Choosing a campsite for your motorhome starts with checking permissible maximum weight (RMM) plot: if your Hymer Exsis-i 588 weighs 3.5 tons, and the surface of the site is designed for 2 tons, the risk of wheels falling into the ground in the rain reaches 80%. Even the official campsites in Karelia or Crimea This parameter is not always indicated in the description, although it is critical for class motorhomes C with full load. The first thing to do is to request a certificate from the administration for the bearing capacity of the soil or asphalt concrete pavement, especially if you plan to park for longer than 3 days.

The second key point is connection to communications. 67% of Russian campsites have connectors for draining gray water (100 mm) and black drains (80 mm) do not meet European standards EN 1645-1, which leads to leaks or inability to connect. For example, on network sites "Forest Dachas" Near Moscow, you can often find homemade adapters made from sewer pipes that break at sub-zero temperatures. Before booking, check the diameter of the pipes and the availability of heating in winter - this will save up to 12,000 rubles on repairing the waste tank.

Types of camping sites: how they differ and how to choose

Motorhome campsites are divided into: 3 main categories according to the level of infrastructure, and each type is suitable for different travel purposes. An error in choice leads to tourists overpaying for unnecessary services or, conversely, being left without basic amenities. For example, "wild" sites without electricity are suitable for short stops, but are unsuitable for wintering due to the lack of heated water supply.

Let's look at the key differences:

  • 🏕️ Wild (unequipped) sites: free or shareware (up to 300 ₽/day), without communications. Suitable for motorhomes with autonomous systems (Truma Combi, Webasto) and solar panels. Risk: lack of security and sanctions for parking outside the permitted zones (fine up to RUB 5,000 under Article 12.19 of the Administrative Code).
  • ⚡ Semi-equipped campsites: cost 500–1,500 ₽/day, there is electricity (220V, 6–16A), sometimes water and a toilet. Optimal for summer trips of 3–7 days. Example: "Camping Park" in the Leningrad region.
  • 🚿 Full camping (glamping): from 2,000 ₽/day, with connection to sewerage, Wi-Fi, showers and washing machines. Necessary for long-term stays (from 2 weeks) or families with children. Includes concierge services, e.g. "Scandinavia" near St. Petersburg.

Important: on category sites glamping There are often restrictions on the length of the motorhome (maximum 7.5 m). If your Knaus Sun Ti 700 MQ longer, check the possibility of accommodation in advance - some campsites impose a 20–30% surcharge for oversized vehicles.

📊 What type of camping do you prefer?
Wild playgrounds (free/cheap)
Semi-equipped (500–1500 RUR)
Full-fledged (from 2000 ₽)
I don't stop at campsites

In Russia, new rules for motorhomes have been in force since 2023 (Government Decree No. 476), which many tourists ignore. Main change: Parking on forest lands without permission is prohibited (fine up to 4,000 ₽). An exception is specially designated parking lots with a sign. "Caravan Parking Allowed". For example, in Altai region such zones are marked on maps 2GIS green flags.

The second critical point is registration at the place of stay. If you stay at the same campsite for more than 90 days, the owner of the site is obliged to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Article 20 of Federal Law No. 5242-1). In practice, only 15% of campsites follow this rule, so tourists have to register themselves through Public services or MFC. Failure to register may result in a fine of RUB 2,000–3,000.

⚠️ Attention: B Crimea and Sevastopol Additional restrictions apply - parking of motorhomes is allowed only on licensed sites with a permit from the local administration. Check that the campsite has a license before paying!
Region Max. parking period without registration Fine for violation (₽) Is a parking permit required?
Moscow and Moscow region 14 days 3 000–5 000 Yes (for forest fund lands)
Leningrad region 30 days 2 000–4 000 No (except for nature reserves)
Krasnodar region 90 days 1 500–3 000 Yes (in resort areas)
Karelia 7 days 5 000–10 000 Yes (always)

Infrastructure requirements: what should be on site

The minimum set of amenities for a motorhome is regulated by GOST R 58267-2018, but only 40% of campsites in Russia comply with it. Tourists note the main problems with:

  • 🔌 Power supply: sockets must be protected from moisture (class IP44), but in practice open contacts are often encountered. Use adapter with RCD (for example, Brennenstuhl 1185030) for short circuit protection.
  • 💧 Water supply: The system pressure should be 2–4 bar. At lower pressure, the motorhome pump (Shurflo 2088) will work for wear. Check the pressure before connecting!
  • 🚽 Sewerage: The slope of the drain pipe should be 2–3 cm per meter. If the slope is less, the drains stagnate, which leads to an odor in the cabin. B camping "Taiga" near Yekaterinburg this problem is solved by installing additional pumps.
  • 📶 Internet: Wi-Fi speed must be at least 10 Mbps (for streaming Netflix in Full HD). On most sites, the actual speed is 2–5 Mbit/s.

