RV Park Data 2024 - Insights From Google Maps

A Dive into Google Maps Data

To understand the distribution of RV parks, we collected data from Google Maps and identified over 16,000 RV parks in the U.S. and more than 750 in Canada. This data allowed us to analyze RV park locations, review trends, and create a visualizations to better communicate our discoveries.

It’s important to distinguish between RV Parks and campgrounds; RV Parks typically offer more specialized amenities for RV travelers, such as full hookups and larger spaces, whereas campgrounds may cater to a broader range of campers, including tent campers. For our analysis, the data we pulled from Google Maps specifically used the “RV Parks” category, ensuring a focused look at locations dedicated to serving RV travelers.

Donut chart showing the distribution of RV parks by region in the USA, with the South Central region leading at 35.5%, followed by the Southeast at 13.3%, and the Mountain region at 8.9%. Other regions include East Central, West, Central, Northwest, North Central, Northeast, and Southwest. — Created by Sage Outdoor Advisory

Region	States
Southeast	FL, GA, SC, AL, MS
South Central	TX, OK, AR, LA
East Central	KY, TN, WV, VA, NC
West	CA, HI
Central	NE, KS, IA, MO, IL, IN, OH
Northwest	OR, WA
North Central	MN, WI, MI, ND, SD
Northeast	NY, ME, PA, MD, DE, NJ, CT, MA, RI, NH, VT
Southwest	NV, AZ, NM
Mountain	MT, WY, CO, ID, UT, AK

Donut chart illustrating the distribution of RV parks by province in Canada, with British Columbia having the highest concentration at 39.2%, followed by Alberta at 16.7% and Ontario at 18.9%. Other provinces include Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Yukon. — Created by Sage Outdoor Advisory

RV Parks by State

Our analysis began with a state-by-state examination of RV parks, revealing some key trends in their distribution:

Texas Dominance: Texas clearly emerges as the leader, boasting over 4,000 RV parks. The state’s vast size, diverse landscapes, and favorable climate make it a prime destination for RVers year-round. This high density of RV parks underscores Texas’ importance in the RV industry and its appeal to both seasonal travelers and full-time RVers.
Florida and California: Following Texas, Florida and California have the next highest numbers of RV parks. Florida’s concentration is primarily along its coastlines, particularly in the southern part of the state, which is a major draw for winter travelers escaping colder climates. California’s RV parks are similarly coastal, with many parks located near its iconic beaches and national parks.
Arizona and Oklahoma: These states also show a significant number of RV parks, catering to travelers drawn to their unique desert landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities. Arizona, in particular, is a popular winter destination.
Other States: The Midwest, particularly around the Great Lakes region in Michigan and Wisconsin, and the Mountain West states like Colorado and Utah, also feature prominently in the RV park landscape. These areas are prized for their natural beauty and access to outdoor activities, which are major attractions for RV travelers.

Bar chart displaying the top 10 U.S. states with the most RV parks. Texas leads significantly with over 4,000 parks, followed by Florida and California with around 1,000 each. Other states in the top 10 include Arizona, Oklahoma, Washington, Oregon, Louisiana, Alabama, and New Mexico. — Created by Sage Outdoor Advisory

Heat Map Analysis

Our heatmap of RV parks across the lower 48 states reveals several key insights:

Coastal Concentration: Dense clusters of RV parks are evident along both the East and West Coasts, particularly in Florida, the Carolinas, and California, driven by scenic views, mild climates, and proximity to major attractions.
Midwest and Mountain West: The Midwest, especially around the Great Lakes, and the Mountain West states like Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, show significant RV park presence, reflecting their appeal for outdoor recreation and natural beauty.
Population Centers: Urban areas like the Northeast corridor, Southern California, Chicago, and Atlanta have higher densities of RV parks, catering to travelers seeking convenient stops near major cities and highways.
Strategic Placement: RV parks are strategically placed along major interstate highways, providing essential stops for cross-country travelers.
Southern Belt and Rural Coverage: A high density of parks stretches across the southern states from California to Florida, favored for year-round RV travel. Despite fewer parks in rural and Great Plains areas, coverage is still broad, ensuring options for travelers across the country.

Heat map of the United States displaying the distribution of RV parks, with denser concentrations of parks in the southern states, particularly Texas, Florida, and along the east coast. The map shows fewer RV parks in the western and central regions, with sparse distribution in the northern and mountainous areas. — Created by Sage Outdoor Advisory

Reviews and Customer Feedback

In addition to mapping the locations of RV parks, we also analyzed customer reviews to gain insights into the quality of these parks. Reviews are a critical factor for RV travelers when choosing where to stay, as they provide firsthand accounts of what to expect in terms of amenities, service, and overall experience.

Observations from 2023 to 2024 Data:

The average increase in the number of reviews in the last year per RV park is 10.
Top 10% are clearly outpacing the others in terms of gaining new reviews, which could indicate superior customer experiences, better marketing, or other factors driving increased engagement. The average increase in reviews in the last year for the top 10% of RV parks is 43.
The average review rating slightly increased from 2023 to 2024, indicating a general improvement in customer satisfaction.

Histogram showing the distribution of changes in review counts for RV parks between 2023 and 2024. The majority of changes are centered around 0, with a peak at around 5-10 reviews, indicating that most parks saw little to moderate change in the number of reviews. The distribution skews slightly to the right, showing a gradual decrease in frequency as the number of review changes increases. — Created by Sage Outdoor Advisory

Looking Ahead to Part 2 – The Top Brands of RV Parks

The RV park landscape across the United States is rich with opportunities, whether you’re a traveler seeking the perfect destination or an investor exploring the potential for new developments. Our analysis of RV park density, geographic distribution, and customer reviews provides a solid foundation for understanding the current market dynamics.

In Part 2 of our 2024 RV Park Data series, we’ll take a closer look at the top brands in the RV park industry. We’ll explore the networks that dominate the market, their unique offerings, and what sets them apart in this competitive space. Whether you’re interested in brand recognition, customer loyalty, or the specific amenities that make certain parks stand out, our deep dive into the top RV park brands will offer valuable insights to guide your decisions in this thriving industry.

Stay tuned as we continue to uncover the data-driven trends shaping the future of RV travel.