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There are very few campgrounds today that do not offer wireless internet, or Wi-Fi.  In some cases they rely on a third party’s service for which the camper must subscribe and pay for.  But rest assured, even for those free Wi-Fi offers, you still are actually paying.  The service costs money and is built into your daily camping rate.  Here the old saying “you only get what you pay for!” really applies.

One of the more current issues faced today when using Wi-Fi in campgrounds is very slow and sometimes no service. This issue does not seem to happen, or at least happens far less, on a third party’s subscriber-based package.

In some RV resorts, they offer a choice of Wi-Fi or wired modem.  A small rental fee normally applies to the modem, but it may be well worth it.   Generally, the modem plugs into the service pedestal, and then to your computer via Ethernet cable, or direct to a wireless router.  The advantage here is usually more bandwidth and a substantially faster ongoing connection.

An additional benefit that may be gained using the modem and wireless router is the ability to support several other devices as well.   The modem is normally all the park can supply, so you will need to carry your own router.  Some of the pricier motorhomes sold today come standard with a wireless router built-in.

An additional feature with these costly coaches is the ability to remotely control a number of onboard devices from anywhere.  This would include checking the temperature, turning on the heat or AC, starting the generator, even viewing live video from onboard cameras, and much, much more. This service would require an active cellular subscriber chip be present.

So, for now we will still see signs at campgrounds reading “Free Wi-Fi”.  That will one day look as out of place as “Color TV” advertised at a motel.  In the meantime, keep surfing and enjoy.

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12 comments

  1. Sherri Eley

    Not a deal breaker when traveling to and fr final destination. But def a must for long stays. We have verso. Hot spot for conducting personal finance stuff. If edict at a park with cable we will purchase internet thri rhecabe company while we r there.

  2. Rob Casey

    I think it's a good thing really. I mean if you don't want to be connected to the world you don't have to be and there is no obtrusive about wifi being in the Parks. RVer's should really enjoy the perk as it will allow them to plan for the next leg of their journey.

  3. John Sichenze

    If a park has poor wifi I will not stay there a second time.

  4. John Sichenze

    If a park has poor wifi I will not stay there a second time.

  5. James Okvist

    Having WIFI in the park is very important for me. We go on the road for either one or 4 months. When we are on the road we do not stay for a month or more in a campground instead we move around fairly frequently. With out internet access I can not pay bills or stay in contact with friends / relatives back home. Thus WIFI is essential. When the parks WIFI does not work well then I use my hotspot on my phone. It is unfortunate that so many park wifi's are poorly configured. For example if a park has Tango as it's wifi provider we will try and avoid it.

  6. James Okvist

    Having WIFI in the park is very important for me. We go on the road for either one or 4 months. When we are on the road we do not stay for a month or more in a campground instead we move around fairly frequently. With out internet access I can not pay bills or stay in contact with friends / relatives back home. Thus WIFI is essential. When the parks WIFI does not work well then I use my hotspot on my phone. It is unfortunate that so many park wifi's are poorly configured. For example if a park has Tango as it's wifi provider we will try and avoid it.

  7. I would definitely prefer wi-fi. Unless there was no other camp ground in the area, I would probably not stay there again.

  8. I would definitely prefer wi-fi. Unless there was no other camp ground in the area, I would probably not stay there again.

  9. David Robinson

    Having my Verizon hotspot feature has worked really well for me in place of using a site's WIFI, I'm already paying for the monthly cost so why plug into theirs when mine is sufficient. Only time I do use theirs is when there is no Verizon service in the area but that is rare. I can get 5 bars on my hotspot with only a 3 bar connection on my cellphone.

  10. David Robinson

    Having my Verizon hotspot feature has worked really well for me in place of using a site's WIFI, I'm already paying for the monthly cost so why plug into theirs when mine is sufficient. Only time I do use theirs is when there is no Verizon service in the area but that is rare. I can get 5 bars on my hotspot with only a 3 bar connection on my cellphone.

  11. Patricia Lewis Knapp

    Absolutely need strong wifi, it would make a difference in choosing a place for the winter. I also use mi-fi when there is a strong signal.

  12. Ken Masterson

    Yes, cuz I have Verizon MiFI Jetpack 😉