Dale Hartman

Dale Hartman

Lead RV Park Reviewer

Full-time RVer since 2014 — 400+ parks and counting.

Dale has lived on the road full-time since 2014, when he sold the house in Boise and moved into a 34-foot fifth wheel with his wife and a stubborn beagle named Otis. In the years since, he's parked at more than 400 campgrounds across 41 states — from boondocking sites with no hookups to luxury resorts with concrete pads and pickleball courts.

Before the RV life, Dale spent two seasons as a campground host in Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which is where he learned the difference between a park that looks good in photos and one that actually works when you're backing in at dusk after a 300-mile day.

For RV Parks Guide, Dale focuses on individual park reviews: site sizes, hookup reliability, road access for big rigs, cell signal, and the small frustrations that never show up on a reservation page. If a review says the dump station backs up on Sunday mornings, it's because he was in that line.

Experience & credentials

44 articles by Dale

RV Power Without Hookups: How to Actually Run Your Rig Off-Grid
Tips

RV Power Without Hookups: How to Actually Run Your Rig Off-Grid

The real math behind boondocking power — what your RV draws overnight, what your batteries actually give you, and why the furnace is the number that ruins most trips.

Read
Cape Point Campground Review: Fees, RV Fit & Booking (2026)
Review north-carolina

Cape Point Campground Review: Fees, RV Fit & Booking (2026)

A verified Cape Point Campground review covering 2026 fees, dry camping, RV length, same-day reservations and Cape Hatteras tradeoffs.

Read
Carolina Beach State Park Camping Review: Hookups & Rates (2026)
Review north-carolina

Carolina Beach State Park Camping Review: Hookups & Rates (2026)

A verified Carolina Beach State Park review covering full hookups, 2026 rates, hot showers, RV fit and Cape Fear Coast tradeoffs.

Read
Frisco Campground Review: Outer Banks RV Camping (2026)
Review north-carolina

Frisco Campground Review: Outer Banks RV Camping (2026)

A verified Frisco Campground review covering 2026 fees, dry camping, RV length, reservations and the quieter Hatteras Island setting.

Read
Ludington State Park Camping Review & Campgrounds Near Ludington, MI (2026)
Review michigan

Ludington State Park Camping Review & Campgrounds Near Ludington, MI (2026)

A researched Ludington State Park review covering 2026 rates, Beechwood/Pines/Cedar, RV fit and booking, plus a comparison of the other campgrounds near Ludington, Michigan for tents, families, Wi-Fi and long-term stays.

Read
Ocracoke Campground Review: Ferry, Fees & RV Fit (2026)
Review north-carolina

Ocracoke Campground Review: Ferry, Fees & RV Fit (2026)

A verified Ocracoke Campground review covering 2026 fees, dry camping, RV length, reservations, ferries and island tradeoffs.

Read
Oregon Inlet Campground Review: Hookups, Fees & RV Fit (2026)
Review north-carolina

Oregon Inlet Campground Review: Hookups, Fees & RV Fit (2026)

A verified Oregon Inlet Campground review covering utility sites, 2026 fees, heated showers, reservations, RV length and barrier-island tradeoffs.

Read
Stone Mountain State Park Camping Review: RV Loops (2026)
Review north-carolina

Stone Mountain State Park Camping Review: RV Loops (2026)

A verified Stone Mountain State Park review covering RV loops, 2026 rates, electric and water hookups, showers, dump station and site fit.

Read
Tahquamenon Falls State Park Camping Review (2026)
Review michigan

Tahquamenon Falls State Park Camping Review (2026)

A researched Tahquamenon Falls camping review covering 2026 prices, campground location, electric service, exact-site rig fit and UP trip planning.

Read
Wilderness State Park Camping Review: RV Sites (2026)
Review michigan

Wilderness State Park Camping Review: RV Sites (2026)

An honest Wilderness State Park review covering 2026 prices, semi-modern and modern electric inventory, RV fit, booking and location tradeoffs.

Read
D.H. Day Campground Review: Sites, RV Fit & Reservations (2026)
Review michigan

D.H. Day Campground Review: Sites, RV Fit & Reservations (2026)

A verified D.H. Day Campground review covering the $10 fee, reservation season, site-specific RV fit, generator rules and Sleeping Bear access.

Read
Julian Price Campground Review: RV Sites & 2026 Changes
Review north-carolina

Julian Price Campground Review: RV Sites & 2026 Changes

A verified Julian Price Campground review covering 190 sites, 2026 reservations, closed showers, dry camping, rig fit and roadwork planning.

Read
Mount Pisgah Campground Review: Elevation, Weather, RV Fit & Showers (2026)
Review north-carolina

Mount Pisgah Campground Review: Elevation, Weather, RV Fit & Showers (2026)

A verified Mount Pisgah Campground review covering its 4,980-foot elevation, month-by-month weather, 125 sites, showers, dry camping, exact rig fit and tunnel approach routes.

