Community Forums

monroesilk · 04-05-2020, 05:12 PM

Hi everyone,

What is the difference between a campground and a resort?
What does you ideal site/facility look like? What amenities?
We have been asked to, perhaps, develop a large site near Ocean Shores Washington. Flat level ground with easy access to the beach.
We are thinking about an indoor pool, mini golf, cabins, and perhaps tent camping along with drive thru RV sites. Tentative RV sites are 70'x25'.
Thoughts, comments, observations.

Old-Biscuit · 04-05-2020, 05:20 PM

Sounds good.........with amendities it would be in the Resort catagory

Increase RV sites to 75' x 30' minimum

Tent camping should be in area removed from RV sites.

Good luck......huge investment/long term return provided good on site management/staff

profdan · 04-05-2020, 09:48 PM

What's the difference? About 20 bucks a night!

saddlesore · 04-05-2020, 10:25 PM

My suggestions.....

for a 75' x 13'6" high combination RV.

EASY & WIDE turns, both into the park and inside the park without having to dodge obstacles (trees/stumps/overhead tree limbs,planters, signs, decorative ROCKS)

75' length x 16' concrete/paved pad, 20' or so overall space width, no overhead issues.
Due to forest fire concerns.. NO Fire rings..

freedom from trees blocking sat signals,
Good (45# or better when flowing (not static) water pressure.
GOOD SOLID 50a/30a/20a power.. With breakers on the site pedestal ..nite lites are nice to have when you have to dump after dark
Level or very very close to level camp pads.
Water/sewer/power connections in the rear 1/3rd of the pad..(Might even consider adding a 2nd sewer in the front 1/3rd for those trlrs/5'ers that have two black/gray connections).....

NO train crossings / tracks nearby..

twogypsies · 04-05-2020, 10:46 PM

Isn't that where all the tsunami warning signs are? ... and you have flat ground? Not such a good idea.

saddlesore · 04-05-2020, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Isn't that where all the tsunami warning signs are? ... and you have flat ground? Not such a good idea.

Flat RV pads, terraced for hillside..if not on top of the hill..

danhannah · 04-06-2020, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monroesilk

Hi everyone,

What is the difference between a campground and a resort?
What does you ideal site/facility look like? What amenities?
We have been asked to, perhaps, develop a large site near Ocean Shores Washington. Flat level ground with easy access to the beach.
We are thinking about an indoor pool, mini golf, cabins, and perhaps tent camping along with drive thru RV sites. Tentative RV sites are 70'x25'.
Thoughts, comments, observations.

I am always excited to hear about new resorts being developed, so don't take this as negative. BUT there seemed to be a lot of failed and dilapidated campgrounds in that area of the Washington coast. I wonder why?

Anyway, I'll be a customer, because it's hard to find someplace nice near Ocean Shores.

sbleiweiss · 04-06-2020, 07:51 AM

I know the satellite people want no trees, but for us, lots of vegetation, at least high enough for privacy between sites, and shade trees better yet. And I think the difference in many cases between CGs called resorts or not is just marketing hype, nothing more.

twojayhawks · 04-06-2020, 08:09 AM

A resort, IMO must include the following as a minimum, paved interior roads, large level concrete sites with generous patios, FHU, decent site spacing, and a pool. Essentially catering to the big rig crowd but great for all rigs. A CG can be practically anything that you can park a RV or pitch a tent.

profdan · 04-06-2020, 09:53 AM

You might be at an RV "resort" if . . . .

the bathrooms have those noisy high tech hand dryer machines.

there are separate hot tubs for adults and children.

the staff all wear matching outfits with jazzy logos.

someone escorts you to your site in a fancy golf cart.

the sewer fixtures are contained within spill-proof concrete basins.

there is a happy hour in the rec room with good snacks purchased at Costco.

you stay there once and are forever spammed by emails from the resort.

OK, that's enough from me -- your turn!

RonLC · 04-06-2020, 10:37 AM

Resort: Absolutely first class toilets and showers, ADA compliant. Big pools, one for adults and one for kids. Strong enough Internet for streaming.

rodekyll · 04-06-2020, 11:59 AM

I think the difference is different in different parts of the country.

The best way to get a feel for the Washington coast resorts is to take a trip and see them. Often you see that a campground isn't a resort, but a resort can be a campground. YMMV.

I and my family have had interests in the Grays Harbor area for a few generations now. I'm not going to raise any old skeletons, but I'll encourage you to look into Ocean Shores history before you commit, and be real sure of your partners.

If you're looking for ideas on the development, I'm in favor of the old motor lodge look. Back in the day, coastal resorts were horseshoes of little cabins accompanied by a store and gas station. Think teardrop trailers and Packards. They often had a theme. Beach fishing was essential. Many had fishing and clamming equipment rentals as well as rental boats (the Ocean Shores area has a lot of little inlets and lakes).

LovesToWine · 04-06-2020, 12:12 PM

Hello! We are permanent residents of Ocean Shores. I also used to be a Realtor here and know quite a bit about the city.

There is really only one area to develop based on what you are describing. It may be the same as you have been asked about.
It would be Damon Point at the very south tip of the peninsula. There a few parcels there that would meld together. Damon Point has a popular lovely beach where walkers find agates.

1. Yes, we have many tsunami signs.
2. Our elevation is sea level.
3. The current "campground" on Damon Point is very popular and you can not get much closer to the beach without getting stuck in sand/ water. I believe there are hook ups there.
4. There are no trees.

5. Some of the available property is on the bay. There is also a "has been" marina there. We used to have a ferry that went between Ocean Shores and Westport and we would all love to have it back, but the bay needs dredging.
6. For what you are describing, this is the only commercial property I can think of that would fit zoning laws and be large enough.
7. As far as services go; Ocean Shores can provide all services. We even have an RV repair business just outside the city gates. Basically no medical... but we do have a pharmacy and Fire Department.

8. There is even a casino with restaurants about a mile north of town.
9. Ocean Shores is a very popular tourist town.

You have received many comments that look pretty good. What you are describing is an RV Resort, not a campground. Hubby and myself prefer state and national campgrounds or boondocking to RV Resorts. The resorts are usually like being in a parking lot (to us). Many people really like RV Resorts... just a matter of taste.

You are welcome to e-mail me.

Alan_Hepburn · 04-06-2020, 01:33 PM

To me a campground is where you go to park your RV while you tour the surrounding area; an RV resort is where you go to take advantages of the amenities available on the property. While both may have pools, a resort will also have a clubhouse, with kitchen facilities; possibly separate adult and family lodges, maybe on-site cafe facilities, and other things that make it unnecessary to leave the property for anything other than sight-seeing.