Farm campground with facilities

Holidaying families, RV travellers, groups and visitors to nearby festivals, lakes or trails, including those who book a week or more.

Nightly and weekly site fees, higher rates for serviced sites, and extra income from firewood, ice, farm produce and group bookings.

• Running a small hospitality business
• Managing bookings and seasonal helpers
• Basic maintenance and groundskeeping

• The startup cost range assumes you already own or hold a long-term lease on the farmland; buying land would add substantially to it
• Servicing sites with power, water, washrooms and showers is the biggest expense, so get several quotes and consider building in phases
• Campground licensing, zoning, septic and water rules vary by province and municipality, so check each one
• Commercial general liability insurance and cover for buildings, equipment and guest injuries
• WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire seasonal staff, rules differ by province
• Collecting GST/HST or provincial accommodation taxes, check what applies to you
• A short season and weather swings can make income uneven, so keep cash back for the off-season

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $200,000 to $600,000, assuming you already own or hold a long-term lease on the farmland. Servicing sites with power, water, washrooms and showers is the biggest expense, so get several quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your mix of sites, the length of your season and the weather. A short season can make income uneven, so keep cash back for the off-season.

Check campground licensing, zoning, septic and water rules with your province and municipality. Also check insurance for buildings, equipment and guest injuries, WCB or WSIB once you hire seasonal staff, and GST/HST or provincial accommodation taxes.