Why Campgrounds Are Upgrading 30-Amp Sites to 50-Amp (and What a 30-Amp Site Won't Run)

Nebraska's Willow Creek State Recreation Area near Pierce is closing its electrical campground from October 5, 2026 through January 1, 2027 to upgrade 64 sites from 30-amp to 50-amp service. The state says the change is to meet the needs of today's RVs.

It's part of a bigger trend: campgrounds built for small trailers are being rebuilt for bigger rigs with more appliances.

0130-amp vs. 50-amp, in plain numbers

• 30-amp: one 120-volt line, about 3,600 watts total.
• 50-amp: two 120-volt lines, about 12,000 watts total.

That's more than three times the power.

02What a 30-amp site will run

One big thing at a time, plus small stuff:

• One air conditioner (roughly 1,200 to 1,800 watts running), or
• An electric water heater, or
• A microwave or coffee maker

along with lights, the fridge on electric, a TV and phone chargers.

03What it won't run

Two air conditioners at once, or an air conditioner plus a microwave plus a hair dryer. Try it and the breaker on the pedestal or in your rig trips.

04Living on a 30-amp site

• Do one big thing at a time. Microwave first, then the coffee pot.
• Switch the water heater and fridge to propane when you're running the AC.
• Use the campground's bathhouse for the hair dryer.
• Watch for a power management system on newer rigs; it can shed loads for you.

05Check before you book

Reservation sites list the amp service for each site. If your rig is 50-amp, filter for it. In the off-season, some campgrounds also turn power off entirely, so check the alerts page as well.

Sources (2)

Nebraska Game and Parks: Willow Creek SRA electrical campground to close for upgrade · Woodall's Campground Magazine

Photo: Grand Canyon National Park Trailer Village (South Rim) 2767 (6890181320)_2767_(6890181320).jpg) by Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0.

Related: Locked Gates and Dry Spigots: How to Check a Fall Campground Before You Drive · Desert View camping ends October 18