Why state parks are such good value
There are roughly 6,800 state park units in the United States, and well over 2,000 of them have campgrounds. Compared with private parks, sites are typically larger (50 to 80 feet apart is common instead of 20), set in real scenery, and priced to be accessible to residents rather than to maximize revenue. A typical state park site with 30 or 50-amp electric and water runs $20 to $45 a night. The same hookups at a private park near a tourist area cost $55 to $95. Add a $10 to $15 reservation fee once, not per night, and most states waive the daily entrance fee for registered campers.
The tradeoffs: full sewer hookups exist at only a minority of parks (Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Michigan have many; the Northeast has few), WiFi is rare, laundry is rare, and length limits of 35 to 45 feet are common in older parks. Browse state park campgrounds by state to check hookups before you plan.
Typical rates and what you get
| Site type | Typical nightly rate | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Primitive / no hookups | $10 to $25 | Picnic table, fire ring, vault or flush toilets nearby |
| Electric only (30 or 50 amp) | $20 to $40 | Add a bathhouse with hot showers and a dump station at the exit |
| Water and electric | $25 to $45 | Standard at Texas, Florida, and Great Lakes parks |
| Full hookups | $35 to $60 | Sewer at the site; often the newest loop in the park |
Out-of-state campers pay a surcharge in many states. Michigan adds a $9 Recreation Passport for nonresidents, Minnesota and Wisconsin charge nonresidents more per night, and Florida's residents get a 30-day booking head start. Learn more in our guide to RV park costs.
How reservations work: examples by state
Every state runs its own system, and the booking window is the detail that matters most.
- Florida (floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com): residents book 11 months ahead, nonresidents 10 months. Winter sites at Bahia Honda, Anastasia, and Fort De Soto (a county park) go within minutes at 8 a.m. Eastern on opening day.
- Texas (texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com): 5 months ahead. Garner, Inks Lake, and Pedernales Falls sell out every spring weekend. Texas has full hookups at dozens of parks.
- California (reservecalifornia.com): 6 months ahead, rolling daily at 8 a.m. Pacific. Coastal parks such as Carpinteria, Doheny, and Pfeiffer Big Sur are the hardest bookings in the country.
- Michigan (midnrreservations.com): 6 months. Ludington, Holland, and Tahquamenon Falls fill for July within an hour of the window opening.
- Arizona (azstateparks.com): 12 months. Lost Dutchman and Catalina fill for January through March; Kartchner Caverns and Dead Horse Ranch are easier.
- Utah (reserveamerica.com): 4 months. Sand Hollow, Kodachrome Basin, and Goblin Valley are the standouts.
- Oregon and Washington: 6 and 9 months respectively. Oregon coast parks (Nehalem Bay, South Beach) have full hookups and yurts; Washington uses a separate Discover Pass for day use.
Most states also hold a share of sites as first-come, first-served, usually 10 to 30 percent. Arrive Sunday through Wednesday and you will get in nearly anywhere outside peak season. Our guide on the best time to book has a timing strategy for popular windows.
Annual passes worth buying
Passes cover entrance fees, not camping, except where noted. They pay off quickly if you plan several visits:
- Texas State Parks Pass, $70: waives entrance fees for everyone in the vehicle and gives a second night half price on some stays.
- Florida Annual Entrance Pass, $60 individual or $120 family.
- Arizona Standard Pass, $75, or the $200 Premium Pass that also covers weekends at popular parks.
- Michigan Recreation Passport, $14 for residents at plate renewal, $41 nonresident.
- Camping passes: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and a few others sell senior camping discounts, and some states (Oregon, for instance) give a 25 percent camping discount to disabled veterans.
A federal America the Beautiful pass does nothing at state parks, and vice versa. Some parks that span both jurisdictions (a state park inside a national forest, common in the West) are the exception.
State parks that live up to the reputation
- Custer State Park, South Dakota: bison herds, Needles Highway, and seven campgrounds, most with electric.
- Dead Horse Point, Utah: canyon rim sites with 50-amp, next door to Canyonlands.
- Bahia Honda, Florida: the best beach camping in the Keys, full hookups on the Buttonwood loop.
- Palo Duro Canyon, Texas: the second-largest canyon in the country, water and electric sites on the canyon floor.
- Watkins Glen, New York: gorge trail from the campground, electric sites.
- Sand Hollow, Utah: red rock reservoir, full hookups, five minutes from Zion traffic but not the crowds.
- Letchworth, New York and Hocking Hills, Ohio: the eastern classics, book early.
Find these and hundreds more under California state parks, Texas RV parks, or your state on the state index.
Practical tips
- Check site length and the campground map before booking; many old loops were built for 25 foot trailers.
- Check-in is typically 2 to 4 p.m. and checkout is 11 a.m. to noon. Gates often lock at 10 p.m.
- Quiet hours are enforced, usually 10 p.m. to 6 or 7 a.m. Generators are banned at electric loops.
- Firewood is sold on site and moving wood across state lines is illegal in many states because of invasive insects.
- Stay limits are usually 14 consecutive nights, and some states cap you at 30 nights a year per park.
Frequently asked questions
Do state parks have full hookups?
Some do, but it is not the norm. Texas, Florida, Arizona, Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio have full-hookup loops at many parks. Most states offer electric only or water and electric, with a dump station at the exit. Filter by hookups in our directory before booking.
How far in advance should I book a state park?
For summer weekends, holiday weekends, and winter in Florida or Arizona, book the day the window opens, which ranges from 4 months (Utah) to 12 months (Arizona). Midweek and shoulder season are usually available a few days out.
Are state parks cheaper than KOA?
Almost always. A water and electric site at a state park is $25 to $45; a comparable KOA site is $55 to $85. The KOA will have WiFi, laundry, and a pool that the state park lacks, so pick based on what you need that night.
Can I stay in a state park long term?
No. Almost every state caps stays at 14 consecutive nights, sometimes 21 or 30 in the off season. For monthly stays you need a private park or a BLM Long-Term Visitor Area.