There’s no denying that the coronavirus pandemic has shut down much of America. Many people are finding themselves stuck at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go. As RVers, on the other hand, we have a rare opportunity available right now. If you’re working remotely and your kids are off school, there’s nothing keeping you from hopping in your RV for the remainder of the quarantine period.
However, hitting an RV campground is not as easy as it was just a month ago. Along with the closures of attractions and businesses around the state and country, many parks and campgrounds have been impacted as well. But, don’t worry, if you’re ready to ride out the quarantine in your RV, there are still places to go.
Please keep in mind this information is accurate as of the time published on 3/27/20. Please verify locations before planning on staying as the situation is rapidly changing at this time.
Here’s what you need to know:
Make plans ahead of time
RVing usually provides us with the opportunity to pack up and hit the road without having to always have a plan. There are no hotel reservations that need to be made, so you don’t have to preplan all your stops. However, these are not normal times that we’re living in at the moment. With some regular campgrounds shut down, you’re going to want to have somewhat of a plan before you take off.
Call ahead to find out if campgrounds are open and if they have any different requirements at the moment.
Where can you set up your RV right now?
The California state parks have closed their campgrounds at this time. However, other parts of the parks remain open like the beaches and trails. That means even though you can’t camp there, the parks are a great place to get out and enjoy nature if you’re camping nearby. You can monitor these closures at their website here.
KOA campgrounds
The KOA campgrounds have closed all of their tent sites right now, but RV sites are still open. They have campgrounds across the country. Make sure that you check with the campground before heading there to make sure they are still open for RVs.
BLM managed property
All developed campgrounds and developed recreation sites have been closed temporarily at the Bureau of Land Management public land. However, the dispersed trails and dispersed campsites remain open. That means as an RVer you can use the land for boondocking, but you don’t have access to hookups at campsites.
Private campgrounds
There are still campgrounds around the state that are remaining open while making sure they can abide by the recommendations of the CDC. Keep in mind that those guidelines likely mean that if you find a private campground that’s open, many of their shared amenities such as pools and playgrounds are most likely closed.
Instead of simply checking the website for availability, I encourage you to call to confirm that the campground is still open. Some smaller campgrounds might not have their websites updated with all of the new information. So, it’s smart to double-check.
Stay with family
If you want to get out of the city and self-quarantine in your RV but aren’t sure where to set up camp, consider staying with family in the country. You can park in their driveway or in their yard. You can quarantine together while still being separate.
Or, if you have elderly parents that you want to be close to in order to help them with things like picking up groceries and doing errands, you can camp out in their driveway. That way you’re there if they need you, but you don’t have to change exposing them to anything at the same time.
A few tips to keep in mind
While the idea of “sheltering in place” in your RV can sound like a grand adventure, there are a few important things to keep in mind. For starters, it’s not a total vacation. Restaurants are closed down along with many parks. Many campgrounds have closed their restrooms, pools, playgrounds, and other areas where people could spread the virus to one another. You need to take these things into consideration.
You also want to make sure you have the right supplies with you. Stock up on what you can. Consider taking things out of your RV that you don’t really need to make room to store the things that you will need to have.
While going out to the middle of nowhere might sound like the best idea, it can be wise to make sure that you’re still within a reasonable distance to decent healthcare. Obviously, the goal of quarantining is to not get sick, but the chance is still there. Have a plan for what you’re going to do if that does happen and you truly can’t go to the grocery store or anywhere else outside of your RV for a few weeks.
Continue to follow the guidelines set by the CDC. Parks and campgrounds are working hard to stay open while still protecting people. If people continue to respect the guidelines of social distancing it should be more likely that these places will be able to remain open. However, if RVers start acting like this is a regular vacation and getting together in larger groups, don’t be surprised if more campgrounds start to be impacted with stricter rules or potential closures.
Remember Sky River RV is considered an essential business
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our service department is still open. We can help with things like propane sales, RV repairs, and holding tank dump services. And, if you’re in the market for a new RV, you can schedule a virtual appointment to get the process started.
