Every spring RVers ask the same question: “Are campgrounds going to be impossible to book again this year?” Early data on campground reservations for 2026 suggest the answer may be no—at least not more than last year.
Several campground companies say bookings so far are running close to where they were at this point in 2025. Prices look similar, too. In other words, the coming camping season may look pretty familiar.
That doesn’t mean popular parks won’t fill early. But the numbers so far suggest RVers may not see the same kind of reservation frenzy that showed up during the pandemic camping boom.
Of course, if you’re trying to book a beachfront site in July—or anything near a national park—you probably already know those spots can disappear fast. Early reservations still matter in the most popular destinations.
So, how full are campgrounds right now?
One snapshot comes from Campspot, an online reservation platform used by many parks across the U.S. and Canada.
Looking at bookings between May 1 and September 1—the heart of camping season—occupancy so far sits at 30.1% in the U.S. Last year at this time it was 30.2%.
That’s basically the same.
Canada is also tracking close to last year. Reservations are slightly lower so far, but nightly rates have crept up a bit. Of course, it’s still early. Many RVers don’t start locking in summer trips until spring.
Campgrounds say demand still looks healthy
Large campground operators are generally optimistic about the coming season.
The big kahuna, Kampgrounds of America (KOA), which has more than 500 parks across North America, says advance reservations are pacing close to last year overall.
Translation: Camping demand still looks solid.
Other campground management companies say the same thing. Some are even seeing bookings running ahead of last year at this point.
Upgraded parks are drawing attention
One thing campground operators keep mentioning is the pull of amenities.
Parks that recently added new sites, upgraded bathhouses, or expanded resort-style features are seeing stronger booking growth.
That fits a trend RVers have probably noticed themselves. Many newer parks are leaning hard into extras—things like dog parks, fishing ponds, fire pit gathering areas, and upgraded full-hookup sites.
Travelers looking for those kinds of features appear willing to book early and sometimes pay a bit more.
Premium sites vs. budget sites
Another split operators are seeing involves price. Higher-end RV sites and resort-style parks continue to book well. But plenty of travelers are still looking for more basic, lower-cost options.
That isn’t surprising. Compared with flights, hotels, and rental cars, camping is still one of the cheaper ways to take a vacation. For many families, that value factor keeps RV travel attractive even when the broader economy feels uncertain.
Longer stays are filling some parks
Campgrounds also say seasonal and monthly camping remains strong.
When more guests stay for weeks or months at a time, it can quietly reduce the number of short-stay sites available for travelers just passing through. That’s one reason some parks feel “full” even when reservation numbers overall look stable.
At the same time, campground operators say short-stay RV travel has become a little less predictable than it used to be. That sometimes means busy weekends fill early—but midweek openings can still pop up closer to travel dates.
Some regions are stronger than others
Not every part of the country is seeing the same booking patterns.
Operators say the Midwest and Northeast are showing solid demand, while parts of the Sunbelt—especially Texas—have been a bit softer so far.
In Canada, campground operators say more travelers may stay closer to home this year rather than crossing into the United States.
What about fuel prices?
One wildcard for the 2026 camping season is fuel.
With tensions in the Middle East pushing oil prices sky high, some travelers may rethink long road trips. Historically, though, higher fuel prices don’t usually stop people from camping. Instead, they change how people travel. Campers may take shorter trips or stay closer to home, rather than canceling vacations entirely.
What RVers might see this summer
If early trends hold, the 2026 camping season may look a lot like last year. Popular parks, waterfront sites, and resort-style campgrounds will likely continue to fill early. But overall demand appears steady rather than exploding.
For RVers, that could mean a more predictable reservation season—still competitive in popular destinations, but not quite the scramble many travelers experienced during the pandemic boom.
In other words, camping demand still looks strong. It just may be settling back into something RVers recognize—a fairly normal reservation season.
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RVT1252b
I’m curious if occupancy will better emulate reservations this year versus last year. We saw so many parks that were “sold out” but only 80% full last year. I’m also noticing an increased number of “extended stay” RV’s in many RV Parks. My guess is they’re filling up with pandemic rigs with thousands still owed but are becoming less “travel tolerant”. 2026 will be interesting to say the least….