RVs offer a distinctive way to explore the country. These might be a little trickier than just stopping by the roadside. You’ll need to rely on hook-ups for water, sewage, and power to make the most of your RV.
No matter where you are going, you will be comfortable if you make the most of these when traveling in your RV. You can take advantage of the conveniences of home with these three hook-ups.
However, RV owners are facing numerous challenges when it comes to finding a good hook-up site for their RVs. In this article will discuss the following:
- Problems people face when searching for a good RV hook-up site
- Best RV hook-up sites in Oregon
- How to reserve RV hook-up sites
- Benefits of off-grid RV solar systems and boondocking
The Challenges of Finding a Good RV Hook-up Site
RV hook-up sites have always been a great way of entertainment. However, with time, this adventure is facing particular challenges. Here we will discuss the challenges people face when searching for an RV hook-up site.
Open Campsite Fees are Increasing in Cost
Due to this naturally shrinking market, a small family will find it much harder to find a campground with 50, 60, or 70 sites. However, with much land, a group or corporation with the financial means to buy and use the area for development can help improve the situation.
You need money to develop these campgrounds. Few families running tiny parks don’t have sufficient funds to expand those campsites and get additional sites. Unfortunately, it’s one of the few ways to resolve this RV site issue, but the maintenance costs are high.
Open Camping Sites Are Hard to Find
Although numerous campsites allow you to enjoy your RV’s surroundings, sometimes people hinder the experience. Many people often book a space and fail to show up. This frustrates the visitors since they cannot find a place for themselves.
Park rangers claim that the empty spaces existed due to no-shows. When people make reservations for many nights, but don’t show up, the park must keep that spot for two days. This is to ensure the people who made the reservation visit the place.
Camping Has Undergone Significant Change
Camping has evolved. It has changed dramatically during the past 10 to 15 years. Both the appearance and operation of a campsite have changed due to site expansion and rising demand for patio sites. After some time, the campground sector adjusted to fulfill the needs of both campers and the RV market.
There are a ton of brand-new RVs on the market right now, and you can find many RV camping spots on the Oregon Coast. Campgrounds will once more adapt to accommodate all the new equipment that is currently on the road. And occasionally, it involves adding new sites physically.
Key Factors Driving This Trend
Some key factors driving this trend include:
- Land use trends are changing. There are better things you can do with acreage that has good electrical infrastructure. Setting up supercharger stations can be a more passive form of income.
- Environment laws may be making it tough.
- Real estate in general is getting more expensive.
- It was a long time ago that this made a lot of sense, and the infrastructure on old RV parks is failing and parks are closing.
- There are more people competing for spots.
- Demand is up, which drives up the prices of the spots.
Additionally, the sites RV owners do find are becoming less “good”:
- The electrical infrastructure that was designed when the RV park was designed is aged and in many cases, inadequate for modern power consumption. This leads to low voltage, dirty power, and blackouts
- The average daily watt-hour consumption of RVs has gone up in the last couple of decades.
- The average peak wattage has also gone up.
- Electrical infrastructure that may have been able to support a dozen homes is being used to support a hundred RVs, drawing power similar to what a house would draw.
Best RV Hook-up Sites in Oregon
Oregon is a beautiful state with lots of picturesque locations to explore. If you are planning to visit the place, make sure to explore the surroundings in an RV.
Here are the best RV hook-up sites in Oregon.
Fort Stevens State Park
Fort Stevens is a favorite among those who prefer RV camping along the Oregon Coast. The decommissioned U.S. Army fort previously stood on the 4,300-acre park, open all year.
Visitors can tour the fort remains while observing the historic shipwreck in the park. The area is ideal for boating, fishing, hiking, and visiting the beaches. It has almost 500 RV sites with at least water, electricity, cabins, and other lodgings. A boat ramp, a dump station, restrooms with showers, and other facilities are available to visitors.
Harris Beach State Park
For nature enthusiasts, Harris Beach State Park provides some of the best RV campsites along the southern Oregon coast. There are 90 sites, including full hook-ups close to the California state line.
Some amenities include a dump station, restrooms, hot showers, and drinking water. One of the most popular things to do at Harris Beach is tide pooling.
It’s also common to see sea lions, seals, and gray whales. In addition, many miles of beach for lounging and hiking routes wind through the area’s unique rock formations and shoreline.
Sunset Bay State Park
You might visualize a location similar to Sunset Bay when you think of the beaches in Oregon. Towering cliffs and dense woodlands conceal its sand oasis, and when the sun sets each evening, it truly lives as its name implies.
Even though you might want to lay on the beach and unwind, Sunset Bay Park is a perfect starting place for outdoor adventures in the Coos Bay area.
Even the nearby public course is open to golfers. The 65 total sites that offer either just electric and water or full hook-ups.
Beverly Beach State Park
Beverly Beach State Park lets visitors see two of Oregon’s most precious and distinctive ecosystems in one place. RV campers can choose from more than 130 sites, a third of which have full hookups.
With views of the adjacent Yaquina Head Lighthouse, the sandy coastlines are a favorite for beachcombing. Meanwhile, hiking trails offer chances to explore the area, and Newport offers groceries, eating, and other amenities.
Beverly Beach State Park also offers a range of family-friendly park activities during summer.
Tips for Reserving RV Hook-up Sites
Reserving campsites is crucial for being able to find a RV hook-up site. Here are the steps to book a campsite:
Pick a Campsite
You must first select a campground that meets your needs before you can make reservations for camping. You can explore any campground above, depending on your choices.
Determine Availability
Once you’ve decided on a campground, be sure there are still sites available when you want. Typically, you may accomplish this using the same site you used to locate the campground.
Choose A Site
After you’ve checked for availability, pick a campsite that suits your requirements. Consider elements like your RV’s size, the required amenities, and the site’s location within the campground.
Make A Reservation
Finally, you can make a reservation over the phone, online, or in person. Don’t forget to include all the relevant details, such as your contact details, RV size, and the dates you’ll be camping.
Implications of this Trend
With the challenges increasing with time, people have started looking for alternatives to RV parks. Since there are limited spaces available for people to enjoy, they are searching for places that are easily accessible. One alternative is off-grid power systems that can take over when the shore power connection fails. RVs of the future will be more purpose-built for energy independence and efficiency, and will grow in popularity as time goes on. Several of our customers today have already made the shift to off-grid solar power systems and have never looked back!
Benefits of Off-Grid RV Solar Systems and Boondocking
There are many benefits to off-grid RV solar systems and boondocking. If you’re an adventurist and a nature enthusiast, there is nothing better to do than RV boondocking! All you need is the right RV, a full tank, and the spirit of a nomad. Here are some of the top benefits to boondocking:
It’s Free!
One of the most obvious advantages is the price. There are no entrance fees for RV parks or campgrounds or extra payments for any services or amenities. Boondocking is free camping.
There are some initial costs of longer-term boondocking, such as increasing your power bank or installing solar. However, after installing it, you can go boondocking for a very long time!
The Impact of Solar Power Systems
Many boondockers use solar energy to power their rigs. With solar power systems as an energy source, RV owners no longer have to rely on RV hook-up sites for power, making off-grid solar systems a key solution to the difficulty that comes with finding good sites.
RV Solar Systems and Products from AM Solar
AM Solar is one of the most recognizable names in solar power for vans, RVs, and more. We have the solar setup to support your lifestyle, whether you’re an experienced solar RV owner or you’re new to RV solar power systems. AM Solar has conducted thousands of solar system installations on RVs that have transformed the way our customers camp. If you are looking for a reliable, quality installation services or are interested in purchasing products for a DIY project, contact us today to get a quote.
