3 Types of RV Camping

Acquiring the recreational vehicle you want is only one step of owning it. After that comes the best part: taking it out and using it. For that, it’s important to know your options. Here are three major types of RV camping:

1. Full Hookups

When you think about camping in an RV, an established campground may be the destination that comes to mind. And there are plenty of good campgrounds from which to choose. But they’re not all created equal. 

Some include full hookups, which means you can plug into an electrical box, connect fresh water to your rig, and hook up your sewer hose. This “all-inclusive” option is sometimes referred to as “glamping,” or glamourous camping, because it provides all the normal luxuries you’re likely accustomed to. 

This is the type of “camping” we did when we first moved into our fifth wheel. We parked it at a mobile home/RV park with all the bells and whistles, which provided the perfect setting for us to move our belongings into our new home, get used to it, and fix up a few things.

It’s also the type of camping we did in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which freed us to spend more time with my parents, who were about a 10-minute drive away.

Pros:

• It offers most of the same conveniences as living in a regular house, depending of course on the size and layout of your rig. 
• It’s a nice option if you like to socialize with other campers. 

Cons:

• Depending on the campground location, full hookups can be costly. 
• Campsites tend to be close together to make for shorter distances between hookups. If you prefer to be more secluded, you may want a different type of camping.

2. Boondocking

Also referred to as “dry camping,” boondocking is the opposite of glamping. This is a much more rustic option with no hookups whatsoever. That means you have to run your rig off batteries, solar panels, generators, or a combination of these sources of energy. 

For us, it means our microwave doesn’t work, among a few other things. And it’s definitely not glamping without a microwave.

You can find boondocking options in some campgrounds, but you have many more (free) opportunities on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, national forests, and places like that. Some websites, such as Campendium and freecampsites.net, are dedicated to helping campers find these options. 

We boondocked in northern Arizona and really enjoyed being in nature, despite dust. Our site was private, remote, and refreshing — and close enough to the city when we needed supplies. We also boondocked one night at a Minnesota campground with no hookups on the Mississippi River and relished the beautiful view. 

Pros:

• It allows you to get close to nature and be secluded. 
  
• Unless you’re boondocking at an established campground, you can usually do this for free.
  

Cons:

• It can be lonely and eerie to be in the forest by yourself. 
  
• Because you lack hookups, you have to be cognizant of the levels of your black, gray, and fresh water holding tanks. You may have to go into town to get more water or to dump your tanks.
  

3. Moochdocking

This is a bit of a hybrid of full hookups and boondocking. Essentially, moochdocking is camping on the property of family or friends for free. As Bob likes to explain, “It’s where we ask, ‘How big is your driveway?’”

Moochdocking is what we’re doing at my cousin’s farm in Michigan. We have a sweet setup on the property with an electric hookup, access to water when we need it, and even a place to dump our black and gray water holding tanks. 

Not wanting to take advantage of family or wear out our welcome, however, we’re helping around the farm and keeping track of the amount of electricity we use so we can pay for it. After all, it’s hot and humid in southwestern Michigan in July, which means we’re running our air conditioner.

Pros:

• You get lots of time with friends and family. 
• You still get to sleep in your own bed every night.

Cons:

• Not everyone has room to support a big rig.
• It’s important to be cautious about wearing out your welcome. 

What’s Our Favorite RV Camping?

These three types of RV camping are not the only options. Many others combine different pieces of each. For example, you can find campgrounds that offer partial hookups, such as electricity and water but not sewer. In those cases, the campground usually has a dump station where you can empty your holding tanks before moving on to your next destination.

If we had to pick a favorite type of RV camping, we’d probably say moochdocking. But we like any option that allows us to spend time with family and friends. And in some areas, boondocking or a full-hookup campground might facilitate that best.