Campground Photography Guide

A picture is worth a thousand reservations.

More than any other consideration, guests are looking at the photos on your campground’s website or listing to decide whether or not they want to stay there.

You don’t have to spend a lot of time looking up a campground to know that a good number of them are digitally lacking in a “curbside appeal” – and not because the campground itself isn’t gorgeous, so much as the photos they post leave a little too much to the imagination. Grainy, low-lit, and out-of-focus pics are a turnoff to potential guests who aren’t already familiar with your park.

The good news is that even with a smartphone and a little practice, you can make your campground “pop,” leading to more traffic, credibility, and online reservations. To help you put your best foot forward, here’s a user-friendly guide to better campground photos.

Why you should invest in better photos

Whether you want to get more reservations, stand out from the competition, or just tell your story, quality photos make all the difference online.

Quality photos increase reservations

No reason to bury the lead here. Great photos have been shown to drastically increase reservations. Maybe even double them.

Data shows that bookings with higher-quality photos benefit anywhere from 63% to 136% more reservations than those with lower-quality images.

One study even found that just updating content on your page regularly (photos, listing info, reviews, etc.) could lead to a 400% increase in traffic.

Quality photos add credibility

Better photos create trust with new guests.

In terms of online reservations, 78% of potential campers will make their decision to stay there based on photos alone. According to the data, uninitiated guests consider quality photos or videos to indicate credibility and a far more influential endorsement – even more so than other customer reviews.

The reason? It humanizes an otherwise digital experience. Sixty-two percent of consumers using an online search preferer contacting a business with images included on their listing simply because it signals that there’s a real person on the other side.

So a picture might be worth more than a thousand word-review.

Quality photos help you stand out

Considering that at least half of your potential guests prefer visual information over text, your park’s photos are either helping or hurting your business.

Campers want to see a few photos, read a few paragraphs, and get a general feel for your park. Long-winded descriptions or grainy, out-of-focus images are a turn-off – especially when the campground looks different in person.

Do a quick Google search of your park and see what photos pop up. What are campers seeing when they look for your campground? Does it give an accurate idea of what they can expect? Does your park pop out or get lost in the mix?

Quality photos add personality

Every campground has a story, and guests want to know what yours is. They want to know who’s running the park. They want to know who the park is catered to (families, retirees, long-term, etc.).

Photos are the easiest way to paint a picture and tell a little bit of your campground’s story while creating authenticity for those searching online.

How to take better photos on your phone

You don’t have to have $20,000 in cameras and lights to take decent photos. Especially if you’re just trying to give a flattering view of your campground, you can get by just using an iPhone and a little strategy. Here are a few things to consider.

Clean your lens

While it feels silly to say, it’s often overlooked. Your phone’s lens accumulates smudges from fingerprints, dirt, and debris in general, directly impacting the quality of your photos. As you can imagine, this is easily remedied by wiping your lens with a soft cloth.

Set your focus

Unless you’re going for something artistic, a blurry photo is a turnoff when it comes to showing off your campground. As you take a picture, tap the subject on your screen, and the camera will automatically adjust.

Natural light

Lighting might easily be the single most important factor in photography. It directly impacts the mood, clarity, focus, and interpretation of an image more than anything else. If you want quality photos, try to take pictures using natural light – ideally around sunrise or sunset (aka “Golden Hour”) – and try to avoid flash or fluorescent lights, as they’ll create harsh shadows and overexposure for your pictures.

It might also be worth your while to play around with different modalities like “Portrait” or “Cinematic” and see if you can’t find more compelling ways to showcase your park.

Composition of your photo

Try and compose your photo in a way that properly frames the subject in an appealing or visually interesting way. Instead of just an RV, could there be a family enjoying a bar-b-q or throwing a football around? Instead of images of vacant amenities, could you show people playing volleyball or having a good time around a campfire? A story is more compelling than a stagnant image and will likely increase someone’s interest while on your website.

Rule of thirds (Symmetry)

The rule of thirds is a tried and true standard for photo composition, and it’s pretty easy to catch onto.

Basically, the idea is that you think of your photo as a square grid with nine segments (3×3). Position the focus of the image into one of the thirds (either horizontally or vertically). This will help the viewer’s eye take in the picture while focusing on the main image in a more aesthetically pleasing way. Chances are that your phone has gridlines you can turn on to help you frame your shot.

Make your photos interesting

While this is a little more art than science, it’s still important to remember that your photos should be visually interesting. Make it a point to identify camera-friendly locations or otherwise interesting moments with guests. Instead of a picture of your parking lot or the outside of the camp store, consider showing images of folks handing out and having a good time in their campsites or playing around the park. Focusing on trying to highlight what a guest’s experience could be.

Edit

Let’s say you got a decent photo, but it has a slight blemish, or the brightness was a little off. Well, chances are you’re still fine thanks to the magic of editing. Whether you’re looking to adjust the contrast, crop out part of the image, or even remove something from the picture, there’s probably an app that can help you out.

Apps like Adobe Lightroom, Google Photos, and even Instagram are decent options for “fixing it in post.”

Invest in professional photos

If you really want to capture your campground at its best while getting some great mileage out of your photos for years to come, consider hiring a professional photographer.

While costs vary, you can usually find a reliable photographer for anywhere from $100 to $250 an hour for the shoot itself. From there, they’ll usually share the rough shots and let you choose which ones you’d like edited. You should also expect to pay about $3 to $5 per edited photo unless they bake it into the cost of the shoot itself.

Sites like Snappr, Upwork, and Thumbtack are great places to look for photographers in your area, but chances are that there are also pretty decent Facebook groups or listings in your neck of the woods. Peruse their portfolio and get an idea of whether or not they’ll match what you’re looking for.

It’s also worth noting some campgrounds barter photography services for a week-long stay or simply hire work campers who know their way around a camera to keep costs low. Regardless, it’s definitely worth the investment.

Drone photography

If you really want to differentiate your photos, consider using a drone. According to one survey, listings with drone images or videos perform 63% better than those without. The reason? Guests want the context of your park and, more specifically, where their campsite is located compared to everything. Nothing paints a more complete picture of a campground than a bird’s-eye view.

Keep in mind that in order to operate a drone, you’ll need a remote pilot certification through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). But if you’re not looking to drop a few hundred dollars on a new hobby, chances are that you can find a licensed operator in your area willing to fly around your park for an affordable rate (usually averaging around $100 an hour).

Services like Droners.io allow you to pull from vetted drone operators in your area, matching whatever budget or specifics you’re looking for.

Other photography tips

In terms of quality images, you can certainly do a lot with a smartphone, but if you’re willing to invest a little bit, you can really make a splash. Here are a few tips if you’re looking to go the extra mile and really make your campground’s photos pop.

Curate social content

Here’s the thing, guests want to take pictures, and they want to share them. Herein lies a great opportunity to promote your campground. Consider spinning up an Instagram or Tik Tok for your park, and incorporate a hashtag that guests can use when they share their pictures or videos of their stay.

Encourage campers to share photos

Asking guests to leave a review and post a photo is a great way to establish your online reputation while signaling credibility to more guests. You could even take it a step further and consider offering discounts in exchange for great photos or even run a contest with a giveaway to the best photo submitted.

Gear recs

If you find yourself wanting to level up from just an iPhone and natural light, there are a handful of relatively economical options for improving the quality of your photos. While it may be a bit of a startup cost, the better the photos are, the more likely you are to stand out and increase your bookings. So it could pay for itself before too long.

Here are a few considerations to get started.

Digital Camera (plus accessories) – $500+ (Canon)
Lighting Kit – $175+ (LINCO)
Tripod – $100+ (Manfrotto)
Lenses – $200+ (Canon)

MORE PHOTOS AND MORE RESERVATIONS.

In addition to increasing reservations online, Good Sam Campground Solutions has helped parks improve their branding and curate better photos. If you’re in the market for growing your online reach, request a demo today!

