Question Finding campgrounds with high quality wifi

[Toyhauling22]

We recently bought a much larger toyhauler so we can take multi month camping trips. I need good wifi so I can work while camping. I have unlimited data with my cell service, but there is no guarantee that LTE or 5G will be available at a campground. There must be some internet source that has campground wifi information, but I can’t find it.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

We recently bought a much larger toyhauler so we can take multi month camping trips. I need good wifi so I can work while camping. I have unlimited data with my cell service, but there is no guarantee that LTE or 5G will be available at a campground. There must be some internet source that has campground wifi information, but I can’t find it.

Most all Tennessee State Parks have good WiFi service to all campsites. Do check to confirm as ALL do not have WiFi installed at this time. They are also much less expensive than commercial campgrounds.

 

[MapNerd]

This map will let you search for addresses and see the approximate signal strength of various cellular service providers at the location.

ArcGIS Web Application

fcc.maps.arcgis.com

As for campground WiFi, even when it’s available it is often not very good. Most campgrounds do not plan their WiFi networks with enough capacity and the result is often paying for poor speeds, if you can connect at all.

 

[Matt]

I have found most campgrounds don't provide decent WIFI if they have it at all. We camp mostly in the Midwest. I usually just end up using my hot spot on my phone for a connection if it will reach a tower, depends where you are at.
On the other hand, when I go camping the last thing I want to do is get on the internet since my day job is in IT. But I know some people work out of their RV. For me it's relaxation like burning wood and drinking a few beers.

 

[Toyhauling22]

Most all Tennessee State Parks have good WiFi service to all campsites. Do check to confirm as ALL do not have WiFi installed at this time. They are also much less expensive than commercial campgrounds.

I’m looking for a source where I can find campgrounds with good wifi when I planning out longer trips. I’ve found that 50% of the campgrounds that advertise having wifi, have crappy wifi with low bandwidth and poor connectivity.

I have found most campgrounds don't provide decent WIFI if they have it at all. We camp mostly in the Midwest. I usually just end up using my hot spot on my phone for a connection if it will reach a tower, depends where you are at.
On the other hand, when I go camping the last thing I want to do is get on the internet since my day job is in IT. But I know some people work out of their RV. For me it's relaxation like burning wood and drinking a few beers.

My day job is IT consulting. All of my work is remote and has been for 8 years. Now I want to take it on the road.

 

[Gronk]

I’m looking for a source where I can find campgrounds with good wifi when I planning out longer trips. I’ve found that 50% of the campgrounds that advertise having wifi, have crappy wifi with low bandwidth and poor connectivity.

Very doubtful you will find more than a few campgrounds that will have enough wifi for your needs. I haven't had much issue or problem using my phone for internet.

 

[Dona40]

We have a dedicated phone on our plan for the Wi-fi. Unlimited plans are slow because they limit the bandwidth when you reach a certain level. Ours just tacks on more gigs as we use them. I don't and never will rely on their "internet access". And you can use it for a phone if mine falls in the river or just unexpectedly fails.

 

[lemondrop9344]

As others have indicated, RV park WIFI is not considered optimal for people that require reliable internet access for work related activities. If you happen to have reliable WIFI at a RV park, consider it a bonus.
I would suggest you take a look at the Mobile Internet Resource Center. They have a free section which discusses options for people requiring internet connectivity while on the road.
Their general consensus is along the line of; 'if you need reliable internet connectivity, you will most likely find that cellular service offers the most reliable & affordable option'.
I have been working from my RV since I went 'full time' in December, 2019. During the next several months I tried a variety of products to improve the internet reliability of 'phone' cellular connectivity & RV park WIFI. I ultimately settled on an enterprise/commercial grade cellular modem/router from Peplink with multiple cellular carriers. There are others who have acquired similar equipment with the associated 'data only' cellular plans & there are those who have gone with other solutions. There are almost as many opinions as there are people.
It works great, but, the reality is this................. if bandwidth isn't there, you won't have internet on either cellular or WIFI. The site provided by Mapnerd is probably as good as it is for the time being devoted to availability, but, it's cellular coverage.
Good luck & safe travels.

 

[DKRITTER]

We recently bought a much larger toyhauler so we can take multi month camping trips. I need good wifi so I can work while camping. I have unlimited data with my cell service, but there is no guarantee that LTE or 5G will be available at a campground. There must be some internet source that has campground wifi information, but I can’t find it.

Been there done that...

I agree with everyone that RV Park WIFI is unreliable consistently, trying to find it in the 10+ years we have RV'd hasn't worked. I can think of 1 time we have had really good WIFI and several times we have had decent to good service and hundreds of times it was poor at best. Reality is, park WIFI is unreliable.

You say you have "unlimited data with your cell service". Is that on a phone you can hotspot with? If it is you might look into a Cell Booster. WeBoost RV Cellular Boosters - TechnoRV

We ended up with a MIFI device and it worked fairly well but it was a daily dance with all of it.

The Daily Internet Access Dance

The Daily Internet Access Dance So, here’s the question……… Is there a better way to do this? Everyday I go thru this dance using various pieces of equipment to get internet access and it’s a grind. Park WiFi WiFi Camp Pro 2 SureCall Fusion2Go 3.0 RV Cell Phone Signal Booster Verizon...

rvforums.com

In the end we went all in and absolutely love it. We took the sim card out of the MIFI and moved it to a PepWave device with an external antenna. It manages all of our WIFI and is easily adjusted to our desires depending on the quality of different signals we are getting. It's a bit pricey but going in but it's very reliable. I wish I had done this to start with.

Mobile Internet & Data

 

[Kevin D Pem]

We recently bought a much larger toyhauler so we can take multi month camping trips. I need good wifi so I can work while camping. I have unlimited data with my cell service, but there is no guarantee that LTE or 5G will be available at a campground. There must be some internet source that has campground wifi information, but I can’t find it.

So this is an old question that I have the answer to!!!
A clearing is all you need for excellent service.

For the first time in 22 years, I now have useful internet service. I am now using starlink for RVs!!! Cost of equipment is less than a quality computer (599 + shipping and handling). Best part is true unlimited service. To add to that benefit, is you can connect over 100 devices to the system. I have the TV, neighbor, tablets, computer, all connected. I am using it for phone service as well using the (text now app).

The for RVs service is not on a waiting list, and I pay less per month than with my old Verizon carrier.

One more point, you put the antenna in a clearing facing NS and it finds the satellites, that easy.