How to Add Glamping to Your Campground Without Spending a Fortune¶

Quick answer: The most cost-effective way to add glamping to an existing campground is to start with two to four canvas bell tents or safari tents on existing cleared sites — beds, bedding, lighting, and a few comfort touches included. A well-presented two-person glamping tent can generate $150–$250 per night in most Canadian markets, with startup costs of $3,000–$8,000 per unit. At modest occupancy, a single glamping tent pays for itself within one season.

Glamping — glamorous camping — has moved from a niche trend to mainstream accommodation demand. Booking.com, Airbnb, and every major travel publication now feature outdoor accommodation prominently alongside traditional hotel stays. The guests who book glamping are often people who like the idea of camping but want a real bed, someone else to set up the tent, and the option of a hot shower.

For campground owners, this is an opportunity. You already have the land, the infrastructure, and the operating experience. Adding glamping to an existing site — rather than building from scratch — has significantly lower capital costs than most owners expect, and a well-executed glamping unit can generate more revenue per night than a full-hookup RV site.

This guide covers the options, the costs, the operational setup, and how to integrate glamping into your existing booking system without managing two separate operations.

What "Glamping" Actually Means (And What Guests Expect)¶

The word covers a wide range of accommodation. For the purposes of this guide, we're talking about the entry-level glamping additions that make sense for an existing campground operator — not the high-end resort glamping developments that require significant land development and construction.

The defining guest expectation: They are not setting up their own camp. They arrive to a prepared space with a comfortable bed, basic furnishings, and enough conveniences to feel more like a hotel stay than a camping trip.

What matters most to glamping guests: - A real bed (not an air mattress) with actual bedding - Privacy — they don't want to feel like they're in a regular campsite - Some lighting (string lights, lanterns, bedside lamp) - Access to washrooms and showers (ideally close, ideally clean) - A fire pit or outdoor seating area - The experience of being in nature without the logistics of camping

What glamping guests are generally willing to pay: $120–$300+ per night depending on location, season, unit quality, and what's included. Premium glamping units with hot tubs, private decks, or waterfront access command the higher end. Basic but well-executed canvas tents in a great location comfortably achieve $150–$200 per night in most Canadian markets.

The Glamping Options: From Lowest to Highest Investment¶

Option 1: Canvas Bell Tents (Lowest Entry Cost)¶

Startup cost per unit: $2,500–$6,000

Bell tents are the most accessible entry point for glamping. A 5-metre canvas bell tent large enough for a queen bed, two nightstands, a small rug, and some decorative touches costs $800–$2,000 for a quality tent. Add a real bed frame ($200–$400), a proper mattress ($400–$800), bedding and pillows ($150–$300), string lights and lanterns ($100–$200), and a few accessories (rug, small table, power bar for phone charging) and you're in the $2,500–$5,000 range per unit.

Best for: Parks with existing cleared, level sites that can accommodate a tent footprint. No construction required. Setup takes a few hours per unit.

Revenue potential: $120–$180/night in most Canadian markets. Higher in desirable locations or with premium additions.

Operational considerations: Bedding needs to be laundered between guests. Canvas tents require seasonal maintenance and proper storage in winter. Not suitable for year-round use without insulation modifications.

Option 2: Safari Tents on Raised Platforms¶

Startup cost per unit: $8,000–$25,000

A step up from bell tents, safari-style canvas tents on a raised wooden platform offer a more permanent and premium feel. The platform keeps the tent off the ground, eliminates moisture issues, and creates space for a real deck and outdoor furniture. Many parks add an outdoor shower or private washroom for premium units.

Best for: Parks that want a more permanent and visually distinctive glamping product. Requires some construction (platform building) but far less than a cabin.

Revenue potential: $180–$280/night. Premium units with private facilities reach higher.

Option 3: Yurts¶

Startup cost per unit: $15,000–$40,000 including platform and interior furnishings

A yurt is a circular, semi-permanent structure with a solid frame and fabric walls. More durable than a tent, usable in more seasons, and a more distinctive visual product. Yurts have a strong Airbnb presence and photograph extremely well.

