As the United States turns 250 this weekend and gas prices put pressure on travel, outdoor hospitality brand AutoCamp is offering a pitch to American travelers.
The high-end camping company offers Airstream suites, refined cabins, fireplaces, cutting-edge amenities and access to iconic outdoor destinations. It has nine locations in the United States, from Joshua Tree, California to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
AutoCamp says its room revenue is up 20% over last year, and heading into the July 4 weekend, it is 90% occupied across the entire portfolio, with average daily rates up 15%.
Its business manager, Bryan Terzi, said part of the company’s appeal is a luxury camping experience just a short drive from home – without buying or transporting tents, grills and other camping equipment.
“It’s really a cross-section of people’s nostalgia for what they remember when they were young, but also creating an environment to create memories with their families and their children,” Terzi told CNBC.
AutoCamp Catskills in Saugerties, New York.
CNBC | Contessa Brewer
Visitor interest in AutoCamp coincides with a growing demand for visits to U.S. parks.
Airbnb said it saw searches for stays “near a national park” increase 35% in 2026, even before gas prices spiked. The company said nature and outdoor experiences are the most booked category of experiences.
According to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, 37% of travelers say spending time in nature is one of the top reasons they travel.
Hilton has a partnership with AutoCamp as part of a broader strategy to invest in experiential offerings. Hilton said it saw a 30% increase in direct bookings with AutoCamp on its platform, almost half of which were with Hilton Honors loyalty points.
Clubhouse AutoCamp Catskills.
Courtesy: AutoCamp Catskills
Now, AutoCamp is ready to fuel its growth by selling more than a weekend in the woods. It offers customers a share of the company, turning its most loyal customers into shareholders.
From camping to crowdfunding
Using crowdfunding platform DealMaker, AutoCamp raised $1.2 million in less than 30 days from 353 investors, many of them past guests. DealMaker says this is one of the fastest raises ever, with exceptional interest from early investors.
It’s part of a recent wave of hotel companies venturing into fractional ownership.
Overthrow Hospitality, a plant-based food and beverage company, has raised nearly $1 million from 403 investors using investment crowdfunding service StartEngine. MAF Hospitality, an Italian-inspired restaurant, winery and hospitality brand, offers investment opportunities through Wefunder, with a testimonial from a lead investor, who is also a client, prominently displayed.
DealMaker says it’s an attractive way to raise money for any business with a strong fan base, such as sports, media and entertainment, as well as consumer brands.
Customers feel a real sense of participation in something they care about, said Rebecca Kacaba, CEO and co-founder of DealMaker.
“They’re investing in companies they know first-hand: tangible products, real-world experiences, brands they’ve already interacted with. This alignment between consumer behavior and investing is something retail investors are finding increasingly attractive,” she said.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission allows regulated crowdfunding of up to $5 million per year through an SEC-registered platform. Their investment documents include the typical warnings that positions may be illiquid, speculative and difficult to value.
Clubhouse AutoCamp Catskills.
Courtesy: AutoCamp Catskills
Wefunder says it clearly: “Startups win big or go bust. You could lose all your money. Think of them more like socially good lottery tickets.”
But this type of investment in hospitality businesses often comes with special perks for guests – the kind of perks you might normally expect from being a preferred member of a rewards program. For example, this month a $10,000 investment in AutoCamp comes with a 2% bonus for additional shares on top of the 4% of shares the investor receives, plus a $400 gift card to use on the booking platform.
And hotel brands get more than just capital with this type of fundraising.
“Those customers that stay with us, and then they invest with us, and then it’s really exciting to see them tell 10 friends, ‘Hey, I had a great experience, I loved it so much, I’m invested in the brand and their growth, and I want you to come check it out too,’” Terzi said.