4 Reasons You Should Join a Campground Association

Knowing how to stand out and find success in a $2.56 billion industry is certainly a challenge. Throw in a global pandemic, and ever-changing legislation, and it can feel overwhelming.

But did you know that there are campground associations that exist to support you?

Whether it’s lobbying for RV parks, providing marketing assistance, or connecting you with other owners in your region, campground associations have one sole purpose: serve campground owners.

When asked about the benefits of joining an RV park association, Horizon Outdoor Hospitality President, Scott Foos summed it up with “advocacy, music, and movie licensing, marketing services, legal hotline, member discounts, and watchful eye over everything affecting the outdoor hospitality industry”.

No matter where you need assistance with your campground, the campground association is looking out for you. Whether you’ve been running your park for years, or are just getting started in the industry, joining an association is a great resource for any park owner.

Here are four reasons why you should join a campground association, plus a list of 40 associations in Canada and the United States.

1. Advocacy for campground owners.

Last year more than 30 states closed campgrounds or delayed their openings to correspond with new guidelines on social gatherings.

Especially in this on-going pandemic, legislative changes have affected business owners substantially. And when your local legislature enacts travel restrictions, or a 21-day order to close campgrounds, who goes to bat for you?

Campground associations do.

Organizations like TACO or CampCalNow communicate recommendations between lobbyists and campground owners as well as make donations to campaigns for candidates and legislators reflecting the interests of association members.

Whether it’s supporting a local bill to limit increases in commercial property taxes or urging national legislators to deem campgrounds as an essential business in the midst of heightened restrictions, association leaders take the initiative on connecting with elected officials in order to effect change that’s directly based on the feedback of park owners.

So, should you join a local association, a national association, or both? Well, many of our campgrounds are connected with both because, especially in a pandemic, there are unique challenges at either level. National organizations like ARVC and CCRVC have more resources and work directly at the federal level to advocate for campgrounds as an industry (i.e. deeming them essential businesses), whereas state and provincial associations have more focus on individual campgrounds and play a bigger hand in local policy (i.e. property taxes).

At the end of the day, it’s important that you start somewhere to give your campground a louder voice. Even if it’s just in your own backyard.

2. Industry expertise and discounts.

From hosting annual conferences and trade shows, regular training and webinars, or providing scholarships for campgrounds, associations focus on setting their members up for success. Some organizations will even provide training for aspiring campground managers and owners.

Myrtle Beach Travel Park operator, Tim Deputy, says “As a business operator, the learning opportunities are phenomenal. You’re actually meeting a lot of the leaders in the industry, so the knowledge that you gain is so invaluable. It’s like hiring a consultant without paying a consultant.”

There’s also often an incentive to join associations just for the perk of discounted rates from industry vendors and partners. In some cases, like with ARVC, they can literally calculate how much money a membership can save your campground. And while yearly dues vary between campground associations, larger organizations like ARVC charge around $150 a year and offer between 10 – 45 percent discounts on propane, commercial licensing (music and movies), campground supplies, and property insurance.

As you can imagine the savings add up quickly. Or as Bert Davis of Dells Camping Resort puts it, “by taking advantage of ARVC’s [Loyalty Program], we have saved more than $3,200, which when we look at it, adds up to 11 years of ARVC membership dues paid for.”

3. Marketing for your campground.

Another benefit for members, and quite possibly the biggest impact on increasing your reservations, is what campground associations do for marketing your park.

From listings in local publications, articles featuring campgrounds, or strategic partnerships with organizations like GoRVing Canada, associations are constantly working to keep their parks front-of-mind for campers.

Some organizations bring in an additional 80,000 reservations for all of their campgrounds through these strategic partnerships.

Not to mention some campground associations have partnerships that drive more traffic to your campground’s website. Our campgrounds receive an additional two million visitors thanks to partnerships with associations like the CCRVC and Travel BC.

4. Support from other campgrounds.

With yearly meetups and digital forums, state and provincial campground associations provide opportunities for you to connect with other campground owners and managers for industry support.

According to Johan Feddema of Riverbend Campground in Alberta, “Being a Member of the Canadian Camping and RV Council provides my Campground with the opportunity to connect with my peers in an Association with a sole purpose to make my business more efficient and profitable.”

And on the off chance friction with another campground arises, association leaders like, Joss Penny of Travel BC, have shared with us how they are quick to jump in and mediate an amicable resolution between campgrounds.

Joining a campground association means more support and less conflict.

A louder, collective voice.

Having a campground association in your corner means you have an advocate, a marketer, and a wide network of park owners on your side.

Whether you need help bringing in more reservations, navigating legislative changes, or keeping up with where the outdoor industry is going, joining an association is an easy place to start. And if you’re ready to join an association, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s a list of 40 associations in the US and Canada to get you started.

American campground associations to join:

National

National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC)
The Northeast Campground Association (NCA)

Statewide

Alaska – Alaska Campground Owners Association
Arizona –Arizona Travel Parks Association
California – CampCalNOW and California Travel Parks Association
Colorado – Colorado Campground & Lodging Owners Association
Connecticut – Connecticut Campground Owners Association
Florida – The Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (Florida ARVC)
Illinois – Fox valley Tents and Wheels
Indiana – Indiana ARVC – RVIC and Indiana Campground Owners Association
Kansas – Kansas Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds and KAN_RVT – Kansas RV Parks & Travel, Inc.
Louisiana – Louisiana Campground Owners Association
Maine – Maine Campground Owners Association and Acadia Information Center
Maryland – Maryland Association of Campgrounds
Massachusetts – Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners
Michigan – Michigan Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, Eager Beaver Camping Club, The Early Risers, and A.Y.W.U. Camping Association
Minnesota – The Minnesota Resort & Campground Association
Missouri – Missouri Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, Lake of the Ozarks Campground Owners, and Missouri State Parks
Montana – Campground Owners Association of Montana
New Hampshire – New Hampshire Campground Owners Association
New Jersey – New Jersey Campground Owners Association
New York – Campground Owners of New York
North & South Carolina – North Carolina Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds and South Carolina Campground Owners Association
Ohio – Ohio Campground Owners Association
Pennsylvania – Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association
South Dakota – South Dakota Campground Owners Association
Tennessee – Tennessee Campground Association
Texas – Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO)
Vermont – Vermont Campground Association, Inc.
Virginia – Virginia Campground Association
Washington – RV Parks Association of Olympic Peninsula
Wisconsin – Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners
Wyoming – Wyoming Campground Association

Canadian campground associations to join:

National

Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC)

Provincial

Alberta – Parks & Campground Owners’ Association of Alberta
British Columbia – British Columbia Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA)
Manitoba – Go RVing Manitoba (MACAP)
Québec – Camping Québec
New Brunswick – New Brunswick Campground Owners Association
Nova Scotia – Camping Nova Scotia (COANS)
The Association of Atlantic RV Parks and Campgrounds

Looking to move your reservations online?

In addition to joining an association, are you looking to take more reservations this year? Good Sam Campground Solutions can help. Request a demo today!

16 Unique Options for Adding Glamping to Your Campground

There’s no getting around it: glamping is more popular than ever.

A couple of years ago, the US market for glamping was projected to reach $4.8 billion in revenue by 2025.

Furthermore, a 2019 study from the KOA found that 67 percent of campers are booking glamping sites for the sake of creating a unique experience. These are guests who want to camp but want to keep a few of the comforts of home while they do it.

So, exactly what accommodations are parks using to attract glampers?

Here’s a list of 16 potential glamping options for campground owners looking to create a unique experience for their guests.

Glamping options.

1. Canvas tents

Canvas tents are some of the more malleable options a campground can offer, considering almost everything is optional (electricity, furniture, A/C, etc.). Plus, they’re incredibly durable, lasting 20 to 30 years, and can scale up or down to match the level of elegance you’re going for.

If you’re looking for an economical way to add value to your campground’s accommodations, they can start as low as $350 and range up to $1,000 or so.

2. Vintage campers

Vintage campers are a huge draw for guests seeking both novelty and nostalgia. Also, they’re profitable: flipping a used camper could earn you $6,000 on average.