Best for: Parks that want a medium-term investment with a longer product life. Yurts can last 15+ years with proper maintenance.

Revenue potential: $200–$350/night. High visual appeal drives strong Airbnb and Booking.com performance.

Option 4: Tiny Cabins / Park Model Cabins¶

Startup cost per unit: $40,000–$120,000+

A small, permanent cabin — whether a custom build or a prefabricated park model — is the highest entry point but also the most durable and highest-revenue glamping product. A well-appointed 400-square-foot cabin with a sleeping loft, kitchenette, and full bathroom can generate $250–$450/night in the right market.

Best for: Parks with a long-term investment horizon and suitable serviced lots. Requires building permits, site preparation, and utility connection.

How Many Units to Start With¶

The consistent recommendation from campground owners who've added glamping: start with two to four units.

Two units gives you enough to test the market, compare occupancy, and refine your offering without a large capital commitment. Four units produces enough revenue to justify dedicated operational attention (bedding laundering, maintenance, dedicated cleaning) without requiring you to hire specifically for it.

Starting with one unit is tempting but limits your data. If you're only 60% occupied on a single unit, you can't tell if that's because the product isn't resonating or because two guests wanted to book the same night and one went elsewhere. Two units gives you better signal.

Starting with ten units before you've validated your pricing and operations is a common and expensive mistake. Start small, optimise, then expand.

Siting Your Glamping Units¶

Location within the campground matters enormously for glamping. Guests are paying a premium for the experience — and that experience includes where they're located, what they see, and how much privacy they have.

What makes a strong glamping site: - Natural screening from neighbouring RV sites (trees, shrubs, landform) - A view (water, forest, hills — something) - Privacy from the road and adjacent sites - Access to washrooms that's convenient but not immediately adjacent (15–30m is typical) - Level ground with drainage

What kills a glamping experience: - A canvas tent squeezed between two full-hookup RV sites with 50-amp pedestals visible on both sides - A site where guests can see or hear other guests constantly - Poor drainage that creates mud after rain

If your existing campground doesn't have a natural location that creates some separation from your RV sites, consider whether a small screening investment (planted shrubs, a natural fence, strategic berms) would make an otherwise unsuitable site work. It often costs less than you'd think and creates a genuinely distinct zone within the campground.

Setting Up Glamping in Your Booking System¶

Glamping units need to be managed as separate site types in your booking system — with their own rates, their own availability calendar, and ideally their own photos and descriptions.

In PitchCamp:

Create a new lot type for your glamping sites — "Glamping Tent," "Canvas Suite," or whatever name you'll use in marketing. Assign the specific sites to this type. Configure:

A separate nightly rate (likely 2–3x your base RV site rate)
No minimum RV length (irrelevant for glamping)
Specific lot images showing the tent setup, interior, and view
A detailed description covering what's included (bed configuration, bedding provided, access to washrooms, fire pit, parking)
Any applicable add-ons (firewood, welcome bundle, s'mores kit — these convert particularly well for glamping guests who are paying for a curated experience)

Your glamping sites then appear as a distinct booking category in your online portal. Guests searching your park see and can specifically book the glamping option.

OTA listings: List your glamping units on Airbnb (under the "Glamping" category) and Booking.com in addition to your direct booking portal. PitchCamp's OTA calendar sync keeps all three channels in sync automatically — a booking on Airbnb immediately blocks availability in your PitchCamp system and on Booking.com. See our guides on listing on Airbnb and Booking.com for setup details.

Operations: What Actually Changes¶

Adding glamping changes your pre-arrival and between-guest workflow more than your reservation management.

