When you go camping, you leave behind most of the creature comforts you expect from home. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to forgo every little luxury these modern times afford! Many campgrounds all over the U.S. provide water, sewer, and electricity hookups.
So do campgrounds have electricity?
In this modern age, most pay campsites DO have electricity. You just have to know which campgrounds do, who the electricity is available to, the amount of power a hookup produces, and how much you will be paying to use it. You should always contact a campsite to confirm that they have electricity.
Today, we are going to talk about two types of campgrounds – standard and RV parks – and what kind of electrical hookups that you can expect to be available at your campground of choice. When you are prepared for what lies ahead, you can hit the road with everything you need for a trip with enough fond memories to last a lifetime.
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Standard Campsites and Electricity
Most people know that you can easily find electrical hookups at RV parks and campsites, but what if the campground that you’re going to is mostly for those who will be pitching their tents instead of RV camping?
Standard campgrounds are made for both tent campers and RV campers, so the first thing you need to know is that there will be fewer options for accommodations when you are sharing a space. If you are an RV camper, this knowledge is vital and the first question you should ask is, “Do standard campsites have electrical hookups?”
Let’s talk about that.
- Electrical Hookups at Standard Campsites
Campsites for both tent and RV campers that offer hookups are harder to find than those dedicated to RVs only, but they do exist!
Electrical hookups at standard campsites are usually made to power smaller devices instead of a whole mobile home because, at these sites, campers don’t need that much electricity. These hookups will provide the power that you need to use everything in a smaller RV or camper but not larger models.
The standard of power for these combination campgrounds is 30-amp units, but larger RVs run smoothly on 50-amp. Keep that in mind when choosing a campground.
When it comes to hookups, there is one more major thing to remember: electricity isn’t free. If you do opt to use it, you will likely have to pay a fee.
- Other Sources of Electricity at Standard Campsites
While several standard campsites do not offer electrical hookups, they do have common areas with electricity that you can use! Depending on how “luxurious” the campground claims to be and how many people they accommodate, you may just be in luck.
Many campsites offer common areas where you can charge your phone while you hang out with your family. You might have to pay a little extra cash to stay at these sites, though! Again, electricity comes at a cost, and you might have to pay a premium to make your trip a little more comfortable.
- Standard Campgrounds and Other Hookups/Services
If you are staying at a standard campground with space for RVs to park, then you might also have access to water hookups! These are often available to campers because not everyone has the space to bring all of their water from home.
However, it is more difficult to find a standard campground with sewer hookups. Tent campers don’t need them, and most RV campers go to RV parks, so the cost can’t be justified. If you enjoy your indoor plumbing, it may be worth driving the extra distance to go to a dedicated RV park.
For regular campers, though, there may be shared restrooms at your campground, wherever you are staying. This allows you the luxury of “indoor plumbing” without needing to be in an RV. You should call ahead and ask the camp managers if you can’t find the correct information online, though. Finding the right campground for your needs is crucial!
- Tent Campers and Electricity
If you are camping out in a tent instead of an RV and you are hoping for access to electricity, remember:
- Find out if there are common areas in which you can charge your electrical devices. Staying powered up in case of an emergency is always a great idea! If there are, ask the campground managers whether or not you will have to pay a separate fee to charge your devices.
- You will likely need to rely on battery-powered tech for your lights. For example, use lanterns or flashlights. If you want to go the really old-fashioned route, make a campfire! Otherwise, there’s really no need for electricity.
RV/Camper Sites and Electricity
If you are an avid RV camper, then the electricity you need can be found in abundance at almost any RV park in the country. These sites rely on providing the creature comforts that you are used to experiencing in your own home, so they have several hookups available for every RV that comes along… for a price, of course.
- RV Hookups
If you are a first-time RV camper and still aren’t entirely sure what “hookups” refer to, allow us to explain. RV hookups are simply electricity, water, and sewer lines that you can connect to (or hook up to) your RV. With them, you will be able to have an on-demand supply of potable water, run your electrically-powered appliances and devices, and enjoy indoor plumbing.
Access to all of these things is likely why you chose to go camping in an RV over a traditional tent anyway, so you need to know everything there is to know about what you can expect your campground of choice to be like in regards to your comfort.
We’re going to go over your options for electricity, but we will also cover what you can expect from other hookups like water and sewage as well.
- RV Electrical Hookups
At an RV park, you can be almost 100% sure that there will be electrical hookups available for your use, usually as long as you pay a small fee. If your RV is larger, you might need a 50-amp hookup to power all of your appliances. If you’re in a small camper, then you might get away with using a 30-amp hookup, though this may not be an issue at most parks.
The average fee that an RV camper may pay to use RV park hookups per day is $20. This will, of course, vary wherever you decide to stay. There are many affordable options either way.
RV Water Hookups
All but the most primitive RV campsites have water hookups available for your use. Potable water is an absolute must-have on any camping trip; it is the most important substance known to man, after all.
Water hookups ensure that you have running water when you need it to cook, drink, and shower! You definitely do not want to stay at an RV park without this unless you are prepared to rough it.
- RV Sewer Hookups
Some people go camping to get more in touch with their natural and primitive self; that means doing their “business” in the woods. It’s not often that RV campers want to do the same, so having working sewer hookups is vital to a great camping trip.
Most RV parks that you come across will have sewer hookups, but there are several that do not offer this amenity. It is the least important out of the three hookups, so not everywhere goes to the trouble of having them available for use.
If you would like to enjoy the luxury of indoor plumbing on your stay, you must make sure beforehand that your campground comes with “full hookups.” Otherwise, you could find out too late that you booked a stay with only water and electrical hookups.
- Things to Know About RV Hookups
RV electrical, water and sewer hookups are an essential part of a blissful camping experience, so you need to keep certain things in mind before you choose your next destination!
- Electrical hookups are not all made the same. Remember: 30-amp and 50-amp hookups power different types of RVs, with only the smaller campers getting full power with low-end power.
- You have to pay for your hookups. Some campgrounds include this in their nightly fee, but others do not. You may have to opt-in and pay extra, so do your research and budget accordingly.
- Sewer hookups are not found at all RV parks and campgrounds. If you don’t want to deal with no effective indoor plumbing, please find a campground with full hookups before you go.
- If you are heading to a destination with electrical hookups, then you will likely have water hookups available to you as well. Rarely does a campground have one without the other.
Just remember to do your research and plan a budget ahead of time whether you are a tent camper opting for a campsite with access to electricity in common areas or an RV camper looking for a spot with electrical hookups. The better prepared you are, the more fun that your camping trip will be!
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