NAICS 721211 Quarterly Industry Report
RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 721211Sector: Accommodation and Food Services (72)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for RV Parks and Campgrounds (NAICS 721211) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau Economic Census[6], Bureau of Labor Statistics[8], and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, outdoor recreation analysts, and business brokers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the rv (recreational vehicle) parks and campgrounds industry.
NAICS Sector
72
Accommodation and Food Services
Industry Definition & Overview
RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (NAICS 721211) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in operating sites to accommodate campers and their equipment including tents, tent trailers, travel trailers, and recreational vehicles per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. These properties typically provide access to washrooms, laundry rooms, recreation halls, playgrounds, stores, and snack bars.
The Census Bureau Economic Census[6] reports 7,338 verified business locations generating roughly $3 billion in annual revenue, with total industry payroll of $620 million and 22,351 employees. A median park with about 90 sites generates $3.5 million in revenue. High-performing parks maintain 70 percent or better yearly occupancy, while off-peak floors sit at 20 to 30 percent. Average daily rates range from $35 to $75 depending on region and amenity level. Revenue typically splits 40 percent from nightly and weekly rentals, 30 percent from monthly and seasonal stays, and the remainder from ancillary services including propane, firewood, laundry, and camp stores.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $10 million in average annual receipts. Operating expenses consume 50 to 70 percent of revenue depending on labor intensity and utility costs, leaving mid-teens profit margins for well-run properties. Texas holds the largest concentration of RV parks nationally. Cap rates for stable, well-located parks generally range from 8 to 10 percent. Automation of reservation systems and dynamic pricing have become standard operational tools for parks seeking to maximize revenue per site across seasonal demand cycles.
What's Included in This Industry
- RV site rental with full hookup electrical, water, and sewer connections
- Tent camping sites and primitive campground accommodations
- Cabin rental and glamping unit lodging operations
- Washroom, shower, and laundry facility operations
- Camp store and convenience retail sales
- Propane, firewood, and ice sales to registered guests
- Recreation hall, playground, and pool facility management
- Reservation system and dynamic pricing technology operations
- Grounds maintenance, road upkeep, and site landscaping
- Seasonal and monthly long-term site lease management
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Accommodation and Food Services | 72 |
| Subsector | Accommodation | 721 |
| Industry Group | RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps | 7212 |
| NAICS Industry | RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps | 72121 |
| National Industry | RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds | 721211 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 721214 | Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) | Recreational and Vacation Camps offer similar outdoor accommodation with organized activity programming, serving families and groups who may choose between campground stays and structured camp experiences |
| 721110 | Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels | Hotels and Motels compete for traveler accommodation demand, particularly among RV travelers seeking occasional indoor lodging during extended road trip itineraries and poor weather periods |
| 721199 | All Other Traveler Accommodation | All Other Traveler Accommodation covers cabins, cottages, and vacation rentals that overlap with campground cabin offerings and compete for outdoor recreation vacation spending |
| 713990 | All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries include outdoor recreation providers whose activity offerings complement campground stays and drive guest demand for nearby park properties |
| 531190 | Lessors of Other Real Estate Property | Lessors of Other Real Estate Property own comparable land assets including manufactured home communities and trailer parks, sharing similar land valuation and site density considerations |
| 721310 | Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps | Rooming and Boarding Houses provide alternative extended-stay accommodation for seasonal workers who might otherwise occupy monthly campground sites in resort and agricultural areas |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 9.3% | 460 |
| 2 | California | 7.2% | 359 |
| 3 | Florida | 5.3% | 265 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 4.4% | 218 |
| 5 | New York | 4.3% | 215 |
| 6 | Michigan | 4.3% | 212 |
| 7 | Washington | 3.9% | 194 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 3.6% | 179 |
| 9 | Arizona | 3.4% | 168 |
| 10 | Ohio | 3.3% | 164 |
% Of Establishments
0%
9%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
592
Total SBA Loans
$930.3M
Total Loan Volume
$1.6M
Average Loan Size
21 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.56%
Average Interest Rate
3,600
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], RV Parks and Campgrounds (NAICS 721211) has a size standard of $10 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[9] support land acquisition, infrastructure improvements, utility expansion, and amenity upgrades for qualifying park operators seeking to expand site counts or improve guest facilities. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[10] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[11] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking Company | 112 | $342.1M | $3.1M |
| 2 | Bank Five Nine | 48 | $96.8M | $2.0M |
| 3 | First Utah Bank | 24 | $70.2M | $2.9M |
| 4 | Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC | 16 | $41.8M | $2.6M |
| 5 | Stone Bank | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses are classified under NAICS 721211?
