Which RV Park Amenities Are Worth the Money in 2027?
A splash pad looks great in the brochure. A dirty bathhouse shows up in every review. Guess which one guests remember.
Campers say cleanliness and facilities drive where they stay. This page helps an RV park owner or manager decide where amenity money actually earns it back.
Dr. Paul Borosky, Business Consultant, has helped 1,000+ small business owners figure out which spending pays and which just costs.
Talk to Dr. PaulCall or text (321) 948-9588.
Last Updated: November 2026
Real World Help From Dr. Paul
Small Business Education
Keep what you have working before adding more.
Read the preventive maintenance lessonHow This Guide Works
Quick version: Doctor Owl’s answer plus the 3 steps below. Full version: Commander Colt, the horse who runs the campsites in Dr. Paul’s Fabled Forest Business School Series, wants a new swimming pond, and Greta wants a clean bathhouse. Their story comes first, then the data.
- Read your last 50 reviews and list every complaint about cleanliness or broken things.
- Fix the top two complaints first.
- For any new amenity, write down how it will make money or bring guests back.
Pond or Bathhouse: Which Did Colt Build?
Commander Colt had saved up for a swimming pond. Every big park had one. Greta, the goose who runs the booking board, had a different idea. She’d been reading the reviews.
Doctor Owl asked, “Fire or foundation?” Guests complaining about the bathhouse every week was a fire. The pond could wait. They sorted it out with Dr. Paul’s Organize-Plan-Grow™ Strategy.
- Organize. Greta counted. Nearly a third of last year’s reviews mentioned the bathhouse. None mentioned a pond.
- Plan. Colt spent part of the pond money fixing the bathhouse and the rest on two cabins guests could rent.
- Grow. The cabins booked out on weekends, and the bathhouse complaints stopped. Next year, the cabin money pays for the pond.
Colt still wants that pond. Now the park can pay for it.
What Do Campers Actually Choose a Park For?
Storable Newbook’s September 2026 survey of 968 campers found cleanliness was the top factor in choosing a park, named by 69%. Facilities came next at 56%, and ratings and reviews at 53%. A well-known business name mattered to just 12%.
Amenities that earn money directly are growing. RoverPass’s 2026 report found cabin bookings rose 15.3% in 2025, glamping bookings rose 43.6%, and store and add-on revenue climbed 47.3%. Kampgrounds of America found 77% of campers say being in nature is enough without added programming.
Source: Storable Newbook survey of 968 U.S. campers (September 2026), via RV PRO.
What Does That Mean for Where You Spend?
The basics beat the extras. A clean bathhouse and working hookups protect every booking. A pool nobody asked for just adds upkeep.
When you do add something, favor amenities that bring in their own money, like a rentable cabin, premium sites, or a small camp store.
How Do You Pick Amenities That Pay?
- Fix complaints first. Your reviews already tell you what’s broken.
- Clean on a schedule. Bathhouses and laundry, checked several times a day.
- Add amenities that earn. Cabins, premium sites, and a store bring in cash.
- Count the upkeep. Every amenity has a monthly cost, not just a build cost.
- Ask guests before you build. A quick survey beats a guess.
What Can One Rental Cabin Earn?
Illustration only. Round numbers, not a real company.
Say a small cabin rents for $110 a night and books 120 nights a year. That’s $13,200 a year. If it costs $40,000 to build and furnish, it can pay for itself in about three years, before upkeep.
Illustration only: $110 a night x 120 nights a year.
Test the payback in the RV park business plan template, and read getting more good reviews.
Not Sure Where to Spend Your Upgrade Money?
Bring your last year of reviews to a free 15-minute call with Dr. Paul. You’ll leave knowing which fix comes first.
Or call or text (321) 948-9588.
What Do Owners Ask About Amenities?
Do I need a pool to compete?
Not usually. Clean facilities and good sites matter more to most campers than a pool.
Is Wi-Fi still worth upgrading?
Yes for remote workers and younger guests. But it’s expected now, so it rarely lets you charge more.
Should I add glamping?
Only if your market and budget fit. A couple of cabins is a lower-risk way to test it.
Where Should You Go Next?
About the Author
Dr. Paul Borosky, DBA, MBA, helps park owners spend on what pays.
Sources
- Storable Newbook camper survey, via RV PRO (September 2026).
- RoverPass 2026 Outdoor Hospitality Report.
- Kampgrounds of America, 2026 Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report (April 14, 2026), as summarized by SGB Media.