Outdoor Hospitality News
For owners, operators, team members, and anyone else interested in camping, glamping, or the RV industry.
News for May 27, 2026
Insider Perks has launched CampVantage Connect, a WordPress plugin designed to automate search engine optimization and AI-readiness for campground and RV park websites, as the outdoor hospitality industry adapts to growing use of AI-driven travel search and booking tools.
La Hilir, an exclusive-use glamping retreat in Negeri Sembilan, was developed over nearly a decade using low-impact construction methods, reclaimed materials, and a design strategy centered on preserving the surrounding forest landscape.
Mleiha’s recent UNESCO World Heritage recognition is expected to strengthen demand for heritage-driven outdoor hospitality experiences in the UAE, as operators increasingly focus on cultural tourism and low-impact desert accommodations.
An emerging generation of campers is reshaping outdoor hospitality, pushing campground operators to evolve into experience-driven “outdoor hotels” that address younger travelers’ desire for nature alongside their lack of traditional camping knowledge and growing demand for curated, hospitality-focused experiences.
NRMA Parks and Resorts has renewed its partnership with Queensland Music Festival to support the 2026 Queensland Music Trails: The Reef series, which will bring the “Between the Tides” concert event to Airlie Beach on July 4 as part of efforts to boost regional tourism and travel along Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef coastline.
Coachella Lakes RV Resort in California has been named one of The Dyrt’s 2026 Best Places to RV, earning recognition among thousands of campgrounds nationwide for its guest experience, amenities, service and location near popular Southern California destinations, according to an announcement from the resort.
The Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association has named App My Community its 2026 Supplier of the Year, citing positive feedback from campground and RV park operators who use the mobile platform to manage guest communications, automate messaging and integrate with reservation and operational systems.
Lagoon Ranch Luxury RV & Cabin Resort on Lake Livingston in Texas will host a Fourth of July weekend program July 3–5, featuring family activities, live entertainment, and lakefront events about 90 minutes from Houston.
A National Trust proposal to diversify the Gupton Farm campsite near Freshwater West with seasonal landpods and additional campervan pitches is expected to receive approval from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners in June.
The RV Industry Emerging Leaders Coalition is inviting applications for its next cohort, offering RV professionals access to leadership development, mentorship and networking opportunities aimed at advancing careers across the sector. Applications are due June 30.
Interest in astro-tourism experiences and heightened consumer attention to health and cleanliness concerns are emerging as key drivers shaping recreational vehicle travel trends this summer, according to industry observations released ahead of National Go RVing Day on June 13.
Billings KOA Holiday has renewed its Certified Autism Center designation through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), reinforcing its ongoing efforts to create an inclusive camping environment for autistic and sensory-sensitive guests through expanded staff training and accessibility-focused amenities.
The Dyrt has named 10 RV parks and campgrounds as the best places to RV in 2026, highlighting destinations across the United States that earned top marks from campers for their amenities, cleanliness, customer service and access to outdoor attractions.
Here are a few options for the WordPress Excerpt, ranging from more concise to slightly more detailed, keeping in mind the need to be informative and enticing:
**Option 1 (Concise & Direct):**
“Strategizing new RV park developments or acquisitions amidst economic shifts? Tune into Modern Campground’s MC Fireside Chats on June 3, 2 PM ET. Experts will dissect current viability, funding challenges, and offer strategies for securing your outdoor hospitality ventures.”
**Option 2 (Benefit-Focused):**
“Unravel the complexities of RV park development and funding in today’s economy. Join Modern Campground’s MC Fireside Chats on June 3 at 2 PM ET as experts offer crucial insights and actionable strategies to align your vision with market demands and navigate financial landscapes.”
**Option 3 (Highlighting Speakers/Topics):**
“Don’t miss MC Fireside Chats on June 3 at 2 PM ET! Ed O. Bridgman and Paul Bosley join a panel of experts to dissect RV park development trends, funding challenges, and economic impacts, providing vital strategies for outdoor hospitality owners.”
—
**Recommendation:** I’d lean towards **Option 1**. It’s concise, asks a question that resonates with the target audience, clearly states the topic, date/time, and promises valuable takeaways.
RVs Move America Week 2026 will begin May 31 in Washington, D.C., bringing together recreational vehicle industry leaders, manufacturers, suppliers and dealers for a week of advocacy meetings focused on tariffs, public lands policy, tax legislation and congressional support for the RV industry.