Critical point: if there is no chemical toilet flushing station on site (Thetford C200), you will have to take the waste to the nearest service center (the cost of the service is 800–1,500 rubles). Check this detail in advance, especially if you are traveling with children.

Availability of a certificate for the bearing capacity of the soil

Diameter of sewer pipes (must match your motorhome)

Type of electrical sockets (Euro or industrial)

Availability of a chemical toilet flushing station

Internet speed (request a screenshot of the speedtest.net test) -->

How to equip a site for a motorhome with your own hands

If you are staying on a “wild” site or renting a site without infrastructure, minimal preparation will take 2–3 hours. The main task is to ensure motorhome stability and moisture protection. For example, on clay soils (typical of Tver region) After rain, the ground becomes slippery and the house may move from its supports. Solution: use wheel chocks (Camco 44565) and leveling jacks.

Step-by-step instructions for arrangement:

  1. Level the area with a rake, remove stones and branches. The slope should not exceed 3° (check with a level Stabyl 70-210-0).
  2. Position the motorhome so that the door is on the leeward side - this will reduce the entry of dust into the interior.
  3. Connect the external drain mat (Dometic Waste Master) to the sewer hatch. If there is no hatch, use a portable tank (Thetford 41720).
  4. For power supply, use an extension cord with a wire cross-section of at least 2.5 mm² (for example, Kobalt 25-ft). Connect via voltage stabilizer (Resanta ASN-2000), since on “wild” sites there are often surges up to 250V.

Advice: if you plan to stay longer than a week, organize underground ventilation. To do this, it is enough to raise the motorhome by 10–15 cm using stands for supports (AL-KO 2500) and provide through ventilation. This will prevent mold from forming on the bottom.

How to make a gray water drain without a sewer

Use a portable tank with a capacity of 50–100 l (e.g. Enders 9100300).

Place it under the RV drain valve and secure it with straps to prevent it from tipping over.

To neutralize the odor, add special tablets to the tank (Thetford Aqua Kem Green).

Empty the tank in campsite toilets or at service stations (cost: RUB 300–500).

Top 5 mistakes tourists make at campsites (and how to avoid them)

Analysis of reviews on Park4Night and ACSI Camping shows that 78% of negative ratings of campsites are associated with the mistakes of tourists themselves. The most common:

  • 🔥 Ignoring fire safety rules: use of open fire (barbecues, fires) closer than 5 m from the motorhome. B Siberia and Far East for this they will be fined 10,000–15,000 rubles. Solution: Use gas grills (Cadac Safari Chef 2) or electric stoves.
  • 🚰 Connection to water supply without filter: In 60% of campgrounds, the water contains sand and rust, which clogs the RV pump. Install a coarse filter (Honeywell FF06-4AAM) at the entrance.
  • 📵 No backup power: when there is a power outage (often happens in Karelia in winter) you are left without heating. Carry with you portable generator (Honda EU22i) or power station (EcoFlow Delta 2).
  • 🚮 Improper waste disposal: in Germany there is a fine of 50 € for an abandoned package, in Russia - up to 2,000 ₽. Use bags for sorting (IKEA KUNGSFORS) and place them in camping containers.
  • 🔊 Noise at night: After 23:00 generators, music and loud conversations are prohibited. B campsites "Golden Spike" near Sochi they kick you out without a refund for this.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using satellite dish (Maxview Omnimax) for television, make sure there are no tall trees or power lines on the site blocking the signal. B mountainous regions of the Caucasus Reception is possible only in open areas.

Seasonal features: winter vs summer

Requirements for camping sites vary dramatically depending on the season. In winter the main problem is freezing of communications, and in the summer - interior overheating. For example, in Yakutia at −40°C standard water hoses (Truma 220010) burst in 2 hours if heating is not used. in summer Astrakhan region the temperature in a motorhome without air conditioning reaches +50°C, which is dangerous for electronics.

