Using Campground Testimonials to Tell Your Success Stories
Campground testimonials are more than five-star reviews. They’re your guests telling the story of your business in their own words. And those stories? They’re pure marketing gold.
In the world of outdoor hospitality, trust is everything. A family planning their first tent camping trip or a retired couple searching for the perfect seasonal site wants to know exactly what to expect. They’re not just browsing amenities, they are reading stories and looking for experiences they can see themselves in.
And that’s why testimonials matter. They bring your brand to life through the voice of your guests, thereal people who’ve made real memories at your campground or resort.
What Makes a Testimonial More Than Just a Review
A great review says, “We had a wonderful time.”
A great testimonial tells us why.
Was it the quiet lake mornings? The way your staff helped set up a late-night check-in? The family talent show their kids are still talking about?
Campground testimonials are powerful because they do three things:
- Add emotion to your guest experience
- Build credibility with potential guests
- Highlight what makes your property unique
When a parent writes, “We celebrated our daughter’s 10th birthday here and she said it was the best weekend of her life,” that’s not just positive feedback, that’s a story. That’s the kind of content that inspires bookings.
In our previous post, “How Emotional Storytelling Builds Loyalty Among Campground Guests,” we talked about how feelings drive repeat visits. Testimonials bring those feelings front and center for new guests who are still deciding where to stay.
Where to Showcase Campground Testimonials
Knowing how to collect a good testimonial is only half the battle. You also need to know where to share it so it reaches the right people at the right time.
Homepage and Booking Page
Placing testimonials near booking buttons or pricing information can significantly boost conversions—but only if they’re easy to find and feel trustworthy.
According to the Baymard Institute, UX improvements like clear navigation, streamlined layouts, and emotionally resonant design can increase conversion rates by up to 35%. That includes how testimonials are positioned and presented.
A testimonial tucked into a cluttered sidebar doesn’t do much. But a compelling guest quote placed directly above your “Book Now” button? That’s persuasive.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Place 1–2 standout quotes on your homepage with guest photos or names (if permitted).
- Use bold pull quotes or carousel sliders on your booking page.
- Make sure the text is easy to read on mobile and desktop—legibility is part of good UX.
The key takeaway: great testimonials are only effective if they’re seen. Design matters just as much as the words.
Social Media and Emails
Social proof works even better when it feels fresh and personal. Share quotes as Instagram carousels or Facebook graphics. Include short video clips or pictures of guests (with permission), and build campaigns like “Happy Camper of the Month” or “Why We Come Back.”
Better yet, build a campaign around your Roasted Marshmallow Theory and invite guests to describe their perfect camping experience.
Blog Posts, Brochures, and More
Campground testimonials make great blog material, too. You can turn a glowing review into a full story feature, weaving in photos, activities, and links to book that same type of stay.
If you’re printing brochures or rack cards, pick one or two quotes that pack a punch and place them where they’ll be read first. Real words from real people build trust faster than any headline.
How to Ask for and Collect Better Testimonials
The best time to ask for a testimonial is when your guest is still smiling.
Here are a few simple tips:
- Send a follow-up email the day after check-out with a direct link to leave a review. If you haven’t talked to this person directly, and you are unsure of how they are going to respond, make sure that this review goes to your internal server where you are tracking reviews on your own CRM first, not a public facing review site. Keep it short and personal.
- Option 1: Quick and simple, ask them to give you a ranking on a five point scale, or use the infamous smiley and frowny face symbols for a quick review and have an open-ended place for additional feedback.
- Option 2: Use specific prompts instead of asking for “a review.” Try:
“What was the highlight of your stay?”
“Would you recommend our campground to other families?”
“What surprised you most about your visit?”
- If the guest gives you a positive review (on a net promoter score (NPS) scale these would be your 4’s and 5’s on a 5 point scale or your 8, 9’s, and 10’s on your 10 point scale), send them a follow up email thanking them for their review and ask if they will leave a review on your public facing sites with direct links (think Google, TripAdvisor, Trust Pilot, or wherever you are monitoring and responding to reviews regularly).
- If you do have direct contact with a guest on site, and they are expressing that they are having a great time or they are happy with a service you or your staff provided, make sure to ask them right then and there if they will leave you a review and share their experiences with your review place of choice. Have QR codes readily available for them to scan in these instances.
- Feature your best testimonials regularly. When guests see others being highlighted, they’re more likely to share their own story. See above for recommendations on where to share.
If you’re collecting reviews on multiple platforms, tools like Birdeye, NiceJob, or even Zapier with Google Forms can help automate and organize them.
Just remember: never offer incentives for positive reviews (this violates terms of service on platforms like Google and TripAdvisor). Instead, focus on making it easy and meaningful to share feedback.
Final Thoughts: Let Your Guests Do the Talking
You don’t have to be the only voice telling your brand’s story. Your guests already are. The key is to listen, collect those moments, and share them.
Campground testimonials show future guests what it’s really like to stay with you. They prove that your site isn’t just scenic—it’s special. They help you build trust, spark emotion, and close the loop from discovery to decision.
And best of all? They’re already out there, waiting to be captured.
Want help gathering and showcasing testimonials that actually convert? Martrek Digital can help you bring those stories to life—online and off.
👉 Book a free strategy session and let’s turn your happy campers into your strongest marketing tool.
