Blue Water has entered into a strategic management partnership with Spacious Skies Campgrounds, assuming operational management of the company’s 15-property campground portfolio while ownership remains with co-founders Ali Rasmussen, Eric Rasmussen, and their partners.
The agreement, which took effect on June 23, 2026, represents one of the largest single-portfolio management transitions in Blue Water’s history and expands the company’s management footprint across the campground sector.
Under the arrangement, Blue Water will oversee operations, revenue management, marketing, and guest experience initiatives, while Spacious Skies will retain its existing ownership structure and brand identity.
According to the companies, the partnership is intended to combine Blue Water’s operational management capabilities with the established brand identity developed by Spacious Skies since its founding.
The campground operator has built its portfolio around a focus on guest engagement, loyalty programming, and partnerships with organizations that promote access to outdoor recreation for a broad range of communities.
Blue Water said the transition is being implemented through a phased integration process designed to maintain continuity for guests and employees. The company indicated it is retaining approximately 95% of the existing Spacious Skies workforce as operations are integrated into Blue Water’s management platform.
“Spacious Skies is one of the most intentionally built brands in outdoor hospitality. Ali and Eric didn’t just acquire campgrounds — they built a community around a real belief: that the outdoors belong to everyone. That kind of brand doesn’t need to be reinvented. It needs operational backing to broaden the guest community. That’s what we’re here to do.”
— Rafael Correa, president and CFO, Blue Water
Ali Rasmussen, co-founder of Spacious Skies Campgrounds, said the company selected Blue Water after years of familiarity with its leadership team.
“We built Spacious Skies around the belief that the outdoors belongs to everyone — and every decision we’ve made, from our loyalty program to our partnerships, reflects that. Choosing a management partner meant finding someone who understood and valued what we’ve built. Having known and respected the Blue Water team for years, we knew they were the right team to help steward this next chapter.”
— Ali Rasmussen, co-founder, Spacious Skies Campgrounds
The companies said Blue Water will focus initially on integrating operational systems, marketing, and infrastructure while maintaining existing guest programming and community partnerships.
Capital investment plans for individual campgrounds are currently being evaluated, with future improvements to amenities, digital platforms, and guest experiences expected to be announced on a property-by-property basis.
Spacious Skies has established partnerships with organizations including The Unity Folks, Girl Camper, LGBTQ+ Outdoors, and Latino Outdoors, alongside its Cosmic Camper Loyalty Program. According to the announcement, these initiatives will continue under the new management agreement.
For campground owners and outdoor hospitality operators, the partnership highlights the continued growth of third-party management within the sector. As campground portfolios expand, management agreements are increasingly being used by owners seeking to retain ownership while leveraging specialized expertise in operations, revenue optimization, technology implementation, and marketing.
The decision to retain most of the existing workforce also reflects an industry trend toward preserving local operational knowledge during ownership or management transitions, helping reduce disruption for guests and employees while supporting long-term portfolio performance.
Looking ahead, Blue Water said it plans to expand the Spacious Skies brand through enhanced guest engagement, loyalty initiatives, and operational improvements while evaluating opportunities to apply the portfolio’s experience and management approach to support future growth within the outdoor hospitality industry.