Next-gen camping—glamping tents, adventure amenities, and experience-driven stays—is reshaping outdoor hospitality. Here’s how campground and RV park owners can tap into the trend and boost both revenue and resale value.
The outdoor hospitality world is changing fast.
Traditional RV sites and tent pads are still important, but today’s guests are also looking for something more:
experiences, comfort, adventure, and a strong connection to nature.
For campground, RV park, resort, and marina owners, that shift isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a real opportunity to grow revenue now and increase the value of your property when you’re ready to sell.
In this article, we’ll walk through:
- What “next-gen camping” actually means
- Why it matters for your park
- Practical upgrades you can make at different budget levels
- How these changes can boost your eventual sales price
What Is “Next-Gen Camping”?
“Next-gen camping” is the evolution of classic camping into something more experience-driven. It blends nature, comfort, adventure, and design into stays that feel special and memorable.
That can include:
- Glamping units – safari tents, yurts, domes, treehouses, tiny homes, or fully outfitted cabins
- Adventure-focused amenities – hiking and biking trails, kayak and paddleboard rentals, UTV/ATV access, climbing areas, fishing spots
- Lifestyle add-ons – wellness retreats, yoga decks, outdoor co-working areas, community fire pits
- Tech & comfort upgrades – strong Wi-Fi, smart check-in, upgraded bathhouses, EV charging, better bedding and furnishings
In other words, it’s still camping—just with more intentional experiences built in.
Why It Matters for Your Park
You don’t have to reinvent your entire property to benefit from these trends. Even a few well-chosen changes can make a noticeable difference.
Here’s why next-gen camping matters:
1. You Attract a Wider Guest Base
You’ll still draw traditional campers, but you also open the door to:
- Couples looking for a romantic weekend
- Families wanting a “wow” experience
- Remote workers seeking a peaceful, scenic place to plug in
- Travelers who want comfort but don’t own an RV
More types of guests = more potential bookings.
2. You Can Command Higher Rates
Glamping units and curated experiences almost always support higher nightly rates than a standard site. Guests understand they’re paying for something unique, not just a patch of ground and hookups.
3. You Stand Out in a Crowded Market
Look at any booking platform: many listings start to look the same.
A park that features “riverfront glamping tents with fire pits” or “adventure cabins with direct trail access” immediately catches the eye—and that’s true for both guests and future buyers.
4. You Future-Proof Your Investment
Buyer expectations are shifting. Parks that feel current with these trends are often seen as:
- Easier to market
- More resilient to competition
- Better positioned for long-term demand
That translates into stronger buyer interest when it’s time to sell.
Practical Ways to Add Next-Gen Features (Without Breaking the Bank)
You don’t have to build 20 luxury domes to get started. Here are tiered ideas you can phase in over time.
Low-Cost / High-Impact
- Upgrade your visuals.Capture new photos during golden hour: trails, water features, cabins, glamping units, community spaces, sunsets.
- Create “experience wording” in your marketing.Instead of “30 sites + bathhouse,” highlight:“Wooded RV sites with direct access to hiking trails and evening campfires under the stars.”
- Curate common areas.Add string lights around a central fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and simple gathering spaces that photograph well and feel intentional.
- Trail maps & micro-adventures.Mark short hikes, nature walks, or “sunset spots” with simple signage and a printed/online map.
Medium Investment
- Add 1–3 glamping units.Start with a few units (yurt, safari tent, tiny cabin) and test demand before expanding.
- Upgrade bathhouses.Fresh tile, better lighting, private family rooms, and clean design go a very long way.
- Adventure rentals.Kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, or UTV partnerships with local outfitters.
- Create themed weekends.Fishing weekend, stargazing weekend, wellness retreat, holiday lights, or live music at the pavilion.
Larger Investment / Long-Term Vision
- Build a defined glamping village.Cluster units around a pond, meadow, or view, with shared fire pits and outdoor kitchens.
- Add wellness or co-working elements.Covered deck with power outlets and Wi-Fi, morning yoga platform, or a small sauna/hot tub area (where appropriate).
- Develop a full adventure program.Guided hikes, kids’ nature programs, kayak tours, or UTV trail networks where regulations allow.
Each step you take doesn’t just create more revenue—it creates more story around your property.
How Next-Gen Camping Affects Your Park’s Value
From a buyer’s perspective, next-gen features are attractive because they:
- Show diversified income (RV sites, glamping units, rentals, activities)
- Prove that the park is keeping up with guest expectations
- Reduce the amount of work a buyer needs to do post-closing
- Offer obvious expansion paths (“add more units like these”)
When it’s time to sell, a park positioned as an “experience” rather than just “X sites on Y acres” often inspires more interest and more competitive offers.
Even if you’re years away from selling, these upgrades can:
- Increase your net operating income (NOI) now
- Give you a stronger story and better visuals for your eventual listing
- Shorten time on market when you do decide to exit
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Think Big
You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Start with one or two ideas that fit:
- Your property’s natural strengths (water, woods, views, trails)
- Your budget
- Your guest base
Next-gen camping is simply about turning your park into a place people remember—and want to return to.
At The Campground Marketplace, we see firsthand how these changes impact both day-to-day revenue and long-term value. Whether you’re planning to hold, refinance, or eventually sell, we’re here to help you think through the options that make sense for your specific park.
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