Camping World: The Complete Guide

Search for "campingworld" and you land on one of the biggest names in the American outdoors world: Camping World, a retailer built around recreational vehicles and camping gear. This guide explains what the company actually is, what it sells, and how to shop it (or any large outdoor retailer) sensibly, without hype or invented prices.

What Camping World is

Camping World is a recreational vehicle and outdoor retailer in the United States. The company specialises in selling RVs along with RV parts, accessories and service, and it stocks a wide range of camping supplies alongside them. In short, it is a one-stop shop aimed at people who travel and camp in motorhomes, travel trailers and campervans, as well as tent campers who need gear.

The business traces back to 1966, when it began as a small store near Bowling Green, Kentucky, set up to sell supplies to campers who kept asking where to buy them. From that single shop it grew into a national chain. The parent company became publicly traded, listing on the New York Stock Exchange, and it now runs a large number of retail locations across dozens of US states, supported by online and telephone ordering.

If the world of motorhomes and trailers is new to you, our complete guide to RV camping explains the basics, and the broader guide to camping covers everything from tents upward.

What it sells

Understanding the product mix helps you know when a retailer like this is the right stop and when a specialist or local shop makes more sense. Camping World's range spans several broad areas:

• Recreational vehicles: new and used motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels and other towable RVs.
• RV parts and accessories: everything from hitches and awnings to water systems, electrical parts and interior fittings.
• RV service and maintenance: workshops that handle repairs, installations and seasonal servicing.
• Camping and outdoor supplies: tents, sleeping gear, cooking equipment, chairs and general kit for campers who are not in an RV at all.

Because the range is so broad, it is worth knowing what you actually need before you walk in. Our sleeping bag buyer's guide and camping stove guide give you honest, criteria-first checklists so you can judge gear on its merits rather than on shelf placement.

Buying an RV: how to shop it wisely

An RV is a major purchase, second only to a home for many buyers, so it rewards patience. Whether you buy from Camping World or anywhere else, the same principles apply:

1. Decide the type first. Motorhomes drive as one unit, travel trailers and fifth wheels tow behind a vehicle, and campervans are compact and easy to park. Each suits a different mix of budget, comfort and driving confidence.
2. Set a realistic total budget. Beyond the sticker price come insurance, servicing, storage, fuel and campsite fees. Factor these in before you fall for a floor plan.
3. Inspect used units carefully. Water damage is the classic hidden fault. Check ceilings, corners and around windows for soft spots and staining, and ask for service history.
4. Take a proper test drive or tow. Comfort behind the wheel matters as much as the layout inside.

Once you own an RV, you will need places to stay. Our directory-style guide to finding an RV park explains how to compare hook-ups, fees and amenities honestly.

Prices: why a guide cannot give you a fixed number

You will see many articles quote exact prices for RVs and gear. Treat those with caution. RV pricing swings enormously with the type of vehicle, whether it is new or used, the model year, optional extras, regional demand and the time of year. A basic towable camper and a large luxury motorhome can be separated by a factor of ten or more.

The honest approach is to think in ranges and confirm real figures directly. Entry-level towable campers sit at the lower end, mid-size travel trailers and campervans in the middle, and large motorhomes at the top. Because these ranges shift constantly, we will not pin a single price on any of them. Always check current pricing with the retailer, and remember that end-of-season and clearance periods often bring the best deals.

Alternatives and how Camping World fits the wider market

Camping World is prominent in the United States, but it is one option among many. Independent RV dealers, general outdoor retailers, specialist gear shops and online marketplaces all compete for the same customers, and each has strengths. Local dealers may offer more personal service, specialist shops deeper expertise on specific gear, and online sellers a wider selection.

Outside North America, the landscape looks different again. In Europe, campsite holiday brands and touring specialists dominate, and platforms for finding overnight spots such as park4night shape how campervanners travel. The lesson is simple: a big brand name is a starting point for research, not a guarantee of the best deal.

Getting started with RV and camping life

If a shop like Camping World is your gateway into camping, start small and build up. You do not need a top-of-the-range motorhome to enjoy the outdoors. Many people begin with a tent or a modest campervan, learn what they actually use, and upgrade later with real experience behind them. Our campervan sites guide is a good next read for anyone leaning towards van travel rather than a full RV.

Whatever you buy, the gear is only a means to an end. The real value is the nights under the stars, the quiet mornings by a lake and the flexibility to go where you like. Buy what serves those trips, skip what does not, and let the marketing wash over you.

Frequently asked questions

What is Camping World?

Camping World is a United States retailer that sells recreational vehicles, RV parts and accessories, RV service, and general camping supplies. It began as a small store near Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1966 and grew into a large national chain with stores across many US states plus online and phone ordering.

What does Camping World sell?

It sells new and used RVs such as motorhomes and travel trailers, a wide range of RV parts and accessories, RV servicing and repairs, and camping gear like tents, sleeping equipment and cooking kit. The aim is to be a one-stop shop for both RV owners and tent campers.

How much does an RV cost?

There is no single answer. RV prices vary enormously with type, age, model year, options, region and season, ranging from modest towable campers at the low end to large motorhomes many times more expensive. Think in ranges, compare several sellers, and confirm current pricing directly rather than trusting a fixed figure from any guide.

Is Camping World the only place to buy RVs and gear?

No. It is a large and well-known option in the United States, but independent dealers, general and specialist outdoor retailers and online marketplaces all compete for the same buyers. Compare several sources, read independent owner reviews, and choose based on price, service and expertise rather than brand name alone.

What should I check before buying a used RV?

Look hard for water damage, the most common hidden fault, by checking ceilings, corners and window surrounds for soft spots and stains. Ask for service history, test drive or tow the unit, and budget for insurance, storage, servicing and campsite fees on top of the purchase price.