Today there are many RVs on the road, and this number is ever increasing. In hand with this is the demand for more RV parks. RV parks are the space needed for camper enthusiasts to pitch up.
So how many acres are needed for an RV park? The truth is RV park owners have a wide of freedoms and choices when it comes to designing their RV park. This article will explore exactly what makes up an RV park and just how big it can be.
How big is an acre?
It’s most likely that you are familiar with the term acre. It’s a standardised unit across the world to quantify the size of an area of land. Honestly, though, if you were asked to explain to me h0w big an acre, would you know the answer?
The numerical answer is an acre is 43560 square feet, 4840 square yards, 4047 square meters. This site can be found by multiplying a chain (66 feet) by a furlong (660 feet.) A chain and a furlong are traditional terms used in the farming world that have been used for hundreds of years. Is this making an acre easier to conceptualise? No, me neither.
The best way to describe an acre is to compare it to something you know. An acre is around 0.75 the size of an American football pitch. Imagine 16 tennis courts in a square – that’s an acre. Now you know what am acre islets explore what you are likely to find in an RV Park.
What to expect in an RV park
When it comes to RV parks, each park will have a unique set-up to accommodate guests. There’s a range of RV’s to accommodate from huge A-class motorhomes to small class B campervans. Of course, the bigger the RV, the bigger the pitch it will require.
Furthermore, there will be a site limit to just how many RV’s they can legally have on site. A general rule of thumb is for every acre; there should be a maximum of 10 pitches. Therefore to have 100 RVs on-site, the park would have to be 10 acres.
Access and site conditions
Every RV site needs sufficient access from a road. However, don’t assume that the whole site will be tarmacked, which may not be the case. Some sites may have a car park where you must pick up then take your tents and camping gear to your designated pitch.
You may find some sites have a stone or gravel road to your pitch which is then totally covered in grass. You may also find a pitch that has a solid parking space such as stone or tarmac then a grass area to camp and enjoy.
An important point to consider if driving a heavy up to 40 foot long A class motorhome is the surface’s solidity. The last thing you want is to park on a grass pitch, sink, and get stuck. Therefore whatever site you visit, ensure the surface is sufficient for your RV and camping needs.
Pitch Facilities
Pitches come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and surfaces. Equally, pitches can have a wide range of additional features. Some pitches can be a piece of grass.
If an RV site has invested money into a site, you may have an electrical hookup in your pitch. This will allow you to run on the site’s electricity for a daily cost, of course. There;’s also a possibility you may have access to freshwater from a tap.
There may even be draining on your pitch which could mean there are sewer facilities to empty your waste safely. The more additions the pitch has, the more it will cost per night, generally speaking.
On-Site Facilities
Looking beyond the pitch, you pull into the RV site and see on-site facilities. Commonly toilets are a must-have of any site. They may be in the form of portaloos. These are on the lowest end of the budget and literally do the trick. Portaloos are unpleasant but effective.
In addition to portaloos, there may be the likes of a shower block. Yet again, these can be simple in nature but effective. Every site will have waste disposal facilities. Ideally, these aren’t located near your pitch as that could make your trip memorable for the wrong kind of reasons.
RV sites can also have permanent structures. On more established and better-funded sites, you are likely to find actual buildings instead of the likes of portaloos. For example, there may be an on-site reception building. A shower and toilet building can be a welcome find.
Some sites even have an on-site shop. With the large capital investment needed for such structures, they are likely found on large sites with good finances.
Additional facilities
Leading on from permanent structures, some RV site features aren’t as obvious. An increasing number of sites have Wifi. Whether or not this is a benefit for you depends on if you like the whole Netflix and chill set up.
Internet access is, of course, increasingly rarer the further off the grid you get. If you value this, it’s easier than ever to find an RV site with internet access.
How many acres are needed for an RV park?
How many acres are needed for an RV park is very similar to asking how long is a piece of string. There is no definitive answer. An RV park could literally have a few pitches or a few hundred. Maybe a better question to ask is what size of RV park would I like to go to.
Privately owned RV parks are more likely to be unique in their nature as the owner will have their own stamp on the site. They are likely to have their own style and feel.
Larger franchised parks will have a more predictable setup. Generally, focusing on making as much money as possible will put as many pitches as legally possible per acre. Therefore a more busy touristy vibe is likely.
How many acres are needed for an RV park is a likely question to ask yourself as you begin the campervan lifestyle. The best advice is to get out there! Visit sites small and large. Get a feel for what size of site sorts you. Each RV site is unique, and only through experiencing it can you have an honest opinion.