Outdoor hospitality prices rise 2.7% as peak season begins

By AI, Created 10:40 PM UTC, May 19, 2026, /AGP/ – The Outdoor Hospitality Pricing Index rose to 102.7 in May, with the national average nightly rate reaching $103.58 as demand pressure climbed sharply ahead of summer. Nearly half of tracked site-nights are now booked, but RV pricing remains below baseline even as demand accelerates.

Why it matters: - Outdoor hospitality is heading into peak booking season with stronger demand and higher rates across much of the market. - Nearly half of tracked site-nights are now booked, which signals tighter inventory for campers and RV travelers. - The gap between rising demand and uneven pricing by segment could shape summer rates and availability.

What happened: - The Outdoor Hospitality Pricing Index rose to 102.7 in May, up 2.7 points from the April baseline. - The national weighted average nightly rate increased to $103.58, from $100.88 at baseline. - Demand Pressure Index rose to 49.4% in May, from 40.0% in April. - Median booking window fell to 131 days, from 154 days. - Insider Perks published the monthly index on May 20, 2026.

The details: - RV Sites measured 99.3, with an average rate of $72.79 per night. - Campground Lodging measured 102.1, with an average rate of $196.88. - Tent Camping measured 105.6, with an average rate of $58.72. - Public Campgrounds measured 100.1, with an average rate of $34.17. - Standalone Glamping measured 100.2, with an average rate of $304.95. - Independent Hosts measured 94.0, with an average rate of $79.13. - Tent sites led the monthly increase as seasonal campgrounds opened at summer rates. - RV, the largest segment, dipped below baseline despite surging demand. - The Demand Pressure Index jumped 9.4 points in a single month, the largest movement since the index began. - Maryland was the most expensive state at $175.07, up 21.9%. - North Dakota was the least expensive state at $39.73. - Maryland posted the fastest heating at +20.8%, followed by Pennsylvania at +15.4% and North Carolina at +9.1%. - Alaska cooled the most at -21.1%, followed by Kansas at -15.9%. - The full May 2026 report is available for free download as the full report. - The methodology is available at the methodology.

Between the lines: - Brian Searl, founder and CEO of Insider Perks, said demand jumped nearly 10 points in a single month, but RV pricing has not responded yet. - That divergence suggests pricing power is not moving evenly across outdoor hospitality segments. - The strongest price gains are concentrated in seasonal and tent-oriented inventory as summer demand builds.

What’s next: - More pressure on rates and availability is likely as the summer travel season unfolds. - Segment performance will matter, especially whether RV pricing catches up to demand. - State-level pricing differences may widen as peak-season bookings continue.

The bottom line: - Outdoor hospitality is entering summer with firmer demand, a higher national average rate, and a clear split between fast-heating segments and slower-moving RV pricing.