Adding Glamping Wagons to Campgrounds

Image of an abandoned camping area with a tent, utensils, and a lantern on a table

Adding glamping covered wagons to campgrounds is one of the most reliable ways to increase revenue per site, attract new guest segments, and modernize your property without expanding your footprint. Campgrounds that diversify their accommodation mix consistently see higher occupancy, stronger nightly rates, return visitors, and improved guest satisfaction. 

Why Campgrounds Are Expanding Into Glamping

The campground industry is evolving quickly. Today’s guests are looking for comfort, convenience, and memorable experiences. Many of those travelers wanting to enjoy being unplugged and immersing themselves in nature. They want a simple booking process, a comfortable bed, climate control, and a unique place to stay. 

This shift has created strong demand for upgraded accommodations across the outdoor hospitality sector— providing guests that experience without needing to invest in camping gear or towing an RV. Just look at the latest wholesale shipment numbers from RVIA, which shows—for the second month in a row—towables and motorhome shipments down Year-over-Year, while RV Park Model RVs are trending in the opposite direction seeing a 20% increase YoY.  Campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts that once relied primarily on tent and RV sites are now adding premium glamping accommodation options to their property to remain competitive and expand their guest reach. Properties that introduce glamping units often see immediate changes & improvements in occupancy rate, ADR revenue, and guest demographics—along with overall annual park revenue and profit increases

Adding glamping wagons to campgrounds is not about replacing traditional camping. It is about expanding your offering to capture a larger share of the market. 

What Glamping Wagons Add That Traditional Sites Cannot

1. Higher nightly revenue 

Tent and RV sites typically operate within a limited pricing range. Our glamping wagons allow campground owners to introduce premium accommodations that significantly increase revenue per booking. Guests are consistently willing to pay more for comfort, privacy, and a distinctive stay experience.

2. New customer segments 

Glamping attracts travelers who may never consider traditional camping, including:

  • Couples seeking weekend getaways
  • Families celebrating special occasions
  • Urban travelers without camping equipment
  • Guests looking for short-stay experiences

These groups often spend more per visit and are more likely to book midweek stays.

3. Extended operating seasons

Insulated, climate-controlled wagons can operate beyond peak summer months. This helps stabilise cash flow and improves asset utilisation throughout the year.

4. Stronger brand positioning

A well-designed cluster of glamping wagons instantly elevates the perception of a campground. Properties that offer unique accommodations stand out in online searches, generate better photos for marketing, and attract more attention on booking platforms.

Infrastructure Considerations Before Adding Glamping Wagons

Adding glamping wagons is one of the most efficient ways to upgrade a campground. Because our wagons are purpose-built for hospitality use, most properties can integrate them quickly using existing infrastructure. This makes expansion faster and more cost-effective than constructing traditional buildings.

Before installation, we typically help campground owners review a few key factors to ensure a smooth rollout and long-term performance.

Utility connections

Reliable access to electricity and water is essential for guest comfort. Our wagons are designed to connect easily to standard campground utility systems.

Site preparation and drainage

A level, well-drained site protects the structure and reduces maintenance over time. Proper preparation helps ensure durability and consistent guest satisfaction.

Electrical capacity

Modern glamping units require sufficient power for heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances. Planning capacity early helps avoid delays during installation.

Zoning and permits

In many areas, glamping wagons are classified similarly to cabins or temporary accommodations, which can simplify the approval process compared to permanent structures.

Layout and guest experience

Thoughtful spacing, orientation, and landscaping improve privacy and elevate the guest experience. When these details are planned early, properties typically launch faster and start generating revenue sooner.

The Financial Case for Adding Glamping Wagons to Campgrounds

The economics of glamping are straightforward. Premium accommodations generate significantly higher revenue per unit compared to traditional camping sites.

Below is a conservative example for a single wagon.

