Wifi Systems for Campgrounds and Caravan Parks
Guests at campgrounds and caravan parks expect internet access just as they do at hotels and resorts.
It could be for simple tasks, like emailing, messaging, etc., or more bandwidth-heavy tasks like streaming. Either way, it’s an expectation.
However, though the concept of offering wifi sounds simple, it does come with its challenges, especially if you want to provide guests with a quality experience.
The Challenges of Providing Wifi at Campgrounds and Caravan Parks
Establishing reliable wifi for visitors at campgrounds, caravan parks, and campsites, is much more complex than simply installing a wireless router you might find at a local electronics store. Several factors must be addressed:
1. Large Coverage Areas & Challenging Terrain
Campgrounds can span across varying landscapes. These areas can include forests, lakes, hills, open fields, and everything else in between.
These terrains, along with possible ground-level amenities like public toilets, playgrounds, and shops, as well as vehicles such as RVs, can obstruct wifi signals, creating 'dead zones.
As a result, standard home wifi routers are ineffective in these environments, requiring a much more strategic installation.
2. High-Density Network Usage
Americans have a lot of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and more. In fact, as of 2023, North Americans have 13.4 Wifi-connected devices per person.
Plus, a lot of users are performing high-bandwidth activities, A LOT. For example, Streaming (YouTube, Netflix), video calls (FaceTime, WhatsApp), and online gaming.
If a wifi system for a campground or caravan park has a poorly designed network, the combination of devices and bandwidth will overload your network resulting in slow speeds for all users.
3. Seasonal Traffic Spikes & Scalability Issue
If you want to satisfy visitors, you need to meet wifi demands during off-season and peak-season.
To achieve this, you need a scalable system. A system that prevents network crashes and maintains performance year-round.
4. Security & Public Network Risks
Open wifi networks are invitations to cybersecurity risk, leaving guests potentially open to data theft and hacking.
They’re so vulnerable that 1 in 4 people have experienced security issues using an unsecure public network.
Ideally, campgrounds need separate networks for all operations: security, staff, guests, etc., as well as proper encryption, firewalls, and managed access controls.
The Business Benefits of Superb Wifi for Campsites
In-depth research from the NBC News demonstrates the benefits from offering reliable Wifi services at a campsite.
Increased Bookings
Though campers love landscapes, outdoors, and natural beauty, they still LOVE wifi.
Research even suggests that 40% of campers look for internet availability when choosing a campsite. This figure is higher for Gen Z and Millennials.
By offering high-speed wifi, campsites can attract a lot more bookings. It’s something visitors demand, especially the younger, more tech-driven crowd, or the new type of workers - digital nomads.
Camping is expected to grow 7% this year and glamping, 15% by 2029. Therefore, investing in a quality wifi system could help you attract more bookings, improving your bottom line.
Enhanced Guest Satisfaction
Wifi is offered by 82% of U.S. campsites already. Therefore, if you’re not offering wifi yet, you’re already far behind your competition.
Additionally, not all campgrounds have quality wifi. Still, the fact that over a third of campsites clearly showcases what campers expect when visiting these sites.
Not only this, but increasing guest satisfaction means more positive reviews. More positive reviews usually correlate to increased brand exposure and trust.
Longer Stays
Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in remote workers. And, a lot of these workers are actually campers.
According to research, 29% of campers are working remotely while on-site. If you have good wifi, they’re more likely to stay for a long time.
Plus, remote workers know other remote workers. If they have a good experience at your campsite, they may recommend your campsite to their employees or colleagues.
Justifying Higher Rates
Installing a quality wifi system for a campground or caravan park can cost a decent amount—sometimes thousands, tens, or hundreds of thousands, depending on the site size.
Though the upfront fee looks worrying, campsites can recoup this investment back by increasing their night rate by as little as $1 per night. And honestly, probably more as you’ll meet the demands of modern campers.
How Beacon Solves Campsite Wifi Challenges
Quality wifi systems for campgrounds and caravan parks require specialist installation and maintenance.
At Beacon, we offer full managed solutions, allowing campground owners to focus on guest experience while we handle connectivity.
1. Expert Site Assessments & Custom Network Design
Our specialist will evaluate your campground’s layout and develop a bespoke wifi system that eliminates dead zones. We consider everything from guest traffic to terrain, security needs, and future expansion.
2. High-Quality Wifi Equipment & Professional Installation
We only install the highest-performing access points and mesh networks designed for outdoor use. Our professional installation also ensures a strong, stable, and long-lasting signal throughout the entire campground, not just the main office.
3. 24/7 Network Monitoring & Maintenance
Beacon offers continuous support and monitoring, even when we’re not there. This helps detect and resolve network issues before they impact the guest's experience. Plus, we’ll take care of all software updates to ensure performance optimization.
Let Beacon Handle Wifi for Campgrounds and Caravan Parks
A reliable wifi system is essential for any campground or caravan park in the US. Contact Beacon today and let us transform your campground or caravan park with fast, reliable wifi that keeps guests coming back.