The 7 Most Popular Dashboards in Campspot Analytics

Campspot Analytics is an analytics and reporting tool for your campground. With Campspot Analytics, Campgrounds can access valuable data in visualized dashboards dedicated to tracking performance and quickly answer core business questions without needing to download a CSV. From checking arrivals and departures to monitoring occupancy trends at the park to doing deep dives on which features drive the most revenue, Campspot Analytics puts your park data at your fingertips.

All campgrounds on Campspot have access to our core suite of dashboards, including Signals—our suite of benchmarking dashboards. Below is a summary of some of the most popular ones among Campspot Analytics users.

1. Signals – Monthly Performance

The Monthly Performance report breaks down occupancy, average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available site (RevPAS) month-by-month. Year-over-year percent change compares the last 365 days to the same 365 days from the previous year. The campsite category filter will filter all performance metrics to only include data for the selected campsite categories.

2. Signals – Day of the Week Performance

The Day of Week Performance report breaks down occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), and revenue per available site (RevPAS) by day of the week. This report can be filtered by a range of trailing stay dates and campsite categories.

3. Daily Manager Report

Campground owners and operators can get a critical overview of their campground’s recent, current, and upcoming activity with the Daily Manager Report dashboard. They can review yesterday’s transactions, check arrivals and departures for the current and next day, and monitor occupancy and cancellations for the next 14 days. There is also a section that shows remaining campsite availability for the day, by site type.

4. YoY Metric Comparison

This dashboard provides a high-level view of the park’s business health and performance year-over-year. Key metrics covered on this dashboard are occupancy, net site nights by month, net revenue by month, ADR, and RevPAS. All data on this dashboard uses end-of-the-month reporting to show performance against the previous year.

5. Park Overview

Owners and operators check the Park Overview dashboard for insights on net reservations booked by source and by category, reservation value by booking window, net reservations by campsite type, and net charges at the park. The top of the Park Overview dashboard also provides a snapshot of the day’s average booking window, average length of stay, and the status of several revenue-generating features at the park.

6. Campspot Value

The Campspot Value dashboard helps campground managers track which of Campspot’s revenue-generating features are working well for their park. This dashboard shows the status of each feature and displays the amount of revenue generated per feature over the last year. Parks can see revenue from Add-ons, Dynamic Pricing, Grid Optimization, Marketplace, and Lock Site.

7. Operations Summary

This dashboard helps campgrounds better understand what is happening at their park on a daily basis. It gives staff the ability to easily see how many arrivals and departures are expected for the day, as well as the number of Daily Add-ons. They can also see all charges and payments across all reservations for the day.

 

Campspot Analytics allows campgrounds to quickly answer core business questions and make data-informed decisions on the fly. The visual and customizable dashboards make it easy to watch park and portfolio trends, identify areas of growth opportunity, benchmark rates against comp sets, and more.

To learn more about Campspot Analytics visit one of the blogs below:

Or reach out to a sales rep to find out how Campspot can help grow your campground business.

Introducing Signals: Gain a Competitive Edge With Campspot Analytics’ Newest Dashboard

We are excited to announce the launch of our newest feature, Signals, an innovative reporting dashboard within Campspot Analytics. Signals gives campgrounds access to comp sets and competitive benchmarking, providing valuable insights that can help you make data-driven decisions and stay ahead of the competition.

Why Did We Build the Signals Dashboard?

This first-of-its-kind tool helps fill a gap in the outdoor hospitality industry when it comes to competitive benchmarking. With the increasing popularity of unique camping experiences, and the expansion of multi-park portfolios, the competition within the industry is growing. In order to thrive in this dynamic landscape, operators need access to tools that can help them make informed and confident decisions when it comes to rates and occupancy targets.

We want to provide Campspot campgrounds a competitive edge that helps them grow their business and make informed decisions. By leveraging competitive benchmarking, campgrounds can gain valuable insights into their performance relative to parks with similar profiles.

How Does it Work?

By aggregating anonymized metrics from thousands of parks across North America, Campspot Analytics provides campground operators a way to compare their performance against a recommended comp set via the Signals dashboard.

The metrics available include Average Daily Rate (ADR), Occupancy Rate (OR), and Revenue per Available Site (RevPAS), as well as other data points like percentage of seasonal and transient stays, weekend versus weekday performance, and ancillary revenues per site.

