Introduction
Campspot is one of the most recognized names in campground software. But when parks ask "what does Campspot cost?", the answer is rarely straightforward.
This article breaks down the real cost of using Campspot, including base fees, per-booking charges, setup costs, and hidden expenses that don't show up until you're already using the platform.
Understanding Campspot's Pricing Model
Campspot uses a tiered pricing model based on your park's size and features needed. Here's what we've gathered from public sources and industry conversations:
Base Monthly Fees
| Park Size | Monthly Range | | ---------------------- | --------------- | | Small (under 50 sites) | $199-299/month | | Medium (50-150 sites) | $299-449/month | | Large (150+ sites) | $449-599+/month |
These are estimates based on industry research. Exact pricing varies and Campspot requires contacting sales for quotes.
Per-Booking Fees
This is where costs add up quickly:
- Standard: ~$2.50 per reservation
- Marketplace bookings: Additional marketplace fee
- Some plans: Per-booking fees can reach $3+
Let's calculate what this means:
| Monthly Bookings | Per-Booking Cost ($2.50) | | ---------------- | ------------------------ | | 100 | $250 | | 200 | $500 | | 300 | $750 | | 500 | $1,250 |
A medium park with 200 monthly bookings pays approximately $500/month just in per-booking fees, on top of the base subscription.
Setup and Onboarding
New Campspot customers typically face:
- Setup fee: $1,500-3,000 (varies by park complexity)
- Data migration: Often included but time-intensive
- Training: May be additional
- Hardware: Terminals, printers, etc. (varies)
Real-World Cost Examples
Example 1: Small Family Campground
- 60 sites
- 150 bookings/month average
- Basic feature needs
Monthly costs:
- Base fee: ~$249/month
- Per-booking ($2.50 x 150): $375/month
- Total monthly: ~$624/month = $7,488/year
Plus first-year setup: ~$2,000 = Year 1 total: ~$9,488
Example 2: Medium RV Park
- 120 sites
- 300 bookings/month average
- Full feature set
Monthly costs:
- Base fee: ~$399/month
- Per-booking ($2.50 x 300): $750/month
- Total monthly: ~$1,149/month = $13,788/year
Plus first-year setup: ~$2,500 = Year 1 total: ~$16,288
Example 3: Large Resort
- 250 sites
- 600 bookings/month average
- Enterprise features
Monthly costs:
- Base fee: ~$549/month
- Per-booking ($2.50 x 600): $1,500/month
- Total monthly: ~$2,049/month = $24,588/year
Plus first-year setup: ~$3,000 = Year 1 total: ~$27,588
Hidden Costs to Consider
1. The Marketplace Double-Dip
Campspot operates the Campspot Marketplace where travelers search for campgrounds. If bookings come through the Marketplace:
- You pay your normal per-booking fee
- Plus a marketplace referral fee
- Effectively paying twice for the same reservation
If a significant portion of your bookings come through Campspot's Marketplace, this adds up.
2. Payment Processing
Credit card processing fees are separate from software fees:
- Typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- Passed through to you
- Not always obvious in initial pricing discussions
For a park processing $50,000/month in payments:
- Processing fees: ~$1,480/month
- That's $17,760/year in payment processing alone
3. Support Tiers
Basic support is included, but:
- Phone support response times vary
- Priority support may cost extra
- After-hours support limited
If you need hands-on help frequently, investigate what's actually included.
4. Contract Terms
Campspot typically requires:
- 1-3 year contracts
- Auto-renewal clauses
- Early termination fees
If your needs change or you want to switch, exiting can be expensive.
5. Price Increases
Software prices tend to increase annually. Ask:
- What were prices 2-3 years ago?
- How often do rates increase?
- Are per-booking fees locked or variable?
What You Get for the Cost
To be fair, let's acknowledge what Campspot provides:
Strengths
- Market presence: Well-known in the industry
- Marketplace exposure: Built-in booking source
- Feature set: Comprehensive for large operations
- Integrations: Many third-party connections
- Support network: Established support infrastructure
Considerations
- Complexity: Built for large operations, can be complex for smaller parks
- Cost: Premium pricing that grows with bookings
- Lock-in: Long contracts, switching costs
- Marketplace dependency: Success tied to their platform
Comparison: What Could You Pay Instead?
Let's compare the medium park example (120 sites, 300 bookings/month) across different options:
| Software | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | | -------- | ------------ | -------------- | | Campspot | ~$1,149 | ~$13,788 | | Newbook | ~$800-1,000 | ~$9,600-12,000 | | Keepr | ~$790 | ~$9,480 | | CampLife | ~$600-800 | ~$7,200-9,600 |
Note: These are estimates. Actual costs vary by features, negotiations, and specific park needs.
The differences become more dramatic at higher volumes:
500 bookings/month:
| Software | Per-Booking Cost | Monthly Total | | ------------------------ | ---------------- | ------------- | | Campspot ($2.50/booking) | $1,250 | ~$1,649+ | | Keepr ($2.30/booking) | $1,150 | ~$1,250 | | Annual difference | | ~$4,788 |
Questions to Ask Campspot
If you're evaluating Campspot, get clarity on:
- What's my exact total monthly cost at my current booking volume?
- What's the setup fee and is any of it negotiable?
- How have prices changed over the past 3 years?
- What's the contract length and early termination policy?
- What's included in base support vs. premium support?
- How do Marketplace fees work on top of per-booking fees?
- Will my per-booking rate increase at contract renewal?
Is Campspot Right for You?
Campspot may be a fit if:
- You're a larger operation (150+ sites) with budget for premium software
- Marketplace exposure is valuable to you
- You want established, widely-used software
- You're comfortable with long-term contracts
- Cost is secondary to market presence
Campspot may not be the best fit if:
- You're a smaller park watching costs closely
- You prefer month-to-month flexibility
- Setup fees are a barrier
- Per-booking costs at volume concern you
- You want simpler software for simpler operations
Key Takeaways
- Base fees range $199-599+/month depending on park size
- Per-booking fees of $2.50+ add $250-1,500/month for typical parks
- Setup fees of $1,500-3,000 hit in year one
- Total annual cost for a medium park: $13,000-16,000+
- Alternatives exist at lower price points with comparable features
- Always calculate total cost including per-booking at YOUR volume
Conclusion
Campspot is a capable platform with strong market presence. But capability comes at a cost, and that cost compounds as your bookings grow.
Before signing a multi-year contract, calculate your true total cost at your actual booking volume. Compare that to alternatives. And make sure the premium you're paying delivers premium value.
The best software is the one that fits your operation's needs at a price that makes sense for your business.
Calculating software costs shouldn't require a spreadsheet. Keepr offers transparent pricing: $100/month base + $2.30 per booking, AI included, no setup fees. Compare at campeveryday.com