So, you're thinking about adding a campground to your event to attract more attendees? That's a fantastic idea! This post is all about how to start planning for your big event.
Having a campground at your event comes with a ton of benefits, both practical and experiential.
🌟Attendee Benefits
Convenience & Immersion
Guests can stay right near the action. No need to drive back and forth or worry about parking daily. It makes the experience feel like a full-on retreat. Campers on average will spend 20-40% more than day-use guests.
Community Vibes
Campgrounds encourage a festival-like atmosphere where people bond over campfires, share stories, and build traditions that bring them back each year.
Cost Savings
Camping is often cheaper than booking a hotel, making the event more accessible for families and groups.
Extended Stays
People are more likely to stay for multiple days when lodging is onsite—meaning they spend more time (and money) at the event.
💰Organizer Benefits
Extra Revenue
You can charge for tent sites, RV hookups, or even offer glamping upgrades. That's a whole new stream of income. If your sites have water, WiFi and other conveniences you can command a higher site price.
Increased Attendance
Out-of-town visitors don’t need to worry about limited hotel options. That can expand your draw regionally or even nationally.
Controlled Environment
Keeping guests onsite helps reduce traffic, late-night driving, and scattered crowds. You can manage safety, noise, and flow better.
Vendor Opportunities
Onsite campers need essentials—food, firewood, coffee in the morning, maybe even a camp store or gear rentals. Festivals with camping see up to 30% higher merch/food sales
🌳 Environmental & Logistical Perks
Lower Transportation Emissions
Less back-and-forth driving = lower carbon footprint.
Emergency Readiness
Having a centralized location helps you respond quickly in case of weather issues, injuries, or other emergencies.
Natural Ambience
A beautiful setting adds to the experience and can become a signature feature of your event.
Ok Ok I am Interested!
There are so many benefits to providing a campground for your event, so let's start planning!
First things first, take a stroll around the land you have in mind. Is it nice and flat for setting up tents? Do you plan to have RVs driving in and parking as well? If you plan to have RVs think about what length of RVs would be able to fit and would it be an easy in and out like consider a loop for one way traffic.
Next, how does this site handle rain—does the water drain away easily, or are you looking at a potential mud pit? Consider the slope and you can always check Google Maps satellite to get a good aerial view of potential hazards.
What about accessibility? Is it a breeze for people to get there off the main road, or will they need a map and a compass and endless signage to get there? Once you've got a handle on the lay of the land, it's time to dive into the nitty-gritty of permits and local regulations. You definitely want to make sure you're ticking all the boxes when it comes to setting up a temporary campsite. Do you have to get approval to have overnight parking? Do you need to collect lodging tax?
After you have a sense of the approvals you will need to get set up, start planning out the layout. Where will the tents go? How about spots for RVs? And don't forget those communal areas where people can gather and have a good time. For ideas on how to structure the area use this ChatGPT prompt for help: "I want you to act as a landscape architect and create layout options for a temporary campground for the [YOUR EVENT NAME AND LOCATION] that would include [choose from these options: tent areas, RV sites, designated parking spaces, restroom facilities, and recreational areas]. Ensure the designs prioritize safety, accessibility, and a seamless integration with the surrounding natural environment.
Now that you have the perfect layout, you will need signs and a reservation system. This is where Set Your Sites comes in. We complete the set up by installing payment signs for walk-up payment, pop up a reservation link to promote on social media and your website. All you need to worry about is letting us know where we send your check. Adding a campground may feel overwhelming but Set Your Sites is the experienced team that can make this a reality. Let's get planning!
