The age-old adage is true: You must indeed spend money to make money. But there’s an important caveat here:

You don’t have to spend gobs and gobs of dough to increase your profits. In fact, sometimes the tiniest tweaks are the most consequential changes. That’s what this blog is all about.

In true Bonfire fashion, we want you to stay true to yourself while we help you increase your reservations. So no, you don’t need a complete overhaul or fancy, brand new (read: costly) attractions to get new campers. We’ve curated a list of 10 simple upgrades you can make to land more reservations.

Let’s face it: Marina management can be tough. You have your inventory, your marketing and your clientele, and as boating becomes even more popular, you and your marina are likely to see even more traffic in the future. If you’re like us, you’re not content with “good enough”; you want to be a success in every sense of the word.

That’s why we’re here.

We love helping veterans and new managers alike, and we’ve compiled eight essential tips to help you steer your marina toward newfound success. Take a look.

There are few things more relaxing than drifting joyfully on a boat. But managing the place where those boats dock? That’s not always a walk in the park. Or, well, a trip on a boat.

That said, it could be a more seamless experience.

Boating, like camping, has arguably never been more popular. That popularity creates exciting opportunities — and challenges — for all marina managers.

How do you know if you’re maximizing your marina’s potential revenue? If you’re eager to try something new and increase your profits, how do you know where to start? We’ll help you answer those questions and more.

Whether you’re a veteran in the game or in the first few years of your marina management career, you can benefit from these revenue-focused tips.

Read on to see how you could make more money with your marina

Fourth of July weekend could be a massive success for your campground. After all, camping is already gaining popularity across the U.S., and exploring the great outdoors is an American institution on par with apple pie. But let’s get real: July 4 is usually scorching.

It depends where you are, of course, but for the vast majority of us, July 4 temps will be some of the hottest of the year. So, what can you do to entertain your campers (or attract new ones) while beating the heat?

We’ve got some ideas.

Consider this: A first-time boater visits your marina for a weekend. They have a terrific experience, and they decide to make regular trips to your community: say, three or four times a year. What type of bill do you use for this boater: an invoice or recurring automated payment? What about the frequent boater who decides to become an even more frequent boater and spend the whole summer at your marina? What’s the best billing option for them?

Let us help you answer those questions.

And with that gateway comes great responsibility.

Just as camping is nuanced, campers themselves vary in interests, hobbies, and, of course, length of stay. Each of these facets shapes not just how much they are charged, but also how you ask your campers to pay. That’s the focus of today’s blog: The nuances of two different yet equally critical billing systems. Together, we’ll explore invoices, automated recurring payments, and the campers and boaters who most benefit from each. And to that end, we’ve included a video breaking down the nuances of these offerings — which can also be incredibly valuable for marina managers.

Read on to explore the details of your different billing options and how they can optimize your campground management.

Camping is booming.

At this point, you’ve probably heard us say that plenty of times. But what does it mean exactly? Who is behind this boost in popularity, and most importantly, what does it mean for you and your campground?

Those questions guide today’s blog, which includes ample detailed data about the people behind this boom. That’s right: the 2021 North American Camping Report has been released, and we’re here to break it down for you.

For instance, 2021 saw an influx of first-time campers who, because of the pandemic, were most likely experiencing a little wanderlust and a desire to explore the great outdoors. In fact, that was the case for more than half (55%) of the campers surveyed in this report. And interestingly enough, this survey reveals that campers are more willing to travel farther distances for the right campground. All these insights will help you prepare your campground for the year ahead. As always, that’s what we’re here for.

Read on for more key findings, insights, and analysis.

You know better than anyone that camping is nuanced. It’s a beautiful, often emotional experience that people undergo for various reasons and during various seasons. Sometimes, what starts as a fun getaway or a one-time lark turns into a lifelong hobby. That’s why people like you are so valuable: You provide the gateway to experiences that may change someone’s life.

And with that gateway comes great responsibility.

Just as camping is nuanced, campers themselves vary in interests, hobbies, and, of course, length of stay. Each of these facets shapes not just how much they are charged, but also how you ask your campers to pay. That’s the focus of today’s blog: The nuances of two different yet equally critical billing systems. Together, we’ll explore invoices, automated recurring payments, and the campers and boaters who most benefit from each. And to that end, we’ve included a video breaking down the nuances of these offerings — which can also be incredibly valuable for marina managers.

