How to Make Money Land Investing for Camping and Glamping: A Complete Guide

If you’re looking for a creative and lucrative way to invest in land, camping and glamping might be the perfect fit.

Unlike traditional land investing where profit often depends on flipping or long-term appreciation, land investing for camping and glamping allows you to create recurring cash flow, tap into the booming outdoor hospitality market, and build a unique, eco-friendly business—often with minimal competition.

In this guide, we’ll explore exactly what glamping is, how it differs from traditional camping, what makes land suitable for these ventures, where to invest, what it takes to develop a property, and how to make money through multiple income streams—including Airbnb.

Whether you want a side income or a full-fledged nature-based resort, this article will walk you through how to make money land investing for camping and glamping.

What is Glamping?

Glamping is a portmanteau of “glamorous camping.”

It’s the fusion of camping with luxury and comfort.

Guests can enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing amenities like electricity, private bathrooms, real beds, heating, or even Wi-Fi.

Popular glamping structures include:

• Safari tents

• Yurts

• Treehouses

• Geodesic domes

• Tiny cabins

• Airstreams and retro trailers

• Tipis and bell tents

Glamping has exploded in popularity as more people seek immersive travel experiences without roughing it.

The glamping industry is projected to reach $5.93 billion by 2030, and the U.S. leads the way in market share.

Camping vs. Glamping: What’s the Difference?

While both are outdoor experiences, they appeal to different markets:

Traditional Land Investing vs. Land Investing for Glamping and Camping

Traditional land investing typically involves buying low and selling high.

You hold land for appreciation or subdivide and sell to developers.

This strategy can work well—but it’s often slow and dependent on market cycles.

It can be faster if you use the Jack Bosh Method of investing but it’s not as exciting as creating something that pays you month after month, year over year.

Glamping/camping land investing, on the other hand, is about creating short-term, cash-producing assets.

You buy land not to flip, but to monetize it through outdoor experiences.

Key differences:

In essence, land becomes a hospitality business, not just a speculative asset.

What Kind of Land is Best for Camping and Glamping?

Not all land is suitable. You need property that checks the boxes for access, aesthetics, zoning, and utility potential.

Features to Look For:

1. Natural Beauty

   • Wooded areas, rivers, lakes, mountain views, meadows

   • Unique features like cliffs, rock formations, or wildflower fields

2. Privacy and Space

   • 5 to 50+ acres preferred for isolation and expansion

3. Legal Access

   • Year-round road access (legal and physical)

4. Zoning and Permitting

   • Land zoned for recreational, agricultural, or rural residential use

   • Permits allowed for short-term rentals or campground use

5. Minimal Restrictions

   • Avoid HOA areas or land with deed restrictions

6. Off-grid potential

   • Especially valuable if utilities aren’t nearby

Red Flags:

• Wetlands or flood zones

• No legal road access

• Conservation easements

• Protected wildlife zones

• Inability to get a septic permit

Best Places in the U.S. for Camping and Glamping Land

Some areas naturally attract more outdoor visitors and support higher nightly rates. Look for regions near:

• National Parks & Forests

• Tourist attractions

• Hiking trails or ski resorts

• Lakes, rivers, or coastal areas

Top Regions for Land-Based Camping/Glamping Investment:

What You’ll Need to Turn Land Into a Camping/Glamping Site

Here’s what it takes to go from raw land to a money-making destination:

1. Zoning and Permits

• Contact the county planning department

• Confirm land use allows short-term rentals or recreational lodging

• Some counties may require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

• Permits for septic, water wells, driveways, or RV pads

Cost: $500–$10,000+, depending on location and permit type

2. Access and Roads

• Build a gravel driveway or trails

• Add signage and parking pads

Cost: $2,000–$15,000 depending on terrain

3. Electricity

• Grid connection: $5,000–$30,000+

• Solar setup (off-grid): $10,000–$25,000 for full off-grid package

4. Water and Sewage

• Drilled well: $6,000–$15,000

• Rainwater catchment (limited areas): $1,000–$5,000

• Septic system: $8,000–$25,000

• Composting toilets or incinerator toilets: $800–$5,000

5. Shelters and Structures

• Bell tent: $800–$1,500

• Yurt: $6,000–$12,000

• Geodesic dome: $10,000–$20,000

• Tiny cabin: $15,000–$40,000

• Airstream/trailer: $10,000–$60,000

6. Bathrooms and Showers

• Standalone bathhouse with septic: $10,000–$30,000

• Outdoor composting toilet: $1,000–$2,000

7. Furnishings and Amenities

• Beds, linens, fire pits, grills, hammocks, lighting

• Optional extras: hot tubs, wood stoves, mini kitchens

Startup Budget Range:

