Ep 212 - Campgrounds and Capital: Turning Dirt Into Dollars With Outdoor Real Estate

In this episode of The Wealth Vibe Show, host Vinki Loomba dives into one of the most overlooked yet highly profitable niches in real estate—campground investing. Joining her is Kevin Thueson, former CPA turned outdoor real estate mogul and co-founder of KCN Campgrounds, one of the fastest-growing KOA franchise portfolios in the U.S. Kevin reveals how he went from crunching numbers in a cubicle to building a campground empire—literally from the dirt up.

🏕️ How It Works: Campgrounds as Cash-Flow Machines:

• From CPA to Campground King: Kevin shares his leap from corporate America to living in a 10x10 cabin as a hands-on campground owner, learning the business from the ground up.
• Why Campgrounds? Discover how low competition, high cap rates, and fragmented ownership make this niche ripe for institutionalization—and investor-friendly.
• Seller Financing & Scale: Learn how Kevin acquired his first park through creative financing and scaled to nine properties by syndicating deals and leveraging franchise networks.
• KOA vs. Independent Parks: Kevin breaks down the pros and cons of KOA’s franchise support vs. operating independent parks—and how he strategically uses both.
• Revenue Levers Galore: From RV sites and glamping to stores, propane, activities, and premium pet-friendly amenities, campgrounds offer multiple high-margin income streams.

🎯 Episode Timestamps:

• 00:00 – 01:35: Introduction & Hook: Why Campgrounds are the Hidden Goldmine
• 01:35 – 04:00: Kevin’s Journey from CPA to Campground Owner
• 04:00 – 07:15: On-Site Living: Lessons from Ground-Level Leadership
• 07:15 – 10:45: Why Campgrounds Beat Traditional Real Estate for Wealth Building
• 10:45 – 15:45: The Data Behind the Dirt: Market Gaps, Cap Rates & Demand
• 15:45 – 18:20: Risk, Reward & Mindset Shifts to Succeed in Campground Investing
• 18:20 – 23:15: Evolution from Solo Owner to Syndicator & Franchise Partner
• 23:15 – 27:15: KOA vs. Independent Models: Flexibility vs. Brand Power
• 27:15 – 33:30: Revenue Breakdown: Sites, Stores, Glamping & More
• 33:30 – 38:00: Seasonality, Occupancy, and Creative Income Strategies
• 38:00 – 43:00: Hospitality Challenges & Operational Excellence
• 43:00 – 46:00: Returns vs. Traditional Assets + Exit Strategy
• 46:00 – 47:45: Long-Term Vision & Legacy Wealth with KCN
• 47:45 – 50:30: Rapid Fire Round: Kevin’s Wealth Mindset

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