Choosing the campground is only the first part of making a reservation. We still have to select an individual campsite that can accommodate our travel trailer, our truck, our family, and Angel.
A site can look perfectly adequate on a campground map but feel very different when we arrive. Trees may interfere with the slides, the parking area may be shorter than expected, or a site near a busy campground entrance may have more traffic than we want. Because our travel trailer is larger, we cannot assume that every RV site will work for us.
We now compare campsite dimensions, hookups, access, parking, shade, traffic, and nearby grassy space before making our choice. We also pay attention to good campsites while walking around campgrounds so we have site numbers to consider on a future visit.
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We Start With the Features We Cannot Compromise On
Our first priority is making sure the site can physically accommodate our setup. A convenient location or attractive view does not help if the trailer will not fit safely.
We check for:
- Full hookups
- Enough length for our travel trailer
- Adequate room for the slides
- Tree and branch clearance
- Space to park our truck
- A practical route into the site
We prefer full-hookup campsites, so we usually eliminate sites without the connections we want before comparing their other features. We then look closely at the site length and layout.
Published campsite lengths are helpful, but one number does not tell the entire story. Trees, utility posts, landscaping, curves, and the position of the site entrance can all affect how much of that space is truly usable.
Our larger travel trailer limits which sites will work. We have encountered situations where trees and slide clearance were concerns, and there have been times when our truck had to be parked at an angle. Those experiences taught us to look beyond the listed campsite length.
Our broader process for deciding whether an entire campground fits our family is covered in How We Choose Campgrounds for Our Family and Schnauzer:
Once we have selected the campground, we use a more detailed process to choose the individual site.
Why We Usually Prefer a Pull-Through Site
We normally choose a pull-through site when a suitable one is available. The biggest advantage for us is the ease of parking.
A pull-through site can reduce the amount of backing and repositioning required after a travel day. That does not mean every pull-through site is automatically a good fit. We still check the site’s length, angle, trees, utilities, and parking space.
We will book a back-in site when it offers the features we need or when a good pull-through site is unavailable. A back-in site may also be worth considering when it provides more shade, more usable outdoor space, less traffic, or a better location within the campground.
Our decision is not simply pull-through versus back-in. We compare how the complete site will function once the trailer is parked, the slides are extended, and the truck is disconnected.
We Look at the Space Around the Trailer
The campsite pad is only part of the space we will use. We also want enough room to move around the trailer comfortably and access our connections without squeezing between trees, posts, or neighboring sites.
Before booking, we try to picture:
- Where the trailer will sit
- Which direction the slides will extend
- Where the hookups are positioned
- Where the truck can be parked
- How we will enter and leave the site
- Whether the outdoor living area appears usable
- How close the neighboring campsites are
This is especially important when the campsite photograph was taken with a smaller RV in place. A site that looks spacious around a shorter trailer may feel much tighter with a larger setup.
After arriving, our complete setup routine helps us verify the utilities and campsite conditions before we finish disconnecting. Our Complete Travel Trailer Setup Checklist explains that routine:
Angel’s Needs Affect Our Choice
A campsite also has to work for Angel. We look for nearby grass so potty breaks and short walks are easier. Less vehicle traffic is another priority, particularly when we are entering or leaving the trailer with her.
During summer trips, shade becomes more important. A shaded campsite can make the outdoor area more comfortable, although we still monitor the temperature and do not rely on shade alone to keep Angel comfortable.
When comparing two otherwise similar sites, we would generally favor the one with:
- Grass nearby
- Lower vehicle traffic
- Summer shade
- A comfortable place to begin walks
- Enough separation from the busiest campground areas
These details are not always included in a reservation listing. Campsite photographs, campground maps, and our own observations can help us judge whether the surroundings appear suitable.
For additional campground precautions involving Angel, see How We Keep Our Schnauzer Safe at Campgrounds:
Campsite Locations We Usually Avoid
Being close to an amenity may sound convenient, but convenience can also bring traffic, noise, odors, and frequent activity. We usually avoid several locations when another suitable site is available.
Near the campground entrance
Entrance areas can have a steady flow of arriving and departing vehicles. We prefer less traffic around our campsite, especially with Angel.
Beside the bathhouse
A nearby bathhouse can be helpful for campers without full hookups, but we generally do not need to be close to one. These sites may have more foot traffic throughout the day.
Close to the playground or pool
These locations can be convenient for some families. We normally prefer a quieter site away from the concentrated activity surrounding playgrounds and pools.
Near the dumpsters
We avoid dumpster areas whenever possible, particularly during the summer. Odors, insects, vehicle traffic, and people making frequent trash runs can make these sites less appealing.