Read on to explore the details of your different billing options and how they can optimize your campground management.

Your campground is a labor of love, and for many, it’s a home for major chunks of their year. As such, you pay a lot of attention to the big picture stuff: amenities, experience, perhaps even your website. But it’s true what they say: The devil really is in the details. And while every campground is unique, there are a few commonalities and tips relevant to just about any campground owner.

Case in point: Types of campers.

In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of campers and, most importantly, how you can best serve each crowd while maximizing your business potential.

Read on to explore the details of different payment features for different kinds of campers.

We talk a lot about elevating your campground to the next level. After all, that’s the point of this blog: to help you and your team make your operation even greater. But as you know, a key part of maintaining a top-tier campground is avoiding the many pitfalls that can arise throughout the course of any given day. Sometimes those pitfalls are things we don’t even consider. Other times, we may not realize that the steps we’ve been taking can be simplified by new tech that helps us evade mistakes big and small. That’s the point of today’s blog post: To help you identify these missteps before they can ever impact your business.

Read on as we flag five common campground management mistakes – and reveal how to avoid them.

In recent years, point-of-sale (POS) systems have undergone some incredible changes. What used to be known as a digital cash register has now become an indispensable tool for tracking inventory, managing merchandise, and ensuring your campground operates as smoothly as possible. And because we like to break down the ins, outs, and intricacies of everything you need to run a smooth operation, today’s blog is focusing on the critical components of a POS system.

Here are three words that should be music to anyone who owns or manages a campground: You have options. Several companies offer software solutions designed to help you manage your campground operations or your reservations. But with that array of options at your disposal, it can be difficult to choose which kind of software (let alone which company’s software) is the best fit for you.

In this blog, we will compare the pros and cons of campground management software vs. campground reservation software to help you decide which is best for you.

Marketplaces can be a powerful tool for campgrounds and RV Parks to generate additional reservations. However, if used as the only online booking portal, you could be losing a lot of money to competitors.

In this blog, we will take a look at what RV Park and campground marketplaces are, and the pros and cons of using them to generate reservations.

With rising temperatures, dry conditions, and the high risk of wildfire activity spreading across the western US, more and more RV parks and campgrounds are having to prepare for potential wildfire responses. However, they are not the only ones. The weather around the US is getting more extreme from hurricanes to flooding and of course, wildfires. Figuring out how to safely evacuate your park, while also notifying and potentially refunding those whose trips are impacted, can be overwhelming but we’re here to help. However, being prepared for natural disasters can mean the difference between life and death for the customers, residents, and employees of your parks.

The ways you prepare for these disasters can vary but they all share commonalities in preparation. Here are some basics to prepare for any natural disaster.

Interactive maps are an incredibly useful tool for numerous reasons. From increasing the probability of someone booking online to improving SEO, interactive maps are a perfect way to increase bookings and exposure to your campground.

If your park doesn’t have interactive park maps, don’t worry. With campground and RV Park management tools like Bonfire setting up a map takes less than 10 minutes. Read more about the impact of interactive park maps and watch how simple it is to set up.

With RV Parks and Campgrounds like Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park popping up all over the country, it is getting harder and harder for Mom and Pop campgrounds to compete. People are looking for full experiences, not just a campground where they can rest at night. If you are looking to level up your campground or RV Park, get more bookings, and make more money, you’ve come to the right place.

Check out the top 5 experiences to add to your campground or RV Park to increase reservations, revenue and visibility.

You are busy running your campground – you often don’t have time for the burdensome, but necessary, day-to-day tasks of running a business like the creation of receipts. If you are not ready to take the leap to Bonfire’s simple, all-in-one campground reservation and management system, we understand.

Until then, we have a great selection of fully customizable Google Doc and Excel campground reservation and campsite receipt templates for you to use to make sure you document your park’s finances properly while also providing digital receipts for your campers.