Users will not have visibility into who is in their competitive set, and the data will be historical.

How is Signals Different From Other Benchmarking Tools?

Unlike other competitive benchmarking tools in the market, Signals is the only product with access to anonymized data for the outdoor hospitality industry at such a large scale.

Prepare to elevate your campground’s performance with Signals, the game-changing reporting dashboard from Campspot Analytics. Stay ahead of the competition, make confident pricing decisions, and unlock your campground’s full potential. Experience the power of Signals for yourself and gain the competitive edge today!

If you are interested in learning more about Campspot Analytics (and Signals), and how it can help your campground business, contact our sales team.

Safety First: How Campspot’s SOC 2 Certification Protects Your Campground

Campspot’s on a mission to make happy campers—which is why we’re committed to providing a secure solution for our campground owners and managers so that they can focus on delighting their guests. When it comes to prioritizing security for our customers (and their customers!), we believe in making the right investments, such as employing Campspot team members dedicated entirely to governance and compliance, and securing trusted third-party industry certifications for our product and services. We strive to follow industry best practices and opt for tools that adhere to industry guidelines in an effort to continuously improve our security. That’s where SOC 2 comes in!

What is SOC 2?

Pronounced “sock two,” SOC 2 stands for “service organization control 2.” Which might still sound a little confusing…. Essentially, it is a voluntary compliance standard that’s used to evaluate software-as-a-service organizations such as Campspot. The standards were formed by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to help organizations manage customer data. The compliance standards assess five key areas:

  • Security
  • Availability 
  • Processing integrity 
  • Confidentiality
  • Privacy 

Why Is SOC 2 Important for my Campground Business?

To obtain SOC 2 Compliance, it means that a company has demonstrated that it maintains a high level of information security. This means that Campspot has rigorous controls and policies in place to protect our customers (and their customers) information.

What’s the Difference Between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2?

According to the AICPA, a type 1 report includes “management’s description of a service organization’s system and the suitability of the design of controls,” and type 2 reports “on management’s description of a service organization’s system and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of controls.”

Our VP of Finance & Governance, Jill Mast breaks it down in layperson’s terms:

SOC 2 Type 1

This is confirmation that we have controls and policies in place that adhere to the AICPA’s guidelines.

SOC 2 Type 2

This goes one step further where they audit the effectiveness of these controls and policies and tests to ensure that what is in place is being followed and is performing as intended.

What About SOX? What’s the Difference Between SOX and SOC?

SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) is more focused on financial controls, whereas SOC focuses more on organizational areas related to operations and compliance.

Which Types of Certification Does Campspot Have?

SOC certification is a long and rigorous process. As of June 30, 2022, Campspot became SOC 2 Type 1 certified.

As of June 2, 2023, Campspot is now SOC 2 Type 2 certified. By achieving this certification, Campspot is able to provide evidence that we are effective stewards of our customer’s private information, and have shown that our processes for handling data and system security work as intended. This certification also allows Campspot to work with a new range of service providers and customers who need strong safeguards around private data, including state and local governments.  

 We also maintain compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX Compliance). 

What Does Campspot Do to Maintain that Certification?

Our dedication to safety and security doesn’t stop at certification. We’ll be reviewing our processes annually in order to ensure continued compliance.

“Campspot monitors, corrects, and improves its internal processes continuously to maintain our SOC 2 Type 2 status. Some of these processes include code reviews for production changes, auditing workflows from when code is committed to Campspot’s repositories to when it goes live on our production servers, and ensuring only authorized, authenticated personnel have access to customer data. 

We also perform additional disaster recovery and business continuity operations in order to validate that all of our customer data is accurate and correct across our backups and data centers. Additionally, we have stronger policies in place around removing customer data, both upon request and for those customers who no longer do business with Campspot.” – Aaren Twedt, Governance and Compliance Lead

What’s Next for Campspot’s Security?

Campspot’s next step is to continue maintaining our current certifications while we explore new opportunities and options for data security. Maintaining SOC 2 Type 2 is an ongoing effort and an audit will be performed annually going forward, testing a period of 12 months to ensure that our processes are effective throughout the entire year and not just at a particular point in time.

 

Want to learn more about how Campspot prioritizes security and makes happy campers? Request a demo below to chat with a campground reservations software expert. To request our SOC 2 Type 2 Compliance report for the full nitty-gritty details, reach out today!

