How To Run A Successful Campsite In Kentucky

Camping in Kentucky can be a blast. So if you dream of running a successful campsite for families to create memories, it will take some hard work. There are many factors to consider, including land maintenance, wildlife preservation, and infrastructure. And that’s only scratching the surface. It will be a costly venture, but the rewards will be worth the investment if you can keep up.

Research Business Costs

Opening a campsite will be expensive, especially if you want to focus on glamping, which is essentially luxury camping. You need to consider the cost of building materials, permits, employees, contractors, and Kentucky workers’ compensation. In addition, camping can be dangerous at times. So that means you may need more insurance to protect your business from liability when a camper gets injured. Determine what losses you can afford and buy coverage for those you can’t.

However, your new business won’t just cost you money. It will cost you a significant amount of time to build your campsite from scratch. So unless you’re buying a finished campground from someone, expect it to take a while.

Location

Finding the right location for your campground is more critical than you think. You can’t just find some random neck of the woods and plant a flag in the ground. If you’ve found a suitable location, you will need to check with the local municipality for zoning. Then, before you purchase the land, hire a contractor to help you determine whether it is viable for camping.

Write a Business Plan

If you know everything there is to know about running a campsite, then you should start writing a business plan. Many people assume that business plans are outdated, but they can be a helpful guide when you feel like you’re losing track. Plus, if you will be pitching investors, you’ll need to show them you have a solid plan so they can expect to make a profit.

To write a business plan, you will need to describe your company, its members, your market, and the service you’ll provide. Then, you can start laying out the nitty-gritty of business costs, marketing strategies, and any roadblocks you may need to overcome. Finally, you can detail how much money you currently have and how much you need to set up your campsite. You should then have an appendix of official documents at the end of your business plan.

Register Your Business

Before seeking funding, you need to register your business with the state. This will show lenders that you’re serious about your plan. It’s easy to register online, but there are legal sites that can assist you with the small details so you don’t forget any critical steps. Once your business is registered, you can go ahead and get an EIN from the IRS, open bank accounts, file taxes, and hire people on behalf of your business.

Funding

You need money to make money, and now that you’re an official business owner, you can start seeking the funds you need to make the magic happen. Applying for a loan with a bank is a popular option, but you should ensure that you can pay it back within the term. However, there are other options, such as grants and investors.

Infrastructure

To make your campsite usable, you will need to invest in some infrastructure. When you know where you will place each cabin or tent site, you should create paths to each one. Next, you’ll need to consider the components that will keep your campsite functioning. This will likely require the work of electricians, plumbers, and HVAC professionals.

Amenities

The nature of your campground will likely attract customers, but if you want to increase your revenue, there should be other amenities to give your campers an unforgettable experience. Turn your campsite into a luxury nature getaway with the following amenities:

• Boat rentals
• Hot tubs
• Bike rentals
• Fishing gear
• Swim lessons
• Kids camping activities
• Hiking tours

Marketing

Marketing your campsite is essential for attracting customers. Nobody will know your business exists if you don’t let them know. Your best tool is the internet. You should build a website, create social media accounts, and consider paid advertising.

However, all of this takes a significant amount of talent and time. If you can’t do it yourself, you should hire a marketing firm or freelancer. They’ll have the skills to attract your ideal clients, and you can get on with what you do best.

Conclusion

Running a successful campsite in Kentucky will bring you many happy memories and great fortune. Once you’ve tackled the tedious administrative tasks, you can start on the fun stuff like designing and building cabins. Don’t forget to hire qualified contractors to help you with the infrastructure. Working with electrical components is dangerous, and you shouldn’t attempt to do it on your own.

Then, after your campsite is fully assembled, you will need to plan special events for the camping season. For example, will you host kids’ camps? Will there be family discounts during certain weeks? In addition, what kind of amenities will you have at your campsite that will attract more customers?