Campground Industry Analysis Contract # P14PC00192/Task Order #140P2119F0211 Submitted by: CHM Government Services www.chmgov.com Page Intentionally Left Blank for Printing Purposes Tel 978.232.3609 8 Essex Center Drive Peabody, MA 01960 www.chmgov.com January 10, 2020 Lora Uhlman/Tamara Delaplane WASO Commercial Services/WASO Park Planning, Facilities and Lands 12795 W. Alameda Pkwy Denver, CO 80228 Dear Ms. Uhlman and Ms. Delaplane, In accordance with # P14PC00192/Task Order #140P2119F0211, CHM Government Services is pleased to present our Campground Trend Analysis developed for the National Park Service (“Service”). This deliverable is part of the Campground Industry Market Analysis to support the Service-wide Campground Initiative. Our report is subject to the Assumptions and Limiting Conditions stated therein. It has been a pleasure to be of service to the National Park Service. For questions regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact us. Respectfully Submitted, Geoff Baekey Managing Director CHM Government Services P: 978.232.3609 Page Intentionally Left Blank for Printing Purposes National Park Service: Campground Industry Analysis Task Order #140P2119F0211 Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Campground Facility Development .............................................................................................................. 1 Campground Program Management ........................................................................................................... 2 2. Engagement Purpose and Scope .................................................................................................................. 4 3. Campground Industry Analysis Framework ................................................................................................ 4 4. Economic and Demographic Trends .............................................................................................................. 5 Disposable Income Trends .............................................................................................................................. 5 Experience Economy ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Population .......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Domestic and International Tourism Trends .............................................................................................. 12 Economic and Demographic Trend Conclusions and Recommendations .............................................. 14 5. Campground Industry Overview ................................................................................................................ 15 Industry Size and Composition .................................................................................................................... 15 Business Locations .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Types of Camping Experiences and Market Trends .............................................................................. 16 Campground Industry Overview Conclusion and Recommendations ................................................... 26 6. Profile of Campers ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Demographic .................................................................................................................................................. 28 Income Distribution of Campers .................................................................................................................. 30 Ethnic Distribution of Campers .................................................................................................................... 34 Geographic Distribution of Campers ........................................................................................................ 36 Cross Participation Activities ....................................................................................................................... 39 Camping Accommodations .......................................................................................................................... 41 Camping Amenities ....................................................................................................................................... 42 Travel Time ..................................................................................................................................................... 47 Camper Profile Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................................... 49 7. National Camping Participation Trends ................................................................................................... 50 Outdoor Recreational Activities .................................................................................................................. 50 Camping Participation Trends .................................................................................................................... 51 National Camping Participation Trends Conclusions and Recommendations ..................................... 55 8. Public Camping Inventory ............................................................................................................................ 55 Federal and State Public Agencies............................................................................................................ 55 Public Camping Inventory Conclusions and Recommendations ............................................................. 65 9. Public Agency Camping Participation Trends .......................................................................................... 66 Total Public Land Overnight and Recreation Demand Trends .............................................................. 66 National Park Service .................................................................................................................................. 68 Parks Canada ................................................................................................................................................ 73 Public Agency Camping Participation Trends Conclusions and Recommendations ........................... 74 10. Private Campgrounds Inventory and Demand ..................................................................................... 75 Private Campgrounds Inventory ................................................................................................................. 75 Private Campground Demand .................................................................................................................... 79 Private Campgrounds Inventory and Demand Conclusions and Recommendations ......................... 80 11. Public/Private Agreement Models .......................................................................................................... 81 National Park Service .................................................................................................................................. 81 Other Federal Agencies Agreement Types .............................................................................................. 82 State Systems ................................................................................................................................................. 84 Public/Private Agreement Models Conclusions and Recommendations .............................................. 84 12. Public Agency Campground Pricing and Models ................................................................................. 85 National Park Service: Campground Industry Analysis Task Order #140P2119F0211 Fee Authority .................................................................................................................................................. 85 Benefits Based Fee/Pricing Policy Framework ........................................................................................ 86 Comparable Fees.......................................................................................................................................... 90 Agency Campground Pricing Models Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................... 92 13. Campground Strategy Recommendations ............................................................................................. 94 Campground Facility Development ........................................................................................................... 94 Campground Program Management ........................................................................................................ 95 14. Assumptions and Limiting Conditions ....................................................................................................... 97 15. Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 98 National Park Service: Campground Industry Analysis Task Order #140P2119F0211 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The National Park Service