A Campground's Guide to the Thanksgiving Holiday Rush
Air travel smashed records last Thanksgiving – and 2025 is on track to be even bigger. Cirium, an aviation analytics company, reports that bookings made June 20 to October 8 are up compared to 2024 – about 2% for Thanksgiving travel and roughly 1% for Christmas (Cirium, 2025). AAA’s holiday forecast counted almost 80 million travelers over the 2024 Thanksgiving window, and early airline booking data shows this year’s Thanksgiving trips already trending higher than last year, with Christmas week ticking up too (CBS News, 2025). Travelers aren’t just moving – they’re spending. A holiday spending report shows roughly $311 billion flowing into flights and hotels this season, averaging about $2,586 per traveler – nearly $260 more than last year (NerdWallet, 2025).
This holiday travel surge means travelers looking for roomy, drive-to stays, flexible check-ins, and space to gather – exactly where well-run campgrounds and RV parks shine. For outdoor businesses, that signals headroom to upsell premium sites and cozy cabins, bundle experiences, and meet higher expectations with confident pricing.
Holiday Travelers Keep Spending
The RV Industry Association reported that last year, around 9 million Americans planned to RV for Thanksgiving week alone, and roughly 21 million by RV across the holiday season (RVIA, 2024). Meanwhile, campers keep spending. Kampgrounds of America’s 2025 industry report found $61B in camping spend in 2024, with average daily spend hitting $200 per household. Glampers spent around $251/day and Gen Z campers around $266/day (KOA, 2025). This clearly shows that guests still love low-cost experiences – campfires, hiking, nature walks – but will pay for comfort, convenience and weather-resilient accommodations.
Who your Thanksgiving Guests Are- and What they Want
Americans are flocking to the outdoors for Thanksgiving, but preparing to host them requires a different strategy than your summer season. Understanding your guests is the first step. The data shows they aren’t just solo adventurers; they are high-value, family-oriented travelers.
Who They Are: They are often Millennial families (30s-40s) with young children, or multi-generational groups (grandparents, parents, and kids) looking for a central, neutral, and activity-rich place to meet (KOA, 2025).
Who They Travel With: Families and small, organized “friendsgiving” groups are the primary-booking demographics.
How Much They Spend: They are not budget-focused campers. They are paying for experience and convenience. They are less price-sensitive and more focused on amenities, comfort, and creating memories. They will gladly pay for premium sites and, most importantly, warm, comfortable accommodations.
What They Want: Their goal is connection. They plan to cook a full Thanksgiving meal, whether in their RV or in a cabin. They are looking for communal fire pits, easy hiking trails, and cozy spaces to watch football or play board games.
"Turkey-Day-Ready" Business Checklist
Capturing this market means shifting to “cozy and open”, meaning preparations must focus on comfort and creating a festive, communal atmosphere.
1. Site and Utility Preparedness
Your number one priority is ensuring a safe and comfortable stay, even if a cold snap hits.
- Heated Water Supply: Ensure all operational RV sites have heated tap water.
- Clear and Safe Access: Roads and pathways must be clear of autumn debris (leaves, branches) which can become slip-and-slide hazards when wet or frosty.
- 4-Season Hookups: Double-check that your electrical pedestals are in perfect working order, as guests will be running heaters, slow cookers, and electric roasters – all at the same time.
- Propane & Firewood: Stockpile firewood, sell it in convenient bundles, and ensure your on-site propane refilling station is full and functional.
2. Create the “Big Meal” Experience
They are here for Thanksgiving, so help them with the main event.
- Communal Cooking: If you have a clubhouse or event pavilion, market it as the “Communal Potluck Hub.”
- “Turkey Kit” Add-Ons: Partner with a local bakery for a “pie pre-order” service. Offer “Turkey Day” bundles upon check-in with firewood, a local cider, and a “s’mores” kit for dessert.
- For the RVers: Can you rent out or provide turkey fryers or smokers in a designated, safe area? This is a huge value-add.
3. Foster the Festive Vibe
These guests are prepared to pay for “experience”.
- Simple Decor: A few autumn wreaths, some tasteful string lights, and strategically placed fire pits with seating will go a long way.
- Easy Activities: Organize a simple “scavenger hunt” for kids for a fun-filled day.
- Communicate: Send a “Thanksgiving Guide” email to all booked guests with local attractions, your activity schedule, and a reminder to book their “Turkey Kit.”
4. Flexible Arrivals & Late Checkouts
- Since Thanksgiving this year falls on a Thursday, why not prepare to accommodate early arrivals on Wednesday and possible late checkouts on Sunday. Promote “early bird Wednesday” and “leftovers-and-late checkout Sunday.”
Make the Weather a Feature (not the Barrier)
The biggest barrier for holiday campers is the weather. Tents are cold, but guests will happily camp in November if accommodations are warm, bathrooms are toasty, and porches are usable in shoulder weather.
The solution? Premium, temperature-controlled, all-weather cabins.
Cabins are the bridge that allows you to capture all the demographics: the RV-less families, the grandparents who need comfort, and the “glamping” young camper.
The best part? An investment in cabins for Thanksgiving pays dividends immediately. You are now perfectly positioned to sell out for Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day, capturing premium holiday rates for the next three months.
What Every Group Needs
When choosing these accommodations, think about your target guest’s needs:
- For Couples and Small Families: You need a high-end, luxurious option. The Signature Series model from Vacavia Cottages and Cabins is a perfect example, offering a luxurious, five-star hotel feel in a compact, efficient layout that wows guests.
- For Multi-Generational Families: The problem is space and privacy. Grandparents don’t want to share a single room with noisy kids. The solution is a Triplex or Duplex cabin. These brilliant designs give each family unit its own private quarters and bathroom, all equipped with a kitchenette, keeping the family together but not on top of each other.
- For “Friendsgiving” Groups: To maximize your profitability per square foot, the Blue Ridge Landing, a bunkhouse model, is essential. This cabin is specifically designed to sleep larger groups comfortably and is an easy “yes” for friends splitting the cost.
- The All-Weather “Must-Have”: Any model you choose should feature screened-in porches. This makes a huge difference for holiday camping. A screened-in porch offers protection from the elements – wind, rain, and even late-season insects – while still giving guests the outdoor connection they crave. It’s a second living room, a dining room, and a protected storage area all in one. See all our models with the option to put screened-in porches here.
Conclusion: Be Their New Tradition
The Thanksgiving tradition has changed. Families and other groups are actively searching for a place that feels like home, but with a better view, this Thanksgiving and beyond. By preparing your site and fostering a festive community, you are not just selling a three-night stay; you are offering a place to build a new tradition. And that is a business that will thrive in any season.
References:
Cirium. (2025). The Monthly On-Time Performance Report – October 2025. https://www.cirium.com/thoughtcloud/cirium-monthly-on-time-performance-reports/
CBS News. (2025). The 2025 holiday season could break travel records again. Here’s when to book your plans. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/holiday-season-2025-travel-book-plans/
NerdWallet. (2025). 2025 Holiday Spending Report. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/studies/holiday-spending-report
RV Industry Association. (2024). Twenty-One Million Americans Plan To Travel By RV This Holiday Season. https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/twenty-one-million-americans-plan-travel-rv-holiday-season
Kampgrounds of America (KOA). (2025). 2025 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report. http://koa.uberflip.com/i/1534018-2025-koa-camping-outdoor-hospitality-report-vlr/0?