Understanding the Difference Between RV Parks and Multifamily Assets

Real estate investors looking beyond traditional housing markets are asking smarter questions about asset types that work well for long-term growth. One question that comes up often is how RV parks stack up against apartment complexes or other housing categories. A solid multifamily investing strategy can offer stable returns and predictable leases, but it is not the only approach with potential. RV parks and outdoor hospitality properties bring in revenue in a different way and may align better with investors who value flexibility, lifestyle alignment, or tax efficiency. Through the Real Freedom Fund, we invest in RV and glamping resorts located near major national parks and other high-demand outdoor destinations, so we see firsthand how these assets compare to more traditional multifamily holdings. Knowing how these asset classes differ helps clarify how they each fit into a diversified real estate portfolio.

Understanding Multifamily Assets: Structure, Income, and Market Behavior

Multifamily assets typically include apartment buildings, duplexes, townhomes, and other residential properties housing multiple tenants. These properties are often located in or near cities where long-term housing demand stays strong as populations grow and more people move into urban areas.

What attracts many investors to multifamily is the consistency. Rent is collected monthly, tenants usually sign 12-month leases, and vacancy rates can be managed with strong location choices and basic upkeep. Over time, this structure creates a predictable income stream.

Multifamily demand tends to follow macroeconomic trends. When job growth is strong and housing affordability declines, demand for rentals goes up. Supply is influenced by zoning, construction timelines, and development incentives. Seasonality affects move-in cycles slightly, but not in the same way hospitality-driven assets are impacted. This makes it easier for investors to forecast returns based on metrics like occupancy, rent growth, and property appreciation.

RV Parks and Outdoor Hospitality: What Makes Them Different

RV parks, luxury glamping resorts, hot springs properties, and other outdoor hospitality sites serve guests rather than tenants. Guests tend to stay for a few nights or weeks rather than months, so the pricing model looks more like a hotel or short-term rental business than an apartment complex.

Revenue in RV parks is earned by the day or by the stay, not monthly. This opens up flexibility but also introduces variability depending on season and guest demand. Peak travel periods bring higher rates, while off-season periods may require pricing adjustments or creative marketing.

Where multifamily housing centers around shelter, RV parks are focused on experience. The property layout, natural setting, amenities, and overall hospitality approach directly shape performance. Well-designed campgrounds with upgraded pads, scenic amenities, and access to recreation areas tend to draw more consistent traffic, especially if they are near national parks or popular seasonal routes.

The operator’s ability to craft a positive experience matters. From check-in systems to bathhouse design to community events or hot spring features, these are all tools that help optimize revenue per site and repeat guest rates.

Operational Models: Passive Income Through Different Lenses

Multifamily operations rely heavily on leasing agents, property managers, and maintenance staff. Most tasks follow a steady rhythm, renew leases, manage repairs, handle collections. There is a strong playbook for scaling operations across different cities or states, which is why institutional capital has historically preferred this asset class.

RV parks operate differently. They need both hospitality thinking and property management skill. Guests expect higher touch communication, flexible bookings, and clean, memorable experiences. This adds moving parts that are less standardized but can also create higher returns if managed well.

Here are some key operational differences between the two asset classes:

• Multifamily is built around monthly leases with fewer service expectations

• RV parks require more active communication, check-in systems, and guest services

• On-site staff and automated systems play a bigger role in outdoor hospitality operations

For passive investors, the operational intensity of RV parks can be balanced with professional oversight, but it is important to know the business model is not just rent collection. It is more aligned with managing guest stays and property experiences, which naturally require thoughtful systems. In our case, our team handles all property management, financing, and operations, partnering with experienced operators so investors do not have to manage day-to-day details in either asset type.

Risk, Resilience, and Growth Potential: Evaluating Durability

Every asset class carries risk. Multifamily tends to hold up well during uncertain markets because people always need a place to live. Urban job centers often become anchors for housing demand, and multifamily properties in those zones may experience less volatility in down cycles.

RV parks may seem more sensitive at first glance, but they have shown surprising resilience in recent years. When people pulled back on expensive travel, they leaned into drivable getaways. When remote work opened up location freedom, RV parks became work-and-stay options. During inflation, these properties adjusted nightly rates quickly, matching higher operational costs with more flexible pricing.

A successful multifamily investing strategy is usually built on population density and consistent rental demand. RV parks, on the other hand, benefit from natural traffic such as proximity to national parks, drive markets, wellness trends, or outdoor recreation. Our acquisition approach in this space focuses on established RV parks and glamping resorts, along with selected value-add projects in strategic outdoor locations, creating a mix of stabilized income and upside through improvements.

When thinking about flexibility, RV parks often win on operational adaptability. They can expand sites, add new lodging options, or introduce seasonal services that increase revenue. Multifamily is more limited when it comes to structural flexibility. Once built, units and layouts are fixed.

For investors weighing both, it is useful to examine how each performs in inflationary times, slow travel seasons, or supply-constrained markets. Diversifying between both asset types may strengthen the long-term stability of a portfolio.

The Long View: Choosing the Right Asset Type for Your Goals

Both multifamily and outdoor hospitality properties bring clear value to a real estate portfolio. But they serve different purposes. Multifamily is often about preserving wealth and earning steady income in mature markets. It is reliable, proven, and repeatable.

RV parks may offer more upside with more operational complexity. They align well with investors who appreciate nature, want a lifestyle-based asset, or care about owning something tangible they can physically improve. The guest-focused side of the business allows for faster response to trends, travel patterns, and dynamic pricing.

Choosing between them depends on what matters most to you:

• If predictable leases and urban consistency are important, multifamily may be a better foundation

• If experience-driven income, flexible pricing, and peak-season upside are appealing, RV parks bring something different

• Some investors build around a multifamily investing strategy, then add outdoor assets to boost returns or create passive income streams that feel more rewarding

Both paths can support long-term wealth. The best fit depends on your timeline, return expectations, interest level in operations, and how you want your money to work over time. Balancing stability with moderate risk can offer more flexibility and more opportunity to grow.

At Clear Summit Investments, we understand that selecting the right real estate mix is about more than just performance metrics; it is about aligning each asset type with your long-term goals, adaptability, and level of operational involvement. For investors focused on building a strategy that balances return potential and resilience, a well-structured multifamily investing strategy can provide a strong foundation within your broader portfolio. Whether you are comparing fixed lease structures or exploring outdoor hospitality flexibility, we are here to share our insights and help you make informed decisions. Reach out to start a conversation.