Picture this: the crowds have thinned, the air is crisp, and the trails are quiet enough to hear every leaf crunch underfoot. Shoulder season—those weeks in early spring and late fall—offers some of the best camping. But for many parks, it’s also when occupancy dips and revenue slows.
With a little planning, shoulder season can be a strong part of your business. Here are a few practical ways to extend your season, attract guests, and keep your park thriving well past summer.
Every park’s shoulder season looks a little different. For some, it’s snowbirds passing through. For others, it’s locals who prefer cool-weather camping without the summer bustle. Identifying who’s most likely to visit helps you tailor your offerings.
If your shoulder season guests are retirees, emphasize quiet sites, extended-stay discounts, or early bird coffee socials. If they’re weekend warriors, highlight hiking trails, fall colors, or starry skies. The better you understand your guests, the easier it is to meet their needs.
Discounting your site fees is an easy start, but you don’t have to stop there. Offering seasonal deals on extras—like boat rentals or firewood—can make a shoulder-season trip feel like a bargain. Bundled packages (“Stay three nights, get a fourth free”) also encourage longer bookings when weekdays are typically slower.
Dynamic Pricing takes this one step further. With CampLife's Dynamic Pricing feature, you can automatically adjust rates based on demand. That means you can offer lower prices to attract campers when occupancy is light, then capture more revenue if a popular weekend fills up unexpectedly. It’s a great way to keep bookings steady without leaving money on the table.
Flexible business rules also matter. Policies that allow for weather-related cancellations or date changes give guests peace of mind when conditions are unpredictable. Clear communication matters, too. A quick SMS Texting update can share seasonal deals or even alert guests when a last-minute opening becomes available.
Shoulder season brings its own magic: fall foliage, migrating birds, cooler temps, and fewer bugs. Lean into those perks in your marketing. Share photos of misty mornings, promote stargazing nights, or partner with local guides for seasonal nature walks.
Events can also be tailored for cooler weather. Think harvest weekends and chili cook-offs. Even small gatherings add a sense of occasion that draws people in.
Guests are more likely to camp when booking is quick and simple. With online reservations, campers can book the moment inspiration strikes instead of waiting for office hours or call-backs. Listing shoulder-season specials on your park website and social media pages ensures potential campers see your park as an option instead of an afterthought.
You can also reach new audiences by showcasing cabins, yurts, or other unique stays on Airbnb. And with CampLife’s Airbnb integration, you can monitor those reservations in your Hub, right alongside direct bookings.
Extending your season doesn’t have to mean extending your overhead. Scale your staffing and amenities to match demand. Maybe your store shifts to reduced hours, or you consolidate your open loops of campsites. Small adjustments help manage expenses without sacrificing guest satisfaction.
By tailoring your offerings, adjusting pricing, and spotlighting the unique beauty of your park in spring and fall, you can turn shoulder season into one of your campground’s strongest assets. This approach allows you to maintain steady operations while providing campers with new reasons to enjoy your property.
CampLife gives you the tools to extend your season with confidence. With features like Dynamic Pricing, online reservations, flexible business rules, and effective guest communication, you’ll have everything necessary to manage bookings throughout the year. Whether you’re currently using CampLife or exploring your options, our team is ready to answer your questions and demonstrate how our tools can support your park year-round.
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