RV Resort Industry Complete Guide

The RV resort industry represents a significant and growing segment of outdoor hospitality. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about RV resorts, from understanding the industry to starting your own successful RV resort business.

Whether you're considering developing an RV resort, investing in existing properties, or expanding operations, this guide provides essential insights and information.

Sage Outdoor Advisory has extensive experience in the RV resort industry, having completed feasibility studies and appraisals for major RV resort developments nationwide, including projects like Margaritaville RV Resort in Florida and Verde Ranch RV Resort in Arizona.

An RV resort is a premium outdoor hospitality property designed specifically for recreational vehicles (RVs). RV resorts offer enhanced amenities, services, and facilities compared to traditional RV parks, targeting travelers seeking premium RV experiences.

Key characteristics of RV resorts include:

• Premium, spacious RV sites with full hookups
• Extensive amenities (pools, clubhouses, recreation facilities)
• High-quality landscaping and design
• Professional management and services
• Premium pricing relative to basic RV parks

The RV resort industry continues to grow, despite setbacks following the 2020–2022 Covid-driven boom. As with almost every industry, the outdoor hospitality segment has experienced increases in development costs and a softening in demand, as evidenced by declining revenue per room starting in 2023. This is primarily due to strong inflation, higher interest rates, and greater economic uncertainty impacting consumer confidence in discretionary spending.

The following is Sage Outdoor Advisory's assessment of the state of the RV resort industry. For a comprehensive overview of the broader outdoor hospitality industry trends, see our 2025 Outdoor Hospitality Industry Overview blog post.

Tailwinds and Green Lights

The biggest tailwind propelling the RV resort industry forward is growing consumer preference. This drives all other factors forward. The following trends are apparent across the entire hospitality industry:

• Unique Stays: One-of-a-kind experiences that are authentic and cannot be easily replicated
• Shareable: Experiences that are highly shareable on social media
• Nature Immersion: Nature-based stays and experiences like outdoor adventure, recreation, and national parks
• Disconnection: Escape from the pervasive screens and schedules to reconnect with loved ones, self, and nature
• Wellness: Growth in demand for hot tubs, saunas, cold plunges, yoga, and massage services
• Localized Experiences: Stays that connect and tell the story of local towns, history, founders, and nature

Additional positive factors include:

• In a higher interest rate and higher construction cost environment, many developers continue to look to the outdoor hospitality space as an option to maintain margins
• Institutional interest from large hotel brands for brand partnerships and outright acquisitions remains consistent
• Institutional investment interest outweighs the small and limited supply of large and multi-site RV resort operations
• According to STR and CBRE hotel reports, the economy and midscale hotel segments have continued to struggle to recover over the last two years, but the upper scale, luxury, and boutique segments have continued to show strong growth and performance. This is consistent in the RV resort market, as the more luxury and upper-scale locations appear to receive robust demand
• Outdoor recreation, state park, and national parks have enjoyed consistent growth. When normalized for Covid rise and fall, it is typically 2-3% over YoY growth over the past decade
• Growing RV ownership and travel continues to drive demand for premium RV accommodations
• Aging population with RV lifestyles and the appeal of long-term stays and snowbird markets provide stable revenue streams

Headwinds and Roadblocks

Despite positive trends, the RV resort industry faces several challenges:

• As with almost every single industry, outdoor hospitality has seen a softening in demand due to inflation and economic slowdown starting in 2023
• Development costs have increased significantly, with horizontal development over large areas often more expensive than building vertically. Running utility lines, walking paths, and roads across dispersed sites can increase project costs dramatically
• Staffing is often challenging in more remote RV resort locations. On-site staff housing may be a necessity in some locations to address this challenge
• Expect increases in laundry and site turnover service expenses. Many remote properties will be on septic, which will not allow for heavy commercial laundry use on-site. This means outsourcing linens and site turnover expenses can be costly, especially with large drive times for 3rd party services
• International travel is expected to decrease in the near term under the current administration, due to geopolitical tensions rising with major tourism partners such as Canada, Mexico, Europe, and many other countries. This is expected to impact the entire hospitality industry. However, this may be offset by less travel abroad for many Americans
• Government spending cuts to national parks, national forests, and wildland conservation areas may curtail the historically growing outdoor demand, as parks and natural areas experience funding cuts

At the end of the day, the RV resort industry is like any other investment space. There are distinct advantages as well as disadvantages. Whether a project succeeds and provides strong investment returns depends entirely on the property, the market, and the operator's ability to execute.

The industry serves diverse markets including vacation travelers, long-term residents, and seasonal snowbirds seeking premium RV experiences.

Understanding the distinctions between RV resorts, RV parks, and campgrounds is important for positioning your business and understanding market segments:

RV Resort

Premium properties with extensive amenities, premium pricing, and focus on guest experience. Key characteristics include:

• Premium, spacious sites with full hookups
• Extensive amenities (pools, clubhouses, recreation facilities, restaurants)
• High-quality landscaping and resort-style design
• Professional management and concierge-level services
• Premium pricing ($50-$150+ per night)
• Target market: Discerning RVers seeking luxury experiences

Learn more in our RV resort vs RV park comparison guide.

