RV Pedestal Power
Electrical power delivered at a campground pedestal — distinct from house battery or generator. The 'utility' option.
Also called: pedestal power, RV pedestal power, pedestal electric
RV pedestal power is the electrical power delivered at a campground pedestal. It’s a different term for shore power — used specifically in campground contexts where the “pedestal” distinction matters.
When you’ll hear this term
- Campground booking listings — “RV pedestal power 30/50 amp”
- Campground signage — designating sites with vs. without pedestal access
- State park camping — distinguishing primitive sites (no pedestal) from electric sites
- Reservations systems — Recreation.gov uses this terminology
What’s at a typical pedestal
The pedestal is the actual physical box at the campsite. It contains:
- 30 amp outlet and/or 50 amp outlet (see amp service)
- Sometimes 20 amp household outlet
- Sometimes circuit breakers
- Sometimes GFCI protection
What “pedestal power” doesn’t include
A pedestal-power-only site has electricity but may not include:
- Water hookup
- Sewer hookup
For complete amenities, look for full hookup sites.
Verification at pickup
When you arrive at your campsite:
- Plug in your EMS / surge protector first
- Verify voltage is between 108-130V
- Verify polarity (your EMS will catch issues)
- Test by plugging in the RV
If the pedestal fails any test, move sites or report to campground office.
Pedestal vs. generator vs. battery economics
For renters comparing options:
| Power source | Cost per night | When it works |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestal power | Site fee includes it | At hookup campgrounds only |
| Generator runtime | $4-$8/hr fuel + wear | Anywhere, with quiet-hour restrictions |
| House battery only | Free | Limited duration (1-7 nights depending on capacity) |
| Solar + battery | Free | Unlimited with adequate solar |
For most renters at established RV parks, pedestal power is the default and cheapest option. For boondocking trips, solar + battery wins on cost and convenience.