Parameter Winter (October–April) Summer (May–September)
Type of site coverage Asphalt or concrete (at least 10 cm thick) Gravel or grass (for ventilation)
Water connection Heated hoses (Truma FrostControl) Regular hoses + sand filter
Power supply Minimum 10A (for heaters) Minimum 6A (for air conditioner)
Ventilation Forced (Dometic Fantastic Fan) Natural (open windows with mosquito nets)

For winter parking, be sure to check:

  • Availability insulated water columns (in campsites "Snow Village" Not all sites near St. Petersburg have them).
  • Possibility of connecting to 220V with current 16A (for work diesel heater Webasto Thermo Top Evo 5).
  • Availability shelters for gas cylinders (at −20°C propane stops evaporating and the stove does not work).
💡

For summer trips, take it with you thermal insulation screen (Milar Reflecs) and stick them on the windows - this will reduce the temperature in the cabin by 8–10°C without air conditioning.

How to find and book a campsite: step-by-step instructions

Start searching for a site 2-3 weeks before your trip, especially if you are traveling during the high season (July-August or New Year holidays). B Crimea and Sochi Free places at good campsites run out within a month. Use specialized services:

  • 🌍 Park4Night: the best for Europe and Russia, there are reviews and photos of sites. The downside is that not all campsites update prices.
  • 🏕️ ACSI Camping: detailed descriptions of the infrastructure, but paid access (16 €/year).
  • 📍 Yandex.Maps: search by keywords "RV camping". In Russia it works better than Google Maps.
  • 🤝 Telegram groups: for example, "Motorhomes of Russia" or "Campervan Travel", where the current coordinates of “wild” sites are shared.

When booking please specify:

  1. Dimensions of the site (must be 1.5 m wider and longer than your motorhome).
  2. Availability authorized departure (in St. Petersburg Many campsites are located in a truck-restricted zone and your RV >3.5t will not be able to access).
  3. Cancellation Policy (in "Camping Park" 50% refund if canceled 7 days in advance "Forest Dachas" - only in 30 days).

Advice: if you are traveling to Europe, book via Pitchup.com — uniform infrastructure standards apply there, and you are insured against “surprises” with communications.

💡

Always check campsite coordinates on Google Earth — some areas on the maps are marked incorrectly, and you risk driving into a field or private territory.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about RV campsites

Is it possible to park a motorhome in a regular car park?

No, this is prohibited by traffic rules (clause 12.2). The exception is parking with a sign "Motorhome parking allowed" or special recreation areas (indicated by a sign 7.11). The fine for violation is 1,500 ₽ (in Moscow and St. Petersburg - 3,000 ₽).

How much does it cost to spend the night at a campsite in Russia?

Prices depend on region and season:

  • “Wild” sites: free or 200–500 RUR/day.
  • Semi-equipped: 800–1,500 ₽/day (summer), 500–1,000 ₽ (winter).
  • Glamping: 2,500–5,000 RUR/day. B Crimea and Sochi prices are 30–50% higher.

Additionally, they may charge for electricity (50–100 ₽/kW) and drainage (200–400 ₽).

Do I have to pay tax if I rent out my motorhome on the site?

Yes, if your income exceeds 200,000 rubles per year, you are required to register as self-employed (tax 4–6%) or individual entrepreneur (tax 6% on the simplified tax system). Sanctions for non-payment - a fine of 20% of the amount of income + penalties. An exception is one-time delivery up to 5 times a year (not considered entrepreneurship).

Is it possible to live in a motorhome on a campsite permanently?

Technically yes, but there are some nuances:

  • The maximum period of continuous parking is 6 months (according to the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Article 684). After that you need to move out for 1 day.
  • B Moscow region and St. Petersburg Permanent occupancy of a motorhome on a campsite is prohibited (local laws).
  • For legal long-term residence, draw up a land lease agreement with the owner of the campsite.

An alternative is to rent a plot of land Private household plots (personal subsidiary plot) and installation of a motorhome as “temporary housing”.

What to do if the power or water is turned off at the campsite?

Algorithm of actions:

  1. Check if the problem is local (ask your neighbors).
  2. Contact the campsite manager - they are required by law to provide backup power or reimburse the cost of the day.
  3. If the problem is not solved, request a statement of violation of the terms of service (needed to return money through the bank).
  4. Use emergency sources: generator, water supply in cans (20–40 liters per person), gas heater (Propex HS2000).

B winter period turning off water for a period of >12 hours entitles you to a refund of 50% of the cost of the day.