RV Park

Basic to mid-tier properties offering essential RV services at more affordable price points. Characteristics include:

• Essential amenities (hookups, restrooms, laundry)
• Functional facilities focused on practicality
• Moderate pricing ($25-$75 per night)
• Target market: Cost-conscious RVers seeking value

Campground

Traditional camping properties serving both tents and RVs with basic amenities. Features include:

• Basic amenities (restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings)
• May accommodate both tent and RV camping
• Lower pricing ($15-$50 per night)
• Target market: Budget-conscious campers and RVers

Key trends shaping the RV resort industry reflect both opportunities and challenges in the current market environment. Understanding these trends is essential for making informed investment and operational decisions.

Positive Market Trends

• Growing Demand for Premium Amenities: RVers increasingly seek enhanced amenities and resort-style experiences. According to STR and CBRE hotel reports, the upper scale, luxury, and boutique segments have continued to show strong growth and performance, which is consistent in the RV resort market
• Long-Term Stay Options: Growing trend toward extended stays and seasonal residents, particularly in snowbird markets, providing stable revenue streams
• Experiential Offerings: Demand for activities, events, and unique experiences beyond basic accommodations, driven by consumer preference for shareable, nature-immersive experiences
• Institutional Investment: Institutional interest from large hotel brands for brand partnerships and outright acquisitions remains consistent, with investment interest outweighing the limited supply of large and multi-site operations
• Outdoor Recreation Growth: Outdoor recreation, state parks, and national parks have enjoyed consistent growth—typically 2-3% YoY growth over the past decade when normalized for Covid fluctuations

Market Challenges

• Softening Demand: The industry has seen a softening in demand due to inflation and economic slowdown starting in 2023, as evidenced by declining revenue per room
• Development Cost Increases: Higher interest rates and construction costs have impacted development economics, though many developers continue to look to outdoor hospitality as an option to maintain margins
• Operational Cost Pressures: Staffing challenges in remote locations, increased laundry and site turnover expenses, and infrastructure maintenance costs
• International Travel Impact: Expected decrease in international travel due to geopolitical tensions may impact the entire hospitality industry, though this may be offset by less travel abroad for many Americans

See our RV resort market trends guide for detailed analysis and insights.

Starting an RV resort is a complex process that requires careful planning, market analysis, and execution. Following a structured approach increases your chances of success.

Key Steps to Starting an RV Resort

1. Market Research and Site Selection: Analyze demand, identify target markets, and select a location with appropriate zoning and market access
2. Business Planning and Financial Projections: Develop a comprehensive business plan with detailed financial projections and operations strategy
3. Feasibility Study: Conduct a professional feasibility study to validate your concept, assess market viability, and optimize your project
4. Financing and Capital Raising: Secure financing through traditional lenders, SBA loans, or alternative financing sources
5. Zoning and Regulatory Approvals: Obtain necessary permits, zoning approvals, and regulatory compliance
6. Development and Construction: Manage site development, infrastructure installation, and construction of amenities
7. Operations Launch and Management: Establish operations systems, hire staff, and launch with effective marketing

Critical Success Factors

• Thorough market research before committing resources
• Professional feasibility analysis to validate concepts
• Strategic location selection with market access
• Comprehensive business planning and financial modeling
• Quality development and amenities that justify pricing
• Professional operations management

Each step requires careful planning and often professional expertise. A feasibility study is particularly important for validating your concept and securing financing.

RV resort revenue comes from multiple sources, with site rentals as the primary income stream:

Primary Revenue Sources

• Site Rentals: Daily, weekly, monthly, and annual site rental fees (primary revenue source)
• Long-Term Stays: Seasonal and annual rentals provide stable, predictable revenue
• Premium Site Fees: Waterfront, pull-through, or premium location premiums

Additional Revenue Sources

• Amenity Fees: Pool access, recreation facilities, special events
• Services: Concierge services, tours, activity coordination
• Retail: Camp store, propane sales, RV supplies
• Food and Beverage: Restaurants, cafes, or snack bars
• Utility Charges: Electricity, water, or cable/internet fees

Business Model Considerations

• Balance between short-term and long-term guests for revenue stability
• Seasonal revenue patterns require careful cash flow management
• Operational efficiency is critical for profitability
• Premium amenities can justify higher pricing and increase revenue potential

Learn more in our RV resort investment guide.

RV resort feasibility studies are essential for validating RV resort concepts and assessing market viability before committing significant resources.