How to Care for Yourself and Your Team During Busy Season

Whether it’s in summer or winter,  peak camping season brings an exciting influx of guests to campgrounds, as families and outdoor enthusiasts seek adventure and relaxation in the great outdoors. As a campground owner, it’s crucial to ensure the well-being of both yourself and your team during this bustling period. Managing a high volume of guests can be demanding, but prioritizing physical and mental health is essential for maintaining a positive work environment and providing exceptional customer service. In this blog post, we’ll explore busy season tips and practical strategies to help you and your campground staff take care of yourselves and thrive during your peak season.

1. Prioritize Self-Care

During hectic times, it’s easy to neglect your own well-being. However, prioritizing self-care is crucial for maintaining balance and avoiding burnout. Encourage your team to:

Establish Routines

Encourage staff members to establish daily routines that include proper sleep, regular exercise, and healthy eating. Consistency in these areas helps maintain energy levels and supports overall well-being.

Take Breaks

Encourage staff (and yourself!) to take short breaks throughout the day to relax and recharge. Stepping away from workstations, even for a few minutes, can alleviate stress and improve focus.

Practice Mindfulness

Encourage mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing exercises like yoga or meditation, to help reduce stress and increase mental clarity.

2. Foster Communication and Team Support

During busy seasons, effective communication and a supportive team environment are essential. Here’s how you can foster these elements:

Regular Team Check-Ins

Schedule regular team meetings to address any concerns, provide updates, and foster a sense of unity. Encourage open dialogue and actively listen to your staff’s feedback and suggestions.

Delegate Responsibilities

Delegate tasks among your team members to distribute workload fairly. Encourage teamwork and collaboration to ensure everyone feels supported.

Provide Adequate Training

Ensure your team receives comprehensive training to handle the increased workload efficiently. This reduces stress and boosts confidence in their abilities.

Read Next: Get Certified with Campspot

3. Encourage Work-Life Balance

Striking a healthy work-life balance is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Consider the following:

Set Reasonable Expectations

Encourage your team to set realistic expectations for themselves. Remind them that it’s essential to prioritize their personal lives outside of work.

Flexible Scheduling

Whenever possible, provide flexible scheduling options to accommodate personal obligations and promote work-life balance. Offer rotating shifts or opportunities for time off when needed.

Encourage Time Off

When it comes to busy season tips, this one might seem a little counterintuitive when you’re in a season that requires all hands on deck. However, it’s important to encourage your team to take their allocated time off and plan vacations or breaks to rejuvenate. Taking time away from work is essential for recharging and avoiding burnout.

4. Recognize and Appreciate Your Team

Recognizing your team’s hard work and expressing appreciation can boost morale and motivate them during the busiest times. Consider the following:

Express Gratitude

Regularly acknowledge your team’s efforts and express gratitude for their dedication. A simple thank you or words of appreciation can go a long way in fostering a positive work environment.

Incentives and Rewards

Consider implementing an incentive program that rewards exceptional performance or milestones achieved. This can encourage healthy competition and motivate your team to excel.

Celebrate Success

When the busy season winds down, organize a team celebration to recognize and appreciate everyone’s hard work. It reinforces a sense of accomplishment and unity among your staff.

Caring for yourself and your team during your busy camping season is crucial for maintaining a positive work environment and delivering exceptional customer service. By prioritizing self-care, fostering communication and team support, encouraging work-life balance, and recognizing your team’s efforts, you can create a thriving workplace that promotes physical and mental well-being. Remember, these busy season tips can create a healthy and happy team that translates into a remarkable camping experience for your guests.

Read Next: How this Campground Stays True to Its Brand

Grow This Season With Campspot

Introducing Guest Self Service: Date Changes

Guests making reservations through Campspot now have the ability to change the dates of their reservations without needing to call the park. Date changes is the first feature available in what will become a suite of self-service options for campers, and it comes right before the busy summer season as a way to help alleviate some of the phone calls that parks might otherwise receive.

Date Changes

We started with one of the most commonly requested tasks for operators—date changes. Our research found that 35% of reservations get edited, and the majority of the time those changes are made to the dates of the reservation. We know how important it is for you to reduce the time you spend on the phone, and how important it is for campers and guests to have more control over the details of their stay. This was the clear first step.

The more campers are able to manage their reservations for themselves, the more it frees you up for all the other tasks on your plate. The less time you need to spend on logistics, the more time you get to spend on the guest experience.

