RV parks win long-term when they feel easy, clean, and worth the money. That sounds simple, but it takes discipline. The market is still there: camping participation has grown by about 11 million additional households in 2026 vs. 2019, and RV shipments are projected to land around the mid-300,000 range in 2026.
So the opportunity is real, but so is the competition.
Never Compromise on the Basics
Great parks are built on boring things done extremely well. Most parks do not lose guests over "big" problems. They lose them over small irritations that stack up.
If you want an owner's mantra that actually works, it's this: fix what the guest touches first.
Think Like a Guest, Not Like an Operator
Owners get used to their own park. Guests do not. They arrive tired, possibly stressed, and they will judge the entire stay within minutes.
Here's the guest-experience checklist I use when walking a property:
- Arrival is obvious: signage, lighting, and a clean entrance
- Check-in is fast: phone answered, clear instructions, friendly tone
- Sites feel "ready": level pads, working utilities, clean hookups
- Bathrooms and laundry are spotless, every day, no exceptions
- Wi-Fi is stable enough for normal use (or you set expectations clearly)
- Roads are maintained, dust and potholes handled, safe at night
- Quiet hours are enforced, rules are consistent, staff is visible
- Small comforts exist: trash handled, dog area maintained, simple upgrades that reduce friction
That list is not glamorous, but it directly affects occupancy, reviews, and rates.
Market-Test Improvements Before You Overspend
RV park owners often burn money on upgrades the guest does not value, while ignoring the issues that actually drive complaints.
Before you invest, do two things:
- Ask guests what would improve their stay (short surveys work)
- Watch behavior: what gets used, what gets avoided, what gets mentioned in reviews
You do not need "perfect data." You just need enough signal to avoid guessing.
Stay Ahead by Treating Reviews Like Revenue
Today, perception spreads fast. When guests share their experience online, it influences future bookings immediately. Studies and industry reporting consistently show most travelers read reviews before choosing where to stay.
In plain terms: your reputation is a profit center.
The parks that lead their market are usually not the fanciest. They are the ones that deliver a reliable experience every time, then keep tightening the details.
Conclusion
Building a standout RV park is not a one-time project. It is a habit. If you keep raising your standards, keep seeing the park through the guest's eyes, and keep testing improvements before writing checks, you will separate yourself from the average park quickly. And in this business, that separation shows up where it matters most: occupancy, pricing power, and long-term value.