WAIT!! Using The Campground Shower? 5 Tips You Need To Know

Nov 13, 2023

Even though most RVs have showers, some RVers opt to use campground showers instead. This is often the case if they’re trying to preserve water or simply because their RV shower is too small or uncomfortable to use.

A member of our RV Lifestyle Facebook group, Emily, brought this topic up in a recent post. She wrote:

"Going on a long trip in a few months and we don't anticipate using our RV shower much. Too cramped for my husband. We have never used the campground showers before. Any tips?…"

Our FB community responded with over 150 comments filled with tips, shower caddy recommendations, and more. We’re going to share many of those tips with you, along with some of our own.

We also have some helpful resources to make your RV shower more organized, more spacious, and more usable overall!

Until we got our new Leisure Travel Vans Unity FX, we seldom, if ever, took showers in the RV. All that has changed now that we have instant hot water.

In this video, we show you how that is possible and tour the North American Headquarters of Truma, which is setting the standard for water heaters in recreational vehicles.

But, if instant hot water isn't enough and you still want to use the campground showers, no problem! Here are some helpful campground shower tips…

When you’re out camping, there's nothing quite like the rejuvenating experience of a refreshing shower. However, using campground showers can present a unique set of challenges, from concerns about cleanliness to how to keep your things dry.

Here are some valuable tips and suggestions to ensure you have a comfortable and hassle-free time while using the campground's shower facilities.

One of the most common tips you’ll hear when it comes to using campground showers is to wear flip-flops or shower shoes. While campground staff does their best to maintain cleanliness, it's still a shared space that can harbor bacteria and fungi.

Plus, there's often muddy areas since it's nearly impossible to keep dirt out of campground showers. By wearing flip-flops or shower shoes, you can protect your feet from potential infections and maintain good hygiene.

Opt for shower shoes for men and women that have holes in the soles. These are easy to clean and dry, and won't get bogged down by water as you shower. And they come in many colors.

(**If you don't like wearing shower shoes, see Tip #3!)

Carrying your toiletries to and from the shower can be cumbersome, especially if you have multiple items. Investing in a caddy or mesh bag designed for wet use is a game-changer.

There are lots of mesh bag options (including mesh backpacks and mesh caddies) that are lightweight, durable, and drain & dry quickly. By using a mesh bag, you’ll have a convenient and organized way to carry your shampoo, soap, towels, and other shower essentials.

(At the end of this article, we discuss how to make your RV shower more usable, which includes RV shower caddy recommendations.)

One common complaint about campground showers is the lack of cleanliness on the floor. To avoid stepping onto a potentially dirty surface when you step out of the shower, consider bringing your own shower mat.

You can use these mats just outside the shower area where you dry off and get dressed. Or, use them in the shower, especially if you don't like wearing shower shoes.

As an added bonus, shower mats help save you from slipping in the shower! That's more important than you might think. A study by the CDC showed 81% of bathroom injuries are from falls.

One RVer specifically recommended this Clorox Shower Mat, which contains antimicrobial agents that inhibit mold and mildew growth. Plus, it's cushioned.

While many campgrounds provide free showers, some may require you to pay for water usage. To avoid any inconvenience, make sure to have plenty of quarters on hand.

This way, you’ll be prepared in case you encounter a shower facility that requires payment. Keep your quarters in a small, waterproof container or coin purse, so they stay dry even in the shower area.

Quarters will come in handy for laundry facilities, as well. Speaking of which, be sure to brush up on the 10 Best Campground Laundry Etiquette Tips & Tricks.

Campground showers often have curtains that may not fully contain water, leading to the floor getting wet. To prevent your dry clothes, towel, or other personal items from getting soaked, it's advisable to keep them as far away from the shower curtain as possible.

Utilize over-the-door shower hooks, towel racks, or even the mesh bags mentioned earlier to hang or store your dry items away from the water splashes. Some RVers take a small folding step stool for this reason, as well as to use in the shower.

Emily's post stemmed from her husband's inability to take a good RV shower. It's a common problem (especially for men) who find it difficult to shower in such a small space.

We have another article that's on this very topic. In fact, that article was in response to another Facebook post that cried out for help. It said, "OK help! How do we take an actual shower in our camper? Or is it not possible…"

Thankfully, it is possible! There are tips and tricks you can employ to make your shower more usable and comfortable.

So, we wrote the article to address the 3 big problems with RV showers and the tips and tricks to combat those problems. Read the full article here…

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June 05, 2023at7:45 pm, Merrily Robinson said:

I also include in my shower house bag, over the door hooks (2)!!They often do not have enough to hang your clothes 🙂

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June 07, 2023at5:41 am, VIRGINIA Martin said:

I use a plastic S hook for my swimsuit when I shower at the gym, which has the same issues as campground showers.

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June 08, 2023at10:50 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:

An excellent tip!

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June 08, 2023at10:49 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Good tip! Thanks for sharing – Team RV Lifestyle

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June 03, 2023at8:14 am, Bill Azzarello said:

For those senior citizens who are on Medicare make sure your supplement has a Silver Sneakers program attached to it so you can search out local gyms nearby, or along the way, that you can go and have a short workout and then enjoy a nice hot and long shower. It's worked for us for a few years now. Happy travels :).

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June 03, 2023at9:38 am, Team RV Lifestyle said:

Great tip, Bill! Team RV Lifestyle

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