The Summer-to-Fall Transition for Full-Time RVers vs. Seasonal Campers
As the last s’mores of summer get toasted and the sound of kids’ laughter fades from the campgrounds, you can feel it — the traditional RV season is winding down. For many weekend warriors and seasonal campers, this means winterizing their rig, putting it in storage, and daydreaming about next year’s adventures.
But for those of us living the full-time RV lifestyle? The season doesn’t end — it simply shifts gears.
For the summer-only crowd, the transition is bittersweet:
Winterizing the RV: Draining water lines, adding antifreeze, and making sure the rig is snug for the cold months.
Packing It Away: Whether it’s in a storage lot or the driveway, the RV gets parked until the first warm weekend next spring. Some may even spend a night or two in their driveways during the winter months to experience a staycation for real.
Shifting Back to Life in a Traditional Home: Home routines, commutes, and familiar neighborhoods once again become the focus.
For some, RV life is a special treat — a summer getaway love affair with the open road.
The Full-Time RVer: Winter is Another Chapter in the Journey
For us, the changing season means we have to adjust our wardrobe and route!
Chasing 70 Degress: Instead of hunkering down, we start planning our migration. Maybe we head south to avoid snow, or toward a warmer desert climate where winter mornings are crisp but afternoons are perfect for hiking. Although our winters in Las Vegas, NV were quite cold we still enjoyed being there.
Different Campground Vibes: Crowded pools and noisy weekends give way to quieter parks filled with other full-timers and retirees. Conversations shift from “Where are you from?” to “Where are you spending the winter?”
Budget Adjustments: Winter often means fewer campground discounts in snowbird-friendly areas, so we mix in more military campgrounds, Harvest Hosts stays, or casino overnights to keep costs balanced.
Lifestyle Stays the Same: We’re still cooking in our tiny kitchen, still getting in our workouts, still waking up to a new view when we feel like moving. The scenery changes, but the rhythm of our life stays the same.
The Emotional Shift
Summer campers often feel a little post-vacation blues when the season ends — like the party is over. But for full-timers, it’s more like turning the page to a new chapter. We often joke that we are getting our park back.
The Key Difference: Mindset
Seasonal camping is a break from “normal life.” Full-time RVing is normal life. We don’t count down the days until next season — we’re living the season we’re in. And honestly? That’s the beauty of it.
If you’re dreaming about making the shift from seasonal to full-time RV life, start planning now. The freedom to keep rolling when everyone else is winterizing? Worth every adjustment.
We created a digital guide and checklists to help you transition, you can learn more about our resources to help you launch into the fulltime RV Life here
Here's to a safe and healthy season of fun and adventure be it in a campground or a traditional home.
Kirsten & Mack
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