That said, you’ll have the overhead of renovating a vintage camper.

Renovating an old Airstream will run you between $10,000 to $70,000, and restoring a vintage RV of any kind will cost between $1,000 and $10,000.

If you do decide to go the route of converting an older RV, be sure to consider the following:

Electrical systems (i.e., interior and exterior lights, signals, tail lights, etc.)
Plumbing systems (i.e., drains and traps, kitchen sink, toilet, shower, water)
Exterior (i.e., locks, doors, hardware and seals, windows, vents, dents)
Interior (i.e., cabinets, latches, counters, upholstery, floors)
Kitchen appliances (i.e., water heater, furnace, oven, refrigerator)
LP System (i.e., gas lines, regulators, hoses, pressure adjustment)

Here’s how one couple converted an ’87 Airstream motorhome into a luxury experience for guests.

3. Yurts

More and more campers seek out yurt accommodations to break away from the cookie-cutter hotel room experience.

While yurts aren’t exactly cheap (somewhere between $11,500 and $44,000), they are still profitable. According to Pacific Yurts Inc., you can make $1,500 a month from just yurt reservations alone. So your investment should pay for itself in a couple of years.

4. Cabins

Cabins and cottages can rent for $1,000 to $2,000 a week and attract a broad audience.

The demand for cabins and tents is expected to grow 2.5 times over the next five years. It’s certainly worth investing in at least a few units for your park. However, building a cabin would require a permit because it is a permanent structure.

5. A-frames

An architectural design with a quaint interior, A-frames are a modern and imaginative approach to traditional cabins.

But even beyond aesthetics, A-frames are affordable, simple to design, and better at snow management due to their steep-roofed design. They also allow for more natural light, making for an enjoyable stay.

6. Park model RVs

Park models are similar to traditional RVs in that they are mobile and need to be hooked up to sewer, water, and electricity. However, they are distinctly larger and more “homey” in design. Park models come in various design aesthetics, making it easy to find a park model to fit your park brand.

You can expect to pay between $20,000 and $200,000 per unit.

7. Treehouses

Treehouses are certainly one of the more exotic and upscale options for lodging, and they’re not terribly expensive. The average 12′ by 12′ build for a treehouse will cost between $9,000 and $17,000. Treehouses are most commonly built around trees but can refer to any camping accommodation at tree height as well.

For further context, check out these incredible glamping treehouses.

8. Tipis

Costing between $130 and $1,000, tipis are one of the cheapest and simplest glamping accommodations on this list.

Tipis are weather-resistant, easy to assemble, and have optimal temperature regulation. That said, they aren’t as spacious as other glamping options and might not be as easily accessible to everyone.

To see examples of campgrounds implementing tipis, check out the top 25 tipis from around the world.

9. Motels

LOGE finds closed down or abandoned motels near interesting towns or trails and refurbishes them to cater towards a more outdoor-focused experience, often adding camping options to the property.

Not to be confused with traditional motel updates, new owners are taking the bones of existing lodgings and transforming them into upscale campgrounds. You can even sleep in a hammock in your motel room:

10. Covered wagons

If you’re looking to add novelty to your campground, covered wagons are a playful and often climate-controlled option. They’re glorified tents with a western motif and create great photo ops.

11. Domes.

Unconventional yet environmentally conscious, geodesic domes are more than just aesthetic. Their spherical structure makes them one of the most efficient interior atmospheres for lodging because “air and energy are allowed to circulate without obstruction.” You can even place them in exotic locations with extreme wind turbulence, as the architectural design lessens any winds contributing to heat loss.

Furthermore, they install quickly–1 to 3 days–and cost only $9 to $15 per square foot.

12. Glamping pods

Glamping pods are eco-friendly and stylish. While usually built from recycled material, they’re energy-efficient and retain heat, effectively protecting guests from the elements.

Essentially, they function as a tiny house with a modern design, making them one of the more expensive (upwards of $10,000) and more glamorous options on this list.

Check out some of these great examples.

13. Caboose

Easily one of the most unique forms of accommodation, converted cabooses and boxcars provide a very “Americana” experience for guests looking for something different.

Here’s a list of campgrounds offering trains for lodgings for inspiration.

14. Floating homes

Still connected to water and sewer, a floating home is like having a condo on the water. Unlike a houseboat, floating homes are stationary and generally more expensive.

Also, you’ll need a diver to inspect the home properly from top to bottom.

15. Tiny homes

Smaller than a cabin and moveable by a trailer, tiny homes have become an affordable option for Millenials and Baby Boomers alike.

The tiny home market is projected to be worth more than $5.8 billion in a few years. That same study indicated 63 percent of Millenials are interested in buying a tiny home, and 40 percent of tiny homeowners are Baby Boomers—ensuring that renting a tiny house at your campground will appeal to all clientele.

16. Container homes

Container homes are durable, recyclable, quick to build, and mobile. They also have a resale value of upwards of 100 percent, making them a reasonably affordable and safe investment.

Smaller and more basic homes will cost between $10,000 and $35,000, while larger homes will run between $100,000 and $175,000.

Homesteading has a list of 17 container homes that show just how creative you can get with accommodations.

Glamping Campgrounds

Many of our campgrounds have found success bringing in more business to their park by adding a few glamping options. If you’re looking for a few easy and affordable ways to start implementing glamping options, consider adding:

Luxury canvas tents or yurts.
Cabins, tiny homes, or glamping pods.
Converting vintage campers.

Get more glamping reservations.

Taking online reservations is an easy way to help you grow your glamping audience. Request a demo of Good Sam Campground Solutions!

6 Ways to Get More Reservations During Shoulder Seasons

Just because it’s not peak season at your campground doesn’t mean your reservations have to suffer.

Even for parks up north, late spring and early fall can still be great opportunities to grow your park’s business. With the right online tools and strategy, we’ve seen campgrounds double their business in shoulder seasons.

So, how do you increase business during the slower months?

To answer that, we pulled from our parks’ experiences and the experiences of others in the industry. Here are six ways to get more reservations during shoulder seasons.

1. Take online bookings

Guests are making reservation decisions based on what’s available online.

Ninety-seven percent of consumers use the internet to find local businesses, so campgrounds need a digital presence.

In addition to saving your campground from hundreds of hours of administrative work, reservation systems like Good Sam Campground Solutions bring our parks an additional 25 percent increase in reservation volume annually.

Taking online reservations is the easiest way to increase business in shoulder seasons.

2. Google AdWords

If you’re trying to get the word out about your campground, nothing beats Google.

Stretch your advertising dollar further and invest in pay-per-click advertising (PPC ads) through Google. The benefit here is that you’re only paying for ads that get clicked on. And you’re increasing the odds of being discovered by including related search terms.

Doing so will guarantee a higher ranking on related online searches and appear as a sponsored post, driving more traffic to your park’s website.

3. Unique experiences

A 2019 study discovered 63 percent of consumers, for the sake of finding “inspiration and meaning,” seek out novelty and experiences they can’t find anywhere else.

Creating unique experiences at your campground isn’t a gimmick. It’s practical. If you’re looking to add novelty to your guests’ experience, consider:

Investing in the right amenities.
Providing unique lodging and glamping opportunities.
Joining a local chamber of commerce to stay in the loop with local events you can support.
Creating memorable experiences through community activities (i.e., movie nights or sports tournaments).
Offering more than just camping (i.e., breweries or weddings).

4. Social media

Campgrounds can stay relevant with thoughtful and consistent social posts, even during shoulder season. And, similar to Google AdWords, boosting posts on Facebook and Instagram allow you to market your campground exactly where you want.

By spending just $15 to $20 on promoting social posts, our campgrounds have seen substantial increases in the number of potential guests reached, as well as engagement on their page.

Beyond marketing your park, a well-curated social feed can show your campground’s personality while keeping up with your audience. In addition to boosting posts, consider:

Contests and giveaways for guests to engage with your page or leave a review.
Polls and surveys to better understand your campers and how to engage with them.
Posting beautiful high-quality photos and videos of your campground to put your best foot forward in giving clear expectations.

