The median asking price for an established RV park is over $1.3 million, with smaller parks starting around $100,000 and larger resorts exceeding $2 million, according to BizBuySell. Most buyers need financing built for commercial real estate, not a quick working capital loan.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced operator expanding your portfolio, the business loan type and lender you choose make a significant difference in your rate, down payment and approval odds.
Best business loans to buy an RV park
- Best for fast funding: Fundera business loans
- Best marketplace with SBA access: Lendzi
- Best for comparing lenders: Lendio business loans
- Best for low credit scores: Pinnacle Funding
- Best for large loan amounts: Fundible
- Best for RV park specialists: Live Oak Bank SBA loans
- Best for equipment financing: National Funding business loans
Methodology: How we chose these lenders
We evaluated lenders based on their relevance to RV park and campground acquisitions, specifically, not just general business loan access. Factors we considered include:
- Loan amounts large enough to cover a campground purchase ($100,000–$2 million+)
- Access to SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs, which are among the most used for this property type
- Time-in-business and credit score minimums
- Equipment financing options for campground-specific needs
- Funding speed and application ease
- Customer reviews on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Industry specialization (particularly for RV park-specific lenders)
- Fees, rates and transparency of terms
We prioritized lenders that cover the range of buyer profiles likely to pursue an RV park — from first-time buyers needing marketplace flexibility to experienced operators who can access specialized bank lending.
How to compare business loans for an RV park
RV park loans function more like commercial real estate loans than typical working capital products. When comparing your options, focus on:
- Loan type. SBA loans offer lower down payments and longer terms, but they’re not your only option. Conventional commercial loans and online term loans are worth comparing — especially if you need to move faster or borrow more than SBA limits allow.
- Down payment. SBA loans typically require 10% to 20% down. Conventional commercial loans often require 25% to 30%. Online lenders vary widely, so check each lender’s requirements before applying.
- Repayment terms. Longer terms lower your monthly payment but increase the total interest paid. Online loans with shorter terms cost more overall but may fund faster. Match the term to your cash flow needs.
- Lender experience with RV parks. Many lenders treat campgrounds as specialty or high-risk. A lender familiar with the industry can make underwriting faster and smoother.
- Total costs. Compare APRs, origination fees, closing costs and prepayment penalties — not just the interest rate.
- Funding timeline. SBA and commercial loans can take 60 to 90 days. Online lenders can move in days to weeks. If you’re in a competitive acquisition, timeline matters.
What is an RV park business loan?
A business loan to buy an RV park is most commonly structured as an SBA loan or a commercial real estate loan. Both provide a lump sum secured by the property, repaid in fixed monthly installments over a set term. Most deals also require a personal guarantee.
Many lenders classify RV parks as specialty or high-risk because they’re often rural, seasonal and harder to resell quickly. That said, growing demand for outdoor travel has made campground financing more accessible than it was a decade ago.
How does an RV park business loan work?
The SBA 7(a) loan is the most widely used structure for campground acquisitions. It can cover both the real estate and business goodwill with as little as 10% down and terms up to 25 years.
The SBA 504 loan is limited to fixed assets like land, buildings and equipment — it can’t finance goodwill. For buyers who already own at least one cash-flowing park, some SBA lenders will finance the next acquisition with no money down.
Pros and cons of RV park business loans
Business loans for RV parks give buyers access to capital they’d otherwise need years to save, but they come with real tradeoffs. Here’s a quick look:
Pros
- Can finance the full acquisition, including land, improvements and business goodwill
- Long repayment terms keep payments manageable
- Competitive rates through SBA programs
- Possible to finance with as little as 10% down
Cons
- RV parks are classified as high-risk by many lenders, which can limit options
- Approval is harder for first-time buyers without industry experience
- SBA and commercial loan timelines can run 60–90 days
- Seasonal revenue may make underwriting more complex
Types of business loans to buy an RV park
These are the most common loan structures used to purchase a campground or RV park.
| Type | Typical loan amounts | Typical term lengths | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) loan | Up to $5 million | Up to 25 years (real estate) | Acquisitions including goodwill; buyers with 10% down |
| SBA 504 loan | Up to $5.5 million | 10 or 20 years | Fixed assets — land, buildings, equipment |
| Commercial/conventional loan | $1 million – $20 million+ | 5 to 20 years | Experienced buyers with 25%–30% down |
| USDA B&I loan | Up to $25 million | Varies | Rural RV parks in USDA-eligible areas |
| Equipment financing | Up to $1 million | 1 to 5 years | Purchasing vehicles, amenities, infrastructure |
| Business term loan (online) | $5,000 – $6 million | 5 months to 10 years | Smaller acquisitions or supplement to larger loan |
How to qualify for a business loan to buy an RV park
Most lenders evaluate RV park acquisition loans carefully because the property type is considered specialty. To improve your chances:
- Credit score. SBA lenders typically prefer a personal credit score of 680 or higher, though some programs go as low as 620 to 640. Conventional commercial lenders often require 700+.
