From glamping and RVing to rustic retreats and fairgrounds, establishing unique campground ideas to help you stand out matters now more than ever. Whether you have been a long-time campground operator or are newer to the outdoor hospitality industry, a little inspiration can help you attract more happy campers while driving extra revenue. Now let’s dive into that inspiration and explore creative campground ideas sure to help you draw more folks in.

Bring Creative Campsite Ideas To Life

There are many ways to put a creative spin on the classic campsite. With no financial investment, you can start simple by naming each site after a memorable theme, such as a pirate’s cove, a western motif, or well-known television characters. Small touches from there, including themed signage and decorative pieces, can go a long way towards selling the imagination. 

If you are leaning further into the glamping side of outdoor hospitality and have funds to spare, consider these other creative campsite ideas: 

  • Yurts, safari tents, or domes
  • Treehouses or fort shelters
  • Pet-friendly sites with pet amenities

Campground Improvement Ideas and Upgrades

Looking beyond campsites, consider ways to upgrade the amenities across your property. 

Many campers today seek both relaxation in nature and connectedness. Establishing outdoor workstations with reliable Wi-Fi will allow your guests with remote work capabilities to extend their stays. 

To make your property more than just a place to rest one’s head, invite evening entertainment to enhance the mood. Live music is always a crowd favorite. With a projector and screen setup in a grassy area, you can easily host outdoor movies and sweeten the deal with free popcorn. Offering equipment rentals onsite–from bicycles to kayas–also helps establish your property as the experiential destination.

If these options seem a tad out of reach for your business, look to the natural features of your property that won’t require much of a lift. This could include clearing brush for some walking trails, rearranging gravel and rocks for a small labyrinth, or designating a clearing where guests can place yoga mats. All of these wellness features will satisfy your guests’ craving for reconnecting and rediscovering the thrill of nature from their childhood. 

Curious to read more camping trends for 2025? Click here to discover our exclusive guide for campground operators. 

Cater to Families and Kid-Friendly Features

children play at a campground waterpark

Camping is a natural family activity. 94% of campers surveyed share stories of past camping trips with their family during new trips–enticing them to continue building memories together. You can help families make the most of their time together at your property by adding amenities that encourage multi-generational interaction. Here are a few campground ideas to consider: 

  • Build a natural playground with non-plastic, sustainable materials
  • Install a splash pad in lieu of or to compliment a full pool
  • Set up a craft station based on seasonal and holiday themes
  • Curate a self-led scavenger hunt of easy-to-spot in nature objects
  • Create an inflatable park with tiered options based on age and ability

Beyond this list, there are so many more ways to engage little kids and kids at heart alike. So long as you know your main audiences, you can uniquely cater to them. 

Boost Revenue and Camper Satisfaction with Add-Ons

a cabin with chairs and a fireplace and firewood

Campspot makes it easy to implement your campground improvement ideas through its various features, such as add-ons with quantity and add-ons within the booking workflow. Add-ons with quantity include firewood bundles and ice bags that campers can pre-purchase for the packing peace of mind and instant convenience of delivery upon arrival. Offering pre-stocked coolers for purchase is one way to take the revenue options a step further. 

In addition to products, Campspot allows for rental add-ons–kayaks, bikes, golf carts, hammocks—to be advertised within your online booking workflow. In 2024, Campspot users generated $40 million in total revenue from 265,175 add-ons that were added to a reservation during checkout. 2025 is poised for continued revenue growth in this area as campers seek out more available experiences during their stays. 

Creative Campground Event Ideas

santa hat hangs over a beach chair at a pool at a campground

Creative, memorable events are other great ways to go a step beyond traditional holiday weekends and attract more guests. Here are a few ideas you can read more about in our blog post titled, “Attract Campers Year-Round With Original Campground Events.”

  • Invent fun “original holidays.” Organize playful events like “National Pizza Day” or “Christmas in July.” Offer freebies (like pizza slices or candy canes), hold raffles with pizza-party prizes, host outdoor movie nights, and invite characters like Santa—turning non-holidays into campground celebrations.
  • Celebrate your park’s anniversary. Whether it’s the 5th or 25th year, orchestrating an annual anniversary bash creates lasting traditions. Multi-generational campers can reconnect, while new visitors enjoy anniversary promotions or week-long deals—boosting off-peak bookings.
  • Target shoulder and off‑seasons. Instead of competing on major holidays, schedule signature events during quieter times (e.g., mid‑April or late September). Unique seasonal happenings can fill empty weekends and build fresh traditions.
  • Partner with local community groups. Collaborate with church groups, scout troops, PTAs, or nonprofits by hosting their retreats or camping trips. Offer discounts or revenue sharing and help promote their causes—building goodwill and recurring bookings.
  • Feature local vendors and entertainers. Invite food trucks, artisans, or live musicians for weekend markets, battle-of-the-bands, or food‑truck rallies. Cross-promote with vendor networks to expand your reach and lend your campsite an event-like festival atmosphere.
  • Include games, prizes, and competitions. Host tournaments (e.g., volleyball), game‑room contests, or family field‑days with potato‑sack or three‑legged races. Offering small prizes increases participation—and fun—for all ages.
  • Offer astrotourism experiences. Take advantage of your dark skies by planning stargazing events. Provide campers with tablets preloaded with stargazing apps like Star Walk or SkyView, and host guided night sky tours with local astronomers or educators. Stargazing creates magical, educational moments that are especially appealing for families and romantic getaways.

To make your campground stand out, personalize campsites with unique themes, provide memorable experiences like live music or outdoor movies, and implement convenient add-ons such as firewood delivery or rental gear—all of which enhance guest satisfaction and boost revenue.

Low-cost improvements include naming campsites with fun themes, using natural elements to create walking trails or outdoor lounges, and setting up self-guided scavenger hunts. These ideas require minimal investment but offer big returns in guest engagement.

Campers today seek amenities like reliable Wi-Fi, pet-friendly features, on-site equipment rentals, wellness spaces, and family-focused attractions. Combining comfort with outdoor adventure is key to meeting modern expectations.

You can find campground ideas by following outdoor hospitality blogs and webinars such as Campspot’s, joining campground owner forums, attending industry trade shows, and surveying your guests for feedback. Staying updated on travel trends, sustainability practices, and family entertainment preferences can also spark fresh and profitable ideas.

Time to Get Creative!

There’s never been a better time than now to take 1 to 2 campground ideas from this list and pilot them this season. Find what works best for your unique brand of camping, adjust, and run with confidence. Want more campground ideas customized to fit your operations and generate extra revenue? Book a strategy session with a Campspot expert today. 

Haley Dalian is an environmental scientist, outdoor enthusiast, and steward of our planet. She enjoys skiing, scuba diving, and gardening in her home state of Michigan. As Campspot’s former marketing manager, Haley continues to write content that empowers campground operators through essential tools and confident know-how.