There's a lot to be said for being free to travel and stop at any holiday park on a whim. No commitments. No deadlines for checking in. No regrets at having to leave that idyllic spot because there's a site reserved at the next park along the highway.
However, there's a downside to not planning ahead. The no-ties traveller is likely to find himself stuck with the last available site in the park - which will probably be the one crammed in between the recycling bins and the kids' playground.
Booking ahead might take away a certain amount of spontaneity, but it can pay off handsomely when it comes to the site's position and comfort. These six tips will help most RVers to find the best caravan site for their needs.
1. Check Out the Holiday Park Site Map Online
If possible, use the Internet to locate the holiday park's site map. Do this several weeks or months in advance. Note the position of the following: the amenities, the playground, the camp kitchen and the games room or pool. Check also to see where the sun rises and sets, in case you want your awning or annexe facing a certain way – some RVers like to eat breakfast in the morning sun; others prefer the sun in the afternoon.
Use Google Earth to note the position of trees and (if the holiday park is on the coast) access to the beach. Finally, take note of the size and ease of access of various sites. A large caravan, motorhome or 5th wheeler may have more limited choices.
TIP: Typing 'site map' into Google when you reach the holiday park website often leads to the website's site map... that is, a list of all the pages in the site. If this happens try using 'park map' instead, along with the name of the holiday park you're investigating.
2. Satellite or TV Aerial?
More and more caravans and motorhomes are equipped with satellite receivers, which means that the dish needs line of sight to the satellite. Large trees can interfere with reception. Try to secure a site with a clear path to the satellite.
3. Ensuite Sites or Proximity to Amenities
Travellers with their own bathroom facilities usually don't mind whether they are close to the amenities block or not, but it's a different story for those in a small van with no bathroom. In this case an ensuite site might be nice, although these sites are usually more expensive.
Even though proximity to the park's amenities is handy, sometimes it can backfire. RVers on a site immediately opposite an amenities block can find the constant opening and closing of the amenities door annoying, especially if a stream of visitors let the door slam shut behind them!
4. Children's Playgrounds and/or Pool
Kids love to bounce on rubber mats and work off energy on the playground equipment, which is a boon for parents on the road. Being close to the playground or pool can make the whole stay a lot more fun. However, retirees who are seeing the country usually prefer a quieter site - well away from the playground! Viewing the site map ahead of time can be a real bonus: the traveller either gives an enthusiastic 'yes!' to a site near the playground, or an emphatic 'no!'
5. Topography of the Caravan Site
Some sites slope to one side. Some have concrete slabs for the annexe; some are all grass. If possible, discuss this with the holiday park manager ahead of time. Ask for a large, flat site, and request a concrete slab if this is preferable. (Not everyone worries about having a firm concrete floor for the annexe; it is a lot easier to back into a site if there's no need to back the caravan tightly against the side of the slab. However, if there's a week of constant rain, a slab means less mud tracked into the van or motorhome.)
6. Ease of Access and Backing the RV
All regular caravanners know that part of the day's entertainment is watching drivers attempting to back their vans on to their sites. In holiday parks, more people have come close to divorce over confusing hand signals than any other reason! Most drivers prefer a caravan site with easy access and plenty of space to reverse the van (and some will always opt for a drive-through site if possible).
By viewing the holiday park's site map ahead of time, travellers can choose the perfect caravan site for their stay. Keep in mind that online research is only part of the story - fellow travellers are usually only too happy to recommend their favourite caravan parks and sites.
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