Outdoor Recreation & Adventure
Campgrounds, ski resorts, outdoor adventure operators, and eco-tourism companies providing nature-based recreation.
- 4
- Verticals
Overview
Outdoor Recreation & Adventure covers campgrounds and RV parks, ski resorts, marinas, adventure operators, and eco-tourism. Several sub-categories have become institutional asset classes — ski (Vail's Epic, Alterra's Ikon pass networks), marinas (Safe Harbor, Suntex), and RV resorts and campgrounds (KOA, Sun Communities) — drawing heavy private-equity and REIT capital.
Demand grew strongly with the outdoor and experiential-travel boom, and recurring pass and slip/site revenue supports attractive economics. Consolidation of fragmented marinas, campgrounds, and ski assets has been a defining trend.
Market snapshot
- Market size
- ~$31B
- Growth
- ~7.7%CAGR (2017–22, nominal)
- Companies
- ~28,700
U.S. Census Bureau 2022 CBP/Economic Census, NAICS 713920 (skiing) + 713930 (marinas) + 713990 (other recreation) + 532284 (recreational-goods rental).
Business model & economics
- Revenue model
- Passes, slip/site rentals, admissions, and rentals
- Recurring revenue
- Moderate–High — season passes and recurring slip/site fees
- EBITDA margin
- Strong for scaled pass and marina/campground operators
- Capex intensity
- High
- Ski, marinas, and campgrounds became institutional asset classes.
- Recurring pass and slip/site revenue underpins economics.
- Heavy PE and REIT capital consolidating fragmented assets.
M&A deal context
Who’s acquiring
What’s driving deals
- Consolidation of marinas, campgrounds, and ski assets.
- Outdoor and experiential-travel demand.
- Recurring pass and slip/site revenue.
Verticals in this segment
- 2.13.5.1Bike Rental & Eco-Tourism
Outdoor bike rental and eco-tourism activity operators.
- 2.13.5.2Campgrounds & RV Parks
Campsite and RV park operators serving outdoor recreation guests.
- 2.13.5.3Outdoor Adventure Operators
Companies guiding hiking, rafting, kayaking, and adventure trips.
- 2.13.5.4Ski Resorts & Mountain Recreation
Mountain resort operators offering skiing and seasonal recreation.
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