25 Outdoor Hospitality Players to Watch in 2025 - Part 2 (9-16)
Highlighting some investors and operators making waves in the industry, in alphabetical order.
Estimated time to read: 5 minutes
TL;DR:
Below is part 2 of a 3-part series featuring 8 operators and investors that are poised to make a splash in 2025. They are listed alphabetically. (Click here for Part 1.)
Side note:
Since last week, we released a podcast interview with Robert Preston of Climb Capital and Unhitched Management:
Scaling an RV Park Portfolio with Robert Preston, CEO of Climb Capital & Unhitched Management
This is not intended to be an all-encompassing list. It is an alphabetical continuation from Part 1 of this list. If there is a group you think I missed, please comment!
9. JET Hospitality
Jesse Baker founded JET Hospitality in 2017, which was born out of the need for a management platform for Jesse’s short-term corporate housing rental portfolio. Now, JET Hospitality has 9 locations across 5 states. Its offerings include hotel lodging, glamping tents, tiny homes on wheels, RV sites, and planned experiences. They acquired multiple locations in 2024, and I expect them to keep the momentum going!
Check out the JET Hospitality website.
10. KCN Campgrounds
Kevin Thueson acquired the Green River KOA in 2018, and KCN Campgrounds was born. They’re now up to 9 KOA locations in 5 states and have partnered with a family office called Ridgeline Ventures. KCN is planning to acquire at least 5 more parks in 2025 and was recently on our podcast, Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, so stay tuned for that episode to come out soon!
Check out the KCN Campgrounds website.
11. KSL Capital Partners
KSL Capital Partners, founded in 2005 by Eric Resnick and Steven Siegel, is a leading investment firm in travel and leisure. They invest, lend, and partner globally across hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate, and travel services.
KSL Capital Partners notably acquired a majority stake in Under Canvas for over $100MM in 2018. In 2022, KSL invested another $25MM to fund expansion at existing camps and acquisitions of new camps.
KSL was very active in 2024, including closing a $2B fund (their sixth). I am excited to see what they get into in 2025!
Check out the KSL Capital Partners website.
12. L Catterton
L Catterton is a private equity firm with approximately $34B assets under management that was founded in 1989 by Carl Frischkorn, Frank Vest, and J. Michael Chu. They’ve made investments in Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway), Open Road Resorts, Storyteller Overland, and TAXA Outdoors, so they obviously love the outdoor industry. I wonder what they’ll do in 2025!
Check out the L Catterton website.
13. LOGE Camps
LOGE stands for “LIVE OUTSIDE, GO EXPLORE.” LOGE Camps was founded by Cale Genenbacher and Johannes Ariens in 2017. They secured a significant investment from DCA Family Office in 2023 and announced an expansion to the East Coast, so I am certainly staying tuned for more news regarding that! They currently have 17 locations listed on their website.
Check out the LOGE Camps website.
14. Marriott
Marriott made a splash with the acquisitions of Postcard Cabins (formerly Getaway) and Trailborn in late 2024. I also found it interesting that Marriott brought in a separate operator, Hotel Equities, to operate the 29 Postcard Cabins locations. I am eagerly waiting to hear about Marriott news related to these acquisitions and others in 2025!
Stay tuned for more details on Postcard Cabins and Trailborn in Part 3 next week!
15. Modern America Campgrounds
Stephen Vazza is the President of Vazza Real Estate Group and the creator of Modern America Campgrounds. Quite frankly, I am amazed by the rate at which Modern America Campgrounds has grown. As of November 2024, they reportedly acquired their 29th location in around 2 years, including a massive acquisition of a park in CT. I’m sure they will keep this momentum into 2025!
Check out the Modern America Campgrounds website.
16. Nook Outdoors
I’ve had the opportunity to spend a little time with the Nook Outdoors team, and they bring a ton of hospitality experience and expertise to the realm of high-end outdoor resorts. They’ve got some big things in the works. Stay tuned!
Check out the Nook Outdoors website.
That’s all for this week. Thank you so much for reading!
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