Your Google Business Profile is the first thing most travelers see when they search “RV parks near me,” and for many parks it pulls in more bookings than the website does. A complete, actively managed Google Business Profile is the single highest-return marketing task an RV park owner can do, and it costs nothing but attention. The catch is that a half-filled listing buried below competitors does almost nothing. This guide walks through what to fill in, what to maintain, and how to measure whether it’s working.
Key takeaways
- Claim and verify the profile so you control the photos, hours, amenities, and replies—not Google’s auto-generated guesses.
- Reviews drive both ranking and bookings; ask every happy guest and reply to all of them within a day or two.
- Photos sell sites. Real, current shots of pads, hookups, and amenities outperform stock scenery.
- The profile is not “set and forget”—weekly posts and accurate seasonal hours signal Google that you’re active.
Claim and verify your profile first
Most RV parks already have a Google listing whether they created one or not—Google builds them automatically from map data. Until you claim and verify it, anyone can suggest edits and the displayed hours or phone number may be wrong. Verification (usually a postcard mailed to your park, sometimes a phone or video option) hands you control and signals to Google that the business is legitimate.
- Search your park name on Google and click “Own this business?” or “Claim this business.”
- Complete verification before doing anything else—edits don’t fully take until you’re verified.
- Make sure only one profile exists for your park. Duplicate listings split your reviews and confuse Google; report extras for removal.
Fill in every field accurately and completely
Google rewards complete profiles, and travelers trust them more. Your park name, address, and phone number must match exactly what’s on your website and other listings—inconsistencies hurt local ranking. Pick the most specific category available (“RV park” or “Campground” rather than “Lodging”) and add every amenity that applies, because guests filter and search on those details.
- Set the primary category to “RV park” or “Campground,” then add secondary categories like “Cabin rental” if relevant.
- Mark concrete amenities guests look for: full hookups, pull-through sites, 50-amp service, pet friendly, Wi-Fi, laundry, dump station, pool.
- Write a description that names what’s nearby and what makes you different—for example, “Big-rig friendly park ten minutes from Yellowstone’s west gate, with 60 full-hookup pull-throughs and on-site laundry.”
- Set seasonal hours and add special hours for closures so travelers never arrive at a locked gate.
Use photos and reviews to do the selling
Profiles with real, current photos get far more clicks and direction requests than bare listings. Skip generic forest stock and show the actual experience: a leveled pull-through with the rig parked, the hookup pedestal, the bathhouse, the playground, sunset over your sites. On reviews, quantity and recency both matter—a steady flow of fresh five-star reviews ranks better than a pile of old ones, and your responses show future guests you pay attention.
- Upload 15–20 photos at minimum and add a few new ones each month so the gallery stays current.
- Ask for reviews at checkout—a small sign with a QR code linking straight to your review form removes the friction.
- Reply to every review within a day or two. Thank the positive ones and answer the critical ones calmly with a fix or explanation.
- Use the Q&A section: post and answer common questions yourself, like max rig length or whether you allow tents.
Post regularly and watch the numbers
Google Posts keep your profile fresh and put timely offers right in search results. Share weekend availability, off-season rates, an event, or a “book your summer site now” reminder. Then use the built-in Performance metrics to see what’s actually working—searches that found you, calls, website clicks, and direction requests—and adjust based on real data instead of guessing.
- Post at least once a week during booking season; promote events, rate specials, and openings.
- Track which search terms surface your park and whether calls and direction requests are trending up.
- If website clicks are low, your photos or description likely need work; if calls are low but views are high, check that your booking info is obvious.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Business Profile the same as Google My Business?
Yes. Google renamed “Google My Business” to “Google Business Profile” in 2022. It’s the same free tool that controls how your RV park appears in Google Search and Maps—only the name changed, and you now manage most of it directly from Search and Maps rather than a separate app.
How do I get more reviews for my RV park?
Ask in person at checkout and make it effortless. Generate your profile’s review link in the dashboard, turn it into a QR code, and put it on a checkout sign, a receipt, or a follow-up email. Most guests are happy to leave a review when you ask directly and remove the work of finding the listing themselves.
How often should I update my Google Business Profile?
Treat it as an ongoing task. Add fresh photos and a new Post weekly during your busy season, reply to reviews within a couple of days, and update hours immediately whenever your season or availability changes. Consistent activity tells Google your park is open and relevant, which helps your ranking.
A profile this thorough takes ongoing effort, and most owners would rather run the park than chase reviews and metrics. That’s where we come in—Outdoor Web Solutions handles local SEO and Google Business Profile management for RV parks, from optimizing your listing to keeping reviews, posts, and photos working for you year-round. Reach out and we’ll get your park showing up—and booking up.