None of these locations is automatically unsuitable for every camper. A family with young children may value a site beside the playground, while someone using campground facilities may prefer a short walk to the bathhouse. We base the decision on how our family camps and what helps Angel remain comfortable.
How We Research an Individual Campsite
We use more than one source because no single map or photograph gives us every detail.
Campground maps
The campground map helps us understand the site’s general location. We use it to identify entrances, bathhouses, playgrounds, pools, dumpsters, internal roads, and other features that may affect traffic or noise.
Campsite photographs
Photographs can reveal trees, shade, the angle of the site, the condition of the pad, and the amount of space beside it. We pay attention to the size of any RV shown because it provides some perspective, although photographs may not show every obstruction.
Google Maps
A satellite or aerial view can provide more context about the campground’s layout, surrounding roads, tree coverage, and spacing. Tree cover can also obscure important details, so we treat this as one part of our research rather than a guarantee of how the site will look.
Booking information
We review the listed hookup type, maximum RV length, site style, and other available details. Families who want another way to search participating campgrounds and compare available campsites may consider Campspot Campground Booking (paid link):
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=22326&awinaffid=2934315
Site dimensions, hookups, availability, campground rules, pet policies, and other details should always be confirmed before booking.
Our Campground Booking Checklist includes the other questions we consider before reserving:
Walking the Campground Helps Us Plan the Next Visit
Some of our most useful campsite research happens after we arrive.
While walking around a campground, we notice sites that look easier to enter, have better shade, provide more space, or sit in quieter areas. If we see a campsite we would like to book on a future trip, we make a note of its number.
This gives us firsthand information that a reservation map cannot provide. We can see how the site relates to the road, where the trees are positioned, how much parking space it has, and what surrounds it.
We also save the number when our own campsite works especially well. The next time we visit, we can look for that site before starting the selection process again.
Our Campsite Selection Checklist
Before reserving an individual campsite, we ask:
- Does it have full hookups?
- Is the site long enough for our travel trailer?
- Is there enough clearance for every slide?
- Could trees or branches interfere with the trailer?
- Is there room to park the truck without blocking the road?
- Would a pull-through site make arrival easier?
- Does the approach appear manageable?
- Is there grass nearby for Angel?
- Is the site away from heavy vehicle traffic?
- Will it have useful shade during a summer trip?
- Is it reasonably separated from the entrance, bathhouse, playground, pool, and dumpsters?
- Do the map, photographs, and aerial view tell a consistent story?
- Should we contact the campground to confirm anything before booking?
A campsite does not have to be perfect in every category. We focus first on safe fit and required hookups, then compare comfort, convenience, and location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a pull-through campsite always better than a back-in campsite?
No. We prefer pull-through sites because they are usually easier for us to park, but a back-in site may offer more shade, privacy, outdoor space, or a quieter location. The complete layout matters more than the site label.
How do we know whether our travel trailer will fit?
We compare the published site length with our trailer and tow vehicle, but we also inspect photographs for trees, curves, utility posts, and other obstacles. When the fit appears questionable, confirming the details with the campground is safer than relying on an estimate.
Should the tow vehicle fit on the campsite?
Campgrounds may have different parking rules. We look for enough room to park our truck without interfering with the road, neighboring sites, hookups, or our trailer. We verify the campground’s requirements when the available space is unclear.
What campsite location is best when camping with a dog?
For Angel, we prefer grass nearby, less vehicle traffic, and summer shade. Another dog may need different surroundings, so families should consider their dog’s temperament, walking routine, and response to campground activity.
Is it helpful to stay near a bathhouse?
It depends on how a family camps. Because we prioritize full hookups, being beside a bathhouse is less important to us. Campers who regularly use campground facilities may prefer the shorter walk.
What should we do if campsite photographs are unavailable?
We use the campground map and Google Maps for additional context. If the campsite’s fit, clearance, or surroundings remain uncertain, we can contact the campground and ask specific questions before reserving.
Choosing a Site That Works for the Entire Stay
The best campsite for our family is not necessarily the closest site to the campground’s amenities or the one with the most attractive photograph. It is the site that safely fits our trailer, provides the hookups we want, gives us somewhere to park the truck, and offers comfortable surroundings for Angel.
Pull-through access is a helpful advantage, but it comes after the essentials. We would rather book a suitable back-in site than choose a pull-through that is too tight, too busy, or poorly positioned.
Each trip also gives us more information for the next one. By recording good site numbers and paying attention while walking around the campground, we gradually build a useful list of campsites we would be comfortable booking again.
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