Tailoring Campgrounds for Tenting, RVing, or Glamping

Scaling your campground business entails tailoring a campground development that caters to a variety of outdoor enthusiasts. From traditional tent camping to RV camping and luxury glamping aficionados, your campground design should cater to the camping experience of your target market. Understanding the camping experience for each type of outdoor enthusiast will form part of your business plan. Tent campers will seek a more authentic nature experience whereas RV campers seek creature comforts in addition to being closer to nature. Glamping is a luxury experience that attracts a different subset of campers such as those without RVs and who want the ultimate luxury experience. Here we will explore the different types of camping and their benefits and disadvantages from a business perspective.

Tent Camping

Tent camping is widely promoted on Instagram and other social media outlets as a rustic escape from our busy lives. “The great outdoors, my happy place” captioned with a beautiful camping Instagram photo will entice even the most novice camping enthusiasts who seek to be connected to nature. Offering tent sites are considered a cheaper and healthier alternative to other forms of tourism with the goal to reconnect people with their family and friends.

Benefits and Opportunities

From a business perspective, tenting provides an entry-level opportunity for repeat customers. Tent camping is an affordable gateway into the camping market with minimal investment. If their entry level camping experience is positive, they are more likely to move up into more expensive products such as glamping domes, yurts, and RVs in the future. A tent-focused camping business should target two subset groups; the nature enthusiast and the eventgoers. 

The nature enthusiast and the event-goer campers alike will want basic amenities such as water access, firepits, communal washrooms, and electrical hookups.  Designated tent camping zones with security boxes and electrical hookups to charge and secure cell phones and laptops are also advantageous for your target market.

While tent campers are associated with rowdier crowds than RV guests, you can find ways to attract a good population of  with a higher price point. By offering amenities and structured activities you will attract campers that give you fewer problems.

Pros and Cons

Here we have listed some pros and cons to having a tent-focused campground.

Pros:

• Offer a lower barrier entry to a lifelong activity and gaining repeat customers who upgrade their camping lifestyle over time.
• Tenting campers have less experience camping and less room to pack their camping supplies and will likely forget some essentials. This market will more likely purchase ice and other amenities at the store.
• Tent sites have lower site maintenance requirements (cutting lawn)
• Less investment in infrastructure such as sewer hookups and RV dump stations
• Tent sites have a smaller footprint and lower impact on the environment.

Cons:

• Alberta Summers are quite short and as a result it is a short tent camping season.
• Weather can greatly impact the tent camping experience.
• Campsites designed strictly for tent campers won’t attract your comfort seekers.
• Wildlife safety issues and food storage issues
• Tenting is difficult with pets and limits the target audience
• Lower revenue generation for campsite but potentially a higher revenue generation for customer store purchases.  

RV Camping

RV camping has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people choosing to hit the road and explore the great outdoors in their own recreational vehicles. RVers have a strong sense of adventure seeking unique and immersive experiences. As the demand for RV campers continues to grow, it's important for RV parks and resorts to stay up to date on the latest needs and trends of their customers. Here we will discuss the top trends of RV campers and how you can cater to them to ensure happy campers at your RV park or resort.

Benefits and Opportunities

RVing provides a wide range of home-like comforts on wheels, making it an incredibly appealing option for a broader demographic. Whether you're a family with children or a retired couple looking to explore, RVing offers a sense of familiarity and convenience wherever you go.

One top trend in the RV industry is the increasing number of RVers traveling with their furry companions. As a result, offering pet-friendly options has become a must for many resorts and campgrounds. By providing designated off-leash dog parks and convenient pet washing stations, you can create a welcoming environment that attracts and satisfies pet owners, further enhancing the appeal of your resort.

To extend the camping season and cater to RVers' needs, it's essential to offer serviced lots with electricity, water, and sewage hook-ups. This ensures that RVers can enjoy their stay comfortably and conveniently, even during colder seasons or extended stays. By providing these essential services, you'll attract more visitors and encourage them to return, boosting your business.

Seasonal RV parks have the unique advantage of being able to create community gathering areas that promote socialization among campers. These areas can serve as a hub for various activities and events, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among RV enthusiasts. By establishing a strong community atmosphere, you're more likely to attract repeat business and foster long-lasting relationships with your clientele.

