AutoCamp pitches travel pitch amid gas prices, uses crowdfunding for growth

As the United States turns 250 this weekend, and with gas prices pressuring travel, boutique outdoor hospitality brand AutoCamp has a pitch for American travelers.

The high-end camping company offers Airstream suites, polished cabins, fire pits, design-forward amenities and access to iconic outdoor destinations. It has nine U.S. locations, from Joshua Tree in California to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

AutoCamp says its room revenue is up 20% over last year, and heading into the Fourth of July weekend, it's 90% occupied across the portfolio, with average daily room rates up 15%.

Its chief commercial officer, Bryan Terzi, said part of the company's appeal is a luxury camping experience just a quick drive from home — no buying or lugging tents, grills and other camping gear.

"It's really kind of that cross-section of tapping into people's nostalgia of what they remember from when they were young but also creating an environment to make memories with their families and children," Terzi told CNBC.

Visitor interest in AutoCamp coincides with rising demand for visits to America's parks.

Airbnb said it saw searches for stays "near a national park" up 35% in 2026, even before gas prices spiked. The company said nature and outdoor experiences are the top-booked experience category.

According to Hilton's 2026 trends report, 37% of travelers said that spending time in nature is a top reason they travel.

Hilton has a partnership with AutoCamp as part of a broader strategy to invest in experiential offerings. Hilton said it's seen a 30% rise in direct bookings with AutoCamp on its platform, with nearly half booked with Hilton Honors loyalty points.

Now, AutoCamp is ready to fuel its growth by selling more than a weekend in the woods. It's offering guests a piece of the company, turning its most loyal customers into shareholders.

From camping to crowdfunding

Using the DealMaker crowdfunding platform, AutoCamp raised $1.2 million in less than 30 days from 353 investors, many of them past guests. Dealmaker says it was one of the fastest raises it's seen, with exceptional early investor interest.

It's part of a recent wave of hospitality companies delving into fractional ownership.

Overthrow Hospitality, a plant-based food and beverage company raised nearly a million dollars from 403 investors using the investment crowdfunding service StartEngine. MAF Hospitality, an Italian-inspired restaurant, vintner and hotel brand, offers investment opportunities through Wefunder, with a testimonial from a lead investor, who's also a customer, prominently displayed.

Dealmaker says it's an appealing way to raise funds for any business that has a strong fan base like sports, media and entertainment, and consumer brands.

Customers get a real sense of participation in something they care about, said Rebecca Kacaba, CEO and co-founder of DealMaker.

"They're putting money into businesses they understand firsthand: tangible products, real experiences, brands they've already interacted with. That alignment between consumer behavior and investment is something retail investors find increasingly appealing," she said.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission permits regulated crowdfunding of up to $5 million annually through an SEC-registered platform. Their investment materials include the typical warnings, that positions can be illiquid, speculative and difficult to value.

Wefunder puts it plainly: "Startups either win big or go bankrupt. You could lose all your money. Consider them more like socially-good lottery tickets."

But these kind of investments in hospitality companies often come with special guest perks — the kind you might normally expect by being a premier member in a rewards program. For instance, this month, a $10,000 investment in AutoCamp comes with 2% bonus for additional shares on top of the 4% shares the investor receives, plus a $400 gift card to be used on the booking platform.

And hospitality brands get more than capital with this kind of fundraising.

"These customers that are staying with us, then they're investing with us, and then it's really exciting to see them tell 10 friends about, 'Hey, I had a great experience, I loved it so much, I invested in the brand and their growth, and I want you to come check it out as well,'" Terzi said.