RV Shipments Are Down. Park Models Are Up. What Does This Mean for Campground Owners?

Industry Insights | Amity Outdoors

The latest RV Industry Association report highlights an interesting contrast in outdoor hospitality.

Overall RV shipments are down 14.2% year to date, while park model RV shipments are up 21.1%.

Two very different trends within the same industry.

For campground owners, I think these numbers deserve a closer look. Not because they tell us exactly where the industry is headed, but because they raise important questions about demand, accommodation mix, and how we position our properties for long-term success.

Fewer RV Shipments Does Not Mean Fewer Campers

First, it is important to understand what these numbers actually represent.

RV shipments measure new units delivered from manufacturers to dealers. They do not measure how many people are camping, how frequently RV owners are traveling, or how well campgrounds are performing.

A decline in shipments can be influenced by consumer confidence, financing costs, dealer inventory, and purchasing trends.

For campground owners, this is a reminder to look beyond national headlines.

What is happening at your property?

Are booking windows getting shorter? Are guests staying longer? Are nightly reservations increasing or declining? How is your average daily rate performing compared with previous years?

These are the indicators that help us make informed operational decisions.

Park Models Are Moving in a Different Direction

While traditional RV shipments have declined, park model shipments have increased.

This is particularly interesting for campground and RV resort owners.

Park models create an opportunity to serve a broader guest base. Travelers no longer need to own an RV to enjoy an outdoor hospitality experience.

For established properties, adding park models may create opportunities to diversify accommodations, introduce additional revenue streams, and make better use of available land.

However, there is an important distinction.

Growth in park model shipments does not automatically mean growth in guest demand.

The report tells us more units are entering the market. It does not tell us how successfully those units are performing as rentals.

That is where property-level analysis becomes important.

More Units. More Revenue. But What About Profit?

This is the part of the conversation I believe deserves more attention.

Adding three park models to an existing campground may look like a strong revenue opportunity.

But adding accommodations also changes the operating model.

Traditional RV sites generally require fewer guest-facing services than furnished accommodations.

Park models introduce housekeeping, linens, guest supplies, furnishings, repairs, and ongoing replacement costs.

There is also the initial investment.

Purchasing units, preparing sites, connecting utilities, and furnishing accommodations can represent a substantial capital expense.

Before moving forward, owners should be asking:

• What nightly rate can our market realistically support?

• What occupancy can we reasonably expect throughout the year?

• How much additional labor will these units require?

• What will our operating expenses look like?

• What is the expected return on the total investment?

• Could that capital generate a stronger return elsewhere on the property?

  
  

Increasing gross revenue is not the same as increasing profitability.

A new accommodation category should strengthen the business, not simply make it bigger.

The Right Accommodation Mix Is Different for Every Property

After more than 20 years in property management and hospitality, one thing I have learned is that successful properties are not all built around the same model.

An extended-stay RV park has different operational priorities than a destination resort.

A property serving traveling RV owners has different demand patterns than one attracting weekend vacationers.

Both can perform exceptionally well.

The key is understanding your market, your guests, and the financial performance of each accommodation type.

For some properties, park models may be an excellent addition.

For others, improving occupancy, adjusting rates, reducing expenses, or investing in the existing guest experience may produce a stronger return.

Sometimes the best investment is not adding something new. It is improving what you already have.

What This Means for the Future of Outdoor Hospitality

The RV industry’s latest shipment numbers are worth watching.

They suggest different levels of purchasing activity across traditional RVs and park models. They also give campground owners a reason to evaluate how their properties are positioned.

I do not believe every RV park needs to become a diversified resort.

There is tremendous value in well-operated traditional RV parks, extended-stay properties, and destination campgrounds.

What matters is having a clear understanding of the business you are operating.

Know your market. Understand your guest mix. Evaluate your expenses. Measure your returns.

Growth should be intentional.

The opportunity is not simply adding more accommodations. It is building a property that performs better.

About Amity Outdoors

Amity Outdoors provides third-party management, operational consulting, and revenue strategy for RV parks, campgrounds, and outdoor hospitality properties.

With more than 20 years of hands-on industry experience, we help owners improve property performance while maintaining a strong focus on the guest experience.

Own the Park. We Manage It.

Source: RV Industry Association, August 2026 Monthly Shipment Report. Figures represent year-to-date wholesale shipment comparisons with the same period in 2025.