NAICS 721211 covers establishments operating sites that accommodate campers and their equipment including tents, tent trailers, travel trailers, and recreational vehicles per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Properties typically provide hookups, washrooms, laundry facilities, recreation areas, and camp stores. Campgrounds offering both tent camping and RV accommodations are included in this classification.
How large is the U.S. RV park and campground industry?
The Census Bureau Economic Census[6] reports 7,338 verified locations generating roughly $3 billion in annual revenue, with total payroll of $620 million and 22,351 employees. Texas holds the largest concentration of RV parks nationally. The industry has benefited from growing interest in outdoor recreation and RV travel, with new park development and existing property expansions continuing across many state markets.
What are the key performance metrics for evaluating RV park investments?
Occupancy rate (target 70 percent or higher), average daily rate ($35 to $75 per night depending on market), revenue per site, and length of stay mix form the core metrics. Cap rates for stable, well-located parks typically range from 8 to 10 percent per industry transaction data. A median park with about 90 sites generates $3.5 million in annual revenue. Ancillary services like propane, firewood, and camp stores can add 10 to 15 percent above base site rental income.
What is the SBA size standard for RV parks and campgrounds?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $10 million in average annual receipts calculated over the preceding five fiscal years. Most single-location RV parks qualify as small businesses under this threshold. SBA lending programs support land acquisition, utility infrastructure expansion, and amenity upgrades for qualifying operators.
How do revenue sources break down for a typical RV park?
Primary revenue splits roughly 40 percent from nightly and weekly site rentals, 30 percent from monthly and seasonal long-term stays, and the balance from ancillary services per Census Bureau[6] data. Higher-end resort properties add cabin rentals, glamping units, and food service revenue. Parks with a strong mix of long-term and transient tenants tend to show more stable year-round cash flow than those relying solely on seasonal nightly bookings.
What operating expenses should buyers anticipate?
Operating expenses typically consume 50 to 70 percent of revenue, with the range depending on labor costs, utility rates, and amenity levels offered per industry benchmarking data. Staffing, grounds maintenance, and utilities represent the largest cost categories. Capital expenditure needs for road resurfacing, utility infrastructure, and facility upgrades should be factored into acquisition budgets. Well-managed parks in favorable markets achieve mid-teens net profit margins after all operating costs.
What zoning and regulatory requirements apply to RV parks?
RV parks must comply with local zoning ordinances, with some jurisdictions distinguishing between RV parks and mobile home parks in their land use classifications. Health department standards apply to restrooms, potable water systems, and waste disposal per state and local regulations. ADA accessibility[12] requirements cover accessible sites, facilities, and pathways. Fire safety codes mandate emergency access roads and evacuation plans. Environmental regulations address stormwater management and wastewater treatment.
How do seasonal demand patterns affect RV park cash flow?
Most campgrounds experience occupancy swings from 20 to 30 percent in off-peak periods to 70 percent or higher during summer and holiday seasons per BLS industry data[8]. Parks in Sun Belt states and year-round warm climates enjoy more consistent occupancy from snowbird and full-time RV travelers. Operators in seasonal markets must manage working capital carefully to cover fixed costs during low-occupancy months, with monthly and seasonal site leases providing baseline revenue stability.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Census Bureau Economic Census data.census.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [9]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]504 loans sba.gov
- [12]ADA accessibility ada.gov
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