For more tips, Inspired Camping has a list of ways to easily leverage social media to connect with guests.

5. Incentivize repeat business.

Retaining 2 percent of your regular campers is the equivalent of cutting your expenses by 10 percent. When guests enjoy their stay, the probability of them returning increases substantially.

Incentivize repeat business and make shoulder season more appealing by offering discounts for any of the following:

Booking their next stay before leaving.
Utilizing a loyalty program for campers to join like Good Sam .
Referring other campers to your park during shoulder seasons.
Posting an online review of your park.

6. Dynamic pricing

Good Sam Campground Solution’s dynamic pricing gives park owners more control and more business during peak and shoulder seasons.

Dynamic pricing allows campground owners to increase revenue on popular weekends or create booking minimums in peak seasons. In shoulder seasons, park operators automate attractive pricing and incentivize more reservations.

A system that can accommodate different pricing models will take a lot off your plate and lead to more reservations during slower months.

More Reservations in Shoulder Season

Shoulder seasons can still be profitable for park owners.

Even in the spring or fall, campgrounds can find a lot of success and bring in more business by:

Taking online reservations to save time and reach a wider audience.
Spending money on Google AdWords to market your park through relevant searches.
Creating unique experiences and facilitating community programs.
Utilizing and boosting social media for more engagement.
Incentivizing repeat business with discounts and loyalty programs.
Automating dynamic pricing to offer more competitive rates in slower months.

Ready to increase reservations during shoulder seasons?

Good Sam brings RV parks a 25 percent increase in reservation volume (even outside of peak season). Request a demo today!

12 Creative Ways to Make Extra Money at Your Campground

With over 40 million people RVing regularly, campgrounds can be incredibly profitable.

The best way to increase revenue is by boosting occupancy. But what are some alternative ways to make money at your campground?

We connected with several campgrounds and found twelve creative ways to diversify your income and make more money at your RV park.

Earn a little extra money at your RV park

1. Vending Machines

On average, a single vending machine earns $76 a week, or over $300 a month. With that, a vending machine is about a $2,000 investment, so it pays for itself within a year.

It’s a reasonably easy income stream to add to your park, especially if strategically placed–-near a pool, for example.

2. Laundry

One campground owner reported he profited more on laundry than he did from his campsites! He was the only laundromat nearby and offered multiple machines for guests and local residents to use.

After multiple calls to repairmen, he learned how to fix the units himself, making even more profit from this expected RV park amenity.

Creating a pleasant experience around laundry could be a small but simple way to add value to a guests’ experience. Consider adding another set of machines or offering a small table or countertop for folding clothes. Since most campgrounds charge between $1 to $2.50 per load, you’ll earn back your investment relatively quickly.

3. Pool pass

Have a pool? Consider offsetting some of your property costs by opening it up to the local community or friends visiting campers. For example, Jackson Lake Lodge lets guests swim for free and sells community passes for $5 a day–or $50 a season.

Earn a little more money at your RV park

4. Restaurants and food trucks

Restaurants or concession stands add local flair to your park. Not only can they be an added element of hospitality for guests, but they could be an additional marketing tool for your park when opened to the community.

More and more parks are adopting new options when it comes to dining. Foodtruckoperator.com says that even the federal government “is looking to modernize campgrounds at national parks, and is considering allowing the private sector to run the parks to free up park staff for other tasks.”

Remember, though, that running a restaurant in conjunction with your campground is extra work. If you’re looking for a more straightforward starting point, food trucks have relatively simple permits and can be an easy way to partner with a local vendor to split profits.

5. A good camp store

Retired camping and outdoor industry expert Gary Forster says, “There are many reasons to have a [camp] store. The first is that people expect it.”

Keeping a few essentials on hand goes a long way, whether it’s a quick bite, laundry detergent, firewood, or even RV parts like water or sewer hoses.

We’ve also received feedback from RV parks claiming a fair amount of success selling branded materials and products from local artists or businesses that reflect the local community. Specifically, T-shirts and camping mugs are a couple of the top sellers. You may even offer produce, pictured above, as part of a small farmer’s market.

6. Events

Campgrounds can still offer plenty of low-cost and profitable events for campers.

Consider:

Grilling or cook-off competitions (where people pay to enter and taste the food)
Outdoor movie nights (with proper licensing, which you can find help with by joining a campground association)
Fall festival complete with a carnival and hayrides
Tournaments for youth sports
Crafts (especially for kids)
A trail of lights during the holiday season

Plenty of potential guests unfamiliar with camping might be willing to try it out if you provide the right incentives to connect with your park.

For more ideas, RVShare has a list of over 80 activities campgrounds can offer.

7. Wi-Fi

If you’re looking to add immediate value to your campground, start with quality wireless internet. Even if guests want to unplug and experience nature, many will still expect access to Wi-Fi.

Millennials are 73 percent more likely to find themselves taking a trip and, subsequently, working from an RV this year.

While providing decent Wi-Fi is a must, offering a high-speed connection could be a source of profit. A 2018 poll revealed 66 percent of guests would be willing to pay a daily rate for faster internet. And, likely, this number will only go up as more millennials become full-time RVers. Paying extra for premium service will be expected.

Make passive and profitable returns at your RV park

8. Rentals

While rentals generally come with high startup costs, they can also bring high margins. Consider implementing any of these items:

Jeeps
Dune buggies
Four-wheelers
Snowmobiles
Mountain bikes
Kayaks/canoes
Grills
Pool items (floaties, toys, life jackets, etc.)

The most significant considerations with rentals are your insurance policy and repairs, which can add to your park’s expenses.

9. Experiences

Campgrounds can offer more than just camping.

Here are a few creative ways campgrounds have used their space:

Campgrounds that succeed in repurposing their space take advantage of features unique to their property: lakes and rivers, scenic overlooks, flat or hilly landscapes. What does yours offer?

10. Partner with local tourism companies and restaurants

Partnering with local businesses is a great way to make commissions and passive income for your campground. See if any local tourist attractions will give your campers discounts for visiting or if they will give you a referral credit for sending campers their way.

11. Event rentals

Especially during shoulder seasons, find imaginative ways to take advantage of potential event space. Consider renting out your clubhouse, pavilions, etc. for:

Reunions and get-togethers
Corporate retreats
Weddings
Kids camps and field trips
Conventions and conference
Concerts

12. Yield management

One of the resources that Good Sam Campground Solutions provides its parks is yield management (or dynamic pricing).

This allows campgrounds to accommodate guests during both peak and shoulder seasons. A camper can go online, get a quote, and make a reservation without you having to get involved.

Yield management allows you to charge more or less based on demand, like charging $70/night on holiday weekends and $50/night in the shoulder season.

On average, our campgrounds have saved 300 hours of administrative work annually through dynamic pricing and online reservations.

Putting it together

Finding creative ways to make money at your RV park doesn’t have to be an overwhelming effort. Consider your campground and what you could realistically implement without draining your resources.

Then,

Make a little money by adding vending machines, laundry services, and pool passes.
Make a little more money by offering restaurants or food trucks, a well-stocked camp store, interactive events, and quality Wi-Fi.
Make passive and profitable income by offering rentals, unique experiences (weddings, wildlife, breweries, etc.), partnering with local businesses, event rentals, and yield management.

The simplest way to increase revenue

Online reservations are one of the easiest ways to bring income to your campground. Good Sam Campground Solutions brings RV parks a 25 percent annual increase in reservation volume. Request a demo today!

Better Campground Photos = More Reservations (+4 Tips for Getting Great Photos)

Having quality photos will bring more business to your campground.

Websites and articles with relevant and quality photos garner 94 percent more views than those without. In fact, some campgrounds have doubled their yearly reservations just by adding better pictures.

Now, while you would think more parks would invest in quality photos, only 39 percent of online businesses have photos that don’t disappoint customers.

