A Beginner’s Guide to Planning the Ultimate RV Camping Trip!

Though many have moved on from the past few years of being cooped up, the impacts of cabin fever still linger, and if you’re anything like us, you’ve been left with this undeniable itch for adventure. You desire to get out of the house, your hometown, and what you know. Instead, you want to get outside, out of the office, and out of your day-to-day life. You love where you live, but you want to see more, do more, and experience MORE on your own terms from the comfort of your home away from home.

So, maybe you want to buy or rent an RV–and you are not alone! American RV ownership is at a record high, with 11.2 million households owning an RV in 2021, up 62 percent from 20 years earlier! If you want to join the millions of Americans hitting the open road, an RV camping trip might be in your future. Keep reading for tips on preparing like an expert for your ultimate RV camping trip.

Know your RV

Before you hit the highway, take some time to familiarize yourself with the vehicle you’ve chosen. You’ll want to know what type of RV you have, its length and width, what fuel it needs, and its history if it’s pre-owned. Read the vehicle’s manual or do some research online–the RV blogging community is abundant, and there are plenty of YouTube tutorials to help you get to know your RV.

Plan your Route

RV travel is notably slower than car travel. Whether you know where you want to go or you’re just hitting the open road, we suggest you pick overnight stops no more than 300 miles apart. The less time you spend driving, the more time you have to live, explore, and enjoy your stops, RV, and campgrounds. Check out Roadtrippers to help you plan your next RV road trip.

Scout your Stops

Speaking of campgrounds, take the time to identify multiple campgrounds in each area you want to stop. RV campgrounds can be small, with only a couple dozen parking sites, to large, like Hardy’s Resort, with numerous sites. Knowing your vehicle and what you prefer can narrow down your campground options–then, you’ll want to check availability. Some campgrounds maintain websites and let you reserve spots beforehand, while others are a bit more old-fashioned. Check out Gorving.com to find campgrounds along your route.

Practice Camp Setup and Break Down

Before you head out– especially if it’s your first trip–make sure you practice setting up and breaking down camp with all travelers. Assign responsibilities to all party members and create a checklist to make set-up and breakdown as efficient as possible. Once you finish pretending to pack up, be sure to retrace your steps to be sure everything was done correctly and nothing was left behind.

Follow a Packing List

Proper packing and prep will ensure you have everything you need on hand. Follow a packing list to make sure you don’t forget anything!

Recap Once it’s Over

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect! Once you’re back home, gather all travelers to talk through what worked and didn’t, and discuss how you can make the next journey even better than the first. We promise you it’ll take a few trips to get everything down, but the journeys will be worth it.

If this is your first RV trip, congratulations! Welcome to a community and lifestyle of freedom and adventure. Outside of the fun that awaits you, owning or renting an RV is a big responsibility–and taking one on the road for the very first time can be daunting. However, with the right preparation, we know you’ll feel confident on your hunt for adventure in your RV!

And if you’re traveling to or through the Bryan/College Station area, we hope you’ll stay with us at Hardy’s Resort! Hardy’s Resort is a deluxe RV park in a resort-style setting, offering incredible amenities catered to everyone including a pool; pickleball and basketball courts; shuffleboard; game room; fitness center; a 150-inch theater screen, and so much more! We’re located in the heart of Bryan, Texas–just minutes away from Aggieland and all it has to offer.

Learn more about camping with us today and visit the Hardy’s Landing & Hardy’s Resort websites for more information about our Bryan RV Parks.