There are some criteria that reservations must meet (at this time) to be eligible for easy date changes. For example, changes must be made 21 days before the date of arrival and are not accessible on reservations made using discount or promo codes. If a reservation does not meet all criteria, the camper will be directed to get in touch with the campground to make changes.

One of our goals is to continue streamlining the booking process for both campgrounds and their guests. Our 2022 data shows that grid optimizations alone saved campgrounds more than 12,000 hours on the phone. We want that number to keep going up. The more we can help reduce friction around planning, the more you can focus on creating a truly memorable experience for your guests. This is our aim as we continue to build out the guest self-service suite: to save time for park operators and empower the guest in the process.

If you would like to learn more about how Campspot can save you time and increase revenue, contact our sales team or call 616-226-3135.  

Grow With Campspot

Calculated Growth and Expansion: How This Campground’s 5-Year Plan Drives Results

At Campspot, we firmly believe in the power of connecting with our peers and partners to help the entire campground industry grow and succeed. Luckily, many of the campground owners we work with are also passionate about sharing their perspective and learning from other business owners. We recently sat down with Dustin Trotter, owner of Campspot-Award-Winning Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins and Campground, to learn more about what led him to the success his campground has experienced over the last year.

On Getting Started in the Campground Industry and Choosing Campspot

Trotter: I purchased my first campground on June 1, 2022 in southeast Georgia, Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins and Campground. I choose Campspot from day one after researching several reservation softwares. In a short 9 and a half months we have expanded, improved, and grown the campground to its current operations. We are currently doing four times the revenue monthly that the previous ownership was doing. We also won a Campspot Award in 2023 for Best Campground in America Category; ninth place. I strongly believe there are several factors to our success in our first year but Campspot has been an undeniable part of that success. We are looking to expand to more locations in future and will only exclusively be using Campspot for all our ventures.

As far as switching from the software the previous ownership was using, it was just a gut feeling I had. It wasn’t anything that drove me to scrap the other one because I didn’t know any different with being new to the industry other than looking at Campspot’s features and getting recommendations. I initially got turned on to Campspot through a friend of mine. She also owns a campground and that’s what they use. Knowing that from day one we needed to make changes and not necessarily just roll with what the previous ownership was doing, we made that decision to switch.

When I was looking for online software, it was important to me that it was working 24 hours a day. When we’re sleeping—we’re getting reservations. It becomes a huge extension of our bookings and reservations and it’s not cumbersome on our staff.

On Shaking Things Up From the Get-Go

Trotter: We have a five year plan—we have a vision for what we’re doing and for us to implement those things, I needed to make changes from day one.

It all has to do with our financials. It has to do with how are we going to reach our goals and do what we want to achieve. For this campground, part of that five year plan is expansion. For each of the five years, we have an expansion plan that is predicated on revenue and growth.

In the first year, we focused on the branding, the marketing, the amenities, and additional revenue streams. We expanded the camp store immediately. Firewood today is still our largest individual seller. Like a lot of campgrounds, we sell a lot of ice, a lot of drinks. We added beer and wine sales to our campground, we added a propane tank and filling station.

We did all of these things for two reasons—one for our campground, but also for the larger community. We’re seven miles out of town and there’s a lot of people that live in the area that we capture some of the local convenience store type of revenue from. We also added a food service seven days of the week. We do a lunch service for the locals. We’re selling more beer there than all the other restaurants in the city. Obviously it’s there for the campers first and foremost, but in the evening our lounge is very vibrant and active and I wanted to create an active environment because the previous ownership had more of the opposite philosophy.

We also added additional campsites and we brought in rental trailers and in-park RV trailers for additional accommodations. We’re adding 14 more RV sites right now, which is the second state of the expansion that’s going on.

On Looking Beyond the Initial Growth Phases

Trotter: Part of our continued business model is looking at additional locations and trying to expand from there. It’s all opportunities, some driven by our efforts and some driven by what’s available. The last couple years it has been getting more competitive in this niche and at the end of the day it’s driven by finances and what makes sense. But we need to get our systems and procedures in place first so that we can grow within our means.

We have three more expansion plans to go—including more RV sites, glamping accommodations, and cabins. We’re 12.5 acres of facilities. We’re just under 50 sites now and we hope to get up to 100 overall. Our focus right now is to get those sites added and also continue adding more amenities.

