More than half of U.S. campers (57%) gave up on a booking in the past year because they couldn’t reach anyone or complete the reservation online, according to The State of RV, Campground & Outdoor Hospitality, a new report from Storable Newbook, provider of campground management solutions. Those lost bookings come at a time when 98% of campers plan to camp in the next 12 months, with 77% planning two or more trips.
The report is based on a September 2026 survey of 968 U.S. adults who stayed at a campground, RV park, or glamping site in the past 12 months, Storable Newbook said.
“With so many campers planning trips next year, operators should be looking closely at why reservations are falling through,” said Blake Burris, director, Enterprise North America Storable Newbook. “This research shows where guests get stuck or decide to book somewhere else. That gives parks something concrete to work on before next season.”
Key findings include:
- Demand is strong. 98% of campers plan to camp in the next year, and 27% plan four or more trips, up from 23% who took that many last year.
- The easier park to book often wins the stay. 69% of campers have chosen one park over another because it was easier to book, pay, or communicate online, and 37% have done it more than once.
- Unanswered calls cost bookings. 47% of campers go to another park after one unanswered call when there’s no way to book online. A third usually book outside business hours, rising to 38% among campers under 45.
- Campers are willing to pay up front, as long as the price is clear. 72% will pay a deposit or the full amount at the time of booking, and only 6% want to pay nothing until they arrive. Surprise fees at checkout were the most common reason campers abandoned a booking (36%).
- Guests often come back direct. 62% of campers who found a park through a booking website or app booked directly with the park the next time.
- AI is becoming a way to find parks. 13% of campers found their most recent booking through an AI assistant, rising to 16% among those under 45. 75% would let an AI assistant make a booking for them in some form.
“The number of campers giving up on a booking should get every park owner’s attention. You can have a great property and still lose a guest before they ever get there,” said Tom Mason, COO, IVEE Management Group. “Guests want to check availability, see the full price and book on your website whenever they’re ready. When those basics are in place, they have fewer reasons to look somewhere else.”
The report also covers how campers choose between parks. Cleanliness (69%), facilities (56%), and ratings and reviews (53%) topped the list, while 12% said a well-known business name mattered.
The State of RV, Campground & Outdoor Hospitality is available at newbook.cloud/the-state-of-rv-campground-outdoor-hospitality.
