Going camping in an RV is a thrilling experience that no one should miss out on! That being said, there are a couple of different campsites that have different rules when it comes to RV camping. An example of this is a pull thru site. You need to learn which campsite allows what to save yourself some embarrassment and to help your trip go smoothly.

So what is a pull-through site? A pull-through site is a campsite pad for RV’s where you can drive in one side and pull out on the other side. The hook-ups are on the driver’s side so you will not have to back in to get everything lined up. Since you will not have to back in, set-up is easier and faster.

Today, we are going to talk about:

• What a pull thru campsite is
• How it differs from other sites
• The advantages and disadvantages to settling in a pull thru campsite
• Pull thru campsites across America to visit

When you go camping in an RV, you know that the hookups for any utilities you may use are only on one side of the vehicle. Many of the spaces for RV camping that provide hookups require you to back into the spot for the most convenient access. While you can hook up your utilities on the other side, it requires more effort and can be tedious.

Pull thru campsites ensure that you will not have to go through the tricky process of backing in to set up your RV camp. Instead, you can keep pulling forward when you enter and when you exit.

Back In Sites vs. Pull Thru Sites

Back In Sites

The type of RV campsite that most campers are familiar with is the back in site. Setting up your camp in one of these has its own rules and generally known facts. Let’s go over some examples.

• You usually should back into a spot in order to have the utility hookups accessed most easily. In this case, you don’t get much choice of what you want your view to be like. Instead, the most important factor is to have your driver’s side closest to the hookups.
• There is only one entrance and exit into these RV parks. That is why you have to back in along with the factor of convenience. This can be difficult for a lot of campers, so you need to be extra careful when setting up.
• These campsites are usually made for smaller models of RVs. The spaces to set up are smaller than some can fit into, and longer RVs may find that the front end of the vehicle is obstructing the path for others to back into.

Pull Thru Sites

This is the lesser known RV campsite that only more experienced campers usually know about. The rules and facts differ pretty distinctly from what you could expect from a back in site.

• You never have to back into a spot at a pull thru site. You can pull forward both times if you need to. This lets you choose your view more easily than you could if you had to back into a site. Though it’s possible there, too, you will have a more convenient experience here.
• There are multiple entrances and exits for easier access to all RVs.
• Bigger RVs can fit just fine in the spots provided in most cases, and smaller models can fit with enough room as well. This is great for a group of campers coming in their own mobile homes or RVs.

Pros and Cons of Camping at a Pull Thru Site

Every type of campground has its pros and cons based on the type of camping you plan to do and your specific situation with the parameters of your trip. This is true of parking at a pull thru site as well. Let’s go over what these pros and cons are so you can make a more informed decision about staying in one.

Pros

• You get to choose your view. You do not have to sacrifice this rather important aspect of your trip when you go to a pull thru site. If one side overlooks a lake and the other is just giving you a view of some boring trees, it’s obvious which one most campers might pick.
• A pull thru site can accommodate RVs of all sizes. If you have a bigger model, you would not have to worry about obstructing the path for anyone else, which can lead to conflict and potential accidents. If you have a smaller vehicle, you can set up furniture outside as well as inside your RV for that classic camping experience.
• People who are newer to driving large vehicles like this who need more practice with backing up don’t have to worry about causing an accident or backing in wrong. This ensures that the trip will go smoothly and without incident.
• There are so many to choose from all over the U.S. that you should not have a hard time being able to park in one. There are basically no limitations on where you can travel, so for those going on a cross-country trip, you are in luck!

Cons

• Spots at pull-thru sites are usually more expensive to rent out than at back in sites. It makes sense because you will take up more space and you pay for convenience or amenities available, but for campers on a tight budget, that can be a problem. The average pull thru site costs anywhere from $30-$80 to rent while back in sites will only cost somewhere around the lower range of $30-$50 per night. Of course, this depends on the time you plan to go. The season you camp in will determine how expensive a spot on the campground will be.
• You may not need all of the extra space as a smaller model of RV so you could be wasting money on features you will not use.
• There are still size limits on RV accommodations. The biggest models still would not fit very well in some spots and would be in the way of other campers trying to come through.

Pull Thru Campsites in America

There are tons of pull thru campsites in America to choose from no matter where you are! If this sounds like the best type of site for you, check out some of the following examples and plan where you want to go.

• Akron/Canton Jellystone (Ohio.) This pull thru campsite offers miniature golf, a swimming pool, volleyball, concessions, and much more for $31-$70! You will have absolutely everything you need including laundry facilities, restrooms, and restaurants. They are open from May 1st to October 15th.
• Adventure Bound (Washington, D.C.) For the same price as the Jellystone site, you get hiking trails, a swimming pool, internet access, and a pet area among other things. You will be able to relax in style while being close to everything the DC area has to offer.
• Alps Family Campground (New York.) In addition to the amenities you get by staying at this pull thru campsite, you can enjoy events planned by the staff and themed weekends! If you have children, this would be a fun place to stop by and settle down for a while. This pull thru site is open from May 1st to October 15th, and the rental rate is $30-$70.
• Lost Mountain Campground (Pennsylvania.) If you prefer to be nestled in nature for a quiet getaway, consider parking your RV at this pull thru site with plenty of maple trees to block out the heat of the day. You get restroom facilities and all of the hookups you need to make your trip as comfortable as possible.
• Anaheim RV Park (California.) If you are heading out west to sunny California, this pull thru RV park could be a nice place to settle down for a while. It’s family friendly and pet-friendly; everyone is welcome here! You get a ton of amenities and recreational options, so the rent is on the pricier side at $55-$98. The cost is absolutely worth it for all of the fun you will be having, though.
• Eagle’s Landing RV Park (Florida.) Campers who need a place to stay for quite a while should make their way on down to this pull thru park. It is listed as being a site you can park in for days, weeks, or even months. You don’t get as many amenities as other sites, but you still get Internet access and some peace and quiet.

These are only a tiny handful of examples compared to the long list found here at Go Camping America. You can find more information on how to contact the listed campsites and what they offer as well as the specifications on what the limits are for RV sizes. Wherever you go, there is a pull thru campsite for you to visit!

Remember to look up the specifications of each pull thru campsite to get the best idea of how much you will pay to rent, the amenities provided to you, and the size limit of the RV per space. If you pay careful attention to all of these things, your trip should go smoothly. Have a wonderful time, and don’t forget to unhook yourself before you drive away.

More article we think you’ll love

How much to rent an RV? ( Day, week and monthly rates )

What Are Standard and Premium Campsites ( What’s the difference? )