Read
Peaks of Otter Campground Review: RV Fit & Fees (2026)
Review virginia

Peaks of Otter Campground Review: RV Fit & Fees (2026)

A verified Peaks of Otter Campground review covering 139 sites, 2026 fees, dry camping, site-specific RV fit and nearby Abbott Lake.

Read
Platte River Campground Review: Electric Sites & RV Fit (2026)
Review michigan

Platte River Campground Review: Electric Sites & RV Fit (2026)

A verified Platte River Campground review covering its 179 sites, electric loops, free showers, reservations, rig fit and Sleeping Bear location.

Read
Cherry Creek State Park Campground Review: Camping Inside Metro Denver
Review colorado

Cherry Creek State Park Campground Review: Camping Inside Metro Denver

An honest review of Cherry Creek State Park Campground in Aurora — full-hookup sites, loop-by-loop shade reality, highway noise, fees, and whether Denver's in-city state park is worth booking.

Read
Chisos Basin Campground Review: Big Bend's Mountain Bowl
Review texas

Chisos Basin Campground Review: Big Bend's Mountain Bowl

An honest review of Chisos Basin Campground in Big Bend — the mountain campground with the famous Window view, the strict rig-size limits, and what the 2026 construction news means for your trip.

Read
Devils Garden Campground Review: The Only Campground Inside Arches
Review utah

Devils Garden Campground Review: The Only Campground Inside Arches

An honest review of Devils Garden Campground in Arches National Park — 51 dry-camping sites among the sandstone fins at $25/night, and why reservations vanish six months out.

Read
Inks Lake State Park Camping Review: The Hill Country's Constant-Level Lake
Review texas

Inks Lake State Park Camping Review: The Hill Country's Constant-Level Lake

An honest review of camping at Inks Lake State Park — hookup classes and fees, the best loops, Devil's Waterhole, summer crowds, and how it stacks up against Garner and the rest of the Hill Country.

Read
Many Glacier Campground Review: Glacier's Most Coveted Sites
Review montana

Many Glacier Campground Review: Glacier's Most Coveted Sites

An honest review of Many Glacier Campground in Glacier National Park — 109 sites at $23/night, a famously tight 35-foot RV limit on just 13 sites, and the best trailhead access in the park.

Read
Upper Pines Campground Review: RV Camping in the Heart of Yosemite Valley
Review california

Upper Pines Campground Review: RV Camping in the Heart of Yosemite Valley

An honest review of Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley — 238 sites, no hookups, brutal reservations, and the best location in American camping. Site picks, booking strategy, and RV limits.

Read
Wahweap RV Park & Campground Review: Lake Powell's Front Porch
Review arizona

Wahweap RV Park & Campground Review: Lake Powell's Front Porch

An honest review of Wahweap RV Park & Campground at Lake Powell — full-hookup sites near $100/night, dry camping around $30, lake views, and what the current water levels actually mean for your trip.

Read
Zion River Resort Review: Full Hookups on the Virgin River
Review utah

Zion River Resort Review: Full Hookups on the Virgin River

An honest review of Zion River Resort in Virgin, Utah — full-hookup rates by season, riverfront vs standard sites, big-rig access, and how it compares to Watchman Campground inside Zion.

Read
Elkmont Campground Review (2026): Prices, RV Sites & Best Loops
Review tennessee

Elkmont Campground Review (2026): Prices, RV Sites & Best Loops

A current Elkmont Campground review for Great Smoky Mountains — $30 rate, RV-site limits, riverside choices, generator rules, and no-hookup logistics.

Read
Apgar Campground Review: Showers, Elevation, RV Fit & Prices (2026)
Review montana

Apgar Campground Review: Showers, Elevation, RV Fit & Prices (2026)

A researched Apgar Campground review — free seasonal showers, nearly 3,500-foot elevation, 194 sites, rig limits, no hookups, and Lake McDonald access.

Read
Bahia Honda State Park Camping: Prices, Reservations & Hours (2026)
Review florida

Bahia Honda State Park Camping: Prices, Reservations & Hours (2026)

A current Bahia Honda State Park camping guide with campground differences, RV limits, official fees, park hours, and the Florida resident and nonresident booking windows.

Read
Bozeman Hot Springs Campground Prices, Hours & Reviews (2026)
Review montana

Bozeman Hot Springs Campground Prices, Hours & Reviews (2026)

A researched Bozeman Hot Springs Campground review — dynamic pricing, verified site types, hot-springs access, hours, day-pass fees, and current policies.

Read
Campland on the Bay Review: 2026 Rates, Fees & Noise
Review california

Campland on the Bay Review: 2026 Rates, Fees & Noise

A researched Campland on the Bay review — official 2026 summer and winter rates, extra fees, cancellation terms, Mission Bay amenities, density, noise, and other San Diego bay camping options.

