Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Why are campgrounds getting more expensive? One reason is that Wall Street investment firms and private equity companies are buying family-owned campgrounds across America.
Have you noticed campground rates climbing, more rules, more fees, and fewer family-owned parks?
In this episode of The RV Podcast, Mike and Jennifer Wendland take a close look at a major trend reshaping the RV lifestyle: Wall Street investment firms, private equity groups, and large corporations buying up America's campgrounds.
What happens when family-owned campgrounds are replaced by corporations focused on maximizing profits? Are higher rates, resort fees, stricter policies, and less personal service the new reality for RVers?
We share what we learned from campground owners who are under constant pressure to sell, including a fascinating conversation with the family behind Campbell Cove RV Resort in Ohio's Hocking Hills. They have turned down offers worth millions of dollars and explain why they continue to fight to remain independent.
In this episode:
• Why investment firms are aggressively buying campgrounds
• How campground consolidation affects RV travelers
• The real reason campsite prices keep rising
• What happens to the camping experience when ownership changes
• How RVers can support independent campground owners
• Jennifer shares an update on her upcoming knee replacement surgery
• RV Question of the Week: Replacing a power cord after an expensive departure mistake
00:00 – Introduction: Wall Street’s impact on family-owned campgrounds.
01:37 – Recent trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio.
02:15 – Family-owned vs. corporate-owned campgrounds.
03:57 – Camping at Campbell Cove RV Park & Resort.
04:31 – The statistics: 15,000+ RV parks and the rise of REITs.
05:40 – Major corporate players: Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS) and Sun Communities.
06:25 – Profit vs. People: How corporate ownership changes the camping experience.
07:27 – The staggering rise in nightly rates and fees.
08:54 – Interview with Hobie Shaw of Campbell Cove RV Resort.
11:14 – The "10-year rule" and additional corporate fees.
12:52 – The counterargument: Are corporate upgrades worth the cost?
15:21 – How to find and support independent, family-owned parks.
17:22 – Sponsor: RVOvernights.com.
18:35 – RV Questions: Jennifer’s upcoming knee surgery and recovery.
23:00 – Announcement: A tour of Mike and Jennifer's Michigan homestead.
23:53 – RV Questions: Dealing with operator errors and replacing power cords.
26:07 – Avoiding mistakes with the Camp Buddy app.
28:25 – How to subscribe to the newsletter and wrap-up.
Whether you're a weekend camper, snowbird, or full-time RVer, this is a trend that could affect every camping trip you take in the years ahead.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CAMP BUDDY App - rvlifestyle.com/campbuddy
Free RV Lifestyle Newsletter - rvlifestyle.com/newsletter
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday and Wednesday.
► If you want help planning and organizing your own RV trips, we have put all our guides, tools, RV travel apps and checklists together in one place.
You will find it all rvlifestyle.com/plan
Join our community: rvcommunity.com
Free camping guide: rvlifestyle.com/freecampingguide
RV Podcast: rvpodcast.com
Plan an RV trip: rvlifestyle.com/start
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and click the bell icon to be notified of new videos and our YouTube Live special reports from the cool places we visit on our RV adventures.
Please note this channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV experts and are not simply sharing our opinions and what seems to work for us. You should do your own research and make your own decisions.
Why are campgrounds getting more expensive? One reason is that Wall Street investment firms and private equity companies are buying family-owned campgrounds across America.
Have you noticed campground rates climbing, more rules, more fees, and fewer family-owned parks?
In this episode of The RV Podcast, Mike and Jennifer Wendland take a close look at a major trend reshaping the RV lifestyle: Wall Street investment firms, private equity groups, and large corporations buying up America's campgrounds.
What happens when family-owned campgrounds are replaced by corporations focused on maximizing profits? Are higher rates, resort fees, stricter policies, and less personal service the new reality for RVers?
We share what we learned from campground owners who are under constant pressure to sell, including a fascinating conversation with the family behind Campbell Cove RV Resort in Ohio's Hocking Hills. They have turned down offers worth millions of dollars and explain why they continue to fight to remain independent.
In this episode:
• Why investment firms are aggressively buying campgrounds
• How campground consolidation affects RV travelers
• The real reason campsite prices keep rising
• What happens to the camping experience when ownership changes
• How RVers can support independent campground owners
• Jennifer shares an update on her upcoming knee replacement surgery
• RV Question of the Week: Replacing a power cord after an expensive departure mistake
00:00 – Introduction: Wall Street’s impact on family-owned campgrounds.
01:37 – Recent trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio.
02:15 – Family-owned vs. corporate-owned campgrounds.
03:57 – Camping at Campbell Cove RV Park & Resort.
04:31 – The statistics: 15,000+ RV parks and the rise of REITs.
05:40 – Major corporate players: Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS) and Sun Communities.
06:25 – Profit vs. People: How corporate ownership changes the camping experience.
07:27 – The staggering rise in nightly rates and fees.
08:54 – Interview with Hobie Shaw of Campbell Cove RV Resort.
11:14 – The "10-year rule" and additional corporate fees.
12:52 – The counterargument: Are corporate upgrades worth the cost?
15:21 – How to find and support independent, family-owned parks.
17:22 – Sponsor: RVOvernights.com.
18:35 – RV Questions: Jennifer’s upcoming knee surgery and recovery.
23:00 – Announcement: A tour of Mike and Jennifer's Michigan homestead.
23:53 – RV Questions: Dealing with operator errors and replacing power cords.
26:07 – Avoiding mistakes with the Camp Buddy app.
28:25 – How to subscribe to the newsletter and wrap-up.
Whether you're a weekend camper, snowbird, or full-time RVer, this is a trend that could affect every camping trip you take in the years ahead.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CAMP BUDDY App - rvlifestyle.com/campbuddy
Free RV Lifestyle Newsletter - rvlifestyle.com/newsletter
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday and Wednesday.
► If you want help planning and organizing your own RV trips, we have put all our guides, tools, RV travel apps and checklists together in one place.
You will find it all rvlifestyle.com/plan
Join our community: rvcommunity.com
Free camping guide: rvlifestyle.com/freecampingguide
RV Podcast: rvpodcast.com
Plan an RV trip: rvlifestyle.com/start
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and click the bell icon to be notified of new videos and our YouTube Live special reports from the cool places we visit on our RV adventures.
Please note this channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV experts and are not simply sharing our opinions and what seems to work for us. You should do your own research and make your own decisions.
