A significant shift is happening in how travelers plan their outdoor trips, with many choosing to wait until the last minute to reserve a campsite. A new report titled “Decoding Guest Patterns: Adapting to Shorter Booking Windows and Higher Expectations,” released by Modern Campground in partnership with Cairn Consulting Group, reveals that 38% of campers intend to shorten their booking window even further in 2026. This trend highlights a major change in consumer behavior that campground owners must understand to stay competitive.
The study gathered opinions from 1,200 campers and included detailed interviews to understand the reasons behind these changes. The data shows that financial caution is the biggest driver. Most families want to check their budgets before committing to a trip. Currently, about one in four campers waits until less than a week before their departure date to book a stay. This wait-and-see approach creates a challenge for travelers, as more than one-third of respondents reported they could not get a spot at their preferred private campground because they waited too long.
“Guests are not canceling their plans, but they are definitely being more careful with how they schedule them,” said Scott Bahr, president of Cairn Consulting Group. “They are willing to spend money, but they want to ensure the experience is worth the cost. This means they are looking for parks that align perfectly with their specific needs for that specific weekend, rather than booking a generic trip months in advance.”
When campers cannot find a spot at their first choice, they often turn to nearby parks or state campgrounds. Once they secure a location, their expectations are clear. The report highlights that guests prioritize friendly staff, clean bathrooms, and reliable Wi-Fi above almost everything else. They also want the ability to disconnect from stress without losing the comforts of modern infrastructure.
“This data proves that the old way of expecting months of advance bookings is fading,” said Brian Searl, founder and CEO of Modern Campground. “To succeed right now, park owners need to focus on flexibility. The booking process must be simple and fast for that guest who is looking for a spot just a few days away. If you make it hard for them to book last minute, they will simply move on to the next option.”
This report is the latest edition of the MC Hospitality Highlights series, which provides the outdoor hospitality industry with monthly data-driven insights. The series is designed to help campground operators make smarter decisions based on what guests actually want, helping businesses improve guest satisfaction and revenue.
To access the full report and see all the findings, visit Modern Campground. For questions about the research or to discuss future topics, contact Brian Searl at brian@insiderperks.com or 216-232-3105.
About Cairn Consulting Group
Cairn Consulting Group is a market research firm dedicated to helping organizations make smarter business decisions through data-driven insights. The company focuses on providing comprehensive understanding of customer demographics, preferences, and competitor performance to guide strategic planning. By offering a blend of market analysis and feasibility consulting, they assist businesses in crafting effective strategies for growth and long-term success.
The firm specializes in primary market research with a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis and specific expertise in qualitative research. Their core service offerings include comprehensive market analysis, feasibility consulting, and research tailored for marketing strategy and product development. Technical capabilities include research study design, questionnaire development, focus groups, pricing development research, and advanced data modeling techniques such as Discrete Choice Modeling and MaxDiff Analysis.
They also provide specific services for the outdoor hospitality sector, such as assessing site potential and financial viability for new developments. Cairn Consulting Group has extensive experience working across a broad spectrum of industries, including retail, manufacturing, and general real estate. However, the firm maintains a significant specialization in the outdoor hospitality sector, explicitly serving campgrounds, RV parks, and glamping businesses.
Additional sectors of focus include hotels, casinos, integrated resort developments, and tourism. Geographically, they support projects throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The firm employs a team of seasoned professionals with extensive experience across various industries and operates on a client-centric model. Their authority in the field is highlighted by their connection to major industry publications, such as the 2025 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report by Kampgrounds of America (KOA), which builds on over a decade of research.
Furthermore, they claim a proven track record of helping clients achieve measurable improvements in market understanding and competitiveness. Cairn Consulting Group distinguishes itself through a holistic approach that manages the entire research process, from initial data collection to detailed reporting.
Unlike firms that may rely solely on existing data, Cairn emphasizes primary research to provide tailored, original insights specific to a client’s objectives. Their ability to combine general market research rigor with deep, niche expertise in outdoor hospitality allows them to offer specialized validation for investments in that growing sector.
About Modern Campground
Modern Campground was created in 2021 to provide a dedicated news source for the outdoor hospitality industry. We are focused on covering outdoor hospitality news that matters to RV park owners, campground owners, glamping resort owners, their team members, as well as industry suppliers, and anyone else involved in the outdoor hospitality industry. Inside the pages of Modern Campground, you will find carefully curated campground news, RV park news, glamping news, and more from around the world, sorted into easy-to-navigate sections based primarily on location.
You will also find original articles that are written by our team or by columnists whose names you will often recognize as leaders in the outdoor hospitality industry. It is our hope that you become a regular reader, subscribe to our email newsletters, and truly find value in the content we are writing. We will strive to continuously improve and to always be your comprehensive resource to understand what impacts your RV park, campground, or outdoor resort as well as tell the stories of other owners and suppliers just like you.
About MC Hospitality Highlights
The MC Hospitality Highlights is a monthly report series launched in January 2024 by Modern Campground and Cairn Consulting Group. Each edition delves into a critical topic impacting the outdoor hospitality industry, providing data-driven insights and practical guidance for campground operators. The series aims to empower the industry with actionable information to enhance guest experiences, drive revenue, and foster innovation.