On Attracting Campers to Okefenokee

Trotter: When I was searching for a campground to invest in I had a 10-point list of criteria I was looking for. One of the things that is very unique for our destination is what’s across the street from us. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is 440,000 acres. It’s the largest Blackwater swamp in the United States. It’s the largest national wildlife refuge east of the Mississippi River. I can go on and on about some of the features and in that, you know why people go there. It brings roughly about 600,000 visitors there every single year. And that’s from all over the world—from over 46 different countries.

It’s a great place to come to visit. And that’s a lot of the philosophy that I instill into what we do and to my employees—we get one chance to make a first impression. All my employees know that there are two main things that we cannot compromise ever. Number one—our guest services and number two—our cleanliness. We are going to give the best guest experience we can and have the cleanest facility. Everything else, I can deal with.

I think some of that is why we’ve grown so fast is our reviews, our feedback is through the roof.

Word of mouth is still the number one thing. If you can get a recommendation from a friend, a family member about an experience. I tell my staff—it’s similar to if we were located near a national park. Most people are only going to travel to that place one time in their life. It’s a vacation, it’s a bucket list item. We have one shot to make that first impression. That’s it. If we’re lucky, they’ll come back another time in two years, three years, four years. Maybe they’ll come and bring their kids back from a different generation.

On Maximizing Revenue and the Guest Experience

Trotter: The refuge is why people will come here, but ultimately, when they come to stay with us we’re capturing revenue from them wanting to stay near the refuge. But on the business side, I worked to identify our opportunities, like why people weren’t staying longer. How do we get guests to stay for more than one night? To be able to do that, you have to have amenities on property, kind of like a resort. Think about a hotel resort and the hospitality industry. If you don’t have things for, not only adults to do, but for kids to do—there’s no reason for the parents to keep them there to keep them entertained.

The previous owners didn’t have a lounge with beer or wine and cocktail sales. We have football games on the weekends and a screened patio that has games and dartboards and shuffleboard. We have a pond with catch and release fishing, fish feeders, a playground, and a horseshoe pit. We’re working on adding a large gazebo for planned activities. We’re adding a sports court with pickleball and basketball. We have a dog park and laundry room. I have a call today with a company that has an outside dog washing station. It’s another feature that we can add to our campground. We’re continually trying to be innovative and add unique features.

As long as you have amenities, people are willing to spend their hard earned money with you. And again, if it’s good and if it’s good service. We’re continually trying to focus on not only the amenities but also the activity-based things to allow people to recreate. We actually just bought electric bikes. So now we have hammocks and electric bikes in our rental fleet. Someone can take a bike from us now and ride across the street in the refuge.

It’s just another thing we’re offering now to allow people to stay longer. Our average stay now is four days. That’s across all of our sites. Most people when they’re making a short-term trip it’s a weekend, a 2 to 3 day trip. But if we’re averaging four days—and I pulled these out of Campspot Analytics. We’re averaging a four-day length of stay now which I’m extremely happy about. People are staying longer, and spending more money in our store and with our other features.

On Winning a Campspot Award

Trotter: I told my wife, I said—if we get top 10 I would be over the moon. The nomination was a complete surprise. I was actually out there at the campground when I received the email announcement. And I called the staff and the work campers that we have working there into the lounge that day. I handed my manager my phone, and said, read this to everybody. She didn’t even know at that time, I kept it all secret until we told them all at the same time. We all celebrated together because it’s a team win. It was rewarding, and I was over the moon, I never expected we would be in the top ten.

On Okefenokee Pastime’s Recipe for Success

Trotter: It’s a combination of a lot of the things I’ve mentioned. It’s the marketing, it’s the way we’re going about trying to drive higher occupancy. We did change the rates, also, from what they were originally. We wanted to consider market rates. We’ve added different revenue streams. Just the store alone, which encompasses the lounge and food services—we’re doing the same amount of revenue out of that store in a month than the previous ownership was doing for an entire month of reservations. Our occupancy is over 80% which is more than double what they were averaging.

On Leveraging Campspot to Drive Revenue

With respect to Campspot—a couple of things that I like about it are its unique features like dynamic pricing and add-ons which are helping us drive additional revenue.

With dynamic pricing, we’re averaging just over $17.00 per reservation for additional revenue because of our occupancy. We also leverage lock sites and some of the other fee structures. We have a pet fee. All of these things hit the bottom line ultimately. We also have the reservation fee which offsets the Campspot fee to us. That’s the only one we add on, everything else is the choice of the guest.

