Serving Transient RVers with Chris Pyle of RV Self Park

This episode of Campground Confidential features Chris Pyle, the Director of Operations at RV Self Park, a small, family-owned campground business. In this multifaceted role, Chris has worn various hats, handling everything from answering calls and spearheading marketing initiatives to overseeing upgrades at the park. 

His journey into the outdoor hospitality industry began with a solid foundation in customer service as a recruiter prior to joining RV Self Park. This experience equipped him with the interpersonal skills and client-focused mindset that have proved instrumental in his transition into the world of hospitality. Chris's commitment to providing exceptional service and ensuring a positive guest experience has been a driving force throughout his career.

The concept of RV Self Park is rooted in providing a simple, automated, and stress-free overnight stay for transient travelers. The idea stemmed from the founders’ experiences as they RVed across America and often found themselves looking for a safe and affordable place to spend the night while they were driving from point A to point B. The challenge became finding a place that was close to the interstate and wouldn’t be too expensive considering they wouldn’t be using the large majority of campground amenities. 

Of course, RVers know that a common solution to the dilemma of looking for a safe place to sleep without paying a high price point is stopping in parking lots of businesses like Walmart and Cracker Barrell. Many of these locations allow RVers to park overnight for free. However, noise, light, lack of hookups, and the variety of local ordinances make this a less than ideal solution for many travelers.

Enter RV Self Park. 

The first RV Self Park location opened in January of 2020 in West Sullivan Missouri right off I-44. The goal was “meet the needs of the RV traveler who” was looking for “a convenient, hassle-free, safe place to park for between a few hours, to a few days.” The greatest challenges came with developing the automated technology for guests and also communicating processes and expectations that RVers were not accustomed to with this entirely new model of campground. 

The second RV Self Park location recently opened in Kingsland, Georgia. In this episode Chris discusses how they chose this location and the goals for growing the company and franchising their unique model.

Takeaways

RV Self Park offers a simple, automated, and stress-free overnight stay for transient travelers.

Choosing the right location is crucial for the success of any campground, but particularly when you are serving transient guests.

Trends in the campground industry indicate a growing demand for convenient and hassle-free overnight stays.

Dynamic pricing and promotional pricing can be effective strategies for attracting guests.

Owning and operating a campground requires attention to detail and the ability to adapt to guest needs.

 

Chapters

 

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:36 RV Self Park Concept

07:03 Challenges and Solutions

08:01 Frustrations in the Campground Industry

09:02 Choosing the Right Location

11:36 Expansion and Franchise Model

20:55 Pricing and Promotions

25:57 Personal Camping Experience

27:02 Challenges with Guests

28:18 Dynamic Pricing and Promotional Pricing

30:22 Advice for Opening a Campground

31:01 Controversial Campground Rule

31:49 Misconceptions about Running a Campground

32:06 Conclusion

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