AutoCamp taps customer investors to fund luxury camping expansion

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AutoCamp luxury camping expansion

Highlights

AutoCamp raised $1.2 million in under 30 days from 353 investors via DealMaker, many of whom are former guests, to fund expansion.
Airbnb reports a 35% increase in searches for stays near national parks in 2026, and Hilton's trends show 37% of travelers prioritize time in nature.
Hilton saw a 30% rise in direct AutoCamp bookings on its platform, with nearly half made using Hilton Honors points, supporting experiential travel demand.

Growth push through guest-backed funding

As reported by CNBC, AutoCamp is seeking to build on strong summer travel demand by offering customers an ownership stake in the business through the DealMaker crowdfunding platform. The company, which operates nine U.S. locations from Joshua Tree, California, to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, says it raised $1.2 million in less than 30 days from 353 investors, many of them former guests.

Chief commercial officer Bryan Terzi says the company’s appeal centers on a high-end camping experience that lets travelers enjoy the outdoors without buying or transporting traditional gear such as tents and grills. He says the model combines nostalgia with family-oriented travel, pairing Airstream suites, cabins, fire pits and design-focused amenities with access to well-known outdoor destinations.

DealMaker CEO and co-founder Rebecca Kacaba says the fundraising pace ranks among the fastest the platform has seen, supported by strong early interest from retail investors. She says consumers are increasingly willing to invest in businesses they know firsthand through tangible products, real experiences and brands they have already used.

Travel trends support outdoor hospitality demand

AutoCamp’s growth drive comes as broader travel data points to rising interest in nature-based trips across the U.S. Airbnb says searches for stays near a national park are up 35% in 2026, while Hilton’s 2026 trends report says 37% of travelers cite time in nature as a top reason for traveling.

Hilton, which partners with AutoCamp as part of its experiential travel strategy, says it has seen a 30% increase in direct bookings for AutoCamp on its platform, with nearly half of those reservations made using Hilton Honors loyalty points. The fundraising effort also reflects a wider move by hospitality companies into fractional ownership models, often paired with guest benefits that resemble premium loyalty program perks.

Blue Owl’s non-traded private credit funds have faced elevated redemption requests even as second-quarter pressure began to ease, with total withdrawal demands slipping to $4.7 billion from $5.4 billion in the prior quarter. Our earlier article noted that the firm is still maintaining strict 5% withdrawal caps, underscoring how investor access in private-market products can be limited when demand for liquidity rises.

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