The post-pandemic camping hangover has arrived. Four years after a historic surge in outdoor travel, operators are facing a reality check: transient RV stays are softening. Driven by elevated fuel costs and general economic uncertainty, the modern camper is taking fewer, less diversified trips. Yet, instead of watching occupancy drop, proactive operators are rewriting their revenue playbooks—pivoting toward long-term renters, park models, and elevated guest experiences to maintain their bottom line.
Navigating the “Wobbly” Consumer
With economic anxiety limiting the frequency of short-term camping trips, campground operators are finding they must work harder to secure every booking.
“We’ve had to work for it is the best way to describe it,” Rafael Correa, president and CFO of Blue Water, said during the August 5 episode of MC Fireside Chats. While Blue Water’s portfolio remains up overall, Correa noted that the transient RV side is experiencing a distinct drag. He attributed this to consumer anxiety and high diesel prices, causing travelers to guard their pocketbooks.
Scott Bahr, president of Cairn Consulting Group, agreed that the market has become highly risk-averse. Where families previously needed multiple reasons to cancel a trip, it now only takes one friction point to keep them at home.
This hesitancy aligns with broader macroeconomic indicators. According to The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, the expectations sub-index came in at 74.7 — below the 80-point threshold economists treat as a recession signal, directly restricting discretionary travel budgets.
The Stabilization of Seasonal and Long-Term Stays
To combat the dip in weekend warriors and create a reliable revenue floor against fluctuating demand, many operators are leaning heavily into the extended-stay market.
McKay Quinn, president of Dwell Outdoor Hospitality, originally built his Western U.S. parks for transient guests but quickly realized the market demanded otherwise.
“We’re now building a business completely on the thesis of the fact that the U.S. consumer’s dollar is going less and less far,” Quinn said. He noted that 85% of Dwell’s revenue is now attributed to long-term stays, serving retirees downsizing into full-time RV living and workers seeking affordable housing alternatives.
Michael Moore, assistant executive director of the Texas Association of Campground Owners, added that this trend is expanding regionally, with extended-stay parks increasingly popping up around data centers and Amazon warehouses to house temporary workers.
This shift from traditional travel to alternative housing is highly visible in manufacturing pipelines. Recent shipment data from the RV Industry Association (RVIA) highlights this transition: while traditional towable RV shipments dropped 13.2% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026, Park Model RVs—which are predominantly utilized for seasonal and long-term placement—surged by 22.4%.
Creating Demand Through “Unreasonable Hospitality”
For properties that still rely on short-term and glamping guests, competing on basic amenities is no longer viable. Instead, operators must invest deeply in the guest journey to drive repeat bookings and generate organic demand.
Derry Green, founder of The Secret Garden Glamping in the UK, maintains a 100% occupancy rate booked up to two years in advance. Green achieved this not by having the most expensive units on the market, but by focusing entirely on the guest’s story and overall experience. He recently implemented a simple welcome initiative—handing guests a $4 glass of prosecco upon arrival—which immediately transformed the check-in experience.
“That little touch has made our repeat bookings up 72% on last year,” Green explained. “When you go on holiday, you will never tell me what color the curtains were… but you will tell me about the person on reception who really helped.”
Miguel Huerta, president of the Mexican Glamping Association, echoed that operators must return to marketing basics. By tightening expenses and actively manufacturing demand through targeted social media and experiential marketing, owners can justify their premium rates. This approach directly caters to the evolving traveler profile outlined in the KOA North American Camping Report, which reveals that a significant portion of new campers are prioritizing wellness, mental health, and the convenience of high-touch glamping over traditional, back-to-basics camping scenarios.
By either doubling down on the stability of long-term renters or elevating the transient experience to justify the trip, successful operators are proving that a wobbly market doesn’t have to mean a loss in profitability.
The full episode of this MC Fireside Chats broadcast is available at https://moderncampground.com/fireside-chats/mc-fireside-chats-august-5th-2026/.
About MC Fireside Chats
MC Fireside Chats is a live podcast experience dedicated to the outdoor hospitality and outdoor recreation industries. Hosted by Brian Searl, founder and CEO of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, the show offers engaging discussions with industry leaders, innovators, and experts shaping the future of camping, RVing, glamping, and outdoor recreation.
Airing every Wednesday at 2 p.m. (ET), the show follows a structured weekly theme to deliver deep dives into the most relevant topics:
- Week 1: Industry Trends & Insights
- Week 2: Enhancing Guest Experience
- Week 3: Business Operations & Management
- Week 4: Marketing, AI, and Technology
Each episode features a panel of recurring guests, complemented by 1–2 rotating special guests, including industry analysts, campground owners, technology providers, sustainability advocates, and more. Whether exploring the latest market trends or innovative guest experience strategies, MC Fireside Chats delivers thought-provoking insights for professionals and enthusiasts across the outdoor recreation spectrum.
To explore previous episodes of MC Fireside Chats, visit: moderncampground.com/mc-fireside-chats.