The appeal of RVing reaches all types of RV owners, from those with spacious motorhomes to those with compact tent trailers or camper vans. This diverse group of RV enthusiasts is drawn to the flexibility and freedom that RVing offers, allowing them to explore new destinations and experience adventures on their terms. By catering to the needs and preferences of this diverse community, you'll create a welcoming environment that attracts RV owners of all kinds and increases the overall appeal of your resort or campground.

Pros and Cons

Here is a list of some pros and cons of an RV focused campground business.

Pros:

• RVing provides home-like comforts on wheels and attracts a larger clientele with more spending money for activities.
• Extended shoulder camping season with option for winter camping.
• Stable revenue generation from seasonal campers.
• Seasonal campers can create community gatherings that promotes social activities among campers..

Cons

• Higher development costs for infrastructure (i.e., 30-amp sites, larger sites, dump stations, sewage hookups, etc.).
• Electrical vehicles and campground power consumption is on the rise. A higher investment in infrastructure such as power utility meters will be required to adapt to the new demand. This will ensure you don’t go broke on your next power bill.
  
• Larger environmental footprint

Glamping

Luxury camping, aka Glamping has gained a lot of traction in the last five years. Tree houses, luxury lodges, yurts, domes, or airstream trailers offer unique and luxurious experiences for those who want all their creature comforts and enjoy the great outdoors. For example, treehouse glamping offers access to stunning landscapes where hotel development wouldn’t allow for that proximity to nature. Glamping is a very attractive for young families who want to disconnect but still have access to modern amenities.  All budgets can be accommodated with glamping from yurts to luxurious geodome retreats. 

Benefits and Opportunities

Glamping provides campers with the benefit of luxury camping with modern amenities in a serene, natural setting. It is an attractive option for all demographics with a lower investment barrier without having to purchase all the camping gear. Glamping offers higher revenue potential through premium service offerings. A well-furnished glamping unit with modern conveniences will command a higher price point. In addition, as the campground owner you can form partnerships with local businesses for exclusive experiences such as guided tours or gourmet outdoor dining.

Here are some pros and cons of running a glamping focused campground business.

Pros:

• Attracts high-spending clientele for an upscale camping experience.
• All budgets can be accommodated with glamping from yurts Yurt Rentals in Alberta | Elk Island Retreat to luxurious geodome retreats. 

• Clientele with more spending money for activities.
• Extended shoulder camping season with option for winter camping.

Cons:

• High upfront infrastructure investment.
• Higher maintenance and cleaning costs including regular staff.
• Larger environmental footprint.

Combining Tents, RVs and Glamping

Developing a campground that seamlessly integrates tenting, RVing, and glamping to cater to a diverse clientele is a constant moving target. Offering lock site options for campers offers additional revenue and flexibility so that you have the option to reconfigure the camping arrangements (unless they have paid for the "Lock" for a specific site). Creating a unique camping destination that includes a communal hub, outdoor adventure, a comfortable retreat, and a luxurious escape will keep clientele returning for years to come.

Final Thoughts

By customizing your campground design to cater to the unique needs and preferences of a particular group or a fusion of three different demographics, you can unlock a whole new realm of success. Whether you are targeting adventure-seeking individuals, nature lovers, family-oriented vacationers, or a combination of these groups, the possibilities for attracting and satisfying your target clientele are endless.

At Bolson Engineering and Environmental Services, we possess a wealth of civil engineering expertise and experience in the field of campground development. With our team of highly skilled professionals, we are well-equipped to guide you through every stage of the development process, from initial planning to construction and beyond. Our knowledge extends not only to the technical aspects of creating an outstanding campground but also to understanding the unique needs and desires of diverse demographics.

If you are eager to transform a mere piece of land into a captivating camping paradise that effortlessly attracts and caters to your desired audience, we invite you to connect with Bolson Engineering and Environmental Services. Together, we can turn your vision into reality. Don't miss out on the incredible potential that awaits you in the world of campground development - take the first step towards success by reaching out to us today.