Wanderland

What Wanderland does

Wanderland is a privately held outdoor hospitality and experience company operating a 72-acre retreat on Lookout Mountain in northwestern Georgia, near Chattanooga. Founded around 2019 with phased property development running through 2025, the company offers curated glamping experiences across three named sites (Life, Truth, Light), a fitness trail (Self), an outdoor event venue seating up to 100 guests (Gather), a forest wedding venue (Forest Union), on-site massage (Touch), a botanical exhibit (Garden of Eden), and an e-commerce apparel and book shop (Wanderland Outfitter). Its customer base is primarily consumer, segmented across families, solo explorers, groups, novice campers, youth/young adults via the Rites of Passage camp, neurodiverse children through the Twig & Sprout pond project, couples seeking alternative weddings, and wellness/music enthusiasts attending events such as the annual Melody Music Festival.\n\nThe business has no documented proprietary technology; reservations are processed through the third-party ResNexus platform, and merchandise is sold via standard e-commerce infrastructure. Revenue is diversified across five streams: camping and glamping stays (pay-as-you-go unit pricing via ResNexus with tiered cancellation terms), one-time event and wedding venue rentals, youth programs and educational workshops as professional services, branded merchandise and the "Camping Is For Everyone" book, and franchise/licensing revenue from expansion partners. Pricing ranges from $5 merchandise items to $82 premium hoodies, with event and wedding pricing bespoke by occasion. The company is founder-led by Jonathan L. Weston, a former tech executive and author of the Amazon #1 outdoor title "Camping Is For Everyone," and operates without disclosed institutional funding or revenue.\n\nWanderland is currently expanding on multiple fronts: a national franchise program to license the campground model to aligned landowners, the Biophilic Living Initiative extending the brand into biophilic real estate (Phase I: Timberlake Condo, Columbia, SC, Spring 2026), grant-funded conservation infrastructure (Bird Observation Tower, Trail Cleanup Program), and a layered partnership ecosystem including Wanderland Society (501(c)(3)), Georgia DNR, ExtremeTerrain Clean Trail Grant, Twig & Sprout, Fract, Sister in Love, Shinrin-Yoku, and the Morehouse/Spelman/Clark Atlanta universities. The franchise strategy, Fract geospatial partnership, and partner program indicate a deliberate pivot from owner-operator hospitality toward a licensable, multi-site brand platform.

Name

Wanderland

Legal name

Wanderland Camping

Website

https://wanderlandcamping.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wanderland operates a 72-acre curated glamping and outdoor experience retreat on Lookout Mountain in northwestern Georgia, serving families, solo travelers, couples, and groups with branded campsites, event venues, weddings, youth programs, merchandise, and a nonprofit conservation arm.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Hospitality & Glamping

NAICS

RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Eco-Adventure Multi-Day Expeditions (Trekking, Hut-to-Hut, Pack Trips) (THAAAEAJ), Guided Tours & Interpretive Services (Ranger-Led, Naturalist, Cultural Interpretation) (THAAAGAB), Recreation & Activity Services (Hiking, Boating, Climbing, Fishing—Guided/Authorized) (THAAAGAF)

Keywords

• Outdoor hospitality services
• Glamping and camping
• Event venue rentals
• Outdoor merchandise retail
• Nature conservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Rising Fawn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Camping & Glamping Stays: Overnight accommodations at curated glamping sites (Life, Truth, Light) and camping experiences. Guests book through ResNexus platform with cancellation policy: non-refundable within 7 days, 50% refundable greater than 14 days out.
2. Event Venue Rental: The Gather venue accommodates up to 100 guests for concerts, yoga, celebrations, and workshops. Forest Union offers intimate forest wedding ceremonies for 25-50 guests with 2-night minimum stay requirement.
3. Youth Programs & Camps: Rites of Passage camp for young men ages 14-19, Women's Healing Campout, and educational workshops including water catchment training. These programs serve as both community initiatives and revenue streams.
4. Merchandise & E-commerce: Wanderland Outfitter sells branded merchandise including apparel (hoodies, t-shirts, vests, windbreakers), accessories (caps, socks, totes, tumblers, water bottles), and the 'Camping Is For Everyone' book. Products range from $5 stickers to $82 premium hoodies.
5. Franchise & Partnership Revenue: Wanderland is expanding through franchise locations nationwide, offering partners a proven 5-star rated business model with multiple revenue streams including camping, youth programs, events, and merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wanderland operates a 72-acre outdoor retreat on Lookout Mountain in northwestern Georgia, offering curated glamping sites (Life, Truth, Light), a fitness trail (Self), an event venue (Gather), on-site massage (Touch), a forest wedding venue (Forest Union), and a botanical exhibit (Garden of Eden). The experience is supported by branded merchandise retail (Wanderland Outfitter), a published book, youth development programs, and conservation initiatives through the affiliated Wanderland Society 501(c)(3).

