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Calcimator

Campsite Cost Comparison Calculator

Compare annual camping costs between RV parks, state parks, and boondocking/BLM land to find the best value for your travel style.

Best Value Option

3

Potential Annual Savings

$1,350

Inputs

$
$
$
$

Comparison

RV Park Annual Cost

$1,350

Total annual cost of staying at RV parks including membership fees.

State Park Annual Cost

$750

Total annual cost of staying at state/national park campgrounds.

Boondocking Annual Cost

$0

Total annual cost of free or low-cost dispersed camping.

Cost vs. Benefit Analysis

Cost Breakdown

How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the number of nights per trip and trips per year.
  2. Set nightly rates for RV parks, state parks, and membership campgrounds.
  3. Enter annual membership costs for any clubs (Good Sam, KOA, Passport America, etc.).
  4. Review total annual cost for each campsite type including membership amortization.
  5. Compare annual costs to determine which camping style offers the best value for your travel patterns.

What each input means

Nights Per Trip
Average number of nights you stay per camping trip.
Trips Per Year
How many camping trips you take annually.
RV Park Nightly Rate
Average nightly rate for a full-hookup RV park. National average is $40-55.
State Park Nightly Rate
Average nightly rate for a state or national park campground. Typically $20-35.
BLM / Free Camping Rate
Nightly cost for BLM, National Forest, or free dispersed camping. Usually $0.
Camping Membership Fee
Annual cost of camping memberships (Good Sam, Harvest Hosts, Passport America, etc.).

What each result means

RV Park Annual Cost
Total annual cost of staying at RV parks including membership fees.
State Park Annual Cost
Total annual cost of staying at state/national park campgrounds.
Boondocking Annual Cost
Total annual cost of free or low-cost dispersed camping.
Best Value Option
1 = RV Park, 2 = State Park, 3 = Boondocking/BLM.
Potential Annual Savings
Savings by choosing the cheapest option over the most expensive.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Nights Per Trip = 5, Trips Per Year = 6, RV Park Nightly Rate = 45, State Park Nightly Rate = 25 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Best Value Option
    Best Value Option
    3 = 3
  3. Calculate Potential Annual Savings
    Potential Annual Savings
    1350 = 1350
  4. Calculate RV Park Annual Cost
    1350 = 1350
  5. Calculate State Park Annual Cost
    750 = 750

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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