Buying a campground?

[Purplefans & Harvey]

Has anyone ever thought about purchasing a campground? I've been thinking about it quite a bit, and wondered if anybody had researched this end - also, what would be the top things that people look for in campgrounds. I know what I like, and would want to have - and here in New England we don't have many 5***** campgrounds which is what I'd like to make. Go ahead, throw comments out here! Any and all appreciated!

[RovinOn]

I think I would love to do that except I'm to close to retirement to start something like that. It burns me to no end that I still have to work and not have enough time off to enjoy myself and my coach.

Several things I would make sure in a campground,,,
1. Big enough and solid level pads for the RV's
2. Paved and clear roads
3. Constant trimmed trees,,, I hate going into a campground / RV park and scratching my coach on untrimmed trees!

I think my model for Campground / RV parks would be Fort Wilderness in Disney World,,, they seem to have it right!

Regards,
RovinOn
05 Southwind 37C

[dajudge]

I have thought about it several times, but each time, I thought about all the time and money this would take and not leave time for me to travel. I agree with rovin on the requirements, but this would make it sort of expensive. What we need is nice clean campgrounds, cut branches, fair roads and not all the amenities like the ones that cater to families. If I am travelling, I don't need a pool, lounge, restaurant and other fancy things. Just a clean and quiet place to stay, laundry and small campground store with necessities.(mainly ice cream!!!!!!!!!)

[bdpreece]

I had a friend once who loved sailboats and sailing. He started a business selling sailboats. He spent all his time working while all his customers were enjoying the sailboats. I suspect having a campground would be about the same type of thing. You would spend all your time working while your customers were enjoying the fruits of your labor.

[RovinOn]

Quote:

You would spend all your time working while your customers were enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Yep,,, That would be about right!

[Lug_Nut]

There is not a lot of money in operating a campground, at least for the money invested, if that was one of its goals. Most provide a family run property with good income. If you would like to get to the ROI, you had better be young.
It is an interesting thought, never the less.

[Oldrtrcr]

Own a campground up north. Close it up in October/November when the traffic slows and travel till April. We stayed at the KOA in Rhinebeck, NY a while back and that is what that owner does.

["007"]

We do have a campground owner "Javajelly" on Newmar forum.
He will be busy until Nov. Than brakes for the south to relax.
Does not post to much in summer but will be here soon.

[tmh462]

Our son's in-laws bought a campground, and they now have no time to do anything but work at the campground. He has a Harley with a thousand miles on it that he can never ride, and the longest they are away from the property is an hour to get supplies. They bought an RV to travel, and it hasn't turned a wheel since it was brought to them.
If you're going to buy an RV park or campground, make sure it's big enough to support at least one employee, so you can get a chance to get away once in a while.

[Rich and Cork]

A campground I have enjoyed a couple of times is outside Durango, Colorado. It is called Leitner Creek:

Camping in Durango, Colorado: Camp Lightner Creek RV Park & Cabins

We first stayed there 20ish years ago and stayed there again last year. The same family owns it. I told them I remembered talking to them about their purchase. They had spent about a year looking and wanted a part time operation so they could also play. They said they have really enjoyed owning the place. Note the times they open and close.

[Campingman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece I had a friend once who loved sailboats and sailing. He started a business selling sailboats. He spent all his time working while all his customers were enjoying the sailboats. I suspect having a campground would be about the same type of thing. You would spend all your time working while your customers were enjoying the fruits of your labor.

True story ! While everyone is camping from April to October I get to go from Oct. to April. Actually I like the fall and winter and spring months for camping best.

[NLOVNIT]

One thing I wish more campgrounds would do is have 2 or 3 pull through primitive (i.e. no hook ups) sites set aside, for a cheap price, say $10, to accomodate folks traveling through an area just needing a safe place to rest before moving on. I hate having to pay $35+ for a site when I'm not going to hook up or use any of the campground's ammenities because I'm rolling in after dark & leaving at dawn. Yes, I could go to a rest area or WM, but I'd rather patronize a local campground if they would just be a more flexible with prices depending on circumstances.

Lori-

[RoyM]

I had a chance to buy a foreclosed fishing resort c/w guiding license in a beautiful location for a song. I passed but had a chance to talk to the buyer several years later. He said they never would have tackled it had they known much work would be involved.
As others have pointed out, it would be a business not a hobby. Without reliable staff, you would be tied to it 24/7. Is that how you want to spend your summers.
Lori, they have to pay a mortgage, taxes, maintain the grounds, and attend to all the other expenses whether you use use the hook ups or not. Why should they tie up valuable resources for 10 bucks a day? You obviously have no appreciation of the costs involved in running a business.

[Purplefans & Harvey]

Thanks for all the replies so far! Keep them coming!