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campground policies

Policies and Procedures for Your Campground

For many campground owners, this time of year marks the start of our shoulder or off seasons. Some of us will see a general slowdown in camping traffic, while others will make the calculation—due to bone-chilling weather or other factors—to close our park for the winter season. 

No matter which bucket you fall into, this time of year is a perfect time to take a fresh look at the policies and procedures of your RV park. That’s because slower times usually allow you to work more on your business than in it. 

Let’s chat about some ways you can take a fresh look at your campground’s policies and procedures to start strong next year.

Take Stock Of What Went Well—And What Didn’t

Sit down with your team—perhaps even in an end-of-year off-site retreat—and have an honest convo about the things that worked and the things that didn’t this season. Create an environment where people can share candidly about things they want to see changed. 

You should also look over your reviews from sites like Google, Campendium, The Dyrt, etc. to find any consistent feedback that could be addressed via a policy adjustment. For example, if reviews consistently mention concerns with your staff, it might be time to institute new hiring policies. Or, if guests are consistently concerned with your WiFi, you could consider instituting a policy to provide strong WiFi to all guests.

Take stock of what happened at your park this season to prep for your best season ever when you next fling open your doors.

Commonly Reviewed Policies And Procedures  

Once you’ve taken stock of the policies and procedures that might need to be reviewed in your specific situation, consider these policies and procedures that should be reviewed by any RV park.

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations stink—especially on short notice. If someone last-minute cancels an RV site on you during your busy season, that can really sting. Cancellations are especially tough if you have a very short season at your park. 

But how do you protect yourself without scaring people away?

A non-refundable cancellation policy protects you but runs the risk of upsetting customers and generating negative reviews. 

How do you fix this? 

Generally speaking, the best cancellation policy is one that meets in the middle—something that limits your risk of loss while showing your guests you understand that plans can change. For example, you could offer a full refund only for cancellations made with at least two weeks’ notice.

Or, you could take a cue from the airline industry and offer a fully refundable rate that’s higher than your non-refundable rate. 

Review your cancellation policy during your off-season to ensure it’s protecting you while demonstrating understanding to your guests. 

PETS

Most RV park owners have pet stories. From pooches leaving poo in places they shouldn’t to noisy pooches who aggravate other guests, pets of all types and stripes create unique concerns for park owners. 

campground policies

If you’ve had a trying pet season at your park, it’s probably time to review your policies and procedures. Generally speaking, strict pet policies are the way to go.

Most insurance carriers prohibit aggressive breeds and therefore may deny coverage for incidents involving these breeds. Speak with your insurance provider to learn what breeds they want you to restrict and adjust your policies accordingly. 

You should always have policies requiring pets to be on a leash, set rules determining if (and for how long) pets can be outside the rig, and policies on proper conduct when pets are left unattended (if you want to allow that).

No two RV parks are alike, so the pet rules at your park are going to be different than those of another park. By refining your policies to create the park environment you want, while still being sensitive to the demands of your guests, you’ll tee yourself up for a peaceful pet environment.  

RV STANDARDS

It seems like the going rule for many RV parks is to prohibit entry to rigs older than ten years. While this might seem like a sensible blanket policy that keeps your park looking nice, there are many well-loved rigs over ten years old on the road today that would be a welcome look at your park. 

That’s because vintage is in vogue and people are fully restoring rigs like vintage Airstreams, Winnebagos, and more.  

Instead of having a blanket RV standard, consider creating a policy that generally requires rigs to be under a certain age. Then, allow exceptions for prospective guests to send pictures of their rigs to show their condition so you can decide based on that. 

CHECKING IN/CHECKING OUT

The dawn of Airbnb has ushered in an era where customers love and even demand contactless self-check-in.  

We understand this isn’t ideal for every park, but many RV parks out there can and should consider offering a self-check-in option. 

To offer self-check-in, you’ll need campground reservation software that’ll keep all your reservations in one easy-to-see dashboard. Reservation software will then allow you to set up auto-emails that go to your guests so they have all the info they need to find their site, get settled, and check in on their own. 

The other check-in/check-out policy that park owner’s frequently review is check-out/check-in times. 

This is a personal decision that depends on the flow of your park. Some parks can offer very flexible timing while others need to be more concrete. Some park owners might charge extra for a late checkout while others don’t see that as a fit for their property. 

Take stock of the flow of your park to institute arrival/departure policies that work well for you and your guests. 

CLEANING PROCEDURES

Did places like your shower house and clubhouse get positive marks for cleanliness? Or has this been an area where you’ve received some constructive guest criticism?

If so, adjust your procedures to ensure that cleanings happen effectively and regularly. This is a seemingly small thing that goes a long way to keeping guests coming back again and again.  

EV CHARGING

This is a new issue on the block that’ll only grow in significance as more and more EVs get on the road. From a guest’s point of view, RV plug-ins are the ideal charging point for their electric vehicle.

From your perspective as a park owner, this represents an additional expense that’ll only continue to increase. 

That’s why it’s a good idea to consider policies now that’ll protect you for the future. For example, you could charge an extra utility fee for guests with EVs. Most will be happy to pay it and it’ll help protect you as your utility costs increase. 

COMMUNICATING POLICIES TO GUESTS

It’s one thing to create the policy and it’s another thing entirely to make sure that your guests receive and understand it. 

That’s why we think it’s vital to have a campground reservation system that’ll allow you to auto-email your policies to your guests. 

These software programs will also allow you to customize email timing and frequency so you can decide when, what, and how your guests receive your policy emails.  

Beyond technology, the old-fashioned ways are helpful too. For example, friendly notes peppered throughout your property that remind folks of your rules go a long way to creating good vibes and a peaceful environment at your park. 

Taking stock of your campground’s policies and procedures during your off-season is an important habit to be in that’ll keep you growing as a park. With the growth of remote-working, full-timing, and family-focused RVers, policies and procedures will often need to be adapted to accommodate new needs. By taking an annual beat to evaluate these things at your park, you’ll set yourself up for success with each passing year. 

off-season

Creating Your Campground’s Best Off-Season Yet

Off-season at your RV park can be a terrific time for reinvigoration and rejuvenation—as long as you have the right game plan.

The off-season is that splendid time of year when your campground is quieter (or maybe closed altogether) and a little more manageable. It’s a time to reflect on what worked well, what might not have worked so well, and what you can do to make it all better. 

Your campground’s off-season is also a time to recharge your batteries and reconnect with some of the things you may have put off doing. That’s why we wanted to take a beat with this post to show you how to create your campground’s best off-season yet.

Save Up For The Slowdown

The best-laid plans of mice and men (and women) can be thwarted in the off-season without a proper financial cushion to make it happen. Don’t get caught living so high on the hog during your busy season that you don’t have a chunk tucked away for the off-season.


We know it sounds straightforward, but if it were really that easy, wouldn’t we all have a stash of cash for our off-season projects?