Between guests: - Strip and launder bedding (sheets, pillowcases, duvet cover) — typically 1–2 loads per turnover - Wipe down all surfaces - Replace used toiletries if provided - Check tent fabric for damage, bird visitors, or moisture - Restock firewood if included

Pre-season: - Set up tents (bell tents and safari tents are typically taken down for winter in Canadian climates) - Inspect and repair fabric, zippers, and guy lines - Replace mattress cover if needed - Stage interior decor

Post-season: - Properly dry and store canvas (damp canvas stored for winter molds — this is the most common maintenance mistake) - Cover or store mattresses - Store outdoor furnishings

If you're running 2–4 glamping units alongside your standard operation, this is manageable as an addition to existing housekeeping responsibilities. At 8+ units, you'll want dedicated glamping housekeeping time in your staff schedule.

Pricing Your Glamping Offer¶

A common mistake is underpricing glamping relative to your RV sites. Glamping guests expect and accept a premium — they're choosing an experience over a basic site, and the pricing should reflect that.

Pricing benchmarks by unit type:

Unit Type	Weeknight	Weekend Night	Long Weekend Night
Bell tent (basic)	$120–$160	$150–$200	$200–$260
Bell tent (premium)	$160–$200	$200–$260	$260–$320
Safari tent on platform	$200–$260	$250–$320	$320–$400
Yurt	$240–$320	$300–$400	$380–$480

These are Canadian market benchmarks for 2026 — your local market may support higher or lower rates depending on competition and location.

Test both extremes in your first season. If your initial rate books up 4+ weeks in advance consistently, you're underpriced. If you're below 50% occupancy through the season, you may be overpriced or under-marketed. A single season of data is worth more than any benchmark for setting your specific rates.

Frequently Asked Questions¶

How much does it cost to add glamping to an existing campground?

A basic canvas bell tent setup (tent, bed, mattress, bedding, lighting, accessories) costs $2,500–$6,000 per unit. Safari tents on platforms run $8,000–$25,000 per unit. Yurts are $15,000–$40,000 installed. Tiny cabins and park model cabins range from $40,000 to $120,000+. Most campgrounds start with two to four bell tent or safari tent units and expand once they've validated occupancy and pricing.

How much revenue can a glamping unit generate at a campground?

A well-presented canvas bell tent in a good location can generate $120–$200 per night depending on market and season. At 60% occupancy over a 150-night season, that's $10,800–$18,000 per unit annually. A premium safari tent or yurt at higher nightly rates can generate $20,000–$35,000+ per unit. Returns depend heavily on location, unit quality, photography, and whether you list on OTA platforms as well as direct booking.

Do glamping units need planning permission in Canada?

It depends on the province, municipality, and type of unit. Canvas bell tents placed temporarily on existing campground sites may not require a building permit. Permanent structures (platforms, yurts with solid bases, cabins) typically require a building permit and may trigger zoning review. Confirm with your local municipality before installing any permanent structure.

What is the best glamping option for a small Canadian campground?

Canvas bell tents or safari tents are the best entry point for most campgrounds. They require the smallest capital investment, can be placed on existing cleared sites without construction, and are removable or expandable as you learn what works. Start with two to four units, validate occupancy and pricing over one season, then expand based on actual performance.

How do I manage glamping bookings alongside RV site bookings?

In PitchCamp, create a seperate lot type for your glamping sites with its own rates, photos, and description. Glamping units appear as a distinct booking category in your online portal. OTA calendar sync (Airbnb, Booking.com) keeps all channels in sync automatically. Operationally, glamping reservations are managed in the same system as your RV reservations — same timeline view, same client profiles, same automated emails.

PitchCamp handles glamping sites as a native lot type — photos, seperate rates, OTA sync, and all the same booking tools as your standard sites.

Book a Free Demo or Start for Free — free to get started. 🍁

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Unit Type	Weeknight	Weekend Night	Long Weekend Night
Bell tent (basic)	\(120–\)160	\(150–\)200	\(200–\)260
Bell tent (premium)	\(160–\)200	\(200–\)260	\(260–\)320
Safari tent on platform	\(200–\)260	\(250–\)320	\(320–\)400
Yurt	\(240–\)320	\(300–\)400	\(380–\)480