The Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA) is calling on RV parks and campgrounds to complete its July 2026 Occupancy Survey, saying the data will be used to monitor regional occupancy trends and support industry advocacy efforts.
The association said survey responses are compiled by region rather than by individual campground, and participant information is not shared with outside parties.
Operators who are unsure how to calculate occupancy can complete questions three and four of the survey, after which PCOA will calculate the occupancy rate on their behalf.
The association emphasized that respondents should include their region number because all reporting is organized by geographic region.
According to PCOA, the occupancy statistics are used to establish and forecast trends across the RV park and campground industry while also identifying patterns within specific regions.
The association said the data helps demonstrate the economic contributions that RV parks and campgrounds make to local and state economies.
The organization also said the survey findings support its government relations efforts. Occupancy statistics are used to demonstrate to government officials that additional public camping sites are not needed and to provide data that enables the association to speak “with knowledge and authority” when addressing the media.
PCOA said the information collected through the survey can also provide operational value for campground owners. The association noted that occupancy data can help establish the value of a park when owners are seeking to sell or refinance their property.
In addition, the association said the regional statistics can assist operators in discussions with local township or county commissioners by providing industry data to support their positions.
PCOA also said campground owners can use long-term occupancy trends to project camper nights with greater accuracy.
The association added that survey results can help businesses measure year-over-year performance and compare their occupancy trends with those experienced by other parks in the same region.
By analyzing regional data, operators can evaluate whether changes in their business reflect broader market conditions or are unique to their individual campground.