Surge in RV Popularity Resulting in Price Increases at Campgrounds
If you are planning a big camping trip for the summer of 2018 plan on spending a little more for campsites. CampgroundViews.com survey results found that 57% of campground and RV park operators reported raising their nightly camping rates in 2017, with 73% of operators reporting a rate increase within the last 2 years.
Demand for campsites is being driven by changing travel trends and the mass retirement of the baby boom generation. This past September represented the "best shipment record in 40 years" (RVIA Press Release Oct 25 2017). The question for the campground and RV park side of the business is where are all these RVers going to camp?
"RV camping is an incredibly affordable and enjoyable way to explore this country" stated Mark Koep, Founder and CEO of CampgroundViews.com "but we had to ask what is happening now that so many people are discovering this lifestyle?"
Anecdotal reports have surfaced of crowded campgrounds and parks filled with a glut of RV travelers seeking campsites. CampgroundViews.com is analyzing if this is a real trend and how this increased demand is impacting decisions by park operators. The analysis was given further weight after the National Park Service last week released a proposal to raise entry fees significantly at 17 of the most popular parks in the US.
"Have you tried to visit one of those 17 National Parks during peak season over the last 2 years? It is a crowded nightmare" added Mr. Koep. "This proposal from the NPS is really a demand based pricing scheme disguised as a needed rate increase. We expect to see more of these from park operators across the US as the popularity of RV travel continues to expand".
CampgroundViews.com queried operators with 835 unique responses from both public and private agencies asking them "when was the last time you raised your rates?" The responses were:
- 56.7% of parks last raised their rates in 2017
- 16.7% of parks last raised their rates in 2016
- 17.8% of parks last raised their rates between 2015 and 2013
- 6.7% of parks last raised their rates more than 5 years ago
- 2.2% of parks have never raised their rates