Outdoor Hospitality News
For owners, operators, team members, and anyone else interested in camping, glamping, or the RV industry.
News for August 12, 2026
The Gorge Amphitheatre has introduced Vineyard Glamping for the 2026 season, adding a new premium accommodation option alongside several upgraded camping experiences for concertgoers attending upcoming events.
Blue Water has launched its first portfolio-wide astro-tourism campaign across 15 Spacious Skies Campgrounds properties, using the Aug. 12 peak of the Perseid meteor shower to promote stays centered on dark-sky viewing.
FRVCA will host a free Aug. 13 webinar featuring Mike Sokol of RVelectricity and the No~Shock~Zone on Grounding Monitor Interrupter (GMI) requirements and their implications for campground electrical systems, RV parks and recreational vehicles.
Glamping is expanding across Cyprus, but operators continue to navigate the sector without a dedicated licensing framework as the government considers how future regulations should address planning, environmental and infrastructure concerns.
The 2026 RV Dealers Convention/Expo will feature a Digital Marketing session on improving RV dealership lead response speed, follow-up consistency and customer conversions, led by Garage Composites training manager Jordon Schoolmeester on Nov. 11 at Paris Las Vegas.
Blue Terra Management has acquired the Pasco/Tri-Cities KOA Journey in Washington, expanding its outdoor hospitality portfolio to more than 1,250 RV sites across seven parks, resorts and campgrounds and extending its presence into the Tri-Cities region, according to Kampgrounds of America.
Blue Terra Management has acquired the Pendleton KOA Journey in eastern Oregon, expanding its outdoor hospitality portfolio to more than 1,250 RV sites across seven parks, resorts and campgrounds, Kampgrounds of America announced Aug. 13.
Join MC Fireside Chats on August 19, 2026, at 2 PM ET as Landan Dory exposes deal-breaking mistakes in campground valuations. Learn what buyers and sellers get wrong to maximize your investment and navigate transactions confidently. Tune in live!
Suburban and Aqua-Hot Heating Systems will showcase new and updated RV heating, hot water and control products Aug. 18-19 at Airxcel’s 2026 New Product Showcase in Elkhart, Indiana, including tankless water heating, hydronic heating and digital control systems designed for a range of RV applications.
Christchurch City Council has approved a 10-year lease that could allow the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association to establish a members-only motorhome park for up to 100 vehicles in New Brighton, subject to resource consent.
A retrospective application seeks seven additional caravan pitches at Knoxfield Caravan Park in Darenth, while the local parish council has raised concerns about site intensification, land designation and potential impacts on nearby protected woodland.
Cathy Sutton of Tom Manning & Associates and John Hawkins of BAL RV Products were named recipients of the 2026 RV Aftermarket Lifetime Achievement Award during the RV Aftermarket Conference, recognizing their decades of service and contributions to the RV aftermarket.
The 2026 RV Aftermarket Awards recognized Creative Products Group as Supplier of the Year, B&W Trailer Hitches as Product of the Year, and Chris Cieto and Raymond Padgett with the Chairman’s Award during the RV Aftermarket Conference Aug. 12 in Orlando, Florida.
The RV Technical Institute conducted a Level 2 Dealer On-Site Training session for RV Masters in LaPlace, Louisiana, combining 11 weeks of online coursework with a final week of hands-on instruction to strengthen technicians’ ability to troubleshoot, diagnose and repair RV systems.
InVision will expand its RV appliance lineup at Airxcel’s 2026 Annual New Product Showcase Aug. 18-19 in Elkhart, Indiana, with new and expanded offerings spanning cooking, refrigeration, laundry, toilets and water systems for a range of RV floorplans.
Canopy Camping Escapes founders Sonia Minnaar and Liz Henderson have been recognized at the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards for building a rural accommodation network that now includes more than 220 independently owned escapes across New Zealand.
Postle Aluminum has reorganized its operations to integrate extrusion, fabrication, finishing and warehousing under a single structure, aiming to simplify aluminum sourcing, shorten lead times and streamline logistics for OEMs, distributors and fabricators.
Canopy Camping Escapes founders Sonia Minnaar and Liz Henderson have been recognized at the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards for building a rural accommodation network that now includes more than 220 independently owned escapes across New Zealand.
