Boost Fall Reservations with These Seasonal Campground Ideas

School’s back in session, the summer heat is subsiding, and the leaves are changing—there are plenty of reasons why we get excited for fall. For campground owners, this beloved time of year presents a unique opportunity to extend the busy season and attract new guests who may not be fans of summer crowds, heat, or bugs. KOA recently reported that 64% of campers delayed camping trips until after Labor Day this year, pointing to a general uptick in fall camping. 

Whether you already extend your campground availability into the fall months or are just considering it, here are a few ideas to jumpstart your seasonal bookings and see returning guests each fall. 

Advertise the Fall Colors in Your Area 

If your campground is located in an area where the changing leaves will be on display, use that to attract new guests! There are plenty of folks who would book a camping trip just for prime “leave peeping,” but with busy fall schedules many people need a nudge to make the time. On your campground website or social accounts, highlight anticipated dates for peak foliage or post pictures of the colors.  

You can also advertise nearby parks, scenic drives, or hiking trails with great leaf views and advertise your campground as the perfect “home base” for a fall foliage getaway. If the fall colors have already peaked in your area, consider advertising them next year. It’s easy to let the changing colors slip by, but by staying on top of it and advertising accordingly, you can attract leaf lovers looking for a spot. 

Host Halloween Activities

Leaning into the spooky season is a great way to put your campground on the map for younger families. Halloween-themed campground events give guests an opportunity to switch up their yearly celebrations, and they're growing in popularity. 

Here are a few ideas: 

• Halloween-themed campsite decorating contest 

• Campground trick-or-treating 

• A movie night with kid-friendly classics 

• Halloween costume contest  

If you’ve never hosted Halloween-themed events at your campground, start by planning one or two for the weekend and get the word out on your website or social media. Over time, satisfied guests will spread the news by word of mouth to other potential customers.

Some campgrounds see so much popularity with their Halloween events that they host them multiple weekends in a row. Putting on memorable Halloween-themed events gives guests the opportunity to establish new traditions, while giving you the opportunity to create returning guests. 

Highlight Fall-Themed Attractions  

Beyond Halloween, there are plenty of other seasonal activities you can host or spotlight to draw guests who want to get into the autumn spirit. If you live near a pumpkin patch, local fall festival, or orchard, make sure to list those nearby attractions on your website or socials. 

If there aren’t any attractions nearby, host your own! Consider events like:

• Pumpkin carving contest 

• Mini fall festival with snacks and crafts 

• Full moon bonfire night 

• Outdoor fall-themed scavenger hunt

Hosting these Halloween- or fall-themed events also provides opportunities to create campground add-ons and generate a little extra cash over the Halloween weekend. Consider selling craft kits, candy & candy buckets, or fall snacks to give everyone a chance to participate. If you have a campground store, be sure to stock it with fall goodies in advance. 

Whatever fall events you decide to host, Firefly Reservations is here to help things go smoothly. Automatically process reservations, send mass guest emails with event details, or sell add-on items during your planned activities. Whether you start this year or next, we'll help you take full advantage of fall season.