On Connecting With Campgrounds and Local Organizations

Trotter: I enjoy helping other business owners and talking to others—I think there’s so much more that we can do as a team in the market that we’re in. There’s an economic benefit to the region and to tourism from helping each other locally. If we can get more people to the area, it’s only going to help everyone. We partnered with the chamber of commerce from day one. We identified partners in the area that we wanted to work with because if we can get more people to the area, it’s going to benefit everyone, really.

Thanks to Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins and Campground

We’d like to thank Dustin for sharing his time and experience. We greatly admire his forward-thinking approach and the vision he’s crafted for Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins and Campground. For Okefenokee, success goes beyond the campground’s business goals and extends to the local community—a testament to what campgrounds can signify for not only the guests who visit, but the local people and businesses in the surrounding area as well.

Do you have a story you’d like to share with other campground owners? Reach out at marketing@campspot.com.

Two-Way Text With SimpleTexting

Two-way text messaging is a feature that’s been at the top of our company’s and customers’ wish list, and it’s finally here. SimpleTexting takes advantage of the Campspot integration with Mailchimp to allow for open communication between campgrounds and their campers via text.

Why is this important? “Ninety percent of people open a text within three minutes, according to PCMag, and texts have a response rate of 45 percent compared to email’s 6 percent.” This makes it one of the fastest and more efficient forms of two-way communication.

Two-way text also gives you the chance to have closer communication with your guests, allowing you to get to know and understand them and their preferences more deeply, while giving them a more convenient way to get in touch with you. As campers are, by nature, highly mobile, they rely on their phones to stay in touch.

What are Some of the Reasons a Campground Would Need Two-Way Texting?

Whether you have a last-minute update for a guest or you want to seize a new opportunity to generate extra revenue, quick and easy two-way communication comes in handy for campground managers. You might need to…

  • Communicate an issue with a site 
  • Send a gate code (and give the camper a chance to write back if there’s a problem)
  • Offer a special promotion
  • Allow your guests to communicate with you without tying up the phone lines
  • Send messages to a set of your guests based on criteria you select
  • Send an individual guest a message for a one-on-one conversation

How the SimpleTexting Integration Works

SimpleTexting leverages Campspot’s integration with Mailchimp to make two-way texting available to parks. Campgrounds will need to set up Campspot + Mailchimp before setting up the integration with SimpleTexting.

SimpleTexting Announcement on Biteable.

How Do Guests Opt in or out of Two-Way Text?

Guests can opt in to receive text messages during booking check out. They can also opt in on the Reservation Summary page for all booked reservations. There is a link to the summary page from the reservation confirmation email.

To learn more about the Mailchimp or SimpleTexting integrations, visit our Knowledge Base.

Ready to Grow With Campspot?

New Feature: Customizable Dashboards Now Available in Campspot Analytics

Users of Campspot Analytics now have the option to add an Explorer license which unlocks the ability to create custom reports and dashboards within the tool.

Campspot Analytics already contains core dashboards that visualize commonly requested data points among campground operators. These dashboards include a Park Overview, an Operations Summary, an Occupancy Pace Report, and more. Every park gets one free seat for Campspot Analytics with the option to purchase more.

While many metrics like Occupancy and Average Daily Rate are universal, the way they are represented and the level of granularity can vary from customer to customer.

Enter Explorer. Now you can build your own dashboards to reflect that level of specificity required of your individual park. This option is ideal for business owners, operators, and analysts who want more flexibility when it comes to data insights, visualizations, exporting reports, and multi-park reporting.

Explorer licenses also come with access to the Explorer Kit—a collection of pre-made insights for users who are newer to business insights tools. The cost of the license is $30 per month, per active user.

How Do I Get Access to Campspot Analytics?

When Campspot Analytics launched in 2022, all campgrounds should have received an email inviting them to set up their account and get access to their free seat. If you did not already sign up and would like to, you can do so via this sign-up form.

How Do I Get an Explorer License?

You can sign up for Campspot Analytics Explorer via the same signup form as above. Once you are in the form you can select whether you’re adding a Viewer, an Explorer or both!

Additional Resources for Using Campspot Analytics

If you are interested in learning more about Campspot and whether it’s right for your campground business, contact our sales team. 

