Building New Campground. Opinions Welcome!
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 3...
Forum Discussion
Good Luck. Having done a little development over the last 30 years, but never a campground or RV park, unless the OP is in Backwater Podunk USA that still is in the 1950's I can only imagine the cost, time, and red tape involved with approvals, permits, and such. Especially so when it comes to sewage and environmental aspects. Hopefully not a lot of NIMBYS around which can be a hurdle all in itself. Be ready to deal with multiple government entities who all have their hand out. The entire process just to get to the point of being able to move some dirt is an experience to behold and an expensive one. River access? wait until you see what that entails getting anywhere close with the EPA, ACOE, and a host of others. The first thing the OP needs is a really good Attorney who understands the local approval process and is not the local bankruptcy or liability lawtard.
I have not been involved in developing a campground or RV resort, but have been involved in ripping out two nice ones in favor of commercial properties due to urban sprawl in western PA that had been in existence for years. One for a large shopping complex, the other is now the site of a UPMC hospital / clinic.
Unless you have some major draw like the ocean or some other touristy thing, and a highly accommodating government hierarchy in your area from the Feds on down, I don't see the ROI being there for developing such a facility from scratch. We have some condos in the early planning stages right now in a resort area of MD. For the 28 condos it looks like our sewer tap fees are going to be in the order of $5200 unless we can get them negotiated down. That's $5200.00 X 28, $150K followed by the monthly fee @ $45 for each owner. To put in a campground or Park in that same area the developer would encounter the exact same thing on a per site basis, but every jurisdiction is different.
Sounds like the OP is in the south where at least they don't have the 6-8 month limited seasonal use aspect to deal with. I guess there is always the possibility of one having the land and money to piss away, to just take on such a thing out of the desire and love just to do it, but I don't see the ROI without all the stars and planets aligning.
With all the brouhaha generated on RV boards about how hard it is finding sites, one would think Parks and Campgrounds would be popping up everywhere, but you don't see it happening.
I have not been involved in developing a campground or RV resort, but have been involved in ripping out two nice ones in favor of commercial properties due to urban sprawl in western PA that had been in existence for years. One for a large shopping complex, the other is now the site of a UPMC hospital / clinic.
Unless you have some major draw like the ocean or some other touristy thing, and a highly accommodating government hierarchy in your area from the Feds on down, I don't see the ROI being there for developing such a facility from scratch. We have some condos in the early planning stages right now in a resort area of MD. For the 28 condos it looks like our sewer tap fees are going to be in the order of $5200 unless we can get them negotiated down. That's $5200.00 X 28, $150K followed by the monthly fee @ $45 for each owner. To put in a campground or Park in that same area the developer would encounter the exact same thing on a per site basis, but every jurisdiction is different.
Sounds like the OP is in the south where at least they don't have the 6-8 month limited seasonal use aspect to deal with. I guess there is always the possibility of one having the land and money to piss away, to just take on such a thing out of the desire and love just to do it, but I don't see the ROI without all the stars and planets aligning.
With all the brouhaha generated on RV boards about how hard it is finding sites, one would think Parks and Campgrounds would be popping up everywhere, but you don't see it happening.