Why RV Resort Feasibility Studies Are Important

• Market Validation: Assess demand for RV resort accommodations in your target location
• Securing Financing: Banks and lenders require feasibility studies to assess project risk
• Revenue Projections: Develop realistic occupancy and pricing projections based on market data
• Competitive Analysis: Understand competitive positioning and market dynamics
• Optimization: Identify opportunities to optimize site density, amenities, and pricing

What's Included in an RV Resort Feasibility Study

• Market demand analysis specific to RV resorts
• Competitive property evaluation
• Revenue projections by site type and season
• Occupancy rate forecasts
• Operating expense estimates
• Optimal site layout and density recommendations
• Amenity mix analysis and recommendations

Sage Outdoor Advisory has extensive experience with major RV resort projects, including Margaritaville RV Resort and Verde Ranch RV Resort. Our feasibility studies are bank-approved and trusted by lenders nationwide. Contact us to discuss your RV resort project.

RV resort appraisals require specialized expertise to accurately value these unique properties. Unlike traditional real estate, RV resorts have distinct characteristics that require industry-specific knowledge.

Why RV Resort Appraisals Require Specialized Expertise

• Unique Property Type: RV resorts have distinct valuation considerations compared to traditional real estate
• Income Approach Focus: Valuation heavily relies on income potential and operating performance
• Limited Comparable Sales: Fewer comparable properties require specialized market knowledge
• Operating Business Component: Value includes both real estate and business operations

Appraisal Uses for RV Resorts

• Financing and refinancing
• Buying or selling transactions
• Investment analysis and due diligence
• Estate planning and tax purposes
• Insurance valuation

Key Factors in RV Resort Valuation

• Site count and density
• Occupancy rates and revenue performance
• Amenity quality and condition
• Location and market position
• Operating expense efficiency
• Comparable property sales and income data

Working with an appraiser experienced in outdoor hospitality ensures accurate valuations that reflect the true value of your RV resort property.

Financing RV resort projects requires comprehensive documentation and working with lenders experienced in outdoor hospitality. Understanding financing requirements and options is essential for successful project development.

Financing Documentation Requirements

Lenders typically require:

• Feasibility Study: Professional feasibility study demonstrating market viability and revenue potential
• Property Appraisal: Current property valuation for existing properties or development projections
• Business Plan: Comprehensive plan outlining operations, marketing, and financial projections
• Financial Statements: Personal and business financial documentation
• Environmental Reports: Phase I environmental assessments and other due diligence reports
• Permit Documentation: Evidence of zoning approvals and development permits

Financing Options

• Commercial Real Estate Loans: Traditional financing for land acquisition and development
• SBA Loans: Government-backed loans with favorable terms for qualifying projects
• Construction Loans: Short-term financing for development phases
• Refinancing: Restructuring existing debt or accessing equity
• Alternative Lenders: Specialized lenders familiar with hospitality projects

Why Work with Experienced Lenders

• Understanding of RV resort business models and revenue streams
• Knowledge of seasonal cash flow patterns
• Acceptance of feasibility studies from recognized consultants
• Realistic underwriting standards for outdoor hospitality properties
• Faster processing and approval timelines

Working with lenders experienced in outdoor hospitality increases your chances of approval and ensures realistic loan terms that align with your business model.

Successful RV resorts offer comprehensive amenities that enhance guest experiences and justify premium pricing. Strategic amenity selection and high-quality design are critical for attracting and retaining guests.

Essential Amenities

Every RV resort should provide:

• Full Hookups: Water, sewer, and electrical connections (30/50 amp service)
• Wi-Fi: Reliable internet access throughout the property
• Restrooms and Showers: Clean, well-maintained facilities
• Laundry Facilities: Convenient access to washers and dryers
• Trash and Recycling: Regular waste collection services

Premium Amenities

Resort-style amenities that justify premium pricing:

• Swimming Pools: Pools, hot tubs, and poolside amenities
• Clubhouses: Community gathering spaces with activities and events
• Recreation Facilities: Fitness centers, pickleball courts, shuffleboard, and game rooms
• Restaurants and Bars: On-site dining options for convenience
• Entertainment: Live music, movie nights, and organized activities
• Pro Shops: Camp stores with RV supplies and essentials

Design Considerations

• Site Layout: Efficient use of space with appropriate site spacing for privacy
• Landscaping: High-quality landscaping that enhances aesthetic appeal
• Infrastructure: Well-maintained roads, utilities, and common areas
• Accessibility: ADA-compliant facilities and accessible site options
• Lighting: Adequate lighting for safety and ambiance

Learn more in our RV resort amenities guide.

Successful RV resort projects demonstrate the potential of well-executed developments with comprehensive planning, market analysis, and professional execution. Here are examples of notable projects:

Margaritaville RV Resort (Florida)

This premium RV resort demonstrates:

• Integration of branded hospitality concepts with RV resort operations
• Premium amenities and resort-style experiences
• Strategic location in high-demand markets
• Successful positioning as a destination RV resort

Verde Ranch RV Resort (Arizona)

This development showcases:

• Comprehensive feasibility analysis and market validation
• Strategic site layout and amenity selection
• Appeal to both short-term vacationers and long-term snowbird markets
• Successful execution of development and operations

Key Success Factors

These projects share common success factors:

• Thorough market research and feasibility analysis
• Strategic location selection
• Professional development and operations management
• Premium amenities that justify pricing
• Strong brand positioning and marketing

See client success stories for more examples of successful RV resort projects.