A good RV Park sign does two jobs at once: it gets noticed at traffic speed, and it signals that the property is cared for. A bad sign does the opposite, even if the park itself is solid. If your entrance sign looks dated, dim, or “patched together,” prospects assume the rest of the operation is the same.
What “compelling” looks like in 2026
The best modern signs share a few traits: clean structure, high contrast, simple wording, and lighting that looks intentional at night. The goal is not to impress other sign shops. The goal is to get the right driver to slow down, remember you, and take the next step.
- Keep the structure simple
A straightforward sign on a pole o two setup rarely looks out of place. Overbuilt frames and novelty shapes tend to age fast and are harder to maintain. “Simple” does not mean cheap, it means clean. - Choose colors that stand out, not blend in
Your sign is competing with sky, trees, buildings, and other roadside clutter. Earth tones disappear in that environment. High-contrast combinations do better, especially from a distance. There’s a reason major roadside brands lean into bold colors and clear contrast, including the long-running use of orange in self-storage branding. - Make night visibility a feature, not an afterthought
In 2026, the standard is still internal illumination, but the tech has shifted. Older signs often used fluorescent tubes. Today, most cabinet signs use LED modules because they’re efficient, durable, and can be laid out to avoid bright “hot spots.”
External flood lighting can work, but it tends to look harsher and it fails more often in ways you notice immediately: shadows, glare, and uneven lighting. - Design for speed and distance
Roadside signs are not read like a brochure. If the lettering is too small, too thin, or too stylized, drivers skip it. A practical rule used in the sign industry is about 1 inch of letter height for every 25 feet of viewing distance (and more if conditions are poor).
If you want a more technical method, legibility indexes exist for calculating letter height based on distance, font style, and contrast. - Hire a real sign designer
Do not DIY the layout. You can be an expert in RV parks and still be the wrong person to pick typefaces, spacing, and contrast. Pay for professional design, then pay for professional fabrication. The cost difference is small compared to how long you’ll live with the result.
A quick field checklist before you order anything
Use this once, then hand it to your sign vendor:
- Can the sign be read quickly at your driveway approach speed and distance?
- Is the wording minimal (name, “RV Park,” vacancy or key offer if needed), with high contrast?
- Is it internally illuminated with LED laid out to avoid uneven brightness?
- Does the structure look clean and easy to maintain over time?
Closing thought
A sign is not décor. It’s a permanent salesperson that works every day and every night. Build one that will still look current five and ten years from now, because replacing a bad sign always costs more than doing it right the first time.