If you are thinking of ways to attract more visitors to your campground, one thing to highlight is that your campground or RV Park is dog friendly. There are over 1,300 searches monthly for dog friendly campgrounds and over 2,600 searches for dog friendly RV Parks per month in the US. With most RV Parks and Campgrounds being dog friendly, how can your campground stand out to all the dog lovers out there? It’s simple. Build a dog park within your campground and highlight it on your website. What should a dog park have? In this blog we walk you through building a “pawfect” dog park at your RV Park or Campground.

When running a campground, your main objective is to make sure your guests have the best time possible while staying at your park. This doesn’t just include making sure the sites are well taken care of but also making sure they have access to everything they need while at your campground. Making sure your campground store is stocked with what they need, as well as items that will elevate their stay is important when making sure they are as happy as possible. So, what should you sell in your campground store? Here are over 50 MUST have items you should be selling to your campers

Did you miss the “Preparing your Campground or RV Park for a New Generation of Campers” talk between Bonfire’s Jerry King and payment expert Lane Conner’s? Don’t worry. We’ve recapped the best parts and expanded on many of the questions we received throughout the chat.

Preparing your Campground or RV Park for the next generation of campers is now easier than ever.

What kind of campers are you attracting to your park? Your website, amenities, and digital marketing have a HUGE impact on the kind of campers your campground is appealing to.

Like any great business, figuring out your target market is crucial in making sure your campground is successful. So, how do you define and better yet, target the perfect campers for your campground? Let’s dive in.

Is using a full-service campground management company worth it?

The time and headache saved need to be carefully weighed against the percentage of revenue you are giving up. In this blog, we explore the pros and cons of campground management companies versus a more hands-on approach.

Campground management and ownership take a lot of dedication and, oftentimes, problem-solving. For many, it might feel like you are on your own, but you’re not. There are tons of resources available online allowing you to tap into industry professionals who have been there and done that.

In this blog, we outline some of the great resources, from podcasts to online communities, available to help owners succeed and their campgrounds thrive.

When opening an RV Park or campground, the absence of technology might be a primary motivation, but choosing the right software to help keep your park connected to potential customers while keeping your books in order is something you just can’t escape. Campers have to be able to book reservations online and you will need the ability to track all reservations and transactions in one place.

From obvious considerations, like the cost of services, to the less obvious features like access to the software if internet access is unreliable, in this blog we dive into what you should think about when choosing the right software for your campground and include the most popular options.

2020 has taught us a lot and one of the stand out lessons has been that going into an office doesn’t have to be the norm. RV Parks and Campground ownership is an oasis Americans, both young and old, are looking to. So, how do you start a campground? From location to loans and permits, this blog outlines 10 steps you can take to start a successful campground.

COVID-19 has changed the way we all live our lives and conduct our business. Being stuck at home has led to a surge in time spent on social media platforms to fill time.

Many RV Parks and Campgrounds are not using social platforms to drive awareness and reservations, so there is plenty of room for those who wish to step into these platforms to take advantage of this gap. How can your RV Park or campground use these platforms to convert users into customers?

With winter just around the corner, campground owners in colder climates are taking measures to get ahead of the weather. These preparations - colloquially known as “winterizing” - help ensure facilities are protected and ready to go when guests return in the spring. The off-season lull is also an ideal opportunity to polish up your public profile and ramp up customer and vendor communication. Here are a few tips and tricks for a safer and more profitable winter.

Deposits can be a tricky aspect of campsite management and a serious pain if they’re not collected properly. While they might make some prospective guests be on the fence about whether or not they want to fork over the cash to reserve their stay, they’ll protect you from cold footed patrons, and those that might not care of your property. In this guide, we’ll give recommendations on how and when to collect deposits to decrease trouble in the long run.

Having an internet that works in multiple areas of your park is crucial in attracting younger campers who are looking to stay connected while traveling. With the uptick in travel while “working from home” or on the road during COVID, internet connection is one of the many things that could set your park above others. Providing internet access to your campers is easier said than done. So, here are a few ways to extend your service to all areas of your park while also keeping throttling at a minimum.

Campground affiliate programs, such as Passport America and Good Sam, give park owners the opportunity to supplement the income they already have coming in the door. In this article, we’ll go through the benefits of having an affiliate program, what to look for when selecting an affiliate partner, and why it might not be in your best interest to join one.