Technology has been on the rise for many years and the camping industry has seen innovations that have brought more and more RVers to campsites and parks all over the world. From booking campsite reservations to finding the campsite itself, technology has made the life of a RVing nomad much easier in the last decade.
Depending on the traveler, one may wish to be connected to the world via the Internet or one may wish to have everything but the basics (heat, electricity, and water) turned off while they hit the highway or park at a campsite. State parks are finding new ways to ensure that both kinds of visitors are welcome at their campsites and have been revamping their technologies and software to accommodate both sets of travelers. The largest state park system in the U.S., California State Parks, has taken on the challenge of delivering to both types of RVers and campers in innovative ways.
Jorge Moreno, an Information Officer from the California State Parks offices, talked a little bit about the technology they use to stay the course of nature and connectivity through online reservation software and digital payment systems, both of which are welcomed with open arms in the RVing community. “Transitioning to a new reservation system [ReserveCalifornia] allows us to provide more user-friendly web services and greater accessibility to more visitors for the highly sought-after camping and lodging locations,” Moreno stated. Not only does the new reservation technology allow for greater accessibility, it allows RVers and campers alike to better plan their trips and pay for their campsites upon arrival with credit and debit cards, and not just cash.
“California State Parks has partnered with Google Maps, so now visitors can scour through Google Trekker for a total of 110 state park destinations right from your computer, tablet or smart phone.” [Photo Credit: California State Parks]
Moreno tells The Buzz more about his favorite feature of the new system: “Another new feature of ReserveCalifornia is the ability for our visitors to reserve the highly-sought after campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. This is a change from the block/on-sale day reservation period that the department has been using for years.” Allowing RVers and campers to book far in advance gives more travelers the chance to camp at the spot they’ve been dreaming about without all the hassle of showing up and it being booked already!
California State Parks have also partnered up with Google Maps to allow people from all over the world to explore what the parks have to offer. Moreno explains a little about the process: “A total of 110 state parks destinations have been filmed using Google Trekker, using a backpack-mounted camera that provides 360-degree footage.” The footage of these state parks can be found online through Google Maps and provides the opportunity for campers to plan trips, old visitors to relive their fond memories, and people who are unable to visit across the world a chance to see what they are missing.
Changing reservation systems and incorporating new software at California State Parks isn’t the only thing driving more and more travelers to campsites. Moreno says, “The use of social media has opened up the outdoor experience to more people. Our visitors can experience the beauty of our parks and learn about the natural and cultural resources California State Parks protect with a click of a button.” The constant sharing of photos and experiences over social media allows others to plan their trips around the photos and reviews they’ve seen online meaning more people than ever are planning to spend their days at California State Parks.
“Getting away from the modern world at Humboldt Redwoods State Park, where the world's largest remaining contiguous old-growth forest of coast redwoods exists.” [Photo Credit: California State Parks]
Many wonder if social media has the power to increase park traffic, but Moreno says that without social media some of their parks would still have a lower rate of visitation. “Photos and videos that have been shared across social media platforms have inspired new people to visit our parks. For example, Burney Falls, located in Northern California, has high visitation pretty much all year long. This was not the case prior to social media,” was just one example Moreno shared.
Social media isn’t a new technology but it has allowed RVers and campers to see the world from a different lens and venture off to new parks and adventures they never knew existed. Moreno says California State Parks saw an increase of visitors shortly after photos were posted on social media. “Last year, social media pictures of the flower blooms at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park drew hundreds of people.”
State parks and other campsites have welcomed new technology with open arms and have reaped the benefits of doing so even though most technology available is still relatively new! California State Parks are just one of the many state park systems that offer technology to their travelers, but they also know there’s a fine line between too much technology and not enough.
Moreno knows just how important it is for campers and RVers to stay connected but also be able to turn it all off, too. The mission statement of California State Parks, much like any other park system, includes providing health, inspiration, and education to those who visit the parks while protecting the outdoors and everything within it. Although California State Parks mission statement may seem solely focused on keeping the outdoors the outdoors, Moreno says that a balance can be struck: “California State Parks is committed to continue modernizing ourselves in innovative ways while remaining true to our mission statement.”
“Screenshot of the beginning to a Live Streaming location video from California State Parks' website.” [Photo Credit: California State Parks]
For a park over 150 years old, the balance of connected and off-grid adventures can be hard to achieve. Many RVers are welcoming the new changes that have helped them find new and exciting places to travel. Others are worried that RVing may never be the same or as unconnected as it once was.
Technology in the RVing industry has made travel much easier for many. Online reservations and payments are quick and easy. Using a GPS is helpful in new areas where a traveler is unfamiliar. Many even require WiFi as they travel to look for extra activities in the area they are traveling, whether that be in the city or outdoors. These kinds of technology have transformed the way nomads take to the roads.
While others are wary of the increased innovation, technology has played an important role in the creation of RVs themselves and the systems used to get from Point A to Point B. As the years go by, there might be a new way to hit the open roads, but for now RVers still have the opportunity to ditch the technology and spend some one on one time with nature if they please.
RV and camping technology is what an RVer makes of it and California State Parks is doing their best to keep nature wild while bringing more travelers in to enjoy what their parks have to offer.