So why are quality campground photos so important? And why are customers more responsive to high-resolution images?

1. Campground photos create trust.

A picture is worth a thousand-word review.

When it comes to making a reservation online, 78 percent of people make their decision based on photos alone. They also found that online customers trusted photos even more than other customer reviews.

The main reason guests trust photos? It humanizes their online experience.

Sixty percent of consumers who use online search say they prefer to contact a business whose listing includes an image, because they know there’s a real person on the other side.

2. Campground photos make your park stand out.

Are your campground’s photos helping or hurting you?

Overall, at least 50 percent of consumers prefer visual information over text. It’s easier for campers to quickly see photos than to read a few paragraphs describing your park.

Out of focus, pixelated, or unattractive photos will deter campers. Twenty-two percent of returns or cancellations happen when a product (or campsite) looks different in person.

What images are campers seeing when they search?

Do a quick Google search of your park and click on “Images.” Review what’s pulling up. Does it give guests an accurate idea of what they can expect when they visit? Is your park standing out or getting lost in the shuffle?

3. Campground photos tell your story.

Campgrounds are a common gathering place. Which means guests want to know the people running an RV park. They want to know you.

Fifty-one percent of customers respond better to images of actual people because they’re more authentic and trustworthy than brand-owned creative.

Campers also want to be able to see themselves staying at your park before they actually stay at your park.

Is your park catered toward families? Retirees? Use photos of people enjoying your park to attract more campers like them.

4. Campground photos lead to more reservations.

Quality campground photos could double your reservations.

Sixty-two percent of survey respondents said travel images posted by a real person are the most influential endorsement,” and that almost half of the survey respondents reported purchasing a product after interacting with an image or watching a brand video.

Asking campers to leave a review or creating experiences that prompt campers to take a photo at their campsite can increase your photos on review sites, establishing your online reputation and encouraging future campers to book.

4 tips for taking better campground photos.

Elevating the quality of images might feel like an expensive undertaking, but it doesn’t have to. Without having to break the bank or sink too much time into creating more content, here are a few things to consider:

1. Hire a professional.

Bringing in a professional photographer is the easiest way to get images of your campground that you can use for years to come. Typically it’ll run between $100 to $250 an hour for the shoot itself.

Many campgrounds will barter photography services for a free week-long stay or hire workampers with photography skills to avoid the expense of hiring.

2. Take higher quality photos on your own.

On a budget? No problem. You can still take great photos on your phone. iPhone photos can still go a long way and are way better than not having photos at all.

To take the best photos on your phone, go out at golden hour—the hour before sunset or after sunrise—so your campground is in the best light. Take photos on a sunny day and if possible, when the campground is semi-full so you can get plenty of lifestyle photos of campers enjoying your property.

3. Curate quality social content.

Everyone travels with a camera in their pocket these days, which means it’s easy for campers to take and share photos of their camping trip.

Consider using a specific hashtag or creating an Instagram account for your campground. Ask guests to tag you so you can easily find and share their photos.

Basecamp 550 in Colorado encourages campers to tag #basecamp550. These are some of their social photos taken by guests.

You can also find a list of ways to leverage social media for more reservations from Inspired Camping.

4. Incentivize campers to take photos.

Perhaps the easiest and most practical way to capture what camping at your park is like is to have guests capture it themselves. Consider offering discounted nights in exchange for quality photos taken from campers or run a photo competition and giveaway to the winning photo.

Improve Your Campgrounds Photos

Campgrounds can double their online bookings by simply adding high-quality photos. Review your websites and reviews today and make a checklist for getting your campground photos updated before camping season kicks off.

More photos and more reservations.

The Costs of Owning a Campground

If you’re in the market to buy a campground, the timing has never been better.

A recent study from Condor discovered that, in the States alone, over 40 million Americans go RVing regularly. Additionally, there are about 16,000 campgrounds in the US.

If we evenly distributed every RVer in America, and they only stayed at one campground for one night at an average price of $30, the average campground would make at least $75,000 a year.

But it still raises an important question:

How much does it cost to start a campground?

To answer that, we’ve interviewed several park owners and operators using our Campground Booking software and put together a comprehensive list of financial considerations before starting a campground.

The reality is whether you’ve been running a campground for years like Joy Guyot (Golden Municipal in Golden, BC), or you’re a new owner like Scott and Kate-lynn Boesveld (Ray’s Place in Minden, ON), operating a campground includes many hidden costs.

We’ll cover financial considerations for both buying an existing RV park and building a campground of your own.

Buying an RV Park

Initial Costs

How much would it cost to start a campground that already exists?

An existing campground with infrastructure already built out will run you between $100,000 to $2 million+ (TRUiC), and generally speaking, you can assume a fair amount of additional renovation will be necessary.

If you’re buying an established campground, “the upfront costs might be higher, but your revenue might be higher as well.” Generally speaking, a “campground business can cost around $10,000 to $50,000 to start, and that doesn’t include the cost of the [property].”

Various factors impact the cost of the land, including location, infrastructure, and acres available.

However, TRUiC says the cost of land will “range from $1,000 an acre if it has a lot of ‘unusable’ land to upwards of $10,000 an acre if most of the land is flat, it’s on a lake or river, or it has outstanding views.”

Cap Rates

A cap rate formula tells you how long it will take to break even and recoup your money on real estate investment. It’s found by calculating the net operating income (NOI) and dividing it by the property value.

For example, let’s say you have a property worth $2 million and an NOI of $150k, you would divide $150,000 by $2,000,000, and your cap rate would be 7.5%.

This number is significant to note because it can inform you before purchasing a campground if you can expect a decent return on investment. (If the cap rate is publicly viewable on a listing, you can calculate this number yourself with a copy of the RV park’s P&L.)

RVParkStore says that “The range of cap rates on the market today fall in the 5% to 15% range with most parks falling into the 8% to 11% range.”

According to outdoor hospitality expert Heath Padgett, the good news for aspiring owners is that many campground owners “aren’t valuing their property based on capitalization rates.” This means that “if you come in and slightly improve processes, you can ultimately have a decent return on investment.”

Now, keep in mind that cap rates vary depending on location. An 8% cap rate for a campground right outside of Seattle will be substantially different than 8% in Seguin, Texas. When comparing cap rates, consider campgrounds in your area or similar regions.

Insurance

Your local campground association will have more information, but according to TRUiC, “the average campground in America spends between $450-$1,500 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage.”

Renovations

While the cost of renovations can vary widely depending on the park, budget for updating infrastructure as well as branding around your new park. Outdoor Command recommends $10,000-$50,000, but this number can easily be higher if you need to bring electric up to code or fix major systems in the park.

To estimate this number before purchasing a park, hire an inspector or a contractor to examine the existing infrastructure.

If you’re ready to check out RV parks for sale in your area, here are a few good places to start.

Riverview Campground in Rocky Mountain House, AB

Costs to Build a Campground (from scratch)

Land

Before you build a campground, you need land. Land costs vary widely across the country, but the national average in the States is around $3,000 per acre.

Licensing and Permits

With any new construction, you will incur permit and licensing costs. These vary by state and may require regular renewal.

With building a campground, consider zoning. You may need to pay to change your land to the proper zoning for opening a campground. Local campground associations will be helpful resources, especially when navigating state and provincial requirements.

Cost per Site

One campground owner informed us that the average construction cost per site ran them around $15,000 for full-hookups, gravel roads, and pads.

Home is Where You Make It suggested that site costs “range anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 per site depending upon the amenities you plan to install.”

But $15,000-$50,000 is a guesstimate based on including a few different features.

Electric

Many of our campgrounds offer 15-amp, 30-amp, and 50-amp outlets, and some for 110/120 volts. This will cost between $1,500 and $2,500 per site.

Water

According to HomeAdvisor, on average, drilling a 150-foot well costs around $5,500, but it can cost as much as $12,000. Also, anticipate up to $25 per foot of piping.

To build our own campground, said Heath Padgett, “we were quoted around $1,200 per site for city water hookups.”

