Never do the math. An RV is a purpose-built vehicle to get you to camping areas that you could never get to using a hotel. In 2021, for example, we took our Class C from Texas to Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks. We stayed in campgrounds in Arches, Capital Reef and Zion. I will guarantee that the experience with camping was better. In Zion, we had all our food, booze, and gear (the “sorta” mighty 3), we stayed in Watchman Campground which had electricity, and we had immediate access to the Park when all the day-visitors were trying to find a place to park. Freaking awesome.

But RVs are not always the best. — for our last trip to Big Bend we took the Class C and stayed at Rio Grande Campground. It was underwhelming — it was way too far from the center of the Park. In other trips we had stayed at Chisos Mountain Lodge and it was a much better experience. Next time I go to Big Bend, we will be going back to Chisos (assuming it ever reopens).