Sam Ruth, a former finance worker from San Francisco, moved with his fiance to rural Kentucky to start a glampsite, only to find a 200-acre property rife with surprises, unexpected challenges, and compelling potential. 

Have you ever dreamed about leaving city life behind and starting fresh in a rural area with a big business idea? 

If so, this inspiring story of starting over, rural adventure, glamping, and sustainability is for you as you learn about Cave Creek Red River Gorge.

We recently interviewed Sam for the Glampaluza podcast and YouTube Channel. You can watch here:

Covid Led to a Change

Like many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam Ruth and his fiance began soul-searching as they sat discontented, working from their San Francisco home. Both with careers in finance, they decided they needed to make a change. 

So Sam started researching opportunities where most people go–YouTube. The videos on short-term rental properties appealed to Sam, and the numbers made sense. However, purchasing a duplex or house-hacking seemed out of reach in San Francisco, where money doesn’t go far.

Sam learned from people into Airbnbs about the emerging rental vacation market in Kentucky, where he and his fiance still had family and a few connections. Sam is from Kentucky, so moving home sounded like a great idea.

“I kept hearing about glamping and how the returns were higher than renting out traditional vacation homes or building from the ground up,” said Sam. “So it’s a lower barrier to entry cost-wise, and then there’s the ability to be a little bit more creative.” 

From California to Kentucky

Sam and his fiance set their sights on rural Kentucky and began looking for properties on Zillow with the help of Sam’s brother-in-law realtor Elijah and his business partner Luke. During their research, they found a 200-acre property with a farmhouse, barn, and multiple outbuildings near a popular geological park in Powell County, Kentucky, at the center of the gorgeous Red River Gorge. 

Sam says they were under contract within a week. He and his fiance quit their jobs and moved to Kentucky to begin the glampsite transformation. 

However, excitement quickly changed to overwhelm when they discovered the land was overgrown with old trails, lots of trash, and an outhouse dumping into a creek. They didn’t let the property’s condition deter them from their goal to create a glamping-focused tiny home village. 

With help from Luke’s jack-of-all-trades dad, they added amenities like outdoor showers and composting toilets. 

“We’ve done everything ourselves, Luke’s dad Tim showed us the ropes, and we learned on the job–just doing it is how we figured it out,” said Sam. “Sustainability and honoring the land was important to us throughout the project, so we focused on regenerative agriculture and using the existing barns and sheds on the property to build the tiny homes.” 

To the Moon!

Sam’s property currently has three tiny homes available for glamping adventures:

• Full Moon - a former well-diggers shed that sleeps four people with a queen mattress and a loft

• Half Moon - a former tractor barn that sleeps two with a full mattress

• Moon Dance - a former playhouse that sleeps four with a full mattress and daybed

The rentals have the ability to sleep more guests with space for cots, tents, and tree hammocks. In addition, guests enjoy peaceful creek views and access to a fire pit and private trail running behind the site, leading upstream to a secluded waterfall. 

“Each site is popular with individuals and families, but it’s also a great opportunity to rent all three tiny homes for a family reunion or a writer’s retreat,” said Sam. 

After hosting the first glamping guest in November 2021, Sam says they’ve hosted over 100 guests. Their first 100 reviews were all five-star ratings. 

“What our guests like most is just being in nature,” said Sam. “Every time someone shares that they had a good time or leaves a nice review, it gives you a sense of satisfaction. With all the hard work, the hours and hours, the blood, sweat, and tears–it has been worth it! Connecting people to nature is very rewarding.” 

Takeaway

Are you ready to escape the city and experience the beauty of rural Kentucky? Look no further than Cave Creek Red River Gorge, the perfect glamping getaway for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. 

With three unique and sustainable tiny homes to choose from, including Full Moon, Half Moon, and Moon Dance, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable and memorable stay. Explore the private trail, relax by the fire pit, and fall asleep to the soothing sound of the creek outside your window. 

Don't wait, book your stay at Cave Creek Red River Gorge now and experience the magic of nature firsthand!