Campgrounds For Sale: The Ultimate Recreational Business Adventure

You drive through a state that's become a favorite vacation destination and you suddenly see signs advertising campgrounds for sale. You're intrigued, but a little apprehensive. After all, what do you know about running campgrounds? How can you ensure that those campgrounds for sale that you have your eye on are not a potential money pit? And, in a year or two, could you find that the campgrounds for sale are up for re-sale—all because you couldn't turn a profit?

The fact is, campgrounds for sale offer a tremendous business opportunity. But, in order to take full advantage of that opportunity, you must be prepared to devote a great deal of attention to your investment. In other words, you can't buy a campground and then expect someone else to run it without your input. Campgrounds for sale are the type of investment that requires a considerable amount of time and effort on your part.

If you're in the market for campgrounds for sale, you might first want to check out the sites offered by KOA. KOA is a leading name in camp site sales and has been in business for more than four decades. KOA franchises offer a wide array of RV parks and campgrounds for sale. In other words, chances are you can find a KOA site that fits into your budget and your vision of what a campground should be. KOA also offers a number of buyers' workshops around the country which can help to prepare you for owning your first camping site.

In order to buy a KOA camping franchise, you'll need a minimum of $200,000 cash. The campsites can even run up to several million dollars, depending on the size of the campground and its location. You'll have to have enough money to pay the down payment, which is generally 20 to 30 percent of the purchase price. You'll also need to pay a franchise transfer fee, along with closing costs for the sale. Since KOA does not provide financing, you'll need to obtain your financing through a bank.

The good news is that KOA does not require previous campground experience for a potential campground owner. In fact, you don't even need prior business ownership experience. Still, to be a successful franchisee, you'll need to have a good credit rating, sufficient financial resources, and a strong commitment to becoming the best campsite owner you can be.
In the end, how much money you earn as a franchisee will depend on a number of factors, including the campsite's location, size, operating costs, and your own business acumen.