RV Park / Campground
Land that charges nightly rent while you sleep
RV parks and campgrounds rent hookup sites to travelers and seasonal residents — and increasingly, to digital nomads and remote workers. The business model is deceptively simple: own or lease land, install electric/water hookups, and collect $40–$80/night per site. A 50-site park at 55% occupancy can generate $400K+ in annual revenue. Value-add operators add amenities (Wi-Fi, glamping tents, event hosting) to push ADR and capture weekend premium.
Avg Revenue
$450K
Profit Margin
35%
Acquisition Multiple
4x - 10x
Startup Cost
$100K - $1.5M
Difficulty
3/5
How It Works
Sites are rented nightly ($40–$80), weekly ($250–$500), monthly ($500–$1,200), or seasonally. Hookup sites (water, electric, sewer) command the highest rates. Revenue comes from site fees plus amenity upsells: firewood, propane, Wi-Fi, camp store, laundry. Occupancy peaks in summer; many operators target 60–70% annual occupancy. Seasonal residents (monthly or annual contracts) provide revenue predictability.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 721211 · RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | TX | $945K | $1.1M | 2 | — |
| Sep 2025 | CA | $1.6M | $1.9M | 8 | — |
| Sep 2025 | GA | $1.1M | $1.3M | 4 | — |
| Sep 2025 | LA | $2.4M | $2.8M | 8 | — |
| Sep 2025 | MO | $1.4M | $1.7M | 4 | — |
| Aug 2025 | SC | $3.1M | $3.7M | 4 | — |
| Jul 2025 | OR | $636K | $748K | 2 | — |
| Jul 2025 | MI | $585K | $688K | 2 | — |
| May 2025 | MI | $300K | $353K | 12 | — |
| Mar 2025 | MO | $450K | $529K | 3 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Land appreciates while the business generates cash flow
- +Low operational complexity — minimal skilled labor needed
- +Booking platforms (Hipcamp, Campspot, RVshare) drive demand cheaply
- +Value-add potential: glamping, events, and amenities boost ADR significantly
- +Recession-resistant — RV travel grew sharply during COVID and held
Cons
- -Highly seasonal in northern markets — 3–4 month peak season
- -Zoning and permitting can be complex depending on jurisdiction
- -Land and infrastructure acquisition is capital-intensive
- -Utilities (sewer hookups in particular) can be expensive to install
Best For
Real estate investors seeking cash-flow-plus-appreciation plays; lifestyle buyers wanting to live on-site; operators who can add glamping or event revenue to boost off-season income
Operating Costs
Operating expenses run 40–50% of revenue: utilities (15–20%), property taxes (5–10%), maintenance and landscaping (10%), staffing/management (10–15%), insurance (3–5%). A 50-site park at $40/night and 55% occupancy generates ~$400K gross with ~$220K NOI. Cap rates range from 6–12% depending on location and amenity mix.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Specialized marketplace for buying and selling campgrounds and RV parks
Commercial real estate listings including RV parks and campgrounds for sale
List your property on Hipcamp to understand demand before buying
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- physical
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $1.8M–$4.5M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Get the full breakdown in your inbox
Weekly boring business breakdowns
Get notified when high-margin businesses hit the market