For Land Developers

Build Something
Guests Will Seek Out

Glamping structures purpose-built for outdoor resort development.

Developing a glamping resort starts with a simple question: what gives guests a reason to choose your property over every other option in the region? For a growing number of land developers, the answer is covered wagons. Not because they are trendy, but because they deliver something guests genuinely want — and the market is not yet saturated with them.

33–50%

Less to develop than a traditional resort

$3.15B

Global glamping market size in 2023

8.7%

CAGR through 2030

The market case

Why Glamping Makes Sense
for Developers Right Now

RLA Global reports that glamping resorts typically cost 33 to 50 percent less to develop than a traditional brick-and-mortar resort, while generating comparable or stronger guest demand. The lower capital requirement combined with a guest demographic that is actively seeking these experiences makes the risk profile more favorable than most hospitality builds.

Grand View Research puts the global glamping market at $3.15 billion in 2023, growing at an 8.7 percent CAGR through 2030. That growth is not driven by one region or one type of traveler. Families, couples, remote workers, and experience-first millennials are all part of the glamping audience. A well-developed property near a natural attraction, a winery region, or a heritage destination has a large and motivated pool of potential guests from day one.

What PlainsCraft brings to a development

Purpose-Built for
Commercial Outdoor Hospitality

PlainsCraft works with developers at every stage — from a single-property owner adding their first glamping units to multi-site operators building out a full resort concept. Our wagons are purpose-built for outdoor hospitality use, which means they hold up under continuous commercial occupancy in a way that adapted or repurposed structures do not.

Built for Commercial Use

Every Pioneer Elite Wagon includes a fully enclosed, ventilated, and insulated en suite bathroom with shower, toilet, vanity, and sink. The Bonnetgard™ Cover System provides all-weather insulation rated from approximately 10°F to 110°F. An optional heat pump extends operational comfort across all four seasons — which matters for any developer thinking about year-round revenue.

Floor Plans That Work for Your Site

PlainsCraft offers multiple floor plan configurations that accommodate couples, families, and solo travelers. For a development that wants to offer a range of accommodation types and price points, a mix of floor plans lets you segment your inventory without sourcing from multiple vendors.

Instagrammable by Design

A covered wagon cluster photographs well from above, from the ground, and from the inside. Guests who stay in a well-positioned PlainsCraft wagon produce content that markets the property for free, on the platforms where your future guests are already spending their time. This organic visibility compounds over time in a way that paid advertising cannot replicate.

Tax Efficiency

PlainsCraft wagons are classified as equipment for tax purposes, which qualifies them for a 100 percent write-off in the year of purchase under IRS Section 179. Developers should discuss this with their tax advisors, but for most operators it meaningfully improves the first-year financial picture.

Every Scale of Development

Whether you are developing a boutique two-wagon concept or a multi-site resort with dozens of units, PlainsCraft has the production capacity and the experience to support your build. We have worked with developers at every stage of a project.

Fast Deployment

Most PlainsCraft wagons are built and shipped within 6–8 weeks. No lengthy construction timelines, no heavy site preparation. Drop them, connect utilities, and start generating revenue — giving your development a faster path to ROI than most traditional hospitality builds.

Complete your property

Restroom Solutions
Built to Match.

A wagon without reliable restroom access is a harder sell. PlainsCraft Shower Houses and Outhouses are handcrafted to the same standard as our wagons — durable, ADA-compliant, and quick to install — so your property is ready for guests end to end.

Shower House

Full Bathroom.
Zero Construction Headaches.

The PlainsCraft Shower House is a beautifully built, ready-to-go bathroom that brings the feel of a premium cabin to any outdoor setting. Hook it up and it works — no permits, no contractors, no timeline drama. From glamping resorts to private homesteads, it removes every friction point between you and a guest-ready property.

Outhouse

Quick Access.
Handcrafted Quality.

When a full shower house isn’t the right fit, the PlainsCraft Outhouse delivers clean, durable restroom access that matches the character of your property. Minimal install, low environmental impact, and built to the same quality standard guests expect from everything PlainsCraft makes.

Both units are available with ADA-compliant configurations and designed for rapid installation with standard utility hookups.

Given the history and experience we have with PlainsCraft, I don’t know why anyone would decide to move forward with anything less than a fully outfitted wagon with this company. Not only is PlainsCraft’s craftsmanship superior, but the amenities they’ve added to their wagons make it worth the investment. The glamping market has spoken, and that market wants the amenities of home. Set yourself up for success by providing the best glamping options on the market — and rest assured, that’s a PlainsCraft wagon.

Jared Westhoff
Zion White Bison Resort

Ready to start the conversation?

Whether You’re in Early Feasibility
or Ready to Place an Order.

PlainsCraft can help you think through the build, the layout, and the business case. Use our ROI calculator to model the numbers for your project, or contact us directly to talk through your development goals.

Talk to Our Team

Tell us about your project — site size, timeline, number of units you’re considering. We’ll walk you through what makes sense for your development goals and budget.

Run the Numbers First

Use our ROI calculator to model nightly rate potential, occupancy scenarios, and payback timelines before you commit to anything.