Having a great campground reservation system is a must in today’s modern world. In 2016 alone, 148.3 million travel bookings were made online in 2016 in the United States and 40% were made just 48 hours in advance.  Just look around at the back of huge parking lots and you will find many RVs in the morning hours. A lot of people looking to book the night of are looking for convenience and give up before finding a spot for their RV.

Ways To Make Extra Money Each SeasonAutumn is the most beautiful season and a wonderful time for camping. A great way to showcase that beauty and make some extra money is by photographing it. Keepsakes like postcards, t-shirts and mugs can be emblazoned with your images and cherished forever by campers. This is a good way to grab camper's addresses too. You will need to get their current home address to send them their mugs. You can charge a little more for your time and picture. Use a service such as Vista Print to order the keepsakes. 

This month our customer spotlight is on Derek and Vicky Brookshire, a couple who manage one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the country. The Crockery Creek RV Park campground in Ravenna, MI is a resort style RV Park that everyone needs to know about. Vicky and Derek use their extensive knowledge of the area and dedication to customer experience to make sure their campground keeps people coming back again and again. Here is what Vicki had to say. 

If you own a campground or RV Park in colder climates it’s vital that you winterize your cam at the end of the summer or fall. Not doing so will cost you a fortune in broken water pipes and in time starting at the beginning next season. Below are a few suggestions and tips to not only winterize your park but also make a little extra cash along the way. 

The Holidays are right around the corner and although the seasonal guests are few and far between, now is the time to show your love for those who are long-term or stationary guests. You shouldn't stop there, however. The holidays are also a great time to attract new customers for next season and even reach out to old ones. Here are a few things you can do this holiday season for seasonal and non-seasonal guests at your RV Park or campground. 

Whew... you made it through the peak of camping season. Now that you have some time to collect your thoughts (and hopefully your money), it might be time to start thinking about next year. Below are a few things to start considering to make next year's season even more profitable and the best experience for your customers. 

With the rise of Millennial campers and Baby Boomer generation getting older, many campgrounds are starting to offer cabins or RVs as a way to attract more customers. While some think offering these accommodations defies the spirit of camping itself, many parks have seen an increase in Park visitors due to offering more lush accommodations. Here are a few pros and cons for offering cabin or RV rentals as a means to generate more income for your RV Park or campground. 

Everything is online and everyone is online these days. That really is where this article should stop but if we still have not convinced you, here are a few reasons why your RV Park or campground needs an online reservation system. 

Campground management is no walk in the park. Between checking in and out campers, to keeping up the grounds, there is little time to do general tasks such as keeping up with the books. Below are some of the best tips and hacks we have tried or read about to save you time and make your life easier. 

For some people being able to connect to the internet at all times is an absolute necessity, even when camping. Many campsites are located in areas where there is little or no cell phone service so having Wi-Fi is a huge factor when choosing a campsite, if not the only factor. Being able to share experiences quickly also means more people talking about your campground and reserving sites.

For most, speed limits are just suggestions but when you manage a family campground making sure drivers adhere to speed limits,  can mean life or death. Below are a few ways you can ensure all motor vehicles slow down. 

This month our customer spotlight is on John Pratte, a wildlife biologist who manages one of the most unique campgrounds in the country. The Swan Island Wildlife Management Area campground in Maine is a hidden gem that won’t remain hidden for long. John uses his extensive knowledge of the area and dedication to customer experience to make sure of it.

It’s taken less than seven years for Instagram to go from a knockoff Foursquare to one of the world’s most popular mobile apps. It currently has 375 million active users, 50 million more than the population of the United States. Its incorporated cutting-edge features like Instagram Stories and Instagram Direct to transcend its original photo-sharing platform. It’s become a digital link between celebrities, politicians, artists and legions of followers and fans.

Operating a park where people not only come and go but also stay for extended periods of time can be hard to manage. From how the park flows, to interactions with guests, as a park owner, you have to be aware of every detail

Every summer the Niangua River is full of people canoeing, fishing, floating and anything else you could dream of doing on a beautiful river. For Sherri, running this campground is on that list.

Whether you’ve been hiking, fishing or just sitting around a fire all week, a shower and fresh clothes are a total necessity. Offering coin-operated showers, washers and dryers will provide convenience for campers and a source of passive income for you. The best part is you’ll never need to leave the park to cash in your change - just tell campers that you have quarters and they’ll bring the cash directly to you.

In an earlier post, we introduced Glamping, a form of upscale vacationing that brings the amenities of a hotel to a campground. We wrote about the history of Glamping and the changing consumer landscape supporting this niche experience. What we didn’t explain was how an entrepreneur might go about starting a Glampground of their own. Though it’s far from all-encompassing, we hope you find today’s post enlightening.

This week’s highlight comes to us from Tennessee. Matthew Mann, the owner of Southlake RV Park, uses knowledge from his engineering background to run his campground. For him, it’s all about process. If you can get that right, you’re well on your way to creating a standout business.

Have you ever heard of something called "Glamping"? Cause it might be here to stay. In Europe and the United States, new park and campgrounds are popping up with amenities more typically associated with upscale hotels. King-sized beds (with maid service) are The Standard.