The Case for RV Park Investment
The outdoor hospitality industry has undergone a quiet transformation over the past decade. What was once viewed as a niche corner of real estate has become one of the most compelling asset classes for investors seeking strong cash flow, value-add upside, and recession-resistant demand.
At Requity Group, we identified the RV park and campground space early and built a portfolio across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Here is what we learned about the sector and why it continues to attract institutional and private capital alike.
Structural Demand That Keeps Growing
The RV industry recorded its fourth-strongest year of wholesale shipments in history during 2025, with over 370,000 units shipped according to RVIA data. More than 11 million households in the U.S. now own an RV, and that number has grown steadily since 2018.
But it is not just RV owners driving demand. Glamping, tent camping, and cabin rentals have expanded the campground customer base to include travelers who would never set foot in a traditional RV park. Sites like Hipcamp and Tentrr brought a new generation of guests to outdoor accommodations, and that demand has stuck even as pandemic tailwinds subsided.
The result is a supply-demand imbalance that favors owners. Zoning restrictions and environmental regulations make building new campgrounds difficult and expensive in most desirable markets, while the number of campers continues to climb. Existing parks in strong locations have genuine pricing power.
Multiple Revenue Streams
A well-run RV park generates income from far more than nightly site fees. Revenue streams can include long-term monthly site rentals, short-term nightly and weekly stays, cabin and glamping rentals, camp store and retail sales, laundry facilities, boat and kayak rentals, event hosting and group bookings, propane sales, Wi-Fi and premium amenity fees, and storage for boats and off-season RVs.
This diversification matters because it smooths cash flow across seasons and gives operators multiple levers to grow revenue. A park earning $600 per site per month from long-term tenants can transition underperforming sites to nightly rates at $50 to $85 per night, more than doubling revenue on those pads during peak season.
The Value-Add Opportunity in RV Park Investing
Many RV parks and campgrounds remain owner-operated properties that have been in the same family for decades. These properties frequently have deferred maintenance, below-market rents, minimal online presence, and outdated booking systems. For investors willing to professionalize operations, the upside is significant.
Typical value-add strategies include upgrading electrical and utility infrastructure to accommodate larger modern RVs, adding pull-through sites for Class A motorhomes, installing glamping units or rental cabins to capture premium nightly rates, implementing dynamic pricing through modern reservation software, improving amenities such as pools, playgrounds, dog parks, and Wi-Fi coverage, and expanding the number of sites through infill development on undeveloped acreage.
These improvements can increase net operating income by 30 to 60 percent within 18 to 36 months at well-selected properties, driving meaningful appreciation alongside the cash flow.
Favorable Financing Dynamics
Campgrounds and RV parks can be financed through SBA loans, USDA programs, conventional commercial debt, and private bridge capital. SBA 7(a) loans are particularly attractive for acquisitions under $5 million, with terms up to 25 years and competitive rates. For larger value-add deals that require repositioning before stabilization, bridge loans provide the flexibility to execute the business plan before refinancing into permanent debt.
At Requity, we have seen bridge financing work particularly well for campground acquisitions where the property needs 12 to 24 months of improvements before it qualifies for agency or conventional debt. The short-term cost of bridge capital is more than offset by the value created during the stabilization period.
Recession Resistance
Outdoor hospitality has historically performed well during economic downturns. When consumer spending tightens, families trade hotel vacations for camping trips. An RV trip to a state park costs a fraction of a resort vacation, and the RV already sitting in the driveway makes the decision easy.
During the 2008 financial crisis, campground occupancy held up better than hotel occupancy across most U.S. markets. The same pattern repeated during the early pandemic period when outdoor activities were among the first leisure segments to recover. This countercyclical demand profile makes campgrounds an effective diversifier within a real estate portfolio.
Are RV Parks Profitable? What to Watch For
The asset class is not without risk. Seasonality is the most obvious challenge. Parks in northern climates may only operate six to eight months per year, concentrating revenue into a short window. Environmental exposure from flooding, hurricanes, and wildfire risk requires careful due diligence. Management intensity is higher than multifamily since campgrounds are an operating business as much as they are real estate. And the small deal sizes typical of the sector can make it harder to deploy large amounts of capital efficiently.
The investors who do well in this space take the time to understand the operating model, hire experienced management, and focus on markets with year-round or extended-season demand.
How Requity Group Approaches the Sector
Our investment strategy in RV parks and campgrounds focuses on properties in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic where extended seasons and tourism-driven demand support year-round cash flow. We look for parks with clear value-add potential, stable infrastructure, and room to grow either through rate optimization or site expansion.
If you are an investor interested in outdoor hospitality as part of a diversified real estate portfolio, we invite you to learn more about our investment opportunities. If you are a campground owner or operator looking for acquisition or bridge financing, explore our lending programs.