AI “Dynamic” Pricing is Hitting Campgrounds with Unpredictable Rates and Privacy Concerns

A growing number of campground operators are testing software that adjusts prices automatically, borrowing ideas long used by airlines and hotels. Rates may shift not just by season, but by the timing of your booking, demand trends, and even local events.

So what does that mean for travelers who simply want a predictable price when planning trips?

Flexible Pricing: What Most Campgrounds Have Used For Years

Jason Epperson, of the RV Miles YouTube channel, recently laid out the difference between traditional price changes and newer automated systems. He points out that many people hear “dynamic pricing” and picture something basic, like summer weekends costing more than Tuesday nights in January. That model already exists. It is usually called flexible, variable, or seasonal pricing.

Parks build rate charts in advance, sometimes with only two prices and sometimes with many tiers tied to dates, holidays, site types, or peak seasons. Once those charts are set, they rarely move unless the campground decides to manually change the numbers. Travelers may not enjoy higher peak rates, but at least they can predict them.

Dynamic Pricing: Real-Time Adjustments Controlled By Algorithms

The newer approach adjusts prices based on when the camper books and how much demand is present at that moment. Epperson explains that software can monitor occupancy, cancellations, demand spikes, and upcoming events. Rates can go up or down without a staff member touching anything.

Booking early tends to reward people with lower prices. Booking late during a rush can push the rate higher, sometimes within hours.

Chains like KOA already use forms of dynamic pricing, and reservation platforms are adding tools that make it easier for smaller private operators. The appeal is clear from the business perspective: systems can keep sites filled and raise revenue without constant attention from staff.

Recently, the state of Oregon announced it would change prices across different parts of the year. That led many campers to assume dynamic pricing was already moving into public parks. Cheri Sicard of RVtravel.com reported on this rollout and noted that Oregon’s approach looks much more like traditional seasonal adjustments than true algorithm-driven changes.

The terminology creates confusion because operators, reporters, and software companies often use “dynamic” as a catch-all. For travelers trying to plan a budget, that lack of clarity creates frustration.

Rates Usually Have A Floor, So Don’t Expect Cheap Deals

Many people assume dynamic pricing means major discounts when demand is low. In practice, campgrounds usually set a minimum price, and the software will not go below it.

Epperson explains that parks still pay for electricity, water, sewer, and maintenance whenever a site is occupied. There is also a perception issue. If one guest pays twice as much as another for the same date, complaints follow. Lower rates often appear only through promotions, mailing lists, or limited-time campaigns, not automatic drops.

Consumer Trust Is A Real Concern

Sicard notes that dynamic pricing can create a feeling of unfairness because campers cannot see the rate history. They don’t know if the number they are seeing is an artificial spike or a fair seasonal rate.

Concert tickets, retail stores, and hotels have shown that people sometimes react negatively when prices appear inconsistent or opportunistic. Campgrounds risk similar reactions if the systems are not calibrated carefully.

Creating “Premium” Sites Is Part Of The Strategy

Epperson points out that parks sometimes separate sites into higher priced categories even when the differences are minimal. A small gazebo, a slightly better view, or a spot near a bathhouse can shift a site into a higher tier.

Many guests will pay for what feels like a nicer option, even if they cannot objectively verify that it is better. This behavior supports both flexible and dynamic systems, and businesses lean into it.

How Campers Can Adapt Without Feeling Burned

There are still practical ways to limit the financial sting.

• Book early when possible
• Shift dates by a night or two, especially midweek
• Watch for shoulder season price dips
• Join mailing lists and loyalty programs
• Look for promotions before finalizing a booking

Some systems are sophisticated enough to try to win back potential customers with follow-up offers, so walking away from a shopping cart may occasionally pay off.

The Next Step: Pricing Based On Individual Profiles

Both Epperson and Sicard mentioned that a newer trend, sometimes called personalized or surveillance pricing, is already being tested in other industries. This approach uses browsing behavior, demographics, and purchase history to estimate what a specific buyer will pay.

There is no evidence that campgrounds are using this model broadly at the moment, but the technology exists, and some companies outside the camping world are adopting it. Many consumers view this strategy negatively, and the ethics are still being debated.

What Travelers Can Expect

AI-driven pricing systems are getting cheaper and easier to implement, so the number of campgrounds testing dynamic pricing will likely grow. Some travelers will adapt without much thought. Others may feel frustrated by a lack of transparency.

There is no clear sign that this shift is slowing down, and both public and private operators are experimenting with new ways to set rates. For campers who enjoy planning ahead, early booking and flexible dates will continue to be useful strategies.