  • Average nightly rate: $195
  • Booked nights per year: 219
  • Occupancy rate: 65%

Annual revenue per wagon: $27,758

With multiple wagons, revenue scales quickly while operating costs remain manageable. In many cases, a single glamping wagon can produce the same revenue as several standard sites combined. This is why campground owners increasingly view glamping as a high-impact investment rather than a niche offering.

Glamping Wagon ROI for Campground Owners

Return on investment depends on several factors, including pricing, occupancy, and operating efficiency. However, the revenue advantages are consistent across markets.

Key drivers of strong ROI include:

  • Higher nightly rates
  • Longer average stays
  • Repeat guest bookings
  • Improved online visibility
  • Year-round revenue potential

Properties that introduce premium accommodations often experience stronger overall performance across the entire campground, not just within the new units.

Luxury Wagons for RV Parks Create Competitive Advantage

Competition in the outdoor hospitality industry continues to increase.

New properties are entering the market with modern amenities and distinctive accommodation options. Existing campgrounds that fail to evolve risk losing bookings to competitors offering upgraded experiences.

Luxury covered glamping wagons allow established properties to modernize quickly without major redevelopment.

They provide a clear path to:

  • Increase revenue per site
  • Improve guest satisfaction
  • Strengthen brand perception
  • Attract higher-spending visitors
  • Future-proof the business

This combination makes glamping one of the most practical upgrades available to campground owners today.

How Glamping Attracts More Guests to Your Campground

Introducing unique accommodations like glamping wagons can significantly boost your park’s marketing performance. Guests are naturally drawn to new experiences—and they love to share them.

Referral marketing tactics like word-of-mouth and reviews remain some of the most powerful, high-converting (and timeless) drivers of new bookings, regardless of how digital trends evolve. When guests have a memorable stay, they become your best promoters.

Testimonial image from a quest stay at Skelley properties with an image of the covered wagon

Whether someone is actively seeking recommendations or simply responding to FOMO—fear of missing out—distinctive glamping accommodations have a way of marketing themselves.

Glamping wagons also create strong visual appeal and help you reach new audiences actively searching for unique travel experiences.

Common marketing benefits include:

  • Increased online bookings
  • Greater visibility on travel and booking platforms
  • Stronger social media engagement and shareability
  • More positive guest reviews
  • Higher rates of repeat visits

These effects often extend beyond the glamping units themselves, lifting occupancy across the entire property.

Future-Proofing Your Campground With Glamping

At a recent industry conference, one trend became clear: guests want the camping experience—but not the hassle of owning the gear.

Operators shared stories of storage areas filled with abandoned tents, chairs, and equipment left behind after one-time trips. Today’s travelers are willing to spend for the experience—but much of that money is going to retailers or third-party rentals instead of staying in your park.

Properties that offer ready-to-stay glamping accommodations are capturing that demand, keeping more revenue in-house while removing friction for guests.

Upgrade Your Campground With Confidence

Adding glamping wagons to campgrounds is one of the most effective ways to increase revenue, improve occupancy, and attract new guests without expanding your land footprint. PlainsCraft Wagons designs and builds hospitality-grade wagons engineered for durability, performance, and guest appeal.

If you are planning your next phase of growth, the right time to evaluate glamping is now.

Q: Will glamping wagons compete with my RV sites?

A: No. They serve different guest segments. Many RV travelers still prefer traditional sites, while glamping attracts guests who want comfort without owning equipment. Both offerings can coexist successfully.

Q: Are maintenance costs high?

A: Commercial-grade wagons are built for durability and frequent guest use. Routine maintenance is similar to that of small cabins and typically predictable.

Q: Do glamping wagons require major infrastructure upgrades?

A: In most cases, existing campground infrastructure can support glamping units with minimal modification. Proper planning during the design phase helps avoid unexpected costs.

Q: Can glamping wagons operate year-round?

A: Yes. Four-season insulated wagons with heating and cooling systems can remain operational throughout the year in many regions.

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