Virginia State Parks has expanded its accessibility program with the addition of an all-terrain wheelchair at First Landing State Park, bringing the total number of parks offering the mobility equipment to seven and increasing access to more than 5 miles of trails for visitors with mobility limitations.
A discounted two-night glamping promotion at Ribble Valley Retreat highlights how outdoor hospitality operators are using seasonal pricing and optional guest experiences to attract travelers ahead of the peak summer vacation period.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting applications for $11 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to support park acquisition, development and rehabilitation projects across the state, with eligible applicants able to seek awards ranging from $150,000 to $2.5 million.
Construction to fully reconstruct the River Road bridge at High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville will begin July 6, closing the bridge and a section of the trail for about one month while maintaining public access to High Bridge and other portions of the trail.
Join MC Fireside Chats on August 19, 2026, at 2 PM ET as Landan Dory exposes deal-breaking mistakes in campground valuations. Learn what buyers and sellers get wrong to maximize your investment and navigate transactions confidently. Tune in live!
The Gorge Amphitheatre has introduced Vineyard Glamping for the 2026 season, adding a new premium accommodation option alongside several upgraded camping experiences for concertgoers attending upcoming events.
Glamping is expanding across Cyprus, but operators continue to navigate the sector without a dedicated licensing framework as the government considers how future regulations should address planning, environmental and infrastructure concerns.
A three-cabin glamping development and sauna near Great Gransden has received planning approval after councillors weighed concerns over access, neighboring properties and heritage assets against the project’s potential tourism and economic benefits.
Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is combining panoramic Sky Domes, climate-controlled accommodations, dining, and stargazing activities to create a premium glamping offering near several Southern Utah outdoor destinations.
Streamside Parks COO Chris Lambert joins MC Fireside Chats on August 12, 2026, at 2 PM ET. Discover Streamside’s playbook for creating unforgettable guest experiences, from cutting-edge amenities to personalized service. Learn how to elevate stays & foster guest loyalty.
A mixed-use hospitality property in Herefordshire featuring a farmhouse, holiday cottages, shepherd’s huts, and an established glamping business has been listed for sale, highlighting continued investment opportunities in diversified outdoor accommodations.
A proposed four-tent eco-tourism retreat in Helena Valley has received conditional approval from the Shire of Mundaring, with environmental, operational, and bushfire management requirements to be met before development can proceed.
The 2026 RV Dealers Convention/Expo will feature a Digital Marketing session on improving RV dealership lead response speed, follow-up consistency and customer conversions, led by Garage Composites training manager Jordon Schoolmeester on Nov. 11 at Paris Las Vegas.
Suburban and Aqua-Hot Heating Systems will showcase new and updated RV heating, hot water and control products Aug. 18-19 at Airxcel’s 2026 New Product Showcase in Elkhart, Indiana, including tankless water heating, hydronic heating and digital control systems designed for a range of RV applications.
Cathy Sutton of Tom Manning & Associates and John Hawkins of BAL RV Products were named recipients of the 2026 RV Aftermarket Lifetime Achievement Award during the RV Aftermarket Conference, recognizing their decades of service and contributions to the RV aftermarket.
The 2026 RV Aftermarket Awards recognized Creative Products Group as Supplier of the Year, B&W Trailer Hitches as Product of the Year, and Chris Cieto and Raymond Padgett with the Chairman’s Award during the RV Aftermarket Conference Aug. 12 in Orlando, Florida.
The RV Technical Institute conducted a Level 2 Dealer On-Site Training session for RV Masters in LaPlace, Louisiana, combining 11 weeks of online coursework with a final week of hands-on instruction to strengthen technicians’ ability to troubleshoot, diagnose and repair RV systems.
InVision will expand its RV appliance lineup at Airxcel’s 2026 Annual New Product Showcase Aug. 18-19 in Elkhart, Indiana, with new and expanded offerings spanning cooking, refrigeration, laundry, toilets and water systems for a range of RV floorplans.
Postle Aluminum has reorganized its operations to integrate extrusion, fabrication, finishing and warehousing under a single structure, aiming to simplify aluminum sourcing, shorten lead times and streamline logistics for OEMs, distributors and fabricators.
Mark Passmore, a third-year apprentice at Jerry’s RV, has received the $5,000 grand prize in the 2025-2026 NTP-Stag Canada RV Technician Bursary program, providing financial support for his continued training and development as an RV service technician.
Velarium will introduce its new Echo awning Aug. 18-19 at Airxcel’s 2026 New Product Showcase in Elkhart, Indiana, adding an RV shade option with a 57-inch arm designed for tighter installation spaces and standard sizes ranging from 8 to 22 feet
Campers Inn COO Ben Hirsch called for greater supply chain coordination, customer-focused operations and more accessible product data as artificial intelligence reshapes how consumers research RVs and aftermarket products during a fireside chat at the RV Aftermarket Conference.
Go RVing will serve as the Official RV Partner of the 2026 Pickleball World Championships in Dallas, with the partnership placing RVs and RV travel at the event’s Pickleball Boulevard fan area as the sport’s popularity grows among travelers and campgrounds expand pickleball offerings.
Coleman-Mach will expand its RV air conditioning lineup with new variable-speed models and a C Series of rooftop systems at Airxcel’s 2026 New Product Showcase, including the Everest VS-18, VS-14 Heat Pump, VS-14 HP Slim and four C Series units.
Wellness is increasingly influencing how consumers choose travel and leisure experiences, with emerging trends around mental well-being, stress reduction and personal connection creating opportunities for the RV industry to position travel around outdoor recreation, relaxation and time with family and friends.
The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada (RVDA of Canada) announced that President Eleonore Hamm will retire effective Dec. 31, ending a 31-year career with the association during which she rose from executive assistant to president and helped lead the organization through industry advocacy efforts, economic challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic while representing Canadian RV dealers on national issues.
The Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada will host an Aug. 11 webinar featuring fixed operations consultant Sara Clements-Hey to help RV dealerships improve the profitability and efficiency of their parts departments through strategies aimed at strengthening fixed operations and dealership performance.
Registration is now open for the RV Technical Institute’s final Level 3 workshop of 2026, a two-day electronics specialty training program scheduled for Sept. 9-10 in Elkhart, Indiana, that will provide RV technicians with the required training hours for advanced diagnostics, troubleshooting and repair of RV electronic systems.
Virginia State Parks has expanded its accessibility program with the addition of an all-terrain wheelchair at First Landing State Park, bringing the total number of parks offering the mobility equipment to seven and increasing access to more than 5 miles of trails for visitors with mobility limitations.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting pre-application proposals for parks and outdoor recreation projects seeking funding through the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is accepting applications for $11 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to support park acquisition, development and rehabilitation projects across the state, with eligible applicants able to seek awards ranging from $150,000 to $2.5 million.
Construction to fully reconstruct the River Road bridge at High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville will begin July 6, closing the bridge and a section of the trail for about one month while maintaining public access to High Bridge and other portions of the trail.
The National RV Dealers Association has launched its 2026 Dealer Satisfaction Index survey, giving U.S. and Canadian dealers until Sept. 9 to evaluate the manufacturers and brands they represent across four areas critical to dealer operations: reliability and quality, parts support, warranty support and sales support.
Virginia State Parks will host a diverse lineup of outdoor concerts and music series this summer, offering visitors opportunities to enjoy live performances ranging from bluegrass and country to rock, symphony and contemporary music at park locations across the state from May through October.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has proclaimed May 31 as Dam Safety Awareness Day, drawing attention to the importance of maintaining and monitoring the Commonwealth’s more than 2,400 regulated dams amid concerns over aging infrastructure, changing weather patterns and increased downstream development.
Pocahontas State Park will launch the 2026 Pocahontas Premieres concert series on May 9 at the Heritage Amphitheater, featuring new musical acts, returning crowd favorites and the debut of season tickets that provide admission and free parking for all shows throughout the season.
The 28th Annual Eagle Festival will return to Mason Neck State Park on May 9, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing a full day of family-oriented programming centered on conservation, wildlife education and outdoor recreation in Northern Virginia.
