If you think money is the thing holding you back, you’re not alone.
It’s the number-one fear we hear: “I’d love to start a glampground, but I just don’t have the cash.”
Here’s the truth… we didn’t either.
When we started, we didn’t have investors lined up or a bank eager to fund a “glamping project.”
We had to get creative.
We negotiated, phased our build, and made the money work for us, not against us.
So before you assume financing is the problem, let’s clear up a few myths.
1. Myth: You need to pay cash to build a glampground.
Reality: You don’t.
We bought our first campground property using seller financing, meaning the seller became the bank. No giant down payment. No traditional lender.
From there, we negotiated extended vendor terms of anywhere from 30 to 60 days on equipment and materials (for instance, we got 45 days from our contractor building our decks etc).
Then, because many credit cards offer 0% APR for 30-60 days, we paid these vendors via credit card when possible when invoices were due. That meant extended vendor terms PLUS credit cards would get us up to 120 days in financing… which essentially meant we had an interest-free bridge to when we could open for pre-bookings and start receiving payments.
This is not traditional. This is scrappy. But sometimes that is the better way.
After all, it’s all about momentum… using small steps that compound.
2. Myth: Banks don’t lend to glamping.
Reality: They do… when you show them a real business plan. Ferncrest has proven that outdoor hospitality works, and lenders are catching up.
SBA 7(a) and 504 programs have already funded multiple glampgrounds in our network. You just need to present it with the right framing: land value, revenue potential, and the operational model.
3. Myth: Investors only back big projects.
Reality: Investors love cash-flowing real estate with a story.
Small projects are actually easier to fund because they’re tangible, local, and fast to launch.
You just need to show the path to returns. And with glamping, that should be relatively easy (have you seen our Glampground Profit Calculator before?)
4. Myth: You can’t finance tents or equipment.
Reality: You can. Lenders are starting to view high-end glamping structures as long-term fixtures.
There are companies that will finance the equipment such as Business Finance Depot or Koala Capital. Shoot me an email back here if you want an introduction to either of these.
5. Myth: You need perfect credit and a track record.
Reality: Lenders care more about a plan that makes sense. We built in phases, reinvesting profits from the first few domes into new ones, turning early success into expansion capital.
That’s how we grew Ferncrest without taking on massive debt — proof that consistency beats capital.
The Takeaway
The people who win in this business aren’t the ones with the deepest pockets… they’re the ones who find ways to start.
Money follows momentum.
And this afternoon, I’ll show you exactly how to build that momentum during a free live webinar I’m hosting:
🎥 How to Pay for It: Funding Options to Make It Happen (click to see details)
📅 Today (Friday) at Noon ET
We’ll walk through every financing path we’ve used – and seen other people use – from SBA loans to seller financing, credit lines, vendor terms, and pre-booking strategies – plus examples from current Ferncrest owners who are funding projects right now.
If you’re serious about launching in 2026, you can’t afford to skip this one. The equipment order window for The Dome Tent Event closes soon, and this session could unlock the path that gets you funded.
See you this afternoon and happy glamping!
Brian
