Grow Your Outdoor Business This May - Here’s Why
As the air turns warmer in May and the days grow longer, the whisper of summer vacation grows louder. Most summer camps start as early as mid-May to late June, right when many begin to turn their attention to the great outdoors and plan their summer escapes that reconnect them with nature (USA Summer Camp, n.d.). For campgrounds, RV parks and other businesses in the outdoor hospitality, this presents an ideal window for expansion and improvement.
The outdoor hospitality industry continues to experience a remarkable boom over the past five years, according to Kamprground of America’s (KOA) 2025 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report (KOA, 2025). The report said that the outdoor industry is expected to stabilize in 2025, as around 11 million more households went camping in 2024 compared to 2019, and many campers return to camping after participating in other forms of travel, along with new campers.
There’s an Increasing Demand for Campsites
This surge in old and new campers translates directly to heightened demand for campsites and RV spaces. In fact, 56.1% of campers in 2024 reported difficulties in booking campsites due to high occupancy, a figure nearing the peak recorded in 2022, according to The Dyrt’s 2025 Camping Report (The Dyrt, 2025). This ongoing surge in demand makes one thing clear: build it, and customers will come;
"Build it better and even more will follow."
Seizing Opportunity in Unmet Demand
Outdoor recreation remains a booming sector in the United States, with the outdoor recreation contributing $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2023 and supporting over 5 million jobs (Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, 2024). Within this, RVing and camping are two of the fastest-growing niches.
The rising interest in outdoor activities and the demand for comfortable, accessible amenities, paired with the sustained difficulty campers face in securing reservations are clear signals of unmet demand. Expanding your number of campground accommodations or RV pads, adding glamping options, or improving existing sites with features like full hookups, reliable Wi-Fi, and updated bathhouses directly address these demands. Investing now positions your business to capture a larger share of this growing market.
The Strategic Advantages of a May Expansion
So, why May? According to the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), nearly 80% of annual campground revenue is generated between Memorial Day and Labor Day (ARVC, 2023). That makes May a crucial month for last-minute upgrades or strategic expansions that will be ready to welcome the surge of summer travelers. Paul Bambei, ARVC’s president and CEO, said that “timing is everything in outdoor hospitality”, and further added that “those who prepare in May are the ones who maximize revenue and guest satisfaction come June” (ARVC, 2023).
This month also acts as a “shoulder season” – the sweet spot between the quieter off-season and the full-throttle summer rush.
Pre-Peak Preparedness:
While Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, early May can still offer a slightly reduced visitor count compared to July or August. This provides a valuable window to undertake construction, introduce new amenities, or complete significant renovations with minimal disruption to your current guests. Imagine having sparkling new facilities ready just as the summer crowds arrive, rather than facing construction headaches during your busiest period.
Ideal Weather for Construction and Setup:
May’s moderate weather makes it one of the most efficient months for outdoor construction and landscaping. Across much of the U.S., the ground is dry enough for site development, yet temperatures remain cool enough to allow contractors and staff to work comfortably and efficiently. Moreover, permitting offices and local suppliers are typically less overwhelmed in May compared to the summer rush, allowing faster processing of licenses, materials, and delivery schedules.
Boost Your Visibility with Timely Marketing:
A May expansion also aligns perfectly with summer marketing cycles. Data from Google Trends consistently shows a surge in searches for “campgrounds near me,” “RV park reservations,” and “glamping stays” starting in May and peaking in mid-July up to August.
By launching your upgrades now, you can highlight new amenities in email blasts, social media posts, and booking platforms- maximizing your property’s visibility when guests are actively planning their vacations.
Practical Improvements to Consider This May
Here are high-impact upgrades to consider this month:
- Install additional modular park models for more guests.
- Expand your RV hook-up capacity to meet rising demand.
- Modernize restrooms and communal areas to enhance guest experience.
- Add glamping cabins to attract younger, trend-conscious travelers.
- Upgrade your website and booking system to streamline guest reservations.
Act Now with Vacavia's “10 for $250K” Park Model Deal
To help outdoor businesses capitalize on this key growth window, Vacavia Cottages & Cabins is offering a limited-time promotion: 10 park model units (the Suwanee River model) for just $250,000. Designed to be installed quickly and built to last, these modular units are perfect for expanding your capacity with minimal overhead.
Whether you’re preparing for Memorial Day guests or future-proofing your site for long-term growth, there’s never been a better time to act.
Ready to Grow?
Don’t wait until summer is halfway over to realize you could’ve doubled your earnings. Let Vacavia help you take your outdoor business to the next level this May.
Visit www.vacavia.com or contact our team to learn how you can upgrade your park with affordable, durable park models designed for outdoor hospitality success.
References:
USA Summer Camp. n.d. How Long Does Camp in America Last? https://www.usasummercamp.com/how-long-does-camp-in-america-last
Kampgrounds of America (KOA). 2025. 2025 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report. https://koa.com/north-american-camping-report/
The Dyrt. 2025. More than half of campers report difficulty booking campsites because they are sold out. https://thedyrt.com/press/more-than-half-of-campers-report-difficulty-booking-campsites-because-they-are-sold-out/
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. 2024. New Data Shows Outdoor Recreation is a $1.2 Trillion Economic Engine, Supporting 5 Million American Jobs. https://recreationroundtable.org/news/new-data-shows-outdoor-recreation-is-a-1-2-trillion-economic-engine-supporting-5-million-american-jobs/
ARVC. 2023. National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) 2023 Industry Outlook Report. https://ohi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/20251_ARVC-2023_Industry-Outlook-Findings-4-1.pdf