• Minimal setup: $5,000–$15,000 (off-grid, compost toilet, bell tent)

• Mid-range: $20,000–$50,000 (yurt, solar, bathroom, well)

• Luxury glamping: $50,000–$150,000+ (cabins, full amenities, infrastructure)

How to Be Covered for Liability

Camping and glamping guests are on your land—so you need protection.

Without proper coverage you are risking it all because if somebody gets hurt it may come back to bite you (think rednecks, beer, and possibly guns in the dark around a fire….).

Steps to Limit Liability:

1. Form an LLC

   • Protects your personal assets from lawsuits

2. Get Commercial Insurance

   • Covers guest injury, fire, property damage

   • Expect $500–$2,500/year depending on coverage

3. Use Waivers and Disclaimers

   • Have guests sign digital waivers upon booking

4. Post Safety Signage

   • Warn of fire risk, wildlife, terrain hazards

5. Maintain the Property

   • Keep paths clear, firepits safe, and structures in good repair

How to Make Money with Glamping and Camping Land

Once your site is live, here are five proven ways to generate income:

1. List on Airbnb and VRBO

Turn your glamping setup into a high-demand short-term rental. Airbnb guests love unique stays—especially yurts, domes, or cabins in nature.

If you can add experiences available on site, you can up the revenue you ask for each night.

How to increase revenue:

• Professional photos

• Detailed listing with local activities

• High-end amenities (hot tubs, fire pits, Wi-Fi)

• Weeknight discounting and weekend premium pricing

• Encourage reviews from early guests

2. Offer Direct Bookings on Your Own Website

Use platforms like HostAway, Lodgify, or Squarespace to create a booking site. You keep more profit by avoiding platform fees and can offer upsells like:

• Firewood bundles

• Guided hikes

• Picnic baskets

• Event packages (anniversaries, engagements)

3. Rent for Events and Retreats

Market your land as a venue for:

• Yoga or meditation retreats

• Small weddings or elopements

• Corporate offsites

• Artist workshops

You can charge $500–$3,000 per day for exclusive use.

4. Add Complementary Experiences

Upsell onsite activities like:

• ATV or horseback tours

• Fishing access or gear rental

• Outdoor movie nights

• Cooking classes or wine tastings

• Petting zoos or kids’ activities

These increase guest satisfaction and average spend per booking.

5. Lease to Other Operators

Don’t want to run the business yourself? Lease your land to glamping companies, RVers, or mobile tiny home owners.

Examples:

• Hipcamp: List tent or RV sites like Airbnb

• Tentrr: Partner with them to install their tent systems on your land

• Lease to vanlifers or nomads looking for seasonal spots

Final Thoughts

Land investing for camping and glamping offers a rare combination of income potential, personal enjoyment, and long-term asset appreciation.

You can create a profitable destination that taps into one of the fastest-growing travel trends—without needing millions of dollars or a full-time team.

A good strategy is to get enough land for expansion and start small. Then re-invest your earnings to expand your glamping or camping site.

Start by identifying the right property, check zoning, install basic infrastructure, and launch with a modest but comfortable setup.

Use platforms like Airbnb and Hipcamp to generate steady bookings, and reinvest into the property as you grow.

With the right land, the right setup, and a little creativity, your slice of the outdoors could become the next sought-after getaway—and a powerful income stream for years to come.

FREE LIVE WEBINAR ABOUT FLIPPING LAND

Other Interesting Articles:

Land vs. Houses – Which is a Better Investment?
Things to Consider BEFORE Investing in Land
How to double $1,000 (One strategy is flipping land and I go in depth on how to get started and the margins I’ve personally made)

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