Septic system

A site-by-site septic system requiring a tank and leach field plus piping to campsites can cost upwards of $40,000 altogether.

Home is Where You Make It advises that, instead, you should install a dump station for guests because it will cut your costs down by as much as 75%. However, you can charge more per night if you offer full hookups.

Other costs for site development

Gravel, asphalt, or concrete to pave designated campsites are another big-ticket item to consider when estimating pricing. You will also likely need to pay for ground leveling, paving roads, and landscaping as well.

Number of Sites

Camper Smarts says that “a general rule of thumb is to have ten sites per acre” and to make sure you give plenty of thought towards the number of fifth wheels and larger motorhomes you’d like to include.

To get a rough estimate of how much it costs to build a campground, multiply the number of acres you own by ten and then multiply by $15,000.

(If you’re looking to expand an existing park, $15,000 per site is an effective way to calculate those costs, too.)

Buildings and Additional Infrastructure on Site

Most campgrounds offer more than just a campsite with hookups. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll need to build a few buildings as well.

Restrooms

According to our survey results, guests indicated that a quality public restroom (with good water pressure) was a must. Generally speaking, this will cost around $20,000.

Outdoor industry expert Gary Forster has a helpful PDF on designs and materials for camp bathrooms.

The front office of Golden Municipal Campground in Golden, BC

Office

There are a lot of variables here, but HomeAdvisor says office costs can range “between $15,000 and $80,000 or $100 to $550 per square foot.”

Along with your office, you’ll want a solid connection to the internet to handle reservations and communicate with guests.

Industry trends show that 42% of professionals currently work remotely (Upwork), meaning that doubling your office as a co-working space with a strong internet connection will attract more people to your campground year-round.

Campground Booking can save campgrounds 300+ hours a year in office administrative work by managing online reservations for your park.

High-speed internet

On average, you can find a high-speed provider with decent download speeds at around $250 a month. Depending on your campground’s proximity to towers in the area, you shouldn’t pay more than $500 a month at the most.

Estimate around $3,000 for the initial internet set up (ethernet, Wi-Fi repeaters, routers) at your park.

It’s a worthwhile investment, though.

Our data found that 71% of RVers consider Wi-Fi to be “essential.” A few participants even said that a lack of Wi-Fi meant they wouldn’t even stay at a campground.

This article shares best practices for setting up Wi-Fi at your campground.

Calculating Total Costs

To get a better idea of how much it might cost to start a campground, add together your land costs, costs per site (factoring how many sites you want to build), costs for any buildings you’re adding, and the cost to install internet in your park.

New campground owner, Scott Boesveld, put work into restoring Ray’s Place in Minden, Ontario.

Expenses you can skip for now

There are a lot of great features your campground may want to offer, but you don’t need to offer them right away (i.e., fire pits, dog parks, benches, playground, pool, hot tub, etc.).

Our top 10 amenities list (according to RVers) offers plenty of suggestions and tips for saving money. When you’re ready to add additional value to your new campground, these are great places to start.

Is it worth it to buy a campground?

The cost to run an RV park depends on whether you’re buying an established park or building one from scratch. But no matter which way you go, there’s a demand.

So, is it profitable to run a campground?

Our campground owners say it is.

READY TO BUY A CAMPGROUND?

If you’re in the market for a campground, Good Sam provides several campground services to give owners the tools they need to get their business off the ground. Whether it’s marketing and advertising, online reservations, or access to a network of over 2 million RVers, Good Sam makes managing a park as easy as possible. If you’re ready to get started, we can help! Request a demo today.

How to Respond to Bad Campground Reviews

Even good campgrounds can receive negative reviews.

It doesn’t matter how consistently you deliver a quality guest experience or go above and beyond, missteps will still happen.

As frustrating as it is, you need to respond to bad campground reviews. While they may not be representative of your campground, if you ignore them, they can still come back to haunt you.

Imagine your RV park gets flooded with rain over a holiday weekend. If half of your guests complain about muddy sites in online reviews, that can severely tank your park’s reputation—and it wasn’t even your fault!

Knowing how to respond to bad campground reviews is critical.

Bad reviews can destroy your campground’s business.

Last year, the Montrose Press reported a story about how RV influencer and YouTuber, Jason Epperson (RV Miles) and his family were evicted from an RV park after receiving a FedEx package, violating the park’s policy by using their address to receive mail.

Epperson was frustrated. The policy stated long term guests couldn’t accept mail, not overnight guests, yet he was escorted off the property by the sheriff for a simple FedEx package. He aired his grievance on his YouTube channel to over 100,000 views.

In response to his video, RVers immediately took to the campground’s page on Yelp, and posted negative review after negative review, dropping the park’s rating to 1 star out of 5.

The Montrose Press also quoted research from Womply, stating that campgrounds or businesses with 1 to 1.5 stars receive 19% less total revenue on average.

(The RV park in question has sold to new owners since the incident.)

Adding to that point, Vendasta found that “92% of consumers now read online reviews.” So for every 10 people looking at your campground, 9 of them will make their decision to stay there based on other people’s experiences.

Reviews matter. Even the bad ones.

How to get rid of and respond to bad campground reviews

As intimidating as negative reviews can be, they’re easier to get rid of than you might think, but it does take a thoughtful and tactful approach. Here are 5 steps for how to respond to bad campground reviews, and creating better camper experiences.

1. Evaluate the situation.

When you get a poor review, no matter how unfair it might be, the first thing you need to do is take a beat and assess what’s going on. Yes, you should respond promptly, but don’t rush it and escalate a negative situation.

And definitely don’t respond emotionally.

HubSpot quoted marketer Geoff Toff saying “if [a guest is] angry enough (however unfairly) and cares enough about getting the reaction they want from you (however petty that might be), they can spread negativity all over your reputation online, and people will probably believe it until they see a reason to think otherwise.”

Calmly and logically evaluate the situation and come up with a plan to solve the problem.

2. Respond to the negative review.

Respond publicly first.

More often than not, the customer simply wants to know that you hear them. And even if the complaint feels unreasonable, other customers reading the reviews also want to know that you hear them.

By responding publicly, you show everyone that you pay attention to detail, and work to fix problems as they pop up.

Black Canyon receives mostly positive reviews (as evidenced by a 4.9 rating), but they do a good job of responding to every review.

Move to a 1-on-1 conversation.

If an issue can’t be easily resolved with a public comment, take the conversation private.

The point here is not to “silence” the frustrated customer, or remove them from the public eye, so much as it is to guarantee a more focused guest experience.

Moving the conversation to a direct message or email exchange can allow the guest to feel more important and heard. It also helps enable the guest to see that there is another human being responding to their complaint, which allows them to lower their guard and be a little more patient.

3. Fix the problem quickly and transparently.

According to Vendasta, when campgrounds resolve issues quickly and efficiently, 95% of unhappy guests will return.

Which means simply reply to bad reviews can be a boost for business.

Be honest about mistakes.

Nobody expects a campground to be perfect, but they do expect you to be trustworthy. The way you handle bad reviews as a campground can be an opportunity for more reservations.

Accept responsibility.

Some negative reviews won’t be your fault.

Another guest’s dog was barking too loudly. Another guest’s kids were running around their campsite. It rained all weekend. A bigger rig blocked their view.

Even when negative reviews don’t reflect on your actions as a campground operator, accept responsibility and fault for the issue.

With Black Canyon in Wimberley, they didn’t reply and say “I’m sorry the wifi is slow, we are in the country! Of course it’s slow!”

Instead they detailed how they were stepping up and addressing the issue.

Ask questions and empathize.

The easiest way to make a guest feel heard is to ask thoughtful questions. It’s important that you establish that you’re on their side, and trying to make sure they feel understood and taken care of.

Don’t assume the intent of the guest, and don’t belittle their issue. Try and parrot back their problem in your own words to let them know you’re listening, and relate to how frustrating that problem would be if you were in their shoes.

Provide solutions and incentives.

