The 'Airbnb of Camping' Is Bringing Glamping To State Parks
Alexandra Talty Senior Contributor
each campsite saves 245 gallons of water and reduces CO2 output by 54lbs when compared to hotels or Airbnb
Michael D'Agostino's path to his camping empire was set early. Childhood.
Growing up, D'Agostino would spend summer nights camping under the stars on a 100-acre farm in Litchfield, Connecticut. But as an adult working as an investment banker and then a New York Stock Exchange managing director, he realized not many other urbanites had access to open land. They were at the mercy of the oft-overcrowded National Parks system, which, especially close to cities, can book up fast.
Online campsite platform Tentrr makes glamping easier for urbanites across America, promoting... [+] eco-tourism.
Tentrr.
His lightbulb moment was in fall 2014. He and his wife were camping at a state park in New Jersey near a group of 40 people who were hosting a Wiccan ceremony. Describing them as "lovely people but very loud," he says that the straw that broke the camel's back was when a naked woman ran through their campsite claiming to see a UFO.
As he drove back to the city with his wife, he saw open space after open space that could, theoretically, be great for camping. But there was no way to access those lands. And so, the former financier decided he could do better.
"The campground system hasn't changed very much since the Civil War. It is largely run by the government. It was pretty much bereft of technology," said D'Agostino. Pointing out that Airbnb works best in urban environments, the 45-year-old said that Tentrr is poised to be the "rural yin" to the company, offering "experiential eco-tourism."
Each of Tentrr's signature glamping sites features the same amenities: Adirondack chairs, a raised... [+] platform and, perhaps most importantly, a warm shower.
Launched in 2016, the NYC-based company has caught the attention of investors. They've raised $13 million to date, including an $8 million Series A round. In 2018, they expanded from the North East to the West Coast, and now has campsites in 35 states.
Across the United States, they boast 550 signature sites, all of which feature a canvas-wall tented platform with queen-sized cot or bunk bed, a sun shower, a camp toilet, a wood stove as well as a grill, Adirondack chairs, a fire pit and a picnic table. They also have 90 backcountry sites which require campers to bring their own tents.
Determined to be the Uber of camping, Tentrr has leaned into their 'glamping' aka glamorous camping, monicker. Pointing out that in regions like the North East where the tourist season is only around six months long, D'Agostino said that a huge benefit of Tentrr is that they provide "eco-friendly, instant lodging."
"We're not paving over a cow pasture to build a motel," said D'Agostino. "We are in the rural communities where there are a lot of family farms. Tourism is important."
According to the company, each campsite saves 245 gallons of water and reduces CO2 output by 54lbs when compared to hotels or Airbnb . Across all of the sites, that equals 1.8 million pounds of CO2 and almost 8 million gallons of water each year.
The online camping platform has its sights set on expansion, but they want to make sure to grow organically. Each property is carefully vetted with a digital online questionaire the scores the site on noise levels, seclusion and privacy. Tentrr also evaluates hosts, ensuring that they are engaged and friendly to potential campers.
For the last part of the approval process, a scout visits the property to make sure the information provided is accurate. Only then do they install their official glamping setup.
D'Agostino said, "We want to make sure the value we are providing is very robust."
According to the company, this kind of vetting sets the company apart from short-term rental sites like Airbnb. Tentrr's goal is to provide a turn-key experience to outdoor enthusiasts, ensuring that luxury and the outdoors go hand in hand.
Many hosts also offered paid amenities, like bundles of firewood or fly fishing excursions. They also typically offer a pick up and drop off service from public transportation, which adds to the "hyper local" experience the company is trying to promote to urban millennials.
And now, the company has partnered with Maine's State Park system.
Installed in ten of Maine's State Parks, the sites start at $100 a night. They feature a canvas-wall tented platform with queen-sized cot or bunk bed, sun shower, camp toilet, a wood stove as well as a grill, Adirondack chairs, fire pit and a picnic table.
D'Agostino said, "glamping originally was little bit of a dirty word..at this point we've embraced it."
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Alexandra Talty
Based in Lebanon, I cover travel and personal finance topics for millennials. I'm committed to a life of adventure and have lived in four countries before turning 30. M