- Time in business. Most lenders want at least one to two years in business. First-time RV park buyers may need to offset limited experience with a strong business plan and management background.
- Revenue and cash flow. Lenders want to see that projected or existing park revenue can cover loan payments and operating costs.
- Down payment. Expect 10% to 20% for SBA loans and 25% to 30% for conventional commercial loans. Having cash reserves above the minimum strengthens your application.
- Business plan. A thorough plan with revenue projections, occupancy assumptions and an improvement strategy is often required, especially for first-time buyers.
- Industry experience. Prior hospitality or campground management experience can materially improve your approval odds with SBA lenders.
How to apply for a business loan to buy an RV park
- Assess your eligibility. Check your personal credit score, tally your revenue and business history and determine how much you can put down. If you’re a first-time buyer, identify how your experience supports the application.
- Define your loan needs. Determine whether you need to finance just the real estate or the full business acquisition, including goodwill. This will help you narrow down the loan type.
- Gather documentation. For most acquisitions, you’ll need personal and business tax returns, bank statements, the property’s financial statements, a business plan and proof of down payment funds. If buying an existing park, the seller’s profit-and-loss statements are also required.
- Compare lenders. Use a marketplace like Lendio or Lendzi to see multiple offers, or approach specialists like Live Oak Bank directly if you want campground-specific expertise.
- Submit your application. Complete the full application, upload documents and be thorough — incomplete applications are a leading cause of delays, especially with SBA loans.
- Wait for approval and funding. Online lenders may fund within days for smaller amounts. SBA and commercial real estate loans often take 60 to 90 days due to appraisals and underwriting.
Where can I find a business loan to buy an RV park?
RV park acquisition financing comes from a few different sources:
- SBA-approved banks and lenders. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are the most common structures for campground acquisitions. Working with an SBA Preferred Lender — which has delegated approval authority — can speed up your application significantly.
- Specialty RV park lenders. A small number of lenders, like Live Oak Bank and CCFBank, have dedicated outdoor hospitality lending teams. These lenders understand seasonal revenue patterns, rural property appraisals and the nuances of campground underwriting in ways that general lenders typically don’t.
- Online marketplaces. Platforms like Lendio, Lendzi and Fundera connect buyers with multiple lenders through a single application. These are useful for comparing options quickly, especially if you’re still figuring out which loan type fits your situation.
- USDA B&I loans. If your target property is in a rural area, the USDA Business and Industry loan program can offer up to $25 million with competitive terms. This is underutilized but worth exploring if you meet the rural eligibility criteria.
Documentation to apply for a business loan to buy an RV park
Documents you’ll typically need include:
- Personal and business tax returns (2 to 3 years)
- Business and personal bank statements
- Sales contract for the property
- Seller’s profit-and-loss statements and financial records
- Business plan with revenue projections
- Proof of down payment funds
- Business licenses and permits
- Personal financial statement
- Proof of any collateral
Alternatives to a business loan to buy an RV park
If you don’t qualify for a traditional acquisition loan or need supplemental funding, consider:
- Personal loan. For smaller acquisitions under $100,000 — like raw land for a future campground — a personal loan may bridge the gap. It doesn’t require business history or revenue, though limits are lower and rates can be higher.
- Home equity loan or HELOC. If you have more than 20% equity in your home, you may be able to borrow against it. Rates are typically lower than unsecured options, but your home is at risk if you can’t repay.
- Seller financing. Some campground sellers will hold a portion of the financing — sometimes up to 10% to 20% of the purchase price — which can reduce or eliminate the down payment you need to bring to an SBA loan.
- Investor capital. A private equity partner or angel investor can provide acquisition capital in exchange for equity. This avoids debt payments but means giving up some ownership stake.
- USDA grants and rural development programs. Federal and state rural development programs occasionally offer grants or subsidized financing for qualifying rural businesses.
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Trying to purchase a campground and need financing
Hi Audra,
Thanks for your message. It’s nice to hear you are purchasing a campground. The information above shows how you can do just that! To start comparing lenders, go to the part that says “Business loans to consider when buying an RV park” and enter your credit score and state.
Click the GO TO SITE button to be brought to the main provider’s webpage or click MORE INFO to read through the lender via a Finder review page. Once you have a deposit ready, you can proceed with your application. As a friendly reminder, carefully review the eligibility criteria of the loan before applying to increase your chances of approval. Read up on the terms and conditions and product disclosure statement and contact the bank should you need any clarifications about the policy.
Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki