buying campground

I know nothing about the business of running a campground. However having run a small business for almost 40 years, I know a little bit about small business in a general way.

Couple of quick thoughts
1) If it is your dream I think you should pursue it
2) Almost without exception, the new, would be owner believes the current owner is an idiot, and they will do much better. In a very short period of time. Very rarely does that turn out to be the case.
3) At least a year of cash in the bank to tide you over until you can get going is a smart idea.
4) It would be great if you could work for a successful campground, for a time and really learn the ins and outs. That should really help in your buying choices

Best of luck to you, hope it works out

Most of you that respond must be business experts. Most are trying to tell him he can't do it, how do you know? Beleive it or not not every closed campground is a failure, some close for other reasons.

Live a little.

Many reasons why a campground may close and be for sale. I have been self employed and in service and retail operations for the past 30 years. When I tired of the insurance business I started searching for an RV park to purchase. Looked at many parks and saw many that hade been neglected. Believe the former owners just tired of operating the business. Saw some really nice parks that owners had much pride in and price reflected such. Love this business and wish kids would take it now but they have other careers. So sadly put it on the market. Will not close it.

Sprink-Fitter wrote:
Most of you that respond must be business experts. Most are trying to tell him he can't do it, how do you know? Beleive it or not not every closed campground is a failure, some close for other reasons.

Live a little.

I don't know about being a "business expert", but I have owned RV parks for a long time and haven't gone broke yet. I do know that buying and operating any business is like analyzing an iceberg, you have to consider what is below the water, out of sight, much more than what can be seen on the surface.
It is very easy to spend someone else's money. Supporting any business idea simply because it is someone's dream is irresponsible. Most of the responses here have been pretty spot on. There just aren't very many closed campgrounds littering the countryside. There are many reasons why a business would close, but I haven't seen or heard of any that were successful and just shut the doors. Knowing why a business closed is very important and the fact that it did close should be seen as a giant red flag, not as a reason to buy it. Purchasing an RV park is a big investment, and done carelessly is a ticket to financial disaster. Just having a dream is not a business plan.

It hard to make a quick profit.I check years ago for the price of the campground but when I find out how much is I say forget about.A good location campground will be in the millions .

Just like anything Location, Location, Location,......... and of course conditions, regulations, etc....... Not too many campgrounds are like the one we go to at Myrtle Beach 300 acres almost a mile of ocean front (probably one of the largest campgrounds in the country). The couple that started it from scratch in the 1970s recently passed away & their 5 daughters are the heirs. I have heard that they take in over 3 million dollars a month (at least in the summer) & I believe it. but they also have a lot of overhead costs. But campgrounds this size are extremely rare. It is hard to tell what the land alone is worth & taxes...... Today it would be cost prohibitive to start one there.

Sprink-Fitter wrote:
Most of you that respond must be business experts. Most are trying to tell him he can't do it, how do you know? Beleive it or not not every closed campground is a failure, some close for other reasons.

Live a little.

LOL -- but what these responses are really illustrating is most folks are wired to risk averse and NOT entrepreneurs. Most people think they "could do that" but won't ever take the risk. There is some sound advice sprinkled in, but most of the opinions are the same that Roy Kroc or Howard Schultz heard from folks when they made their bold moves to buy McDonalds and Starbucks respectively. Most entrepreneurs fail many times before they succeed, and even in success they will have set backs. But more than anything else they have a dream, a vision and a plan when others only see risk and failure.

OP I certainly wish you the best.

So if the OP doesn't do it, who is going to open parks so rvers have a place to stay? Due diligence is important though and only you can make the decision.

We were planning on opening an rv park in Mexico several years ago. A U.S. company was will to help us design, plan and finance the park.

I think they call it, "turning a business around" and some people have that talent. We don't know exactly the case of each park that closes. There are many possibilities.

I say to the OP, go for it and good luck in your venture.

donn0128 wrote:
Do you really want to work 100 hours a week for less than minimum wage? Sounds really romantic, but the investment in time and money can be huge. And the rewards minimal at best. At the worst, poor managment, location, or any number of other factors could wipe you complete out financially.

Invest the money into mutual funds and let someone else do the work. Or if you really want to WORK be a campground host at one of the national parks. That way you can enjoy someone knocking on your door at 3:00AM complaining about no toilet paper in the bath house. . . .:Z

On any closed or open campground being considered, make sure to visit the local Zoning and Building department to see if the campground will still meet current codes after a change of ownership. What out for Grandfather Rights, the campground may currently be operating under, that may disappear with a sale.

I have watched several campground prospective dreams go up in smoke when they find out all renovations have to be done to current codes. Like finding out that sewer and electrical work has to be done by, or at least signed off by licensed professionals.
Just do your home work and make the best decision for yourself that you can.