The truth is, savings takes slow and diligent effort. Be sure you have an off-season next egg by setting a goal for how much you want to have and saving toward that each month. This simple trick will set you up well for the improvements you want to make when the slowdown hits.

Prep Your Park For Inactivity (And Cold Weather)

One of the hardest things on infrastructure is lack of use. Before you can get to any creativity during your off-season, you need to be sure your park is ready to weather it. Here are some top things to consider:

off-season

WINTERIZING WATER LINES

If your park is in a cold weather zone, the chances are good that your main water lines are buried beneath the frost line. But what about your hydrants, pipes in bathrooms, and other shallow lines?

The off-season is a key time to take stock of all the water lines you have running around your property and decide which ones might need to be winterized. Failure to do so will result in a nasty surprise when you open back up. 

CLOSE CERTAIN SITES

Does it really make sense to have your entire park open for the off-season? Or could you dramatically simplify operations by limiting occupancy only to certain zones of your park?

If you decide to close certain sites in the off-season, the chances are good you’ll increase your peace of mind without decreasing bookings. 

LONG-TERM RENTERS ONLY?

One way to create a peaceful off-season while (usually) still making money at your RV park is by offering sites to long-term renters only.

For example, colder weather RV parks often see very little in/out traffic in the winter but can do well by leasing sites for the 4-6 months of the off-season. If you find yourself running ragged in the off-season while still only treading water, this could be a good way to simplify. 

OFF-SEASON CLOSING?

Do you consistently have an off-season where you barely break even or—worse still—take a loss? If so, it might be worth considering closing your park entirely for the off-season.

If this decision makes sense for you, it can create a wonderful time of peace at your park while opening the door to tackling the biggest of projects. 

Projects, Projects, and More Projects

As more and more guests check in for your busy time, more and more tasks hit the to-do list. That’s why the off-season can be the perfect place to send these types of projects: 

BIG JOBS, LARGE REPAIRS

The off-season is the time to do any big infrastructure improvements you might need. Sometimes it even pays to be a bit strategic by putting off the projects you can safely delay in the on-season so you can do them in the off-season.

Doing big jobs in the off-season will give you increased bandwidth to get the work done. You also might benefit from reduced rates from contractors who are experiencing slowdowns themselves. 

PROACTIVE MAINTENANCE

Too many parks wait for something to break before fixing it. Take off-season time to repair or replace aged things (e.g. old power connections, old water heaters in the shower house, etc.) that might still be working but you know are on the last leg of their last leg.

While it might sting to replace something that’s still limping along—that pales in comparison to the stress of a major system failure during on-season. 

NEW AMENITIES 

Do you want to beef up your Wi-Fi? Add cutting-edge RV park technology to your property? Or maybe you’re ready to build out that Glampground you’ve been dreaming of?

The off-season is a time to think about and execute on new amenities you can offer your guests. Take stock of the things that folks have been asking for on a regular basis (that you don’t currently offer) and see how you might bring those things to your park. 

NEW TOOLS AND PROCESSES

Are you still taking reservations on that old paper pad that you’ve been using since the stone age? If so, take advantage of this off-season to bring a few of those processes into the modern age.

For example, you could sign up for an affordable campground booking solution that’ll allow you to take online reservations and market more effectively—all in a one-stop shop. 

The off-season is also a terrific time to reimagine your website, take better photos of your park, create easier ways for people to book, and to reinvigorate your social media presence.  

Off-Season Time Is Creative Time

Creativity and business dreaming can sometimes take a backseat during the on-season because you’re too busy super-serving your guests.

That’s why the off-season is a great time to reconnect with your creative juices. For example, you could plan a staff retreat to give everyone time to unwind and unpack the past season. 

Or you could take time to dream about ways you might want to grow or even simplify your business.

Or maybe there are certain things in your life that need to be re-prioritized and it’s time to make the business match that? 

The point is, take this time to dream, to rediscover, and to take stock of what you want to be better for your next on-season. 

Don’t Forget About YOU This Off-Season

You’ve worked hard during the year to earn some time to enjoy yourself during the slow period. Don’t be afraid to make the off-season about you and your loved ones.

shoulder season



Develop a new hobby, take a dream trip, or just endeavor to spend more time with the family. These things are good for you and will help your park because you’ll have more energy when you come back.  

By focusing on the tips, tactics, and tools above while also focusing on you and yours, you’ll set the stage for an epic off-season at your campground. And the thing about great off-seasons is they almost always lend themselves well to fun and productive on-seasons. Here’s to your best year yet!

 

What Is Your Campground’s Demographic?

Your campground’s demographic is the primary interest group or groups you target.

For example, many RV parks in Texas, Arizona, and Florida are 55+ campgrounds—meaning they only admit senior citizens and tailor their communications and offerings accordingly.

While this might sound counterintuitive, potentially restricting your audience, these campgrounds benefit from highly focused marketing and amenities that attract one specific campground demographic.

By knowing and targeting your campground’s demographic, you’ll benefit from more efficient marketing spending, proper prioritization of infrastructure projects, and increased profitability. 

Let’s dig in to understand how to get to know your campground’s demographic, ways to market to that demographic, and methods to adapt to demographic changes. 

Know Your Campground’s Demographic

Many campgrounds don’t know their demographic. But by asking a few straightforward questions, you can get to the bottom of your primary target audience.

WHAT DEMOGRAPHIC IS COMING TO YOUR AREA?

You’d be surprised at the number of RV parks that don’t have a ready answer to this question. Don’t let that be you! By taking stock of your surroundings—towns, national parks, attractions, economy—you can quickly figure out who’s traveling there and why.

Are you near a national park? You’ll likely have a demographic of very outdoorsy and adventurous folks of all ages, eager to explore.

Near wine country and vineyards? Your demographic likely includes a more affluent base who might enjoy a more refined camping experience.

Near the beach? Everyone loves the beach, so you’ll have a wider demographic range you can choose to focus on. But the majority will be eager to spend time at the beach, not at the campsite.

In the sticks? No problem. Take time to figure out who is traveling to your area and why. You can build your park’s image around that audience: hunters, anglers, those looking for more affordable camping or more prone to the outdoors.

Near a city? Millennials and remote workers love cities (generally speaking) so, if you’re near an urban oasis, they are a demographic to consider targeting. 

WHICH DEMOGRAPHIC DO YOU WANT TO SERVE? 

Even if you live in an area frequented by senior citizens, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to focus on serving that audience. Florida, Arizona, and Alabama, for example, are major hubs for remote workers and younger nomads.

If you have a park in these states and would rather serve a remote working demographic, why not?

The point is that your campground’s demographic is a combination of who you want it to be and who is coming to your area. Take the time to understand who is coming and decide which group you’ll focus on and how.

WHAT’S THE AVERAGE INCOME FOR YOUR DEMOGRAPHIC? 