Virginia State Parks will take part in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clean the Bay Day, a statewide volunteer initiative aimed at protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed through coordinated cleanup efforts across rivers, streams, and shorelines.
Strong customer engagement and heightened interest in real-time safety technology underscored growing demand for advanced tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) as TechnoRV reported a successful partnership with Road Tech following the Mid-America Trucking Show, held March 26–28 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) announced a legislative win for private campgrounds after Governor Tony Evers signed Wisconsin Act 117 into law, clarifying that personal property owned by seasonal campers in licensed campgrounds is exempt from real property tax.
The European Trade Fair for Tourism Trends (SETT) will mark a historic milestone at its 47th edition, November 3-5 at the Montpellier Exhibition Centre, with the launch of the “Sett Hospitality” brand and a dedicated hall for cafés, hotels, and restaurants.
The Virginia Natural Heritage Program will mark its 40th anniversary in 2026 with a series of expert-led hikes and events across the state, offering visitors opportunities this spring to restore river cane, view rare wildflowers and see Virginia’s earliest blooming orchid.
Governor Abigail Spanberger launched the centennial anniversary of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), celebrating a century of protecting the commonwealth’s natural landscapes and public lands.
Signature Park has reaffirmed its commitment to the Canadian outdoor hospitality industry by renewing its strategic sponsorships with the British Columbia Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) and the Canadian Camping and Recreational Vehicle Council (CCRVA).
Campground owners across the U.S. can now join OHI or their state association independently, following a major shift to a direct membership model. While the move sparked mixed reactions, both OHI and state leaders agree on one goal: supporting park owners through tailored benefits, advocacy, and collaboration.
June is Parks and Recreation Month, celebrating the numerous benefits of parks and outdoor recreation spaces. This initiative encourages communities to engage in diverse outdoor activities, promoting physical, mental, and community health while supporting economic growth and environmental sustainability.
USA Camping Company is elevating traditional campgrounds into resort-level destinations by acquiring and upgrading properties with enhanced amenities and community integration. Their growth strategy focuses on providing high-quality guest experiences, prime outdoor locations, and sustainable practices.
Luxe Glamp, an eco-friendly luxury dome glamping project, has begun construction in the Umm Al Quwain Mangrove Reserve, UAE, promising a sustainable and immersive stay experience. The project, attended by Sheikh Majid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, aims to blend luxury with environmental conservation, highlighting the UAE’s diverse tourism offerings.
National Powersports Auctions (NPA) has expanded its RV and Marine team by appointing Shannon Bennett as the RV+Marine sales and admin coordinator and promoting Tom Wilkinson to production supervisor for RV+Marine and Specialty Product. This strategic move aims to enhance service efficiency and support the growing demand in the RV and Marine industries.
Temporary road closures and changed parking conditions are set for the 2024 Let’s Go Queensland Caravan and Camping Supershow from May 30 to June 11. The event will feature the latest models of caravans, motorhomes, and camping equipment, hosted by over 200 exhibitors.
A recent Winnebago Industries survey reveals that more Americans are turning to outdoor activities for health benefits, with 71% acknowledging their positive impact on physical and mental well-being. The survey highlights a growing trend in outdoor participation, which supports increased demand in the RV industry.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro launches the “Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway” tourism initiative with a weeklong RV tour to promote the state’s attractions and boost its tourism industry. The campaign aims to draw millions of visitors, benefiting local businesses and the outdoor recreation sector.
Campsite reservations in BC Parks’ Okanagan region have decreased this year, with 1,400 reservations for the May long weekend compared to 1,600 last year. Despite this, most parks are fully booked, and several trails remain closed due to wildfire impacts and seasonal conditions.
The 12th annual RV Industry Power Breakfast at the RV/MH Hall of Fame witnessed its highest turnout ever, with industry leaders discussing the robust interest and emerging trends in the RV sector. Key talks highlighted increased outdoor activities spurred by the pandemic and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in enhancing customer experiences.
As the 2024 camping season begins, demand for local campsites in southern Ontario shows significant growth, with facilities like Whistle Bare Campground nearly fully booked. Campground operators are advised to optimize services and facilities in response to the increasing popularity of outdoor activities.