Many of Florida’s campgrounds and RV parks are family-owned and operated, from St. Augustine in the north to Key West in the South. Some have two and even three generations of family members working together, according to a press release.
“Many of the campgrounds and RV parks that belong to our association are family-owned and operated, including parks that have been in business for over 50 or 60 years. We’re one of the only segments of the economy where it’s still possible to find family-owned businesses,” said Bobby Cornwell, president and CEO of the Florida RV Park and Campground Association, which hosts CampFlorida.com, the travel planning website.
Here’s a sampling of several family-owned campgrounds across the Sunshine State:
Boyd’s Campground in Key West: Two Canadian immigrants, Boyd and Elsie Hamilton, established this campground in 1963. Three generations of the Boyd family have since been involved in running the campground, which is the southernmost campground in the U.S. Amenities include waterfront campsites, a swimming pool, a tiki hut, a game room, a boat ramp, as well as kayak and paddleboard rentals.
Caladesi RV Park & Propane in Palm Harbor: Dennis Kappas and his son, Christos, have owned and operated this park since 2011. “We have made tremendous upgrades over the years, paving the roads, putting in a new pool, adding a gym, and air-conditioning the bathrooms,” Christos said.
Located along the Pinellas Trail, this park offers 86 sites that can accommodate any type of RV.
“We are a mix of long-term and short-term people,” Cristos said. “Our competitive advantage is our location, minutes from a number of beaches, restaurants, and downtowns — all within walking or trolley distance.”
Clearwater/Lake Tarpon KOA Holiday in Palm Harbor: Christina and Benjamin Roddey III have owned and operated this park since 2017.
Crosslake RV Park in Jacksonville: This is a relatively new park that is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Cavelle and Mickey Roman. “We took some pasture land from our cows and built this park from the ground up,” Cavelle said. “We first broke ground in the fall of 2020 and we are operating at 84 spaces currently.”
Fisherman’s Cove RV Resort in Palmetto: Rob Smith has owned and operated this park with his daughter, Amber, and son-in-law, John Peter Winkler, since 2018. Amenities at this resort include a waterfront pool, fire pit, tiki hut, BBQ kitchen, outdoor pavilion, a bayside putting green and a pickleball court. A large clubhouse includes a kitchen, a well-stocked game room, a full fitness center and a spectacular view of the Terra Ceia Bay.
Complimentary kayaks and paddleboards are also available.
Fisherman’s Cove is surrounded by a serene aquatic preserve. Nearby are well-reviewed parks such as Robinson Preserve and Emerson Point, which feature walking trails, kayaking, and other activities.
Also, within three minutes of the resort is Terra Ceia State Park, a place where visitors can observe nature in the same way pioneers first witnessed Florida’s wilderness centuries ago.
Hickory Point RV Park in Tarpon Springs: Christina and Benjamin Roddey III have owned and operated this park since 1990.
Indian Mound Fish Camp in Oak Hill: This campground has been owned and operated by Tom and Barbara Pentz for 25 years. They purchased the park in 2000 and nearly doubled its size, from 19 sites and one trailer to 37 sites and four deluxe cabins. The Pentz’s daughter, Kelly Bonds, and her husband, Neil, now help run the business while continuing to make improvements to the park