Another important factor to consider is the level of income for the demographic you wish to serve. If it tends to be higher, offering amenities like luxury clubhouses, spas, tennis courts, and more might make sense.

If you cater to nomadic professionals, investing in excellent WiFi, coworking community spaces, and glamping options are usually the way to go.

Or, you may want to cater to a budget-minded demographic who simply wants clean, safe, and reliable amenities.

Either way is fine—but understanding the average income of your customer on the front end will help focus your efforts. 

Marketing To Your Demographic 

Having a deep understanding of your demographic will greatly help when it comes to the marketing you do for your campground. Here are some tips for creating engaging marketing that speaks to the people you want it to speak to.

LEARN THE LANGUAGE 

Listen to your prospective customers to learn about the problems they have (e.g. challenges they’ve experienced at other campgrounds) and what they desire in an RV park.

The best way to do this is to constantly gather feedback about what your guests do and don’t like about your park experience. Ask them when they check-in. Ask them when they check out. Follow up with them via a short email or text after their stay.

The replies to these questions will be gold for you as you craft your campground’s messaging. 

USE THE LANGUAGE

Once you know how your demographic speaks, you can use that language throughout your website, in your social media communications, and around the park.

For example, if you have a large number of remote workers coming to your park who love your coworking-friendly clubhouse and speedy WiFi, you could post an Instagram pic of folks working with a caption that reads something like:

‘No matter where you park it, you can be connected. Come check out our fan-favorite clubhouse at our RV park.’

You can also use the language of your customers in physical locations throughout your park to show guests that you get them and have what they need. An aptly worded mission statement in the clubhouse or a snippet of your story in a welcome packet goes a long way in connecting you with your campground’s demographic. 

FIGURE OUT WHERE YOUR TRIBE IS

How is your target customer currently finding campgrounds? What RVing groups are they part of? How do they communicate about the places they love along their journey?

It’s important to know where your demographic is communicating and engaging online so you can get in front of them to show off your spot.

An overwhelming majority of people rely on Google reviews to make decisions about businesses they buy from. That’s why it’s vital for you to ensure your Google Business Profile is up to snuff. Devote time to crafting your Google business description and cultivating reviews to call out to your target demographic.

RVers are also very active on Facebook—meaning that having a basic Facebook page for your park with a regular posting plan is a helpful way to understand and market to your tribe.  

GOOD SAM CAMPGROUND SOLUTIONS TIP

These traditional means of setting up social media accounts and online business pages like Google Business Profile are only the tip of the iceberg when reaching your audience online. Good Sam Campground Solutions Marketing & Advertising tools help you expand your reach.

These tools put your campground in front of audiences based on their interest. So if your campground is located near a lake, you could reach audiences searching in the “Boating Fun” section, so more audiences with a boat might see your campground first.

In addition, Good Sam Marketing & Advertising allows you to choose placements, paid media, social media, and ads a la carte, so you specify the type and extent of reach you want to pay for.

Adapting Your Campground To Demographic Changes

The only constant in life is change. Your audience might want one thing one day and another the next. Or that’s how it feels. Here are some ways to maintain the right amount of flexibility to respond to those changes.

KNOW THE CHANGE

Now that you know your campground’s demographic, it’s important to keep up to date with trends that impact them.

One of the best ways to do this is via Google News Alerts. This system allows you to tell Google about the trends and topics you want to hear about—wherever and whenever they appear on the web.

If you cater to full-time RVers, for example, you could tell Google you want it to ping you when it sees news articles related to phrases like: “full-time RVing,” family RVing full-time,” “full-time RVer groups,” and more   

Google will then email you links (on a schedule of your choosing) to the most relevant articles for your search terms. By taking a few minutes each week to read these articles, you’ll have a deeper understanding of your tribe and the changes that might be coming. 

EMBRACE THE CHANGE

If your campground caters to a younger crowd, chances are good they’ll want to know that you’re continually upgrading your park’s technology.

Tech advances have made this easier than ever for you because you no longer have to build everything yourself when it comes to things like online campground reservation software and camp store management. Software and tech companies realize that they have to make it easy for you to keep up with technological changes, so they work hard to put things together in easy-to-use packages.

If your demographic is older, you’ll likely benefit from a customer base that changes more slowly. The things they want today will likely be very similar to the things they want tomorrow—meaning you can focus on doubling down on the amenities at your park you know they love.

No matter which crowd you serve, embrace change as an opportunity to find new and fun ways to engage more deeply with your guests. 

CHANGE THE WAY YOU COMMUNICATE

Oftentimes a simple communications shift can help you respond to change. Perhaps your demographic is being hit hard by external forces like inflation, high-interest rates, or career uncertainty. 

You could speak directly to these issues in your marketing to show people why your park offers an affordable and refreshing escape from these woes. 

Get creative with ways you can adapt your messaging—rather than your foundations—to respond to change. 

OR, MAYBE DON’T CHANGE…

Just because the demographics change doesn’t always mean you have to. Some of the best businesses on the planet are ones that sell their refusal to change.

For example, places like old-school diners, vintage trailer campgrounds, and drive-in movie theaters sell their unchanged ways.

It can be risky, but if you have the right kind of RV park, holding your ground is sometimes the way to go.

The demographic you serve at your park informs an array of decisions—from marketing to infrastructure to the booking platform you use. Oftentimes, you’ll serve a number of demographics, but there’s usually one or two that’ll make up the majority. Stick with the steps above to get to know them and to speak to them in ways that lead to awesome customer relationships. 





Creating Lifelong Guest Relationships

Gaining new customers at your RV park can be costly, especially if done through traditional marketing channels like ads, social media campaigns, online placements, and direct mail.

It is far less costly—and usually more rewarding—to deepen your connections with current customers.

According to Forbes, it can cost up to five times as much to gain a new customer than to sell to an existing one.

While it’s important to seek out new customers, it is even more important to create lifelong relationships with the guests you already have. Let’s talk about the strategies you can employ at your campground to build lifelong guest relationships. 

YOU ONLY GET ONE FIRST IMPRESSION

We all know first impressions are important, but how much energy are you putting into wowing your guests from the minute they arrive?

Little things like check-in complications, difficulty locating sites, and a scarcity of friendly faces can leave a sour taste in your guest’s mouth—and once that sour taste gets started, it’s tough to wash away. 

The best way to make a stellar first impression is by managing and exceeding expectations. Combine campground booking technology with the perfect staff to accomplish these two key tasks for excellent first impressions.

Manage expectations with campground booking technology, like that from Good Sam Campground Solutions, which allows guests to see a satellite map of the campground and their campsite before they arrive. Plus, use that same tool to make check-in simple, easy, informative, and quick.

Your staff can pick up the ball as soon as your guest arrives to ensure your guests reach their site, get answers to any questions, and know you’re there for anything they need during their stay. 

CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT GUESTS WANT TO COME BACK TO 

Is your park clean and uncluttered? Is your infrastructure up to snuff? Do you offer speedy and reliable WiFi?

