When to Expand Your Glamping Site (And When to Stay Small on Purpose)
When to Expand Your Glamping Site (And When to Stay Small on Purpose)
Growth is exciting.
More bookings. More tents. More land. More… everything.
But growth isn’t always the answer.
And bigger doesn’t always mean better.
In fact, some of the most profitable, peaceful, and purpose-driven glamp-sites are run by owners who chose to stay intentionally small—and made it wildly successful.
Here’s how to know if it’s time to expand—or if staying small is actually your power move.
First: Ask Why You Want to Grow
Before you build a second unit or take on more land, ask:
Do I want to serve more people—or make more money with fewer stays?
Am I trying to grow because I want to—or because I feel like I should?
Will more units actually give me the lifestyle I want?
Clarity first. Construction later.
Signs It Might Be Time to Expand
You're consistently booked out and turning away ideal guests
You’ve maxed your income potential from one unit (pricing, packages, upsells are optimized)
You have systems in place (SOPs, team, automation) that could scale
You're still excited and energized by the idea of more—not just overwhelmed
You’ve run the numbers and expansion won’t stretch you thin
Expansion should add ease, income, or impact—not just pressure.
Signs You Should Stay Small (On Purpose)
You’re craving more simplicity, not more moving parts
You’re deeply connected to your space and want to keep the energy intimate
You don’t have the bandwidth (mentally, emotionally, or financially) to scale right now
You’d rather refine your brand, increase your rates, or elevate your experience
You started this to escape burnout—not to build a mini resort
Staying small doesn’t mean staying stuck. It means staying sovereign.
The Profit-First Strategy (Without Expansion)
Before you build more, ask:
Can I raise my rates?
Can I create higher-value packages?
Can I offer retreats, workshops, or events with what I already have?
Can I improve the guest journey to boost repeat bookings?
Small business. Big impact.
What to Do If You're Torn
You don’t have to decide today. But you do need to check in.
Try This:
Journal: “What version of this business feels best in my body?”
Test a “growth simulation”—what would adding one more unit really require?
Talk to your past guests: what do they love most? Would expansion change that?
Your business should grow with you—not away from you.
Final Takeaway
You don’t have to grow your glamp-site to feel successful.
You just have to build a version of it that supports your vision, your values, and your energy.
Whether that’s:
1 tent booked out with waitlists
3 domes on your dream acreage
Or a retreat space that holds 10 people, once a month
You get to choose the size. The shape. The scale.
Growth isn’t the goal.
Alignment is.