My family is working on building a new campground from scratch and we would like to get some opinions from campers or campground owners. We considered building right off a major interstate on about 35 acres but are now looking at building on our own property. Our property is 12 minutes from the interstate. It is located on 500 acres of beautiful longleaf pine with unique sandhills topography and river access. We plan to offer typical park amenities such as pool, playground, splash pad, bath houses, etc. We also have miles of walking/bicycle trails, access to the slow, tranquil river and cabins rentals. Our main question we'd like opinions on is whether this type of park would be more attractive to campers versus a park right off the interstate and would the 12 minute drive be a turnoff? Also worth noting that the 12 minute drive is a 4 lane highway that is 55mph the entire ride.

Leave as many trees as possible! Nothing worse then “camping” on something that looks like a football field!

The real question is what other attractions are in the area to make this a destination type trip?Easy on easy off is great and I would prefer something off the interstate to avoid road noise myself.

If you have a dog park make sure it has two double gates at both ends of the park.

Your proximity to attractions will be the driving point in attendance more than the Interstate location versus off the beaten path. If no or little attractions in your neck of the woods, I'd go with the 'Off the Interstate' property because all you'll get is transient campers.I considered doing the same thing and we have the attractions but I don't want the hassle of dealing with idiots and there are a ton of RV idiots.

Whammon1 wrote:The real question is what other attractions are in the area to make this a destination type trip?Easy on easy off is great and I would prefer something off the interstate to avoid road noise myself.Bingo... Why would a potential customer be in the area anyway? What are you building or is nearby that would convince someone to stay more than overnight? If I’m just needing an overnight then what you have proposed is an expense I wouldn’t want to pay for thru higher fees, nor would I drive 12 miles to stay there.

Building New Campground. Opinions Welcome! | Good Sam Community

Flan
Explorer
Mar 08, 2019
Leave as many trees as possible! Nothing worse then “camping” on something that looks like a football field!
Whammon1
Explorer
Mar 08, 2019
The real question is what other attractions are in the area to make this a destination type trip?

Easy on easy off is great and I would prefer something off the interstate to avoid road noise myself.
Happytraveler
Explorer
Mar 08, 2019
If you have a dog park make sure it has two double gates at both ends of the park.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Mar 08, 2019
Your proximity to attractions will be the driving point in attendance more than the Interstate location versus off the beaten path. If no or little attractions in your neck of the woods, I'd go with the 'Off the Interstate' property because all you'll get is transient campers.

I considered doing the same thing and we have the attractions but I don't want the hassle of dealing with idiots and there are a ton of RV idiots.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2019
Whammon1 wrote:
The real question is what other attractions are in the area to make this a destination type trip?

Easy on easy off is great and I would prefer something off the interstate to avoid road noise myself.

Bingo... Why would a potential customer be in the area anyway? What are you building or is nearby that would convince someone to stay more than overnight? If I’m just needing an overnight then what you have proposed is an expense I wouldn’t want to pay for thru higher fees, nor would I drive 12 miles to stay there.
Packbacker
Explorer
Mar 08, 2019
The park itself is located in a small country town but is a 10 minute drive in two different directions to grocery stores, resturaunts and golf courses and a 15 minute drive to a mid-major city with MANY attractions including all the resturaunts you could want, museums, movie theaters and a brand new minor league baseball stadium opening this spring. It is also located just 30 minutes from a major military base.
Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2019
SideCarFlip and Wildtoad echo my thoughts. From a business standpoint the just off the Freeway Park may be best if no major reasons for people to drive 12 miles and stay longer. I would envision something like Durango RV near Red Bluff, California. Check that one out from Google Earth.
Yosemite_Sam1
Explorer
Mar 08, 2019
Flan wrote:
Leave as many trees as possible! Nothing worse then “camping” on something that looks like a football field!

Agree -- and enough space between campgrounds so that we don't have hear moaning and giggles from another site, nor ours.
Iraqvet05
Explorer
Mar 08, 2019
I would travel the extra 12 minutes to get away from the interstate. I also find those interstate CGs often cater to those wanting to stay just a night or two so they are crammed in to maximize profit. As far as amenities, I usually don't pay much attention to those CGs. In my area it's too cold for pools 7-8 months out of the year anyway. When my kids were younger, they were happy with a nice playground and some room to throw around a baseball or football.
naturist
Nomad
Mar 08, 2019
The two sites would attract very different clientele. Right off the interstate will be a lot of travelers for one nighters, although between you and me, I also would prefer getting far enough off the interstate to get away from the road noise, even just for one night. And I have driven as much as 20 miles off the highway for a campground, when traveling areas with few CGs available. I think the choice will indeed depend on what other attractions there are nearby and how many CGs there are. If you are the only one for miles and miles, it will matter less which you choose.

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