The fundamentals that make for a great RV park are the foundation of lifelong guest relationships. You don’t need to be perfect, but it’s important to understand that no level of customer service and friendliness can make up for failing infrastructure. 

Guests simply won’t come back if stuff like water, sewer, electric, and showers don’t work as they should. Guests read reviews–so earn good ones for each of these items.

And in the case of Good Sam campgrounds, they are rated on a Triple Rating System each year to demonstrate to campers that their cleanliness and infrastructure are top-notch.

INVEST IN YOUR TEAM

Once you have the right team at your RV park, it’s important you continually provide your staff with the resources and encouragement they need to serve your guests.

It’s worth spending a significant amount of energy and resources on training your team on the customer service experience you expect at your park, so your expectations are met even when you are away.

For example:

  • Act out common customer interactions during team training.
  • Provide email response templates for frequent guest questions.
  • Give your team the freedom needed to quickly and effectively resolve guest complaints.
  • Create a new employee checklist and training protocol.
  • Foster open communication with your employees.
  • Cross train various roles for employee development.
  • Make sure tools and supplies are always readily available and restocked.

MAKE GUESTS FEEL LIKE PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY

When guests feel at home, they’ll keep coming back for more. Simple things like hosting s’more nights, bringing in local live music, or offering coupons to local attractions help build memorable guest experiences that lead to lifelong customers.

Take stock of the opportunities in your local network, and source what you wish to highlight. This builds relationships on authenticity.

It’s also important that you and your team express a genuine desire to get to know your guests—ask them where they’re from, ask them their story, get to know their kids, and offer them local recommendations based on what they tell you. 

Little things like that go a long way in guest satisfaction.  

CREATE EXPERIENCES

What makes your park stand above the pack? By knowing this answer, and highlighting it for your guests, you’ll create experiences that people will associate uniquely with your campground.

Partner with local companies to offer discounted excursions for your guests to explore any natural wonders in your area. Or you could host an owner’s “happy hour” where you mingle with guests and provide refreshments. Common areas such as outdoor kitchens, communal fire pits, and clubhouses with board games are simple but effective ways to set the stage for memory-making experiences. 

Have fun with this. Take the things that you and your team love to do and share them with guests to create wonderful relationships.   

PROACTIVELY MANAGE GUEST CONCERNS

Nothing sours a relationship faster than an unresolved complaint. When guests arrive, be sure they know how to promptly reach your team for any concerns that might arise.

If concerns do pop up, ensure your team is empowered to promptly address those concerns. Believe it or not, negative experiences can be one of the best ways to create lifelong guest relationships if you handle them properly. 

That’s because a negative guest experience gives you the opportunity to demonstrate how much you care and how far you’ll go to make things right. Managing unexpected guest experiences in the right way will leave an unforgettable impression with your campers.   

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Maintaining lifelong guest relationships hinges on consistent guest experiences. If a guest has a stupendous experience at your park for several years and then suddenly they come back to a dramatic change, they may look elsewhere.

That’s why it’s important to build systems into your business and your customer service processes that ensure a consistent guest experience time and time again.

  • Key in on what works, and don’t change those parts of the experience.
  • Be cautious if new processes/procedures could change a guest experience.
  • Provide ways for customers to leave reviews—positive and negative.

GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR YOUR RAVING FANS

These are the guests that love you, come back every year, and bring their friends. While remaining fair to all your guests, always keep an ear out for creative ways to make your return guests’ experience better and better each year or trip.

If it’s a care package when they arrive or simply remembering them on a first-name basis, it’s important they feel special when staying at your campground. Reciprocate the relationship.

Raving fans are the ones who shout to the mountaintops about how awesome you are. Keeping them happy is key to creating more lifelong guest relationships at your park.

GATHER AND GROW FROM GUEST FEEDBACK

Have a strategy in place to ask each guest how they enjoyed their stay. This could be as simple as sending a short text a day or two after they leave asking for feedback on their stay.

As you gather more feedback, look for consistencies and use them to continually improve your guest experience.  

ENGAGE WITH GUESTS BEYOND THEIR STAY

Keeping yourself top of mind is an important part of maintaining guest relationships. Here are a few tips for doing that:

Send all past guests a welcome email as you open each season and offer them a special incentive to come back.

  • Use social media to simply and effectively stay in touch with past guests.
  • Develop a follow-up process to check in with guests after they leave and gather their feedback via text or email.
  • Send a snail mail postcard to all past guests once per year with a special discount. People hardly send snail mail anymore, so you’ll stand out in a good way!

Lifelong guest relationships are the mojo that’ll keep your park growing. By taking the proactive approach listed above, you’ll be set to cultivate long-lasting guest relationships. Have fun with it, get creative with it, and enjoy the ride as you create wonderful memories for all who visit you. 

Up and Coming Technology for Your Park

RVers appreciate it when campgrounds offer the latest technology. Amenities like speedy and reliable Wi-Fi, a self-guided/contactless check-in process, and mobile-friendly reservation systems are some tech offerings that help make campers happy. 

This article unpacks up-and-coming technology to consider for your RV park. We’ll explore tech that’ll make your guests, you, and the environment happier. 

Up And Coming Technology For Happy Guests

Focusing on guest happiness is key to getting repeat business. Here’s some of the latest tech that keeps smiles on guests’ faces:

Internet tech

We can’t overstate the importance of fast and reliable Wi-Fi at your park. Digital nomads and remote workers make up a large percentage of RVers, so a large percentage of your guests’ satisfaction hinges on connectivity.

Even if your park is in a remote area, new, affordable, and fast internet options are coming online. Starlink is a new satellite internet company bringing high-speed internet into places it has never been. 

Once you have solid internet, it’s important to spread it evenly across your park. Wi-Fi mesh networks like Eero, Netgear Orbi Outdoor, and EnGenius provide the tools you need to simply and quickly spread high-speed Wi-Fi across your campground.

Strong cell signal

Cell signal boosters like the WeBoost are a tech-savvy amenity to offer your guests. Because you already have Wi-Fi throughout your park, you won’t necessarily need to boost cell coverage over the whole campground. Still, offering a strong cell signal in places like your clubhouse is a safe bet on guest happiness.

Contactless check-in

We live in the Airbnb age where guests are accustomed to having all the check-in info they need in the palm of their hand. The good news is this work has been done for you—simply choose a reliable campground booking software with contactless features.

 

Mobile-friendliness

More than 60% of guests will book a campsite from their mobile device. By choosing a reservation system that’s mobile friendly, you’ll be set with the tech you need to capture these mobile users.

Interactive maps

The right RV park reservation software for you should include a feature for guests to access an interactive map on their phone to pick their site and see the location of amenities.

Virtual tours

RVers love to see a park before deciding to book. Fortunately, this doesn’t demand cutting-edge tech. You and your team can get creative with a high-quality smartphone and shoot a fun walking tour of your park.

