6 Steps to Starting a Campground Business

Extroverts or introverts, we all love camping outdoors. As fall approaches, the season is perfect for whisky-filled thermoses, hammocks, and baggy sweaters. Of course, there are two perspectives on this topic. The first one is about enjoying camping with your friends, and the other one is to enable people to do just that.

If you’re thinking about starting a camping business keep in mind that it is not an easy task. You will have to find the right campsite and provide proper equipment. Of course, you can leave that to the campers, but you will still have some additional costs for ground maintenance.

So, let’s get into the technicalities of starting a successful campground business.

Start with writing a business plan

Tackling the topic of how to start a campground business can be very complex, so it’s best to be prepared for every challenge that you might face along the way. In order to create a successful business, you will need to create a business plan. The plan should include all the elements of your future business, including start-up costs, target market, and any other factors that could help you succeed. 

This way, you will have an outlined strategy that will prepare you to enter the market effectively. In addition, a solid business plan can help you get funding from investors so you can continue to grow your business.

 

Your campground’s uniqueness

Campers are usually people who like to enjoy nature and experience adventures, so you will have to add a certain unique flair to your brand. Firstly, your name will have to represent your brand and encapsulate what you are all about.

After that, you will have to develop an interesting logo as most of the time your logo will be the first introduction to your brand for your customers. You will also have to pinpoint what exactly makes your campground so special and why visitors need to give it a shot.

The services you will offer 

You can rent space for your camping site and also offer other services to the campers. To achieve this, you will need electricity access. If you are able to find it, you can open a mini cafe or a fast food stand.

Offering more services might result in more profits, which is always a bonus.

Comply with the law

There are many legal requirements that you must be aware of when getting your business started. Obtaining the right licenses and permits will help you avoid costly mistakes and penalties. You will need various permits and some of them include the following.

• Sign permits;
• Swimming pool permits;
• Restaurant or food service equipment authorization;
• Foodservice establishment permits;
• Food protection certificates.

In addition, if you want to improve your campground, you will need a building permit. If you don’t get the right permits you are risking hefty fines and even business closing.

Market your campground properly

Digital marketing is one of the most important aspects in the world of business. It’s imperative for any company to have a marketing strategy. If you are not familiar with the content and digital marketing, you can always find a service that will help you spread the word for your campground far and wide.

You can also set up a website where campers can book your services and check availability.

Get the right insurance

When starting a campground business, the right insurance will help you protect your business from sustained damage. Out there in the wild anything is possible and certain equipment might break or be broken now and again. 

You can visit your local insurance company and ask them for their best commercial insurance policies.

In addition to that, it’s never wrong to hand out liability release forms to the campers that decide to use your site. These forms will protect you from lawsuits and fines if, for instance, campers get injured on your site.

Final thoughts

Starting a campsite is never a bad idea as the love for the outdoors grows constantly due to the fast-paced lives people live nowadays. This business venture can be extremely lucrative if you play your cards right and equip them with the right tools to succeed.

However, before you proceed, you will have to devise a winning strategy. Writing a solid business plan will take you on a long and successful journey. You can also think about providing additional services to your campground guests, such as food and refreshments and/or a mini cafe.