Ding ding ding! In the blue corner, we’ve got the laid-back contender—the Mobile Home Park, with its passive income vibes and real estate investor swagger. And in the red corner? The scrappy, full-throttle entrepreneur’s dream—the Campground, juggling fire pits, rentals, and guest check-ins like a seasoned champ.
If you’ve ever compared your campground to a mobile home park and thought, “Wait… why does their business look so chill while mine feels like a triathlon with taxes?” —you’re not alone. But here's the thing: these two heavyweights might both live in the outdoor housing space, but they play in very different financial rings.
Mobile home parks? They’re like that reliable friend who buys index funds and never skips leg day. Lenders and investors love them because their value is based mostly on land and rental income—aka stable, predictable, and less complex.
Campgrounds? Whole different ball game. Their value is tied to multiple revenue streams—nightly stays, event bookings, merch sales, kayak rentals, and more. They often sell for more, but the valuation is more complex. Think of it as investing in a business, not just land.
Mobile home parks typically report income on Schedule E—that’s the chill, passive income schedule with lower self-employment taxes and potential long-term capital gains perks when you sell.
Campgrounds? They’re the Schedule C crowd—active businesses, full of hustle, and yep… self-employment tax is part of the deal. But here's the win: they also get a buffet of deductions you can’t touch with passive income. Staffing, supplies, event marketing? All fair game.
Mobile home parks usually get financing as real estate assets—solid, dependable, slow burn ROI.
Campgrounds require lenders to evaluate both the property and the performance of the business. Riskier? Sure. But potentially more rewarding with the right strategy—and a lot more flexibility in how you grow and profit.
So, who wins? That depends on your goals. Want passive income and a more hands-off model? Mobile home parks might be your speed. But if you love being in the thick of things, growing a brand, building a community, and seeing higher returns with smart planning—campgrounds are where it’s at.
Either way, understanding how tax treatment, valuation, and financing differ is your secret weapon. That’s where Campground Accounting comes in. We help you press play on your bigger ideas, avoid costly mistakes, and breathe life into your campground investment—so you’re not just working in your business, you’re building a future.
Your campground isn’t just land—it’s a launchpad. Ready to fight smart? Let’s talk. 🧾🔥
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Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Campground Accounting
Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.