Smokeless fire pits

While there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned campfire, smoke can sometimes be too much for guests. Smokeless fire pits like these can help bring your park into a smoke-free future. 

Up And Coming Technology For Park Owners

As a campground owner, technology that frees up your time, reduces expenses, and brings in more revenue is always in style. Let’s discuss a few examples of the latest tools that’ll help you do this at your park.

More campgrounds are making use of an online reservation system. Imagine the time and money you would free up if—instead of taking bookings over the phone and manually placing them on your calendar—guests were able to self-serve online. 

Online reservation systems also provide reporting that generates powerful insights for your campground. For example, you could find data on occupancy rate per site, revenue per site, retail revenue, and much more with the push of a button. Knowing these numbers lets you know the levers to pull to grow your business. 

Glamping (i.e., Glamorous Camping) options are an amenity that’s surging in popularity as 67% of travelers think these sites create a unique experience. As a result, the tech around glamping is also on the rise. Luxury canvas tents, yurts, and geodesic domes are all seeing an architectural resurgence. Features like new building materials and more efficient construction methods make bringing these glamping units to your park easier and more affordable than ever. 

Glamping options also open the door for you to list on booking sites like Airbnb, VRBO, and HipCamp—sites frequented by today’s tech-hungry traveler. 

Finally, digital upsells are a popular new trend where you market things like firewood, equipment rentals, and other services at your park to guests before they arrive. Most campground reservation systems will have this feature, allowing you to offer upsells electronically to guests before they check out. 

Up And Coming Environmental Technology For RV Parks

Environmental conscientiousness matters to many of today’s campers. Here are examples of tech with a green focus.  

Solar

Solar technology has improved significantly over the past decade. Prices of panels and batteries have dropped while efficiency has increased dramatically. If your park receives ample sunlight, solar power can be a terrific way to move into the future.

Water saving tech

Water is becoming an ever-more precious commodity. New technologies such as Blueland Handsoaps and Ecopod shampoos/body wash/conditioners use water more efficiently for frequent handwashing and showering in campground bathrooms.

Showers that recycle water are in their early stages and can save up to 90% of the water and 80% of the energy used in a typical shower.

LED lighting

LED lights have advanced to the point where there’s likely a plug-and-play solution to easily and affordably upgrade all the lights on your property to LED.

Recycled toilet paper

Brands like Who Gives A Crap offer recycled toilet paper and have a wonderful social mission.

Compostable doggie doo and trash bags

Plastic trash/dog doo bags are some of the worst offenders in landfills because they don’t break down. Compostable trash bags solve this problem.

Compost pickup services

Depending on where your park is located, you could be near a service that’ll pick up compostable food waste left by your guests. This diverts organic waste from landfills to more productive uses. 

Tech-savvy campgrounds attract tech-savvy guests. Most RVers today are accustomed to arranging much of their lives from the palm of their hands. That’s why it’s increasingly important for your park to meet them with the tech they’re demanding. The same tech you’ll use to draw in these travelers will dramatically improve your life by freeing up more time and saving more money. 
 

Hiring the Perfect Staff for Your Campground

Hiring the perfect campground staff might seem like an elusive concept. RV parks are a unique business, making it difficult to find and retain skilled campground talent. It can also be daunting to figure out how much you should be paying people and how to reward your top performers appropriately.  

The good news is there are tried and true strategies that campgrounds can employ to bring in excellent staff. This article will unpack those strategies to help campgrounds build rockstar teams.

What is the perfect staff?

The perfect staff at one campground might be very different for another park. For example, a campground with glamping options might have very different needs from a traditional RV park.

That’s why the leadership team must take the time to solidify their priorities and what hiring the perfect staff looks like for their specific park. Some parks see new RVs every day and feature a large number of sites. These parks will require a team that is adept at things like helping RVs back up, hook up, and stock up for their needs.

Other parks have RV sites, cabins, and other unique lodging opportunities that require a team with special hospitality skills.

That’s why the first step to finding the perfect staff is developing who you are as a campground. What’s your story? Who are your customers? What are the primary ways you create epic guest experiences? What are the team skills required to work at your campground?

Discovering the answers to the questions above is the first step to hiring the perfect staff. 

Why Your Staff Is Your Most Important Investment

Payroll expenses are generally one of the largest for any business. The size of this line item can create the temptation to skimp on staffing, but few costs are more important or profitable than investments in staff—when executed properly.

RV parks and campgrounds are built on hospitality. Having a team who can excite guests, solve problems with excellence, and run your business efficiently will be worth their weight in gold.

Too many campground owners are also overworked, overwhelmed, and underappreciated—but it doesn’t have to be this way for you. If you aspire to be a campground owner with more flexibility and freedom in your life, investing in the perfect staff will pay off in spades. 

Finding And Hiring Your Perfect Staff

The best way to staff your campground is to hire people already within the RVing community. With over 1 million full-time RVers in the US, there’s a hiring pool for campgrounds unlike anything we’ve witnessed.

Here are four examples of ways to find and hire within the RVing community:

1.) Workamper.com – This is the premiere membership site for RVing nomads looking for jobs at campgrounds. By listing campground opportunities here, you’ll open yourself up to a world of knowledgeable campground candidates.

2.) Full-Time RVer Facebook groups – Facebook groups like The RV Entrepreneur, Full-Time Families, and more are treasure chests of people looking for fantastic work opportunities on the road. By creating and sharing a fun post that highlights exciting work opportunities at your park, you’ll open a connection with prospective team members who bring invaluable experiences to the table.

3.) Local forums – Facebook marketplace, your local paper (if your town has one), and Nextdoor are examples of local avenues for finding the perfect staff. People who are invested in your community can often be terrific team members because they’ll help your guests fall in love with your area. 

4.) Employee referrals – Rockstar staff members are usually friends with other rockstars. Referral bonuses are a great option to incentivize staff members to bring other great candidates to your campground. 

5 Things To Look For in the Perfect Staff

When it comes to the interview process, here are the five most important things you should look for:

1.) People-peopleWe know it sounds cliche, but the simple truth is you won’t have the perfect staff if you don’t have a team of people who love welcoming guests and making them feel at home.

2.) RVing experience – The perfect staff has experience with RVing that allows them to help your guests navigate campsite setup.

3.) Maintenance experience – Even if you have a full maintenance staff, it’s essential to have other people on your team who understand the basics of campground upkeep. They’ll be your saving grace when “little” things come up, and your regular repair team is away (which is always when these things happen!).

4.) Tech experience – Like it or not, campgrounds need strong WiFi and online booking systems these days. That’s why the perfect team members need to be generally tech savvy to be the right fit for you.

5.) Adaptability – New challenges present themselves every day at campgrounds. It’s necessary to have team members who are flexible, open to constructive feedback, and ready to solve problems creatively. 

