Energizing On-The-Go: The Ultimate Guide for Charging Electric Vehicles at RV Parks

Believe it or not, the future is now at your local campground. With electric vehicles increasing in popularity since the early 2000s, RV parks nationwide have found themselves catering to a crowd that might feel foreign around fifth wheels and travel trailers. With electric cars' surge in popularity, many campsites are relocating to give EV campers a place to relax and recharge (literally).

In fact, countless resources exist for campers who've gone electric — or those who just need a quick charge on the go. So, if you’ve been dreaming about exploring the country in your electric vehicle, but have been feeling apprehensive about how to get started, look no further than this simple guide. Soon you’ll be armed with the tools you need to navigate unfamiliar territory.

In this article:

Can I Charge My Electric Car at an RV Park?
How Can I Find Parks with Outlets?
What Equipment Will I Need?
How Quickly Will My Vehicle Charge?
What's Next? (New Horizons Await You)

Can I Charge My Electric Car at an RV Park?

The answer is yes, you definitely can charge your EV at most campgrounds.

It’s best to call the grounds in advance to avoid wasting precious time and energy (both yours and the electric kind). Confirm that individuals are allowed to charge electric vehicles without paying for lodging or other fees. Most campsites don't charge extra for using a power pedestal on top of what they charge for lodging. To clarify the final cost with your campground, ask if there's a flat fee for 50A spots, or if they charge by kilowatt.

After you've received a quote (if you do), ask if any 50A spots are available for reservation. If they are, you'll benefit from having a guaranteed fuel source in the event you arrive to find others were like-minded . . . but better prepared. (Remember that the season greatly impacts business at campsites.) If they don't have a 50A outlet available for use, a 30A will work just fine to recharge your car. However, it's preferable to use a 50A outlet for EV charging because the higher amperage will charge your vehicle faster

How Can I Find Parks with Outlets?

If you're struggling to find local RV parks, applications/websites like Plugshare or Allstays are useful for locating campgrounds with available outlets. Note that you may still need to call the campground to ask some of the questions we suggested above, but that some of them will be answered by the apps/sites.

Plan out your lodging in advance. If the weather allows for it, you can plug in your car and set up a tent outside. If you’re an indoors-person, you can ask if the RV park offers other lodging options like rooms or cabins. Whatever you do, do it in advance so you're prepared when you’re navigating unfamiliar territory.

If you wish to make a reservation for your spot, for example, you can check the website to see if they have the correct outlets available. Websites make this information accessible, but it’s often safest to confirm with another human that the spots shown online haven’t been occupied since the website was last updated.

What Equipment Will I Need?

When you plan to charge at an RV park, it's crucial to remember that all the campground is supplying you with is a power outlet. This means you will be responsible for making sure your adapter is appropriate for the level of energy the outlet provides.

As we stated above, most RV parks have either 30-amp or 50-amp outlets. While it's technically possible to charge with these, it is preferable to use a 50A outlet for EVs. In the United States, this outlet is called a NEMA-14-50. If you're using a Level 1 charger, the most preferable outlet is called the NEMA 6-15. Many charger cables will have compatible plugs for these outlets and will provide more power than the 30-50 volt sockets. (For reference, a 30A outlet provides around 20 miles per hour charged while 50A outlets provide about 30 miles.)

A portable L2, or Level 2 charger is the standard choice for charging electric vehicles at campgrounds. You may also want to have one or multiple adapters for your charger(s) so you can charge at any campground or use other spots when 50A outlets are taken. No vehicles manufactured in North America use brand-exclusive chargers, meaning they all (for the most part) use a universal standard plug. The Tesla Supercharger, for example, is an outlier amongst other charging cables. Some companies have similarly designed their own adapters, but these are optional in your case. Above anything else, be sure to double-check that the one you take to the campground is compatible with the available outlets.

How Quickly Will My Vehicle Charge?

Campground chargers are not fast chargers and are not made for fast charging. In fact, RV park chargers are only ideal for charging over multiple hours/overnight, so plan on sticking around for a while if you’re juicing up at a campground. As long as you have at least an L1 or L2 charger, you should at least have enough charge to get back on the road in 12 hours or less.

The time it will take to charge your vehicle ultimately depends on your make and model, so it's best to consult your owner's manual for a sure-fire estimate. It's not likely your vehicle will get anywhere near fully charged after one night, but your battery capacity should increase from between at least a quarter to half of a full charge. Exactly how much charge you get depends on your charger, vehicle, and of course, how long you charge it, so remember these factors when you plan.

What's Next? (New Horizons Await You)

Charging your EV like an RV sounds much more complicated in concept than it actually is, right? Despite the lack of information currently available about fueling up in untraditional locations, electric vehicles are an innovation many are coming to embrace. Just know that if you ever get lost during your travels, your neighbors will always be here to help you get where you want to go the eco-friendly way.

About Beth B.

When I explain my position at etrailer to the folks back at home, I usually preface with, “Writing is about 15% of my job. The other 85% is research, hands-on product testing, and putting myself in the shoes of our customers (whom we call neighbors).” At etrailer, I have the opportunity to explore the products I write about in person every day, a privilege many writers don’t have. On a Tuesday morning, for instance, you may find me outside of a 5th wheel collecting pictures of its scissor jacks for an article. On Wednesday, I might switch gears to measure leaf springs in our warehouse, while Thursday is when I’ll finally get behind the keyboard (that is, in between driving off-site to film how-to videos with the team). If you have a question, it’s my mission to not only provide you with an answer, but to equip you with the knowledge and resources you need to face real-world challenges like a pro.

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Written by: Beth B.

Updated: 04/13/2023

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