Read
Cheyenne Mountain State Park Camping Review: Sites & Fees
Review colorado

Cheyenne Mountain State Park Camping Review: Sites & Fees

Current Cheyenne Mountain State Park camping guide: 61 sites, full-hookup RV camping, 2026 fees, reservations, seasonal showers, and honest trade-offs.

Read
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Prices, Sites & Review (2026)
Review florida

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Prices, Sites & Review (2026)

A current Fort Wilderness campground review — date-based Disney rates, five campsite types, pad sizes, hookups, golf-cart cost, and value tradeoffs.

Read
Fish Creek Campground Review: Is It Worth It for RVs?
Review montana

Fish Creek Campground Review: Is It Worth It for RVs?

Fish Creek Campground review with the current $30 rate, no-hookup trade-off, 35-foot site inventory, reservation release and loop-by-loop RV fit.

Read
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park Review: Worth the Hype?
Review montana

Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park Review: Worth the Hype?

An honest review of Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone — hookups, sites, pricing, and whether it lives up to its reputation as the top Yellowstone basecamp.

Read
Mather Campground Review (2026): Price, RV Limits & Reservations
Review arizona

Mather Campground Review (2026): Price, RV Limits & Reservations

A current Mather Campground review for the Grand Canyon South Rim — $30 rate, 30-foot rig limit, showers, generator hours, water, and reservations.

Read
Moraine Park Campground Elevation, Prices & RV Review (2026)
Review colorado

Moraine Park Campground Elevation, Prices & RV Review (2026)

Moraine Park Campground review with its 8,160-foot elevation, 244 sites, 49 electric hookups, 40-foot limit, 2026 fees and reservation rules.

Read
Morefield Campground Review: Mesa Verde's Only In-Park Campground (2026)
Review colorado

Morefield Campground Review: Mesa Verde's Only In-Park Campground (2026)

A researched Morefield Campground review — address, approximate 7,800-foot elevation, 267 sites, 15 full hookups, 46-foot RV limit, prices, and 2026 dates.

Read
Mustang Island State Park Review: Texas Beach Camping with Hookups
Review texas

Mustang Island State Park Review: Texas Beach Camping with Hookups

A researched Mustang Island State Park review — $25 water/50-amp sites behind the dunes, $13 primitive beach camping, fees, wind, and rig tradeoffs — plus the other RV parks and resorts on the island.

Read
Pioneer Beach RV Resort Review: Prices, Sites & Beach Access (Port Aransas)
Review texas

Pioneer Beach RV Resort Review: Prices, Sites & Beach Access (Port Aransas)

Pioneer Beach RV Resort review with published rate table, verified hookups, premium vs standard back-in and pull-thru sites, beach boardwalk, amenities and the trade-offs to check before booking in Port Aransas.

Read
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort Review: 400 Sites on the Central Coast
Review california

Pismo Coast Village RV Resort Review: 400 Sites on the Central Coast

An honest review of Pismo Coast Village — California's largest beachside RV resort with 400 full-hookup sites, 2026 nightly prices, heated pool, and the dust issues nobody warns you about.

Read
Ruby's Inn RV Park Review: Is It Worth It Near Bryce Canyon?
Review utah

Ruby's Inn RV Park Review: Is It Worth It Near Bryce Canyon?

Ruby's Inn RV Park review with 250 campsites, hookups, April–October season, 2026 Bryce shuttle access, amenities and live-rate guidance.

Read
Spanish Trail RV Park Review: Moab Rates, Sites & Rig Fit (2026)
Review utah

Spanish Trail RV Park Review: Moab Rates, Sites & Rig Fit (2026)

A researched Spanish Trail RV Park review — current $69–$120 rates, full-hookup site lengths, fees, cancellation terms, pool, and Moab access.

Read
Trailer Village RV Park Review: Hookups, Rates & Rig Limits
Review arizona

Trailer Village RV Park Review: Hookups, Rates & Rig Limits

Trailer Village RV Park review with current $80–$85 rates, full-hookup details, 50-foot limit, showers, laundry, reservations and South Rim shuttle access.

Read
United Campground Durango Review: Rates & Train Noise (2026)
Review colorado

United Campground Durango Review: Rates & Train Noise (2026)

A researched review of United Campground of Durango — verified 2026 rates, Animas River sites, hookups, seasonal dates, and the railroad through camp.

Read
Watchman Campground Zion Review: Prices, Best Sites & Loops (2026)
Review utah

Watchman Campground Zion Review: Prices, Best Sites & Loops (2026)

A current Watchman Campground review for Zion — 2026 prices, electric hookups, loop-by-loop site choices, RV limits, and reservation strategy.

Read
West Glacier KOA Resort: Rates & Review (Glacier's Taj Mahal, 2026)
Review montana

West Glacier KOA Resort: Rates & Review (Glacier's Taj Mahal, 2026)

A researched West Glacier KOA Resort review — date-specific pricing, the $25 nightly resort fee, full hookups, pools, and Glacier access.

Read