How To Retain The Perfect Staff

Hiring the perfect staff is one thing, and it’s another thing to keep them around and happy. Here are a few things you can do to keep great people around:

Offer bonuses – These don’t have to cost a ton of money. Showing appreciation through bonuses like restaurant gift cards, team outings, and extra paycheck bumps go a long way to keeping people around.

Check in often – Have regular one-on-one chats with team members. Take five minutes to see what your crew is enjoying and what they might like changed. When people feel heard, they stick around. 

Create a fun team environment – When people love coming into work, they don’t want to quit. Think of ways that you can create fun moments at work. For example, if your campground features outdoor activities like lakes, trails, or rivers, encourage your staff to take breaks throughout the day to enjoy those amenities. 

Offer flexibility – Connect with your team to understand how they want their work/life balance to unfold and then build that into your scheduling as much as possible. 

Other Ways To Hire The Perfect Staff

Here are a few other creative thoughts that’ll help you find your perfect campground staff:

Virtual work – Are there tasks at your campground such as guest communications and marketing you could complete virtually? If so, you’ll open your hiring pool to a much wider range of applicants.

Offer part-time and full-time positions – The perfect team member might have outside commitments like school, other jobs, or family obligations that limit them to part-time work. By offering options to folks like this, you’ll expand your hiring pool.

Hire guests – If you have long-term RVers staying with you who you already think are awesome people, why not offer them some work around the park in exchange for reduced rent? These arrangements are standard and can be a terrific win-win. 

Staffing a campground is one of the most time-consuming and important tasks that owners undertake. That’s why it’s vital to devote the time and energy to a process that brings you a stellar team. By hiring properly on the front end, you’ll save a tremendous amount of headache as you focus on building your campground. 

What Are Some Hidden Costs of Owning A Campground?

The idea of owning a campground is an exciting one. Over 40 million Americans are RVers, and campgrounds are where these travelers hang their hats. RV ownership has reached record highs since 2020, meaning the demand for campground space exceeds supply in many parts of the country.  

RV parks and campgrounds can be built from scratch, or an existing park can be purchased and improved. Campground owners build a business that helps shape the RVing adventure, creates lasting memories for families, and—when done right—generates healthy profits.

But before buying an existing campground or building a new one, factor in the hidden costs of ownership. This post breaks down those hidden costs for a more complete picture to guide the decision-making process.

16 Hidden Costs Of Owning A Campground

1. Infrastructure

Buying an existing park means buying its current problems. Secondhand campgrounds may include a patchwork of costly repairs and upgrades for septic systems, plumbing, electrical, and more.

On the other hand, building a park from scratch can incur unexpected costs when installing complex amenities like advanced septic systems and shower houses that were not in the original budget. 
When purchasing or building, budget for the unexpected.

2. Lodging taxes

Many states and municipalities charge a nightly tax for short-term stays. Campgrounds will usually fall under this umbrella and you will need to pay taxes for each camp night at the park. These taxes are an important hidden cost that owners generally pass on to guests.

3. Web expenses

 Campgrounds need nice-looking, functional websites. DIY websites can work, but new owners will often hire this out–a worthwhile but oftentimes unexpected cost.

4. Insurance

Insurance costs factor into the budget of any new business plan, but campground ownership brings unexpected twists. For example, when purchasing an existing campground, older buildings and infrastructure generally result in higher premiums.

Amenities such as playgrounds and trails can also increase insurance rates.

And—most alarmingly—campground insurance is audited by carriers every year. If a campground makes more revenue than projected for a given year, insurance carriers will charge a backdated increase in premium.

5. Licensing, permitting, and zoning

States and municipalities will charge fees for campground operation and infrastructure.

Want to add additional sites? The area might need to be rezoned, new water licenses might need to be issued, and new sewer connections applied for and approved.

Want to start a camp store or offer new activities? There will likely be new taxes and licenses required for such operations.

Want to build a new campground? Costly permitting and planning might be required from the state and county.

6. Property taxes

Campground property taxes can often be higher than you might expect. The size of the campground, location, and any additional operations (e.g. camp store, pool, trails, etc.) can all lead municipalities to charge higher than usual property taxes to campgrounds.

7. Design costs

Building a new campground involves more than building expenses. Consulting and engineering fees to design a campground, plan the sites, and map out infrastructure can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

8. Fast, reliable Wi-Fi

RVers expect to be connected at camp. Many campgrounds are in remote areas where installing internet infrastructure can be more costly than expected.

9. Utilities

Utilities are a normal part of any business budget, but campgrounds often incur unexpected utility costs during abnormally hot or cold times. As a result, some campgrounds opt to charge extra utility fees to guests.

10. Cancellations

RVers are transient by nature and their plans can change on a dime. Cancellations become a hidden campground cost because it can be difficult to rebook a site on short notice. Owning a campground requires you to be somewhat flexible when it comes to expected income.

Campground owners can charge cancellation fees or require a reservation deposit to alleviate this problem.

11. Employee expenses

Team turnover, unexpected customer service issues, and more can all lead to higher-than-expected expenses.

12. Grounds care

Campground upkeep involves more than mowing the lawn. RVers appreciate well-cared-for and individualized sites that can result in higher-than-expected costs for grounds care.

13. Card fees

Credit card companies and credit card processing services have become necessary for campground owners. Card and processing fees add up, taking anywhere from 2.5% to over 8% of every transaction. 

14. Commissions

It’s often in a campground’s best interest to be listed on third-party sites like Good Sam, Campnab, Airbnb, and more. These sites will increase a park’s reach and generate bookings that might not otherwise happen. 

These third-party marketplaces charge campgrounds a percentage for every booking, resulting in added expense for campground owners.

15. Software costs

Most modern campgrounds use reservation software to manage bookings and payments. These services can range in cost from $50 to over $250 per month. Some services also take a percentage of any bookings made directly on the campground’s website.

16. Marketing expenses

A marketing budget is part of most businesses, and campgrounds stand to benefit from marketing outreach efforts. But campgrounds in remote areas or parks that don’t have the usual amenities might incur above-average marketing costs to expand their reach.

For example, RV parks that are off the beaten path might invest additional resources in creating and marketing glamping experiences to draw people in.

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Campground ownership is an exciting opportunity with a growing customer base. Success in any business requires one to have a clear idea of projected expenses, revenue, and profits. By understanding the hidden costs of owning a campground, prospective park buyers will set themselves up for success as they welcome campers of all types and stripes.

Utilizing Social Media for Your Park

Social media can be intimidating for campground owners. We have enough on our plates already just managing the day-to-day of our parks, and the thought of building a presence on social media is an added weight. You might wonder things like:

What social media platform(s) should I be on?

How can I possibly keep up with regular social media posts for my campground? 

What will social media do for me?

These are all fair questions. The good news is that, with the right strategies in place, social media can be a smooth endeavor that reaps rewards in terms of increased buzz, new guests, and people sharing your park with their friends, all of which make your campground more profitable.

