Ever wonder why your favorite campground suddenly feels like a soulless parking lot? You’re not imagining things. Corporate takeovers of America’s beloved campgrounds have created a massive problem that’s leaving RV sites empty—even on holiday weekends.

The RV Wingman, a former campground owner who ran a successful 72-site park in Texas, reveals the shocking reasons why big money is failing miserably at what small owners do naturally. From hiring disasters to forgotten humanity, this story will change how you view every campground you visit.

1. Money Doesn’t Equal Brains (But Corporations Think It Does)

Corporate campground buyers waltz in with bulging wallets and massive egos. They drop millions on properties and assume their bank balance automatically makes them geniuses. Spoiler alert: It doesn’t. The RV Wingman learned through seven years of sweat, tears, and mistakes that time is the four-letter word that actually matters—not cash.

According to IBISWorld, the campground and RV park industry generates approximately $10.7 billion annually, with revenue growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% over the past five years. With numbers like these, it’s no wonder corporate investors are salivating. But here’s the catch: 68% average occupancy rates for full hook-up sites tell only part of the story.

You’d think smart investors would realize that buying a campground isn’t like buying stocks. These corporate hotshots roll in thinking, “We’re rich, therefore we’re brilliant!” Then they proceed to ignore everything that actually made the campground successful in the first place. It’s like buying a restaurant and immediately firing the chef because, hey, how hard can cooking be?

2. Work Campers: The Budget Solution That Backfires Spectacularly

Here’s where corporate “cost-cutting genius” really shines. Instead of paying qualified employees decent wages, these companies rely heavily on work campers—essentially part-time gypsies who’ll disappear faster than free beer at a tailgate party.

The RV Wingman shared horror stories that would make any business owner cringe:

  • The ex-con chef: A guy who supposedly went to “chef school” (translation: learned to cook in prison)
  • The “lefty loosey, rig