Southern Aire RV Resort in Thonotosassa has received a 2026 Best Park Award from the Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association, recognizing the 432-site resort for excellence in operations, guest satisfaction and its contributions to the outdoor hospitality industry.
Sugar Loaf Key RV Resort & Cottages in Summerland Key has been named a recipient of the 2026 Best Park Award from the Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association, recognizing the property’s performance in operations, guest service, facility maintenance and overall guest experience.
Lagoon Ranch RV Resort in Onalaska, Texas, is positioning itself as an alternative lodging option for travelers attending major summer soccer matches in Houston, encouraging visitors to stay outside the city while remaining within reach of event venues.
Camp Ilijin Vir, a family-operated campground in Montenegro, has been named a finalist in the European Responsible Tourism Awards 2026, recognizing its sustainability initiatives and community-focused approach to outdoor hospitality.
Coachella Lakes RV Resort in California has been named one of The Dyrt’s 2026 Best Places to RV, earning recognition among thousands of campgrounds nationwide for its guest experience, amenities, service and location near popular Southern California destinations, according to an announcement from the resort.
Lagoon Ranch RV Resort in Onalaska, Texas, is positioning itself as an alternative lodging option for travelers attending major summer soccer matches in Houston, encouraging visitors to stay outside the city while remaining within reach of event venues.
Coachella Lakes RV Resort in California has been named one of The Dyrt’s 2026 Best Places to RV, earning recognition among thousands of campgrounds nationwide for its guest experience, amenities, service and location near popular Southern California destinations, according to an announcement from the resort.
The Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association has named App My Community its 2026 Supplier of the Year, citing positive feedback from campground and RV park operators who use the mobile platform to manage guest communications, automate messaging and integrate with reservation and operational systems.
Lagoon Ranch Luxury RV & Cabin Resort on Lake Livingston in Texas will host a Fourth of July weekend program July 3–5, featuring family activities, live entertainment, and lakefront events about 90 minutes from Houston.
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.
The Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership has received a $500,000 Talent Recruitment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to launch a workforce relocation and retention initiative aimed at attracting out-of-state professionals, families and remote workers to Marathon County through relocation incentives, employer partnerships and quality-of-life marketing efforts.
Campground Views powered by RecPro has launched an upgraded trip-planning platform for RV travelers, introducing expanded campground search tools, RV-safe routing, and thousands of interactive virtual campsite tours as part of a broader push to streamline campground discovery and reservation planning.
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 Dyrt has released a Pacific Coast Highway road trip and camping guide outlining route details, campground recommendations and planning considerations for travelers along the West Coast corridor, including a suggested two- to three-week itinerary across the 1,650-mile stretch from Port Angeles to San Diego
Here are a few options for the WordPress Excerpt, ranging from more concise to slightly more detailed, keeping in mind the need to be informative and enticing:
**Option 1 (Concise & Direct):**
“Strategizing new RV park developments or acquisitions amidst economic shifts? Tune into Modern Campground’s MC Fireside Chats on June 3, 2 PM ET. Experts will dissect current viability, funding challenges, and offer strategies for securing your outdoor hospitality ventures.”
**Option 2 (Benefit-Focused):**
“Unravel the complexities of RV park development and funding in today’s economy. Join Modern Campground’s MC Fireside Chats on June 3 at 2 PM ET as experts offer crucial insights and actionable strategies to align your vision with market demands and navigate financial landscapes.”
**Option 3 (Highlighting Speakers/Topics):**
“Don’t miss MC Fireside Chats on June 3 at 2 PM ET! Ed O. Bridgman and Paul Bosley join a panel of experts to dissect RV park development trends, funding challenges, and economic impacts, providing vital strategies for outdoor hospitality owners.”
—
**Recommendation:** I’d lean towards **Option 1**. It’s concise, asks a question that resonates with the target audience, clearly states the topic, date/time, and promises valuable takeaways.
Award-winning glamping and sustainable lodging operators in the Lake District and Cumbria are drawing attention as domestic travel demand continues to support the UK outdoor hospitality sector ahead of the 2026 summer season.
The AGA Glamping Business Spotlight will return Wednesday, May 27, at 10 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, with organizers shifting the format to a more conversational session described as “less presentation, more conversation.”
Mleiha’s recent UNESCO World Heritage recognition is expected to strengthen demand for heritage-driven outdoor hospitality experiences in the UAE, as operators increasingly focus on cultural tourism and low-impact desert accommodations.
