A few RV sites on your own land
Set up a handful of RV parking spots with power and water on spare land and rent them by the night.
- $10k-50k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
5,018 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.9% in a year
NAICS 721211 “RV (recreational vehicle) parks and campgrounds”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small RV stopover on land you own or lease, such as a farm, ranch or large lot. You offer a few level pads with electric hook-ups and fresh water, and maybe a shared dump station or bathroom. Guests book by the night and stay for a short time.
Your first three steps
- Call your county planning office to ask whether RV stays are allowed on your land and what permits apply
- Hire a licensed electrician and plumber to quote for 2 to 4 hook-up pads, a water supply and a wastewater or dump solution
- List your sites on a camping booking platform with good photos and ask your first guests for reviews
Who pays
Road-trippers, retirees traveling in RVs, weekend campers, and workers on short projects nearby.
How it makes money
A nightly fee per site, with optional extras like firewood, longer-stay discounts or a pet fee. Bookings come from camping listing sites, Google Maps and word of mouth.
Skills that help
- Friendly, hospitable manner
- Basic handyman skills
- Organizing bookings and turnovers
Watch out for
- Startup costs are driven by grading and gravel pads, electrical service, water lines and wastewater or a dump station; get several quotes before committing
- Zoning and land-use rules; check with your city or county before building anything
- Wastewater and dump station rules; check with your county health department
- Electrical work may need a licensed electrician and a permit
- General liability insurance; ask your insurer whether your current policy covers paying guests
- Lodging or occupancy taxes may apply; check your state and county
- HOA or lease restrictions if the land isn't fully yours
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: a few RV sites on your own land
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to set up RV sites on my land?
Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on grading and gravel pads, electrical service, water lines and wastewater or a dump station. These are estimates only. Get several quotes before committing to any work.
How much can a few RV sites earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $400 to $3,000, depending on how many sites you offer, your nightly rates and how often they are booked. These are estimates, not guarantees. About 5 hours a week is a minimum for bookings and upkeep.
What rules should I check before renting RV sites?
Check zoning and land-use rules with your city or county, wastewater and dump station rules with your county health department, and whether electrical work needs a licensed electrician and permit. Also check insurance, lodging or occupancy taxes, and any HOA or lease limits.
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Photo: MemoryCatcher on Pixabay