Product overview

Wanderland is a 72-acre outdoor retreat on Lookout Mountain in northwestern Georgia, offering a portfolio of curated camping and glamping experiences alongside event venues, wellness services, youth programs, and conservation initiatives. The core product suite includes six named glamping/experience sites (Life, Truth, Light, Self, Gather, Touch), the Forest Union wedding venue, and the Garden of Eden botanical exhibit. Supporting the guest experience are a branded merchandise retail store (Wanderland Outfitter) and the Camping Is for Everyone guide book. The Wanderland Society 501(c)(3) nonprofit underpins the mission through conservation, education, and community programs including the Rites of Passage Camp, the Melody Music Festival, the Bird Observation Tower, the Trail Cleanup Program, Biophilic Living real estate initiatives, and partnerships with Twig & Sprout and Shinrin-Yoku. The company also operates business development programs for brand partnerships, franchise expansion, and a curated wedding vendor network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wanderland Society: 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of Wanderland focused on protecting natural areas, educating visitors, and creating meaningful outdoor experiences. Values include simplicity, authenticity, gratitude, and inspiration.
• Melody Music Festival
• Wanderland Outfitter

Products and services

• Life – The Elevated Retreat

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-star guest experience rating maintained
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark Atlanta UniversitiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2024Students from these Atlanta University Center institutions came to Wanderland on June 15, 2024 to learn how to create and monitor a Rain Catchment system. Educational workshop focused on sustainable agriculture practices including collection, storage, and utilization of rainwater.
• Wanderland SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of Wanderland Campground. Its mission is to protect natural areas, educate visitors, and create meaningful outdoor experiences for all. Values mirror those of the campground: simplicity, authenticity, gratitude, and inspiration. Enables grant applications and cross-funds conservation projects. Supports programs including the Bird Observation Tower, trail cleanup, and youth education initiatives.
• Twig & SproutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to restore the pond at Twig & Sprout into a sensory-friendly nature space for neurodiverse children, especially those on the autism spectrum. The Pond Restoration Project includes native plantings, fish habitats, sensory zones, kayak experiences, and educational stations. Both organizations share a belief that nature is the most inclusive teacher.
• FractminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading geospatial technology company offering free scouting reports for individuals and organizations looking to start outdoor projects. Fract helps identify perfect locations, understand demographics, navigate permitting/zoning, and visualize possibilities for campgrounds, adventure retreats, or community nature spaces.
• Sister in LovecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Women's Healing Campout at Wanderland. Sister in Love focuses on family empowerment programs. Limited edition hoodies support both Sister in Love's programs and Wanderland's conservation and wellness initiatives. Purchase proceeds strengthen families and communities through healing together.
• Georgia Department of Natural ResourcescoreOthersState agency sponsoring the Bird Observation Tower project ('The Birds Nest'). Tower is 26ft tall with three levels, interpretive signs about high-elevation oak woodlands and red-cockaded woodpecker habitat, and QR codes for visitor wildlife submissions. Panel references State Wildlife Action Plan and DNR support.
• ExtremeTerrain Clean Trail GrantminorOthersGrant program sponsoring the Trail Cleanup Program at Wanderland. Initiative involves trail clean-up events throughout the year with volunteers collecting trash along designated trails, educational sessions on responsible waste disposal, and social media campaigns promoting awareness.
• Urban Exodus PodcastminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPodcast featuring founder Jonathan L. Weston discussing Wanderland Wonder: A tech exec finds himself healing in nature and builds a place where people can reconnect with the wild. Episode E64 provides PR and thought leadership exposure.
• Georgia Department of Natural ResourcesminorOthersDNR's support acknowledged in relation to the State Wildlife Action Plan and bird observation tower interpretive panels highlighting wildlife preservation at Wanderland.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tentrr: Glamping marketplace and Signature Tent operator partnering with private landowners. Comparable model of leveraging curated campsites on third-party land, similar in concept to Wanderland's franchise expansion approach.
• AutoCamp: Luxury Airstream and cabin glamping operator with curated outdoor sites and design-forward hospitality. Most directly comparable to Wanderland's curated glamping + multi-revenue (events, weddings) model, at a larger footprint and west/Midwest/East Coast locations.
• Getaway: Network of tiny-cabin off-grid rentals marketed for digital detox and reconnection with nature. Overlaps with Wanderland's 'unplug and reflect' positioning and access-via-hike site concepts.
• Firelight Camps: Boutique glamping resort in Ithaca, NY, featuring canvas tent accommodations, on-site programming, and curated outdoor experiences. Closely comparable in size, scale, and curated-experience positioning.
• Under Canvas: Safari-inspired luxury glamping tents near national parks with on-site dining, wellness, and adventure programming. Comparable to Wanderland's premium outdoor hospitality and event/cultural programming approach.
• Collective Retreats: Luxury glamping retreats in scenic U.S. destinations with curated experiences, dining, and wellness. Closely matches Wanderland's premium positioning, named experiential sites, and nature-immersed offerings.

Emerging players

• Glamping Hub: Global glamping accommodation marketplace. Adjacent to Wanderland's curation strategy, reaching similar customers but without the integrated nonprofit/community programming model.
• Hipcamp: Online marketplace for private-land camping, glamping, and RV stays. Adjacent peer addressing the same customer pain points (accessible nature stays, beginner-friendly camping) but via marketplace rather than owned/operated sites.
• ResortPass: Day-pass marketplace for pools, wellness, and outdoor resort amenities. Not a direct competitor but a comparable adjacency demonstrating how outdoor hospitality experiences are being packaged and distributed digitally—an emerging playbook relevant to Wanderland's Gather venue.

Broad incumbents

• Kampgrounds of America (KOA): Largest U.S. campground franchise system with thousands of locations across all categories. Represents the mass-market incumbent Wanderland explicitly contrasts itself against; a likely franchise-format competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wanderlandusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wanderland