Ready to Grow With Campspot?

Celebrating the 2023 Campspot Award Winners

The day is finally here! We’re so excited to announce the 2023 Campspot Award winners. This year, we’ve announced winners in 12 categories to celebrate as many campgrounds as possible and help campers discover new adventures of every variety. Using proprietary platform data and input from the camping community itself, we’re proud to share that the winners of this year’s awards are shining examples of campground excellence.

See the 2023 Campspot Award Winners

The Best Campgrounds in America

Indian River RV Resort – Indian River, Michigan

Unlike our 11 other categories, the title of “best campgrounds in America” were awarded to campgrounds by camper popular vote! Using proprietary platform data for all bookings, reviews, and internal data, we created a shortlist that campers used to vote for their favorite campgrounds. At the top of the list? Indian River RV Resort!

See the Full List of the 2023 Campspot Award Winners – Best Campgrounds in America 

Best RV Campgrounds

Carolina Pines RV Resort – Conway, South Carolina

To determine the best RV campgrounds, we looked at reservation data, reviews, the quality of the campground listing, and also leveraged expert insight to make selections.

See the Full List of the Best RV Campgrounds 

Best Campgrounds in Canada

Moonlight Bay Tent & Trailer Park – Wilberforce, Ontario

To determine the awards for the best campgrounds in Canada, we reviewed reservation, sentiment, and survey data.

See the Full List of the Best Campgrounds in Canada

Best Tent Campgrounds

Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort – Mt. Shasta City, California

When it came to considering which campgrounds were the best tent campgrounds in North America, we looked at reservation data, the quality of the overall listing, as well as reviews. We also leveraged expert input to make the final selection.

See the Full List of the Best Tent Campgrounds

Best Glamping Campgrounds

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort: Golden Valley – Bostic, North Carolina

For the best glamping campgrounds in North America (or should we say, glampgrounds?) We considered reservation data, the quality of the overall listing, and also camper reviews. Expert insight was the final determining factor.

See the Full List of the Best Glamping Campgrounds

Best Campgrounds for Spontaneous Campers

Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort & Campground – San Dimas, California

To determine which campgrounds are the best for spontaneous campers, we looked at mobile app reservation data for reservations made “on the fly.” We provided our experts with a list of parks with super high same day reservations and they selected the final winners using listing information and camper reviews.

See the Full List of the Best Campgrounds for Spontaneous Campers

Best Campgrounds for Families

Carolina Pines RV Resort – Conway, South Carolina

To find the most family-friendly campgrounds, we reviewed campgrounds with the most reservations with kiddos listed on the reservations. We also considered the park’s number of kid-pleasing amenities like pools and playgrounds. Combined with expert insight and a review of the quality of the listing page, we were able to surface the campgrounds sure to delight the entire family.

See the Full List of the Best Campgrounds for Families 

Best Campgrounds for Couples

Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort – Mt. Shasta City, California

When it came to campgrounds for couples we checked our data for campgrounds with the most reservations for two adults. We then reviewed campground photography, the quality of the overall listing, and our experts weighed in to make the final calls.

See the Full List of the Best Campgrounds for Couples 

Best Campgrounds for National Park Lovers

Aloha Beach RV Resort – Port Aransas, TX

To determine campgrounds most ideal for national park lovers, we reviewed campgrounds with the highest number of reservations near national parks. Top campgrounds had to have at least a 70% average occupancy and a minimum of a 4-star overall rating. Our experts then reviewed the overall quality of the campground’s listing to help make the final determination.

See the Full List of the Best Campgrounds for National Park Lovers

Best Campgrounds for Weekenders

Sun Outdoors Paso Robles – Paso Robles, California

Campgrounds with the most Friday and Saturday reservations were the leading indicator for this category. Photography and overall listing information were also considered. Our experts then weighed in to help make the final selection of winners.

See the Full List of the Best Campgrounds for Weekenders

Best Campgrounds for Pet Lovers

Canyon View RV Resort – Grand Junction, Colorado

Pets need award-winning campgrounds, too! For this category, we reviewed reservations made with pets and also considered if campgrounds had dog parks. Experts weighed in and helped us review photography, and the overall quality of the listing information as well.

