AutoCamp pitches high-end camping for summer travel, capital raise
As the United States turns 250 this weekend and gas prices suppress travel, boutique outdoor lodging brand AutoCamp is making a pitch to American travelers.
senior camping company Airstream suites offer polished cabins, fire pits, design-forward amenities and access to iconic outdoor venues. There are nine U.S. locations, from Joshua Tree in California to Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
AutoCamp says room revenue is up 20% over last year, with 90% occupancy across the portfolio heading into the July 4th weekend, and average daily room rates are up 15%.
Part of the company’s appeal is a luxury camping experience a short drive from home, with no need to buy or carry tents, grills and other camping gear, said Bryan Terzi, the company’s chief commercial officer.
“This is kind of a cross-section of tapping into people’s nostalgia for what they remember from their youth, but also creating an environment where they can make memories with their families and children,” Terzi told CNBC.
AutoCamp Catskills is in Saugerties, New York.
CNBC | Contessa Brewer
Visitor interest in AutoCamp matches the growing demand for visits to parks across America.
Airbnb He said he saw accommodation searches “close to the national park” Even before gas prices rise, they’re up 35% in 2026. Nature and outdoor experiences are the most booked experience category, the company said.
Accordingly Hilton’s 2026 trend report37% of travelers said spending time in nature was the most important reason they travel.
Hilton It has a partnership with AutoCamp as part of a broader strategy to invest in experiential offerings. Hilton said its platform has seen a 30% increase in direct bookings made with AutoCamp, with nearly half of bookings made with Hilton Honors loyalty points.
AutoCamp Catskills Clubhouse.
Courtesy: AutoCamp Catskills
AutoCamp is now ready to accelerate its growth by selling more than just a weekend in the woods. It offers its guests a piece of the company, turning its most loyal customers into shareholders.
From camping to crowdfunding
Using the DealMaker crowdfunding platform, AutoCamp raised $1.2 million in less than 30 days from 353 investors, many of whom were former guests. DealMaker says this is one of the fastest increases ever seen, with phenomenal early investor interest.
This is part of a recent wave of hospitality companies seeking fractional ownership.
Overthrow Hospitality, a plant-based food and beverage company, has raised nearly a million dollars from 403 investors using the investment crowdfunding service StartEngine. MAF Hospitality, an Italian-inspired restaurant, vintner and hotel brand, offers investment opportunities through Wefunder with a prominently displayed testimonial from the lead investor, who is also a client.
DealMaker says it’s an attractive way to raise funds for any business with a strong fan base, such as sports, media and entertainment, and consumer brands.
DealMaker CEO and co-founder Rebecca Kacaba said customers experience a real sense of involvement in something they care about.
“They’re investing money in businesses they understand firsthand: tangible products, real experiences, brands they already interact with. This alignment between consumer behavior and investing is something retail investors are finding increasingly attractive,” he said.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission clearances regulated crowdfunding Up to $5 million annually through an SEC registered platform. Investment materials typically contain warnings that positions may be illiquid, speculative and difficult to value.
AutoCamp Catskills Clubhouse.
Courtesy: AutoCamp Catskills
Wefunder puts it clearly: “Startups either win big or go bankrupt. You could lose all your money. Think of them more like socially beneficial lottery tickets.”
However, such investments in hospitality companies often come with special guest benefits; the kind you’d normally expect as a featured member of a rewards program. This month, for example, a $10,000 investment in AutoCamp comes with an additional 2% equity bonus on top of the 4% stake the investor receives, as well as a $400 gift card that can be used on the booking platform.
Hospitality brands also raise more than just capital with this type of fundraising.
“These customers that stay with us, then they invest in us, and then it’s really exciting to see them tell 10 of their friends, ‘Hey, I had a great experience, I loved it, I’m invested in the brand and their growth, and I want you to come check it out,'” Terzi said.
