an all-inclusive vacation, where the campground or RV resort becomes the destination itself.

There are also activities at campgrounds that you can enjoy whenever you like, such as pickleball, basketball, swimming pools, and hot tubs. The list of potential campground amenities can be pretty extensive. We've even stayed at KOAs that have bowling alleys and batting cages right on the property!

Security Measures or Safely Solo?

How comfortable do you feel being out on your own? This can be a big deciding factor when choosing which camping style is right for you.

When boondocking, you're often out on your own, and sometimes you might not see another person for days at a time. For some people, that isolation makes them feel safer, while for others, it can create an uneasy feeling.

Some RVers might choose a campground simply because of the added sense of security. Many campgrounds have staff staying on the property, well-lit areas, and sometimes even security cameras throughout the grounds.

I can tell you that we've boondocked just as often as we've stayed at campgrounds, and we've never experienced any problems with either. However, Sabrina does feel safer at a campground than she does boondocking. She wouldn't feel comfortable boondocking alone, but she has stayed at campgrounds by herself.

Everyone has a different comfort level, and that's something worth considering when deciding where to stay.

Convenience or Resource Management?

This right here could be your biggest deciding factor: Is your RV capable of spending multiple days without being connected to power and water?

If you own a Winnebago, there's a good chance the answer is yes. However, how long you can stay disconnected depends on your RV's equipment and how you use it. (Here are some tips for finding out how long you can stay off grid.)

Maybe you haven't had the practice or confidence to try going unplugged for more than 24 hours. That's okay, because I'm going to share a tip that can help you get more comfortable with boondocking without ever leaving a campground ... The next time you stay at a campground, try disconnecting from power, water, and sewer, and see how long you can comfortably go without hookups. Think of it as dry camping with a safety net.

If at any point you run low on power or water, you can simply reconnect. This little exercise will help you understand how long your RV can go without hookups, and the more you practice, the better you'll become at managing your resources.

Of course, plenty of RVers always choose campgrounds because they have no desire to disconnect from hookups, and that's perfectly fine to prefer having access to electricity, water, and sewer connections. They can run their air conditioning without worrying about draining their batteries, power their Starlink for connectivity, and take long, hot showers without constantly watching their water levels.

Weather can also play a big role in deciding where to stay. When temperatures are extremely hot or cold, we often prefer a campground where we can run our heating or air conditioning without worrying about how much power we're using. On the other hand, when the weather is perfect, there's nothing quite like boondocking with the windows open and enjoying the fresh air.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting conveniences. After all, that's one of the great things about RVing. You get to decide how much or how little you want to rough it.

Higher Costs or Budget-Friendly?

Not everyone chooses boondocking because they want to rough it in the wild. For many RVers, the biggest attractions are the lower cost, quieter surroundings, and the opportunity to enjoy a more relaxing experience.

And when it comes to cost, boondocking can have a pretty big advantage.

A full-hookup campground can easily cost $45 or more per night, and these days, that's often on the lower end. With campground rates commonly ranging from $35 to $75 per night, those costs can add up quickly, especially if you're traveling for an extended period. Sabrina and I have even stayed at RV resorts costing more than $100 a night (for example, at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground)!

But that doesn't necessarily mean boondocking is free, even though there isn’t a fee for your site. You might use more propane while camping off-grid, along with additional fuel to get to the location and to run a generator. You might also decide to invest in larger batteries or solar panels to extend the amount of time you can comfortably stay disconnected.

If you go the route of upgrading to lithium batteries and adding solar, it could take years to recover that investment through campground savings alone.

But not all investments are about saving money. Sabrina and I felt like we got our money's worth out of our solar panels and lithium batteries the very first time we used them while boondocking. Being able to sit outside in the morning, enjoy the silence without a generator running, and watch the wildlife going about its day was worth every penny.

And those special moments aren’t something you can put a price tag on.

How to Alternate Between Campgrounds & Boondocking

As I mentioned before, one isn't better than the other, and Sabrina and I enjoy both styles of RVing. Typically, we boondock while traveling across the country but stay at campgrounds once we reach our destination. We're on the move a lot, and it's not uncommon for us to travel from the West Coast to the East Coast without making any extended stops along the way.

In those cases, we look for places to dry camp during each of the seven nights we're traveling. We always try to stop before dark, and we use apps like iOverlander and RV Parky to find free overnight parking or camping locations.

Of course, there are also times when we make boondocking our destination, especially if I'm heading out on an off-road Jeep adventure.

The longest I've ever gone without plugging in or refilling our water tank was 14 days outside Valley of Fire. On the other hand, our longest campground stay has been 60 days. I can tell you that 60 days with full hookups is much easier than 14 days of dry camping! But I had an absolute blast during those two weeks, exploring the area on foot and by bike.

Over the years, we've found ourselves boondocking just as often as we stay at campgrounds, but I wouldn't be surprised if someday we end up spending even more time boondocking than staying at campgrounds.

I believe the best choice between these two styles of RVing is a mix of both, which is exactly what we do. We'll boondock for a while, then find a campground to reset, recharge, and refill before heading back out to boondock again. 

It's always nice to have the opportunity to empty and clean out the holding tanks, get some laundry done, restock the fridge and cupboards, recharge, refill water tanks, and maybe even take a long, hot shower. 

Boondocking or Staying at RV Campgrounds? No Need to Pick!

My view on this is simple: Don't pick a side.

When Sabrina and I first started RVing, we only stayed at campgrounds. Then we met some friends who exclusively boondocked. As we traveled together, we convinced them to give campgrounds a try, and they encouraged us to experience boondocking. We all found aspects of each camping style that were worth returning for.

Both styles of RVing are great for different reasons and having the option to enjoy either one just adds more variety to the RVing experience.

I'd love to hear from you! Which do you prefer? If you have tried boondocking, what is the longest amount of time you've gone without hookups?