See the Full List of the Best Campgrounds for Pet Lovers

Best Campgrounds for 55+ Adventurers

Sun Outdoors Sarasota – Sarasota, Florida

To find the best campgrounds for 55+ campers, we started by reviewing our proprietary data for campgrounds with the most reservations made at parks that are 55+ only. We also considered each campground’s photography, quality of the overall listing information, and then asked our experts to weigh in to help make the final decisions.

See the Full List of the Best Campgrounds for 55+ Adventurers 

We hope you’ll take a moment to join us as we celebrate the 2023  Campspot Award winners and acknowledge the hard work of all of these campgrounds leading the industry. Congratulations to all! Thank you for all that you do to provide campers with exemplary experiences. Your campgrounds provide access to not only the outdoors, but to the camping community that we all hold so dear.

Top Camping Weekend Predictions for 2023

As campgrounds gear up for the busy summer camping season ahead, it’s helpful to anticipate when you’ll be at your busiest. To help you prepare, we reviewed the top camping weekends (non-holiday) from 2022 and looked ahead to 2023. These top weekends have potential to drive revenue for your campground as some of the favorite non-holiday times for campers to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. But what about days that fall outside of holiday and these “top weekends?” What can your campground to do to drive reservations and revenue on less popular camping dates?

Gather round and explore the answers below!

Top Camping Weekend Predictions for 2023

6 Ways to Drive Revenue for Non-Holiday Weekends and Weekdays

1. Advertise Outdoor Activities in Your Area

In the first issue of the Campspot Outdoor Almanac,  81% of campers reported that the campground itself is an important part of their trip. Of course, that’s why you work so hard to ensure your campground is the best experience possible for your guests. However, we also saw that “family vacation time” and “proximity to state and national parks” were listed as the number two and three reasons for why campers go camping. Is your campground located near something that would enhance your campers’ stays? A winery? An amusement park? Cute shops and restaurants? Public lands? You never know what might entice a particular camper, so be sure to make it clear what you’re near in all of your marketing materials—including any listings you have on online marketplaces.

2. Pepper Your Calendar With Non-Holiday Events

Creative events are a great way to attract more guests during less typically busy times. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about the different types of gatherings you might host:

  • Pancake breakfasts
  • Concerts with local musicians
  • Craft activities for kiddos
  • Week-long summer camp curriculums
  • Classes with local artisans like painters or potters
  • Social meet ups for various groups like owners of a particular dog breed
  • Indoor or outdoor film screenings

3. Update Your Photography

Did you know that campgrounds on Campspot Marketplace that have complete marketplace listings make 20% more revenue on average? Whether its your listings on online marketplaces or the way you feature your campground on your website or social media accounts, high-quality photos can greatly impact a potential camper’s confidence in booking a stay. Investing in professional photography is a great way to set camper expectations and showcase what makes your corner for of the world so special.

4. Play Up Your Amenities

When campers have many choices of where to stay, available amenities help them make a purchase decision. Do your website pages and marketplace listing pages clearly articulate everything that’s available to your guests? Are you planning on adding any amenities soon for the upcoming season? Share that information far and wide to ensure your campers are in the know and excited to be there to enjoy them. Not sure what amenities to invest in? Consider surveying your past campers and community members to see what’s most important to them.

5. Take Advantage of Astrotourism

Campgrounds are often in spots that are incredible for stargazing. What better way to make a random Tuesday a REALLY EXCITING camping moment than to invite guests to come stay to observe a meteor shower? There are loads of way to leverage celestial events to gather a crowd at your park. Host a super-moon hike (there are a handful ever year!). Invite a local astronomy club or professor to come guide your camper’s observation of the night sky. Review the calendar for the upcoming months and choose a few moments to celebrate and then create special events to encourage guests to come stay.

6. Run a Promo

We can’t forget discounts! When times are especially hard for the larger economy, that can impact camper travel habits. Discounts or promotions have the power to help trips feel more realistic to a camper, especially when they’re booking a trip for a large group. Select a few promotions to run over the season and get creative about what they encourage campers to book. Want campers to book more weekdays? Longer trips? Offer deals that encourage the specific behavior you’re looking to drive.

To boost the number of campers that see your camping promos, be sure to opt in to our program to ensure your codes get featured on Campspot’s Marketplace Promo Page.

However you choose to drive reservations outside of top camping weekends, consistent messaging across all of your channels is the best way to ensure campers have all the information they need to make a purchase decision. We hope this list helps you think creatively about how you might entice even more campers to join your community.

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