At Chick-fil-A, they have a philosophy of customer service called Second-Mile Service.

As one employee puts it, “Second Mile Service is about going the extra mile—when someone expects a certain level of service, you work to go beyond that and take them the whole second mile.”

If a customer has a problem, every employee from the top-down has been empowered up to $10 per situation to do whatever it takes to make things right.

For example, if someone orders grilled nuggets, but receives fried nuggets, they’ll eat the cost and tell the customer to keep the nuggets they have, while they quickly work to bring out the correct order. No questions asked.

What does this look like at a campground?

Think through ways your campground can provide a quality customer experience. Do you comp one night of a stay? Do you give complimentary firewood? Upgrade them to a nicer campsite? Think of what ways you can realistically provide solutions without hurting your bottom line.

Will people take advantage of this? Some might, but overall you will increase the number of loyal customers tenfold (especially among those that initially submitted a negative review).

Follow up with the guest.

Once you’ve corrected the situation, if you find that the guest is pleased with your response, ask them to update their old review.

Guests with previously negative experiences will often feel endeared by the level of initiative and effort campgrounds show them, and make for great evangelists.

There are few testimonials as powerful as a previously disgruntled camper becoming an advocate of your park.

4. Remove fake or inappropriate reviews.

If you suspect a review is fraudulent, or not reflective of the actual quality of service your campground provides, you don’t have to blindly allow it. Here are some quick tips for handling fake reviews.

Politely respond.

While it may feel weird, it’s important to thoughtfully respond to every review, whether they’re real or not.

Blue Corona says that “even if you know the bad review was fake, you need to respond,” because “you’re not only pacifying the reviewer, you’re showing prospects how you respond to customer dissatisfaction.”

Report or flag the review.

After you respond, make sure you place the fake review on the radar of the review site, so that they can better monitor and police fraudulent activity.

How to report a fake review on Google.

Here are links on how to flag fake or inappropriate reviews for other review sites:

Facebook (via ReputationStacker)
Yelp
Tripadvisor

Call support and follow up on the reported review.

Another alternative (or additional option) is to directly connect with support for the review site. In some cases, this might lead to a quicker response from the review site and therefore get the negative review down faster.

Consult a legal professional.

This is obviously a last resort, but should a review be slanderous, you may have grounds for litigation. That being said, be sure to consult a legal representative before pursuing this option.

Here you’ll find Google’s request form for legal removal.

Remember to only follow these steps if you’re sure a review is fake or fraudulent, not bad reviews from guests.

5. Focus on getting more positive reviews.

Borden Bridge Campground in Langham, Saskatchewan.

The best defense is a good offense.

HelpScout reported that “positive reviews make potential customers almost 70% more likely to trust a local business,” and as a result, stay at your park.

Additionally, every 50 positive reviews your campground receives averages a 4.6% increase in reservations (Vendasta). So make it a habit to collect customer reviews. Offer discounts or coupons in exchange for leaving a review.

Wondering which review sites you should be reading? Here are the top 7 review sites for campground owners to watch.

Respond to positive reviews.

In a TechRepublic interview with Nimble, Inc. community engagement manager, Michaela Prouzova, said “We make sure that our team responds to every single review—positive or negative,” because it “builds trust and humanizes our brand.”

Furthering that point, Business.com says it’s important to “let the world know you care about every [guest], not just the ones that complain.”

Responding to positive reviews shows that, again, there’s a human being on the other side, and makes guests feel even more validated in their decision to stay at your campground.

Turning bad reviews into good reviews.

Unfortunately, bad reviews are unavoidable, even for the best campgrounds. But they don’t have to stay on your record. When negative reviews come up:

Evaluate and calmly approach the situation.
Respond publicly and tactfully.
Empathize and fix the problem quickly and honestly.
Report fake or fraudulent reviews.
Focus on getting and responding to positive reviews.

If you do all of these things, you will create loyal guests and increase reservations more than ever before.

Ready to improve your reviews and grow your campground?

Good Sam Campground Solutions provides several services to give campground owners like yourself the tools needed to run your business on your terms. Whether it’s marketing and advertising, online reservations, or access to consulting on how to improve a guest experience at your park. If you’re ready to get started we can help! Request a demo today.

Campground Software Reviews: What Campground Solution Should You Use?

As a park operator, you already have enough on your plate without having to worry if your management software is up to snuff. There are more options than ever, and finding the right campground solution can feel like an arduous task.

How does each campground software compare? What are other customers saying about different management systems? What campground solution is best for your park?

To help you sort through the myriad of options here’s is a comparison of campground software reviews, as well as what campground solution you should use for your park.

Campground Software Comparisons

There are a handful of reservation software solutions out there, and most of them provide online booking at a free or relatively inexpensive rate. That said, most systems are either lacking in features offered, pricing plans, or their reach of customers.

Checkfront

Price: $39 a month

Online Booking: Yes

Web Design: No

Marketing and Advertising: No

ResNexus

Price: $3 – $16 a month (per room)

Online Booking: Yes

Web Design: No

Marketing and Advertising: No

RoverPass

Price:$2 per booking

Online Booking: Yes

Web Design: Yes

Marketing and Advertising: No

Firefly

Price:$2 per booking

Online Booking: Yes

Web Design: No

Marketing and Advertising: No

Bonfire

Price: $2 per booking (long-term) or $14.50+ (per month)

Online Booking: Yes

Web Design: No

Marketing and Advertising: No

Campspot

Price: $2 per booking

Online Booking: Yes

Web Design: No

Marketing and Advertising: No

CampLife

Price: Starts at $99 a month + $3.50 per booking

Online Booking: Yes

Web Design: No

Marketing and Advertising: No

The Best Choice: Good Sam Campground Solutions

Good Sam Campground Solutions is ahead of the pack when it comes to a complete campground software comparison.

With an integrated marketing strategy and booking software tailor-made for park operators, Good Sam drives more customers to your park than anyone else. While other software are limited in their offerings, Campground Solutions features a comprehensive list of services to accommodate any campground.

Pricing

Good Sam Campground Solutions is FREE for members and only charges guests a $1 booking fee. For non-members, it’s still only $99 a month, with guests paying a $3 booking fee.

Marketing and Advertising

When it comes to reach, Good Sam connects with more campers than anyone else, including:

2 Million+ Good Sam Members
5 Million+ Active Customers
180+ Retail Locations
47 Million+ Social Media Engagements
120 Million Unique Annual Visitors

Plus, when your partner with Good Sam, you’re also partnering with Camping World, RVS.com, Overton’s, and RV.com – effectively expanding your campground’s presence and influence with guests.

While Good Sam boasts the most extensive network in the industry, they’re also the most pragmatic solution around. When you sign up your campground with Good Sam, you access an array of resources.

Here are a few of the services you can expect.

Social Media Campaigns

Customized ad campaigns on social media newsfeeds drive brand awareness and increase clicks to your park website.

Featured Ad on Camping World Websites

Appear on Camping World and Gander RV & Outdoors dealer pages where new and experienced RV customers search for their next RV.

Google Keyword Search

Good Sam bids on relevant keywords to improve your park’s ranking on Google search results pages.

RV.com Ad Feature

Showcase your campground on RV.com, the go-to digital destination for active RV and outdoor enthusiasts with a digital package that includes RV Magazine’s eNewsletter.

Dedicated Email for Good Sam Parks

Improve your off-season. Send a dedicated email to select consumers in our database with an exclusive offer to Good Sam Members to help fill sites when you need it most.

Print Publications Actual Reach

With an annual publication reach of over 8 million, you reach Good Sam members, new RV owners, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for resorts and campgrounds to visit.

Reservation System

Having the right software solution means having the right reservation system. Fortunately, Good Sam Campground Solutions offers a top-of-the-line booking system with all the features needed to manage reservations.

Do-It-All Dashboard

Easily manage guest reservations with the drag and drop dashboard. Check-in campers, issue refunds, print parking passes, extend reservations, and add notes onto upcoming bookings—all from one grid.

