AutoCamp offers upscale camping packages for summer travel and capital appreciation

As the United States turns 250 this weekend, and gas prices put pressure on travel, luxury outdoor hospitality brand AutoCamp has a point for American travelers.

High-end camping company It offers Airstream suites, polished cabins, fire pits, contemporary design amenities, and access to popular 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 Fourth of July weekend, it is 90% occupied across the portfolio, with average daily room rates up 15%.

Its commercial director, Brian Terzi, said part of the company’s appeal is a luxury camping experience just a short drive from home — without buying or carrying tents, grills and other camping equipment.

“It’s really kind of this cross-section of tapping into people’s nostalgia for what they remember when they were young, but also creating an environment to make memories with their families and their children,” Tarazi told CNBC.

Visitor interest in AutoCamp coincides with high demand for visits to U.S. theme parks.

Airbnb It said it saw searches for stays “near a national park” increase by 35% in 2026, even before gas prices rose. The company said natural and outdoor experiences are the most booked category of experiences.

According to Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report, 37% of travelers said spending time in nature is the main reason they travel.

Hilton It has a partnership with AutoCamp as part of a broader strategy to invest in experiential offerings. Hilton said it saw a 30% spike in direct bookings with AutoCamp on its platform, with nearly half booked through Hilton Honors loyalty points.

Now, AutoCamp is ready to fuel its growth by selling out more than just a weekend in the woods. It offers guests a piece of the company, turning its most loyal customers into shareholders.

Using crowdfunding platform DealMaker, AutoCamp raised $1.2 million in less than 30 days from 353 investors, many of them past guests. DealMaker says it was one of the fastest increases seen, with exceptional early interest from investors.

It’s part of a recent wave of hospitality companies delving into fractional ownership.

Overthrow Hospitality, a plant-based food and beverage company, has raised nearly $1 million from 403 investors using venture crowdfunding service StartEngine. MAF Hospitality, an Italian-inspired restaurant, winery and hotel 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 company with a strong fan base such as sports, media, entertainment and consumer brands.

Customers get a real sense of involvement in something they care about,” said Rebecca Kakaba, CEO and co-founder of DealMaker.

“They are investing money in businesses they understand firsthand: tangible products, real experiences, and brands they have already interacted with,” she said. “This alignment between consumer and investment behavior is something retail investors are increasingly finding attractive.”

The SEC allows regulated crowdfunding of up to $5 million annually through an SEC-registered platform. Their investment materials include the typical warnings that positions can be illiquid, speculative, and difficult to value.

Wefunder puts it plainly: “Startups either win big or go bankrupt. You could lose all your money. Think of it as socially beneficial lottery tickets.”

But this type of investment in hospitality businesses often comes with special perks for guests — the kind you might typically expect by being a premium member of a rewards program. For example, this month, a $10,000 investment into AutoCamp comes with a 2% bonus in bonus shares on top of the 4% in shares the investor receives, plus a $400 gift card to use on the booking platform.

Hospitality brands get more than just capital through this type of fundraising.

“These customers who stay with us, then invest with us, and it’s really exciting to see them tell 10 friends about them, ‘Hey, I had a great experience, I loved it so much, I’m invested in the brand and its growth, and I want you to come check it out, too,’” Tarzi said.