An Australian outdoor hospitality company is set to introduce a new glamping concept at Dairy Creek Golf Course in San Luis Obispo, California, with plans to open this summer.
Nightsky Camps will repurpose a section of the county-owned golf course to develop 45 eco-tents on land that previously included nine decommissioned holes.
The nine holes were taken out of service following ongoing water shortages, as the county sought alternative uses for the property that could generate revenue and benefit the community.
Dairy Creek originally opened in 1997 as an 18-hole course before water constraints reduced its footprint.
The San Luis Obispo project will mark Nightsky’s first flagship hospitality development in the United States. Founded by an Australian team and now based in California, the company describes the project as regenerative in design, with low-impact site planning intended to preserve the existing landscape.
According to Edhat, the development incorporates energy-efficient lighting designed with dark-sky considerations, water conservation measures, and operational practices aimed at reducing single-use plastics and using eco-friendly cleaning materials. Linen and towel reuse programs are also planned to minimize water and energy consumption.
The property will be located near the city of San Luis Obispo and will offer a mix of private accommodations and shared amenities. Each tent is expected to include king-sized beds, wood interiors, custom furnishings, local artisan decor, a mini refrigerator, ensuite bathrooms, and private decks.
Shared facilities will include a restaurant, communal fire pits, and a wellness area offering yoga, guided meditation, cold plunges, and sauna experiences.
Prior to the launch of the eco-tents, Nightsky opened its on-site restaurant, Marcerro, at Dairy Creek Golf Course. The restaurant focuses on coastal cuisine inspired by seasonal and locally sourced California ingredients.
Under the agreement reported by The Tribune, Nightsky will fund the full development of the project and contribute a share of its revenue to San Luis Obispo County in the form of rent.
For the county, the arrangement provides a new income stream tied to hospitality operations rather than golf, aligning with broader efforts to adapt public recreational assets in response to environmental constraints.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, the Dairy Creek project highlights several industry trends: adaptive reuse of underperforming or resource-intensive land, integration of wellness programming into lodging models, and partnerships with public entities seeking diversified revenue.
It also reflects continued investor interest in upscale outdoor accommodations located within an accessible distance of major urban markets such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, where Nightsky is reportedly exploring additional destinations.
As water availability and land use regulations continue to shape development across the West, similar public-private collaborations may present viable pathways for growth.
Featured image by Nightsky Camps