Mobile-Responsive Booking Pages

More than 60% of guests will book a site from their mobile devices. We make sure they can easily book no matter what screen they access.

Interactive Site Map

We create an interactive site map of your campground using a satellite view of your property. When a guest books online, they’ll be able to see your entire park, photos, and amenities at each campsite.

Dynamic Pricing

Increase revenue on popular weekends or create booking minimums during peak season. Dynamic pricing maximizes the revenue of your park.

Flexible Booking Rules

Software solutions include customizable check-in and check-out times, the number of nights available online, and guest options for choosing their site.

Parking Passes

For every reservation, Good Sam creates an automatic parking pass you can print for guests checking into your park.

Create Add-Ons for Online Bookings

Make campsite items like firewood or rentals available for purchase in the online booking process.

Availability Calendar

When a guest can’t book their preferred reservation, an availability calendar allows you to offer them the next best option. This scroll-based calendar enables guests to find the next open date.

Integrated Reporting

With over 20 customizable reports for managers and real-time reports for camp hosts, Good Sam provides a deeper level of business insight.

Dedicated Business Support

Good Sam offers support across standard business hours for parks and weekend support when needed. We recognize that many campgrounds may need assistance on busy weekends, so we constantly monitor email and chat. We also are in the process of implementing dedicated phone support, which will be live in early 2022.

Good Sam Reviews and Testimonials

“Being a Good Sam park definitely helps people find us…We’ve seen more repeat visitors because of the sales of GS memberships.” – Larry J, Orangeland RV Park

“Last year, it would have taken us more than two weeks and three staff members to call back and confirm all of the reservations that came in today.” – Warren V, Athabasca County

“Since we became a Good Sam park, it has almost tripled our revenue. We have waiting lists now.” – Coral Sands Campground

Finding the Right Campground Solution

While plenty of campground software are currently available on the market, none of them come with as many features, support, or reach as Good Sam Campground Solutions.

From full-channel marketing and advertising offerings to a user-friendly online reservation system, Good Sam helps more parks connect with more guests than anyone else.

Want to get started?

Good Sam Campground Solutions provides several services to give campground owners like yourself the tools needed to run your business on your terms. Whether it’s marketing and advertising, online reservations, or access to a network of over 2 million RVers, Good Sam makes managing a park as easy as possible. If you’re ready to get started, we can help. Request a demo today!

8 Ways to Create a Better Booking Experience for Guests

If you’re a campground operator looking to maximize your business, just fielding reservations might feel like a challenge.

How do you maximize occupancy? Where is the best place to focus your energy? How do you create a better booking experience?

If you want to elevate the online reservation experience for guests, you can take some meaningful, practical steps. Here are eight ways to create a better booking experience for guests.

1. Run ads on Google and Facebook.

First and foremost, you may find that the biggest bang for your buck will likely come from running ads on Google and Facebook.

The average cost to reach 1,000 people in magazine and newspaper ads is between $20 and $32, whereas the same reach by Google AdWords and Facebook will only run you $2.75 and $0.25, respectively.

To give this some more perspective, on average, 28.6 million U.S. citizens read a newspaper; however, there are currently over 100 million Americans on Facebook and at least 246 million unique Google users in the U.S.

Not to mention, you can target the specific audience and region for your ads.

For industry proof, here’s a helpful read about how Camping World had a very successful Facebook ad campaign last year in which they were able to achieve 84 percent more leads.

2. Take online reservations.

Nothing beats online reservations.

Before the pandemic, people made over 148.3 million travel reservations (across multiple industries) annually online. Since then, the online travel industry has grown to nearly $600 billion.

Campgrounds with online reservation systems have had a lot to do with those numbers. Parks like Golden Municipal took 100 percent of their bookings online last year and will continue to do the same in 2021.

The reason? It’s just easier.

For starters, online reservation systems can arrange reservations to maximize your campground, ensuring you don’t end up with awkward one-night openings in your calendar.

You can easily do this yourself by dragging a reservation to a different campsite, like this:

Additionally, interactive calendars, like the one below, allow guests to choose sites based on availability. With remote work allowing everyone’s travel dates to be a little more flexible, this optimizes your calendar by showing available camping dates.

Couple all of this with the fact that online systems lower staffing costs, increase revenue, provide clear reporting, and save you time, and it’s definitely the number one way to boost occupancy at your campground.

3. Have a mobile-friendly website.

Our data shows that mobile users account for 60 percent of our bookings.

Internet use has grown to nearly 300 million users, and at least 69 percent of those users are logging in via a smartphone or mobile device. Also, 75 percent of consumers use their mobile devices to search and visit a nearby business within a day.

Adding to that, 34 percent of consumers will exit a website entirely if a landing page’s content doesn’t load properly on their mobile device. As a result, campgrounds that do not have an easy-to-navigate mobile website will ultimately lose out on many reservations.

If you’re in the market for website design, Good Sam Campground Solutions can add a lot of value to your customer experience almost overnight.

4. Make your pricing clear.

Going hand-in-hand with a great website is clear pricing (or at least precise pricing estimates). Our campgrounds constantly tell us how tedious it is to field phone calls and emails from campers looking for a quote (especially after hours).

Additionally, having an online system with clear pricing and yield management (also known as dynamic pricing) allows you to accommodate peak and shoulder seasons alike. Guests can easily get a quote and make reservations while you’re sleeping.

5. Take good photos of your campground.

Websites and articles with relevant and quality photos lead to 94 percent more views than those without. In fact, 44 percent of potential guests won’t even engage with a site if the content images are grainy or don’t load.

We recently sent a Campground Solutions affiliate to take photos of Klahanie Campground in Squamish, BC, and Ephrata RV Park in Central Washington. After the campground owners added the images to their online reservation system, they informed us that the simple addition led to a “massive” conversion of campers booking online.

Even if you’re on a budget or all you have access to is a smartphone, you can still take quality pictures that will increase online engagement. Here’s a list of tips for taking great iPhone photos from iMore.

6. Get lots of reviews.

The reality is that people choose campgrounds based on good reviews.

Ninety-seven percent of consumers use the internet to find local businesses – meaning that what people are saying online carries a lot of weight. So odds are that almost everyone booking a campsite at your park has seen your Google reviews by searching for your business online.

Paying attention to Google, Facebook, and TripAdvisor for reviews is certainly worth your time. But to make a bigger splash, park owners should primarily focus on campground review sites like Campendium, Campground Reviews, and The Dyrt.

For a more comprehensive list, check out our article on the review sites campground owners need to watch.

7. Connect with guests.

If you want to create the best booking experience for guests, nothing beats connecting with them directly!

The reality is that email marketing can see a 4300% return on investment (ROI) for your campground, and every dollar spent on email marketing can bring in nearly $45.

When guests book or arrive, get their email and send them announcements for upcoming events, discounts for future stays, or periodic reminders to book their next stay with you. Just make sure you don’t spam them with emails!

8. Give the option to “Stay one more day.”

There are a number of travelers who are willing to spend a couple of weeks in your neck of the woods under the pretense that they don’t have to hop from campground to campground.

If you have the flexibility or empty sites, why not encourage your overnight guests to stay longer? When campers arrive, let them know that they are welcome to extend their stay an extra night if they’re enjoying their time. Just check their campsite in your reservation system to make sure their same campsite is available first!

Creating a better booking experience.

If you’re a park operator looking to grow your campground, creating an easier and more thoughtful reservation experience will increase occupancy.

Try out targeted ads through Facebook and Google.
Offer online reservations.
Create a mobile-friendly experience.
Have clearly-listed pricing.
Take photos of your campground.
Collect reviews.
Start building an email list.
Allow guests to extend their stay.

While there’s plenty of trial and error, your park will start seeing substantial growth quickly with the right resources and the right plan.

Want some help managing your campground?

Taking online reservations is the easiest way to offload day-to-day tasks, allowing you to focus on the things that make your park unique. If you’re looking for an easier solution to managing your campground, Good Sam can help. Request a demo today!