Social Media For RV Campgrounds

Social media is about building community and sharing your story. That’s why RV park owners like us can use this tool to help people get excited about staying before they even arrive.

For example, you could share beautiful photos of special glamping options you may have, attractions near you, or guests having fun around the campfire. These images will help prospective guests paint a picture in their minds of what it’s like to stay at your park. 

Or, you could share stories on social media of rockstar guests or team members you have on site. Encourage these same folks to share your post with their friends to increase the reach of that post. 

Ultimately, social media for RV parks is about shaping the story you tell the world so that you draw in more of your ideal customers. 

Traffic on social media posts grows when shared with others.

What Social Media Platforms Are Out There for Campground Owners?

The number of social media platforms out can feel overwhelming. But you really only need to seek out the one or two platforms that make the most sense for your park and focus on those. Let’s dig into the social media platforms out there and when they might be a fit:

Instagram – This image-focused platform is perfect if you have unique campground features that are particularly photogenic or if you offer scenic views.

Facebook – Every RV park should have a Facebook page at a minimum because it’s something people look for these days. Facebook pages are quick and easy to create, and they’ll serve as a place for users to find your hours, general information, and a few pictures.

Facebook is also great for posting about upcoming events, special attractions near you, and guest stories at your park.

Twitter – This platform allows you to make 280-character posts that seem most effective for politicians and celebrities. While you should feel free to use any social medium to promote your park, Twitter can be hit-or-miss for businesses connecting with customers.

TikTok – TikTok allows users to make short videos that can go viral fast. This can be a good way to generate buzz for your park if you have an interest in videos and have (or can create) some visually stunning elements at your park.

Snapchat – Similar to TikTok, both are popular with younger generations if that’s a crowd you’d like to attract.

Pinterest – Pinterest is a unique bird that nonetheless can generate significant traffic for you if handled correctly. Think of Pinterest as a social bulletin board that allows people to pin cool pictures, articles, and other things they’re interested in one place. Pinterest can be a highly effective tool for RV parks that can create boards about stunning nearby attractions and notable amenities at the park.

For example, if you’re near a national park, you could create a Pinterest board that gives folks all the info they’d need for an RV visit to that park. Because your Pinterest board links to you, it would be natural for many readers of your posts to stay with you.

LinkedIn – This is a platform for professional networking. It might be worth your time there to make business connections, but it’s generally not the place to draw in new guests directly. B2B social media for your park is a great way to learn more about the industry and connect with other businesses and campgrounds that might benefit your efforts.

YouTube – While it’s primarily a platform to watch videos, YouTube has many of the same social media features in the sense that people can comment, share, and build community around content. This could be a good platform for you if you like video, have the time, and have a unique visual story that would be attractive to people.

Scenic views from your campground are worth sharing.

Which Social Media Platform Is Best for Campgrounds?

The answer is: It depends. If you have an RV park that features scenic views, glamping options, yurts, or other unique camping experiences that are visually appealing, then Instagram could be your best bet.

If you’re more of a traditional RV park, something like Facebook would likely be where you’ll want to focus most of your energy. 

Or, if you view yourself as a cutting-edge park wanting to appeal to a younger crowd, then Snapchat, TikTok or YouTube could be your jam.

In short, the best social media for your park is a platform that helps you best tell your story to the right people in a way that you can manage. 

11 Powerful Ways To Use Social Media at Your RV Campground

Now that we’ve chatted about the different social media platforms, let’s unpack 10 strategies for utilizing social media no matter which platform you focus on. 

1. Choose one or two platforms and nail it

One of the best ways to tank your social media strategy is to try to be everywhere. There are too many social media platforms for you to do all of them well. Pick the one or two that fit you best and put focused intensity there.

2. Be conversational

Social media is a back and forth. You should engage with past, present and future guests on social media to keep your story fresh. Also, be sure to pay it forward by sharing other people’s stories, liking other people’s posts, etc.

3. Know your tribe

Who is coming to your park? Who do you want to come to your park? Knowing the answer to these two questions will guide the language you use and the story you tell in social media.

4. Have a plan

Randomly posting once in a while without a plan is generally not a good idea on social media. Consistency is key. That doesn’t mean you have to post every day, but if you decide to post once per week stick with that plan.

You could also use a social media scheduler like Hootsuite or Tailwind to help you stay on top of this.

5. Create searchable content

Social media can be a great way to boost your ranking on search engines if you create posts that provide answers to questions people are searching for.

For example, you could figure out what travelers are searching for in your area and create social media posts that help them plan their trip.

6. Call your followers to action

Sharing your story and creating posts is essential on social media. It’s also vital that you have a strategy for frequently calling people to action. You could run a monthly special at your park that you share on social media, ask your followers to leave you a review, or even host a contest on social media to bring new business to your park.

7. Seek out influencers

These are people on social media with large and engaged followings. Within the full-time RVing niche, for example, there are many couples and families who are sharing their journey with sizable audiences.

You can connect with influencers in many ways. One example would be inviting them for a free stay at your park in exchange for sharing a story about you with their audience.

8. Stay focused, and avoid the social media black hole

Social media is effective when you choose the right platform for you and combine it with a planned strategy.
Social media is ineffective if you get drawn into the drama, don’t measure the results it’s giving you, or if you otherwise get sucked into conversations that don’t help you move the needle.

9. Consider social media ads

Buyer beware: These can cost you a lot of money without generating a result if you don’t know what you’re doing. But, if you’re willing to invest the time and energy into learning effective social media advertising, it can generate new reservations for your campground.

The key is that you measure the impact of each dollar you spend.

10. Measure what’s working, ditch what doesn’t, and double down on the rest

Test a few different social media platforms at the beginning to discover the one or two that’ll work best for you.

Look at the end of every month and see which social media posts got shared and which didn’t.

If you ran any deals or coupons on social media, which ones were the most impactful?

By taking steps like the ones above, you can figure out what’s working and what’s not. Double down on what does and ditch the rest. 

11. Utilize the best tools available to get your name out there

Be open to the benefits of various social media strategy tools available to the industry. You aren’t alone in this endeavor, and you can leverage the reach of other brands to make your campground known to whole new audiences of potential guests. Social media has proved to be a powerful advertising tool, especially in the hands of experts.

For example, the Good Sam digital marketing team can help you create impactful social media ad campaigns that will appear in the newsfeeds of millions of interested outdoor enthusiasts. Good Sam can help grow your presence online, build brand awareness, and drive clicks to your website, leading to new guests making reservations at your campground.

While tools like these are an investment, the business you’ll generate should offset the adverting costs.

As campground owners, we can choose to embrace social media or shy away from it. But should you opt to use it. The beauty of social media is that it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to reach your target customers. You’ll reap the benefits of these powerful platforms by implementing a straightforward and focused social media plan.

Creating a Guest Experience Campers Actually Want

Creating a great guest experience is one of the most impactful things you can do as a campground owner. 