CAMP Door County has opened a new mountain bike trail in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, launching the first phase of a multi-stage trail development project aimed at expanding outdoor recreation amenities and strengthening the campground’s appeal to mountain biking visitors in Door County.
Outdoor hospitality is undergoing a structural shift as operators, designers, and developers increasingly move beyond traditional RV park and campground models toward immersive, story-driven destinations that prioritize experience over lodging alone, a theme explored during a recent MC Fireside Chats episode hosted by Modern Campground and moderated by Brian Searl.
Join Modern Campground’s MC Fireside Chats on May 27th at 2 PM ET as special guest Amber Simpson reveals her “Roasted Marshmallow Method™.” Discover a revolutionary approach to digital storytelling, moving beyond amenities to craft unforgettable experiences that evoke emotion and deeply connect with all campers, from glampers to big-rig travelers.
A Liverpool short-term accommodation operator is considering expanding an urban glamping-style concept in the Baltic Triangle after relaunching refurbished cabin and caravan rentals that have seen strong booking demand in recent weeks.
Interest in astro-tourism experiences and heightened consumer attention to health and cleanliness concerns are emerging as key drivers shaping recreational vehicle travel trends this summer, according to industry observations released ahead of National Go RVing Day on June 13.
The Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association will host a free webinar on June 10 to help RV dealers better understand dealer reinsurance and identify strategies to improve financial performance as dealerships face margin pressure, rising operating costs and continued market uncertainty.
OHI has appointed Tristan Ciceri, president of Electrical Works, to the National Electrical Code’s Code-Making Panel 7, giving the outdoor hospitality industry representation on electrical code issues affecting RV parks, campgrounds and glamping businesses as the sector prepares for the introduction of Ground Monitor Interrupters in new RVs next year.
Go RVing is expanding its RV-2-50 initiative with new curated itineraries aimed at promoting RV travel across the United States in alignment with major upcoming cultural milestones, including America’s 250th anniversary, the 100th anniversary of Route 66, and a major international soccer tournament.
Recreational vehicle shipments fell 17.4% year over year in April as a sharp decline in towable RV shipments outweighed gains in motorhomes and Park Model RVs, with manufacturers shipping 29,209 units during the month compared with 35,375 units in April 2025, according to the latest survey from the RV Industry Association.
Leaders from the recreational vehicle industry outlined new data-driven marketing initiatives and technician training efforts during RVBusiness’ 2026 Power Breakfast, where representatives from Go RVing and the RV Technical Institute detailed strategies aimed at improving consumer engagement and expanding the certified RV technician workforce amid growing competition in the travel sector.
Six students at Littleton Public Schools have earned Level 1 certifications through the RV Technical Institute following the completion of the first semester-long RV technician training program at the district’s EPIC Campus, marking a new effort to build a pipeline of skilled service technicians for the RV industry.
Aboard has raised a total of $13 million after closing a Pre-Series A funding round led by Ondine Capital and Llama Ventures, as the Southern California startup advances its extended-range electric travel trailer toward mass production and prepares for its public launch later this month in Denver.
TechnoRV and Paragon Events announced the launch of The GathrRing Rally Experience, a new premium RV rally series scheduled for October 2026 that aims to deliver a smaller, community-focused alternative to traditional large-scale RV gatherings.
RV Industry Association is encouraging attendees of RVs Move America Week to download the EventMobi mobile application ahead of the conference in Washington, D.C., as the association prepares to use the platform for schedules, event updates, networking, and real-time notifications during the annual industry gathering.
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).
CampLife will host a free webinar on Remote Meter Reading for campgrounds on February 5 at 11 a.m. EST, featuring Wild Energy and Kim Mulkey, property manager at University Station RV Resort, who will share her experience using the technology.
State parks across Virginia will mark New Year’s Day 2026 with statewide First Day Hikes, offering visitors free parking and a range of guided and self-guided outdoor activities. The annual initiative, led by America’s State Parks, invites hikers of all skill levels to explore Virginia State Parks on Jan. 1 while kicking off the year with outdoor recreation.
Staunton River Battlefield State Park is lighting up the holiday season with the return of its annual Lighting of the Bridge event, featuring new decorations, festive activities, and family-friendly fun from Dec. 12–14.
Bear Creek Lake State Park is set to sparkle once again as the annual Lights at the Lake returns for its 11th year, offering families a festive drive-through display of holiday lights, community exhibits, and seasonal activities on December 5-7 and 12-14.
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.