There are so many campground owners out there, so they need to come up with creative ways to make people stand out and book, especially during slow periods. That’s where promotional codes come in. Promotional codes, also known as coupon codes, can be used to receive more than just discounts. They can be used as a great marketing tool to keep guests coming back and to increase sales.
Promotional codes are a great way of getting people to visit your park mid-week, reward repeat visitors, or build anticipation for a seasonal sale—without devaluing your park. Due to websites like RoverPass, it has never been easier to organize these codes. This article will talk about the best ways to use a coupon code to market your campground, get more reservations, and keep guests coming back, all while keeping your pricing strategy under control.
Key Takeaways:
- Over 60% of online consumers hunt for online coupons when shopping—offering a great deal can convert those searchers into campground bookings.
- Promo codes can fill slow nights (off-season or last-minute openings), encourage repeat visitors, and reward group reservations without cutting into your revenue.
- Successful promo code promotions have specific goals, use limited-time offers to create a sense of urgency, and are promoted through several channels (website, email, social media).
- You need to discount without devaluing your campground—don’t discount frequently or too much, which trains guests to expect deep price drops.
- RoverPass’s Promo Codes tool makes it easy to customize discounts and track their performance in your dashboard, simplifying promo code marketing for campground owners.
Why campgrounds need promo codes
Shoppers today are savvy consumers. In fact, over 60% of U.S. consumers proactively search for promo codes before booking or purchasing. That means that your campground can be chosen over the competition’s if you’re offering compelling special offers. But promo codes aren’t just about discounting—they’re about smart, targeted incentives. If you use them correctly, they can help you:
- Bring in new customers who are looking for the best deals
- Fill sites during slow times
- Reward repeat visits and loyalty
- Track what marketing efforts are actually paying off
Promo codes enable you to control promotions on your own terms—determining how long they last, when they are redeemable, and who gets them. And with the right tools, you can do it all in one dashboard. That will make you create the best coupons strategically instead of random.
Best Use Cases for Campground Promo Codes
Promo codes can be tailored to solve specific business issues. Here are four of the most effective ways campground owners are utilizing them today.
Filling Off-Peak Nights
Every park has its slow periods—perhaps midweek or off-season. Promo codes allow you to turn the empty sites into more filled nights by encouraging travel during times of low demand. As an example, you can create a 20% off valid promo code from Monday to Thursday and promote it in your newsletter and Facebook page. By offering this type of selective discounting, you can attract more visitors to stay at your property without lowering your base rate long-term.
Tip: Time-limit the code (i.e., “SPRING20 valid through May 30”) to build urgency.
Rewarding Loyal Guests
Return visitors are golden. They’re easier to acquire and more likely to give good reviews or refer you to their friends. Promo codes offer an easy way to say “thank you”—and get them coming back for more. With platforms like RoverPass, you can create private promo codes from a guest’s email. For example, email guests who’ve stayed more than twice in the last year a 15% “Welcome Back” discount. Guests will be more loyal and likely to book again if you make it personal.
Pro Tip: Drop the promo code in a post-stay thank-you email to automate it.
Group Bookings and Events
The majority of campgrounds welcome clubs, rallies, family reunions, or RV travel clubs. Promo codes are a great way of promoting group bookings and managing discount exposure. For example, you can create a group code that can only be used three times per cart. This way, families or small groups of travelers can save money without letting everyone get bulk discounts. This level of control ensures you offer value without sacrificing too much margin.
Tip: Use unique codes for each event (e.g., “BIKERWEEKEND25”) to track performance by group.
Attracting New Customers
First-time guests typically need a little nudge to book. A limited-time discount can reduce booking hesitation and increase trial bookings, especially if your campsite has rave reviews or amenities they’ll love the moment they arrive. Try a “NEWGUEST10” code for 10% off a first stay.
Promote it on your website, social media, and directory listings. Once they’ve experienced your park, you’ll have the opportunity to turn them into repeat campers.
Idea: Use QR codes on print materials or local tourism brochures to distribute the latest deals offline too.
Best Practices for Effective Promo Code Campaigns
To make promo codes work for your business, you need a plan. Below are essential best practices to follow:
Set clear objectives and terms
Before creating a promo code, decide what you want to achieve:
- Boost off-season reservations?
- Bring in 50 new visitors this summer?
- Improve weekday revenue?
Then define unique usage rules: booking window, date range, site type, or minimum night stay. For example, a “20% off” promo code that applies only to Monday–Thursday bookings of two nights or more allows you to fill targeted occupancy goals without compromising weekend discounts.
Keep Your Worth (Don’t Undercut Your Prices)
Making an offer doesn’t have to mean you must discount prices. Deep or repeated discounts hurt your perceived value. Instead:
- Offer limited discounts of 10–20%
- Offer value-added promotions (e.g., “stay 3 nights, get 1 free”)
- Make promos occasional, not expected.
That way, campers still think of your park as a premium experience—and you don’t train guests to wait for a promotion.
Announce the code across multiple channels
A great deal with a promo code is useless if no one sees it. Promote it via:
- Your website homepage or pop-up
- Email campaigns to past guests
- Social media (with an eye-catching visual or video)
- Campground directories and OTA listings
Ensure the valid promo code is visible and easy to apply. The more people who know about it, the more redemptions you’ll see.
Use urgency and exclusivity.
Promo codes are more effective when they feel limited or special. Add urgency by:
- Providing an expiration date
- Restricting the number of redemptions
- Making “exclusive offers” to repeat visitors or subscribers
- Calls to action like “This weekend only!” or “Exclusive deals for email subscribers”
- boost click-throughs and conversions.
Measure performance and refine
Use your booking system to monitor:
- Number of redemptions per code
- Revenue generated
- Bookings linked to a specific promo
With these insights, you can view what types of exclusive offers perform best—and streamline future campaigns. RoverPass makes this easy with its dashboard, which offers easy-to-understand insights into your promo code performance.
Ready to Supercharge Your Bookings with Promo Codes?
Promo codes are not a trend, they’re a proven marketing tactic that enables you to:
- Fill slow nights
- Drive new business
- Build guest loyalty
- Compete in a crowded market
The trick is to use them strategically—and with a tool that’s simple to use. With RoverPass Promo Codes, you’ve got complete flexibility and control without any added complexity. From targeted promotions to overall performance tracking, everything you need is in your dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I limit promo codes to specific site types (e.g., tent sites or RV hookups)?
Not directly. Most systems, RoverPass included, will automatically apply promo codes to all eligible site types unless you create a special workaround. To target certain site types, use distinctive featured discounts (i.e., TENT10, RV20) and promote accordingly. You may also include restrictions like minimum nights or book days to control who uses the code.
2. What is the difference between a promo code and a pass?
Promo codes are public discounts anyone can use. Passes are private; single-use discounts for individual guests are emailed. Use promo codes for general promotions and passes for personalized exclusive discounts.
3. Can I get promo codes to automatically turn on or off?
Yes. In RoverPass, you can define the start and end date of a code, along with valid stay dates, check-in days, and minimum stays. Through this automation, you can easily schedule and run campaigns.
4. How do I keep my promo code from being shared publicly if it’s meant for a private guest?
Use a pass instead. A discount code can be shared, but passes are locked to individual emails and cannot be used again. If you’re using a promo code, share it privately and include in your message that it’s for the recipient’s use only.
5. Can I apply more than one promo code to a single booking?
No. Most systems, including RoverPass, only allow a single code per reservation. If you’d like to offer multiple amenities, consolidate them into one promo code.