Stellar guest experiences lead to solid reviews, repeat customers, and smoother operations for your campground. But how do you create a guest experience that campers actually want? 

Memorable guest experiences don’t just happen—they are made through a carefully crafted set of actions you undertake at your campground. Let’s chat about ways to build a campground that caters to your guests.

Creating A Great Guest Experience Before Your Campers Arrive

It helps to put yourself in your guests’ shoes: try to capture their attention before they arrive by broadcasting the experience you will offer. Here are the things you’ll want to consider:

1. An easy-to-navigate website

An online presence is a must for any campground. You also want to be sure that folks can easily check availability, see pricing, and read up on the amenities you offer.

We know websites can be intimidating, so that’s why we created Good Sam Campground Solutions—your one-stop shop to create a smooth website that has the features that today’s campers want.

2. Photos, photos, and more photos

Campground shoppers are visual people. They want to see your campsites, amenities, images of guests having fun, and more.

Be sure to take lots of great photos with plenty of lighting that show off your campground and the people in it. Load those photos on your website so prospective guests can get a picture of where they’ll be camping. Check out this article for more info on taking great photos.

3. Online booking option

Today’s traveler wants the option to book every bit of their trip online. The same is true for campground-goers. You’ll set yourself above the fold by offering a way for your customers to book and pay online.

4. Set expectations

Your website should paint an accurate picture of what it’s like to stay with you. While you should highlight what makes you great, you should also be open about any restrictions like rig size, cell service, or other factors that might surprise an unexpecting guest.

The goal here is to share what makes your campground awesome while also ensuring that guests know what to expect when they arrive.

5. Communication

Be sure that guests promptly receive a receipt with a note letting them know how excited you are to have them. It’s also a solid practice to follow up with guests a few days ahead of their arrival with important details for their stay.

6. Offer additional camping options

RV and tent sites are the lifeblood of what we do as campground owners, but experiences like yurts, glamping, cabins, and more are quickly becoming an important addition to what we do. Guests love these experiences, and these stays can also provide significant extra revenue.

Here are 16 ways to add unique camping options to your campground offerings.

Creating A Great Guest Experience When Your Guests Arrive

Once your guests arrive, the real fun can begin. This is where you put the wheels in motion to help your campers build lasting memories with their families. Here are the pieces to have in place for a great during-trip guest experience.

1. Friendly faces

Even if you offer a self-check-in process, it’s important that you have a crew in place who loves people and is ready to help with things like parking RVs, selling s’more kits, and starting campfires.

And before you think you can’t afford to hire great talent, think again. Campgrounds are uniquely positioned to offer employees benefits far beyond money. For example, many campgrounds can offer staff advantages like free RV sites, autonomy, flexible scheduling, and proximity to fun excursions.

Here are a few other tips for nurturing a team with a smiling attitude.

2. Offer a self-check-in/self-locate option

While many campers will want to connect with a friendly face upon arrival, another ingredient for a great guest experience is to have a self-serve option where campers are able to arrive and navigate to their campsite on their own.

Campground booking software will allow you to set this up and provide step-by-step communication to guide your guests in. 

3. Good Wi-Fi (or no Wi-Fi at all)

With the rise in remote work, campers are demanding solid Wi-Fi more than ever before. You need to have good Wi-Fi at your campground if you expect to provide a guest experience that campers want.

The exception would be if you are a campground that markets yourself as a place of solitude and disconnection for people. In that case, it could actually be part of your brand that people would stay with you because they want to disconnect from the usual hustle and bustle of their lives.

But that’s an either/or situation. Either you have good Wi-Fi or you’re a boutique spot marketing an unplugged experience. Because nothing upsets the guest experience more than expecting good Wi-Fi to find it’s less than.

4. Expectations set. Expectations exceeded

The “before” experience you offered your guests showed them what to expect at your campground. Now it’s time to go above and beyond that.

Think of WOW factors you can offer to level up your guest experience. For example, you could provide complimentary firewood and a s’more kit for your guest’s first night, host a bonfire, or create a deal with a local restaurant for a discount for your guests.

5. Communal hangout zones

Campers generally love connecting and sharing stories. Create spaces at your campground like outdoor grilling areas, reading rooms, communal fire pits, and more that encourage people to mingle and connect.

Doing this will create lasting friendships that guests will fondly associate with your campground.

6. Highlight unique amenities in your area

It’s common practice for campgrounds to share a list of area restaurants at check-in. While this is a good practice, creating an excellent guest experience demands extra creativity.

What cool things to do in your area that only locals know about?

Is there a weekly farmer’s market in your area that’s fun to go to?


Could you partner with local outfitters to offer excursions specifically for your guests?


Travelers love getting the inside scoop on the areas they visit. By offering that to your guests, you’ll set yourself apart.

7. Regular communication

One of the best ways to keep your campers up to date about events happening during their stay is to incorporate text-based messaging into your guest experience.

Texts currently have a much higher read and response rate than email, so they are a great way to let your guests know you’re thinking of them. Some campground management software will have this built-in to make it very easy to text your guests about that bonfire you’re hosting, a concert in your area, or any other fun thing you want them to know about.

And guests often like to communicate via text anyway, so having an option for them to text your team is a valuable amenity to offer.

8. Don’t forget the fundamentals

While all of the above are important ingredients in the guest experience stew, it won’t all flow together if you don’t have the basics in place. These include things like:

  • Level sites
  • Good infrastructure (e.g., water, power, sewer)
  • Fire making areas
  • Signs guiding people around your campsite
  • Regularly walking your campground looking for ways to improve your guest experience
  • And always listening to guest feedback for ways to continue improving

Creating A Great Guest Experience After Your Guests Leave

A great guest experience doesn’t end when someone leaves your campground. Here are the best practices to keep up with guests after they go:

1. Ask for a review

Most guests won’t proactively leave a review unless they get a little nudge. That’s why you should have a follow-up process that asks for guests’ feedback and then encourages positive respondents to leave a review.

Generally speaking, the best way to do this is via a short follow-up text sent on the day of departure asking your guest to comment on their stay. If they loved it, shoot them a link to your Google review profile so they can share it with the world!

2. Offer specials to past guests

If guests loved staying with you, encourage them to come back. You could offer them things like an early booking window for your peak season, special rates, or free/discounted amenities during their next stay.

3. Implement feedback

If you’re consistently getting the same request from multiple guests at your campground, be proactive about adding the things guests are asking for.

Unfortunately, far too many campgrounds are stacked with reviews mentioning the same negative guest experience over and over again. One of the best ways to create a great guest experience is simply by listening for consistency in guest feedback and promptly acting on that feedback.

With more campers than ever, it’s an exciting time to be a campground owner. It’s also a terrific opportunity we all have to level up our guest experience so that our customers are delighted by their camping experience. The tips above will help you build a game plan for a campground that guests rave about and return to.