What Campers Really Want: Trends from 2025

What Campers Really Want Next Season: Trends From 2025 Reservations

When the busy season winds down and the last fire crackles out, campground owners everywhere do the same thing: take a breath, look back, and wonder what to improve before campers roll in again. Good news, we dug into booking patterns across Set Your Sites campgrounds and pulled out the trail markers pointing toward what campers want most in 2025.

Below are the clearest trends we’re seeing, plus simple steps you can take to meet campers where they’re headed.

1. Campers Want Faster Check-In — The Simpler, the Better

Traditional check-in windows are fading fast. Campers are almost universally asking for a smoother arrival.

What stood out:

• Most campers don’t want to stop at a front office
• After-dark arrivals are becoming more common
• QR check-ins are getting praised in campground reviews
• Campers like not having to download an app

How to meet this trend:
Offer self-service check-in using a QR code at your entrance. Post it where the headlights hit it. Keep the welcome message short. When check-in takes 15 seconds, guests feel like they’re already camping — not doing paperwork.

2. People Are Booking Later Than Ever

In 2025, last-minute booking behavior surged. Spontaneous weekend trips are becoming the norm, especially among younger campers.

What we noticed:

• A huge portion of bookings happens within 72 hours
• Rainy weekends can tank reservations, sunny ones spike them
• “Overflow campsites” and flexible add-ons fill in surprisingly well

How to meet this trend:
Update your availability daily. Promote “last-minute openings” on social. Keep a couple of sites ready for drop-ins if your campground setup allows it.

3. Campers Are Prioritizing Clean, Clear Information

Not fancy graphics. Not pages of text. Just clarity.

Campers consistently respond well to:

• Quick lists of amenities
• Photos of each site
• Clear rules (quiet hours, pets, fires)
• A simple map
• Prices they don’t have to hunt for

How to meet this trend:
Add a short “What to Know Before You Arrive” section on your reservation page or QR check-in page. The fewer surprises, the happier the camper.

4. Wi-Fi Isn’t a Dealbreaker… But Communication Is

Even campers who don’t care about Wi-Fi still care about communication.

What 2025 showed:

• Campers want text updates about weather, fire bans, or closures
• Campgrounds that sent automated confirmations had fewer no-shows
• People appreciate knowing what’s open (showers, trails, firewood)

How to meet this trend:
Use automated email or text confirmations. Even a single update before arrival makes guests feel prepared and looked after.

5. Campers Want Campgrounds That Feel Personal

This trend surprised us — “personal” doesn’t mean more staff or more touchpoints. Campers want campgrounds that feel human, not corporate.

Based on reviews and survey responses, “personal” looks like:

• A friendly tone in your confirmation emails
• A welcome sign that feels handcrafted
• A clean site that shows care
• Optional add-ons (firewood, ice, s’mores kits) that feel thoughtful

How to meet this trend:
Don’t overthink it. Little gestures go a long way. A simple welcome text or trail recommendation can turn someone into a repeat guest.

6. Repeat Campers Want Easy Rebooking

This one is huge. We’re seeing an explosion of campers who return to the same place year after year — but they want rebooking to be frictionless.

What helps:

• A “Book Again” button in your registration system
• A short reminder before peak seasons
• A loyalty perk (early access to holiday weekends, for example)

How to meet this trend:
Use the off-season to send a friendly “Book your favorite spot early” message. Campers like feeling invited back.

Quick Wins for Next Season

If you only do a few things before next spring, make it these:

1. Simplify check-in
2. Add clear info to your reservation page
3. Fix or update your site photos
4. Send automated confirmations
5. Create a “returning camper” perk

Frequently Asked Questions

What campground upgrades matter most to campers?

Easy check-in, clean bathrooms, clear information, and site photos.

Do campers expect Wi-Fi now?

Not always. But they do expect good communication if something changes.

How far in advance are campers booking in 2025?

Many campers book within 72 hours — last-minute trips are trending.

What small improvements have the biggest impact?

A clean site, simple check-in, and a friendly tone throughout the experience.