The Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA) is urging RV parks and campgrounds to complete their May 2026 occupancy survey, emphasizing the role the data plays in tracking industry trends and supporting advocacy efforts on behalf of campground operators.
According to the association, campground owners who are uncertain how to calculate occupancy can complete questions three and four of the survey, with PCOA staff determining the occupancy figures from the information provided.
The association also stressed the importance of including a region number when submitting survey responses. PCOA said all reports are compiled and analyzed by region rather than by individual campground.
PCOA stated that information submitted through the survey is not shared with outside parties and is used to develop industry statistics and trend analyses.
The occupancy statistics help establish and predict trends within the RV park and campground sector while also identifying patterns at the regional level. The data is used to support claims regarding the economic contributions RV parks and campgrounds make to local and state economies.
PCOA noted that the statistics are also used when communicating with government officials. According to the association, the information helps demonstrate that additional public camping sites may not be necessary in certain areas.
The organization said occupancy data also strengthens its ability to communicate with media outlets by providing industry-specific information and supporting its positions with documented trends.
For campground owners, PCOA said the survey results can serve several business purposes. The association indicated that occupancy statistics may help operators establish the value of their properties when seeking to sell or refinance a park.
The data can also support campground owners in discussions with local government officials, including township and county commissioners, by providing information about industry performance and regional trends.
Operators can use historical occupancy trends to project future camper nights with greater accuracy and assess year-over-year business performance.
The association added that regional occupancy data allows campground owners to compare their operations with broader market conditions and determine whether their parks are experiencing trends similar to those of other campgrounds in the same area.