The nostalgia of traditional cabins hasn’t changed—crackling fires, star-filled nights, and the feeling of being far from everything. Yet behind the scenes, today’s campgrounds and glamping resorts are far from unplugged. Modern outdoor destinations run on digital systems that rival many upscale hotels: contactless check-in, cloud-powered reservation workflows, Wi-Fi roaming across acres, smart-cabin controls, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and edge devices designed to stay online no matter how remote the location.
And with the camping and caravanning market growing from $60.02 billion in 2024 to $64.38 billion in 2025—with projections reaching $108.74 billion by 2032—operators are feeling pressure to modernize just as quickly as demand accelerates.1
Guests may come for nature, but they still expect digital convenience. Property operators, meanwhile, have learned that to keep the experience smooth, safe, and profitable, they need enterprise-grade infrastructure, solutions that go far beyond patchy campground Wi-Fi and a simple back-office router.
Welcome to the new reality: outdoor hospitality now depends on the cloud as much as the campfire.The Modern
The Modern Campground’s Tech Reality Checklist
That rapid market expansion, driven by diverse demographics, eco-friendly upgrades, and deeper digital integration, has reshaped what guests expect from the outdoor experience. Even the most remote adventure lodging properties are now expected to deliver reliability, security, and seamless experiences. And as the industry continues its 7.71 percent CAGR climb,2 operators must ensure their infrastructure can scale right alongside it.
Here’s the spec:
Digital check-in is the new “Welcome Center”
The first impression of a campground increasingly happens online. Guests complete mobile reservations, select maps, sign digital waivers, and follow automated check-in flows. When guests arrive, many expect to skip the front desk altogether, driving straight to their site or cabin with directions and PIN codes on their phones.
This level of convenience depends on reliable connectivity. If systems lag or crash, arrivals pile up, staff scramble to verify bookings manually, and queue lines grow long at exactly the wrong moment. Peaks can hit fast, especially on Friday evenings. Efficient digital check-in keeps traffic flowing, preventing bottlenecks at the gate.
Smart cabins set a new standard
Today’s glamping and cabin experiences come with smart locks, IoT thermostats, automated lighting, leak and freeze sensors, fire and CO monitors, and occupancy alerts. All of this technology improves comfort, energy efficiency, and guest safety, but only if the network behind it is rock solid. A weak connection can leave cabins unresponsive, offline, or unsafe. With properties scattered across diverse terrain, device failures aren’t just an annoyance—they’re a risk.
Wi-Fi reaches beyond the trails
Guests expect strong, consistent Wi-Fi—even deep in nature. For operators, it’s mission-critical for POS at satellite kiosks, staff communications, emergency notifications, guest app features, and smart-device connectivity. But outdoor Wi-Fi isn’t indoor Wi-Fi. Coverage must span uneven terrain, resist weather exposure, and support dozens or hundreds of devices connecting at once. Without proper architecture, networks slow, drop, or fail just when guests need them most.
Rural connectivity needs backup—always
Many campgrounds live at the edge of civilization on purpose. That usually means:
-
Limited broadband
-
Shared local infrastructure
-
Seasonal strain on networks
-
Weather-related outages
-
Occasional service drops with no warning
When the internet goes out, operations stop: no check-ins, no reservations, no payments, and no access to smart-cabin systems. LTE failover and redundant connectivity are now non-negotiable.
Outdoor hospitality is now a cyber target
As campgrounds and glamping sites become more connected, they’re also becoming more appealing targets for attackers. Reservation systems, payment workflows, smart locks, guest Wi-Fi, environmental sensors, and staff devices all create new entry points, especially in remote locations where security tools are often lighter than in traditional hospitality. Without network segmentation, endpoint protection, identity controls, and continuous monitoring, a single compromised device can cascade into outages, data exposure, or safety risks across the entire property.
Reliability to the Remote: ESP, a NexustTek Company
Behind every great outdoor experience is a technology backbone that guests never see—but immediately feel when it fails. The average cost of a data breach in the hospitality sector has risen from $3.82 million in 2024 to $4.03 million in 2025, and properties take an average of 241 days to identify and contain an attack.3
ESP, a NexusTek company, delivers the infrastructure that keeps campgrounds and glamping sites running smoothly, safely, and reliably, no matter how remote the terrain.
With ESP behind the scenes, operators benefit from:
-
Resilient networking across wide outdoor areas – Wi-Fi engineered for cabins, trails, common areas, and remote facilities—without dead zones or signal drops.
-
Backup connectivity – LTE and multi-path failover that ensure check-in, POS, smart locks, and apps keep working even if the main provider fails.
-
Hybrid and private-cloud infrastructure – Reliable hosting for key systems including reservation platforms, POS, security systems, and digital workflows that need 24/7 uptime.
-
Smart-device and IoT support – From access controls to environmental sensors, ESP ensures devices stay connected, secure, and functioning properly.
-
24/7 monitoring and help desk coverage – Around-the-clock oversight means issues get caught before they disrupt guests, with immediate human support if needed.
-
Security built for outdoor hospitality – Purpose-built network segmentation, endpoint protection, and identity controls keep guest data, staff systems, and facility technology safe from cyber threats.
Take the Stress Out of the Wilderness
Guests come for the peace and the escape—but they still expect everything to work.
Smooth arrivals. Secure cabins. Reliable Wi-Fi. Payments that never fail. Outdoor hospitality may take place in the wild, but its success depends on technology that’s robust and invisible. If you want every stay to feel easy, even at the edge of the map, ESP is ready to help you build the infrastructure behind unforgettable experiences.
1. Research and Markets, Camping& Caravanning Market - Global Forecast 2025-2032, November 2025
2. Ibid.
3. IBM Security. Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, July 2025
About the Author
Jason Pullo
Founder, ESP, a NexusTek company
Jason Pullo is a seasoned technology entrepreneur with a passion for transforming the hospitality industry through innovative IT solutions. As Founder and CEO of Enterprise Solutions Providers, he leads the company’s vision and growth, helping hotels navigate everything from new builds and brand transitions to large-scale renovations. Since launching the firm in 2003, Jason has played a key role in the technology strategy behind more than 1,000 hotel acquisitions. His journey began at just 18 years old as an IT manager for a trade show company, and he’s since led major projects like a multimillion-dollar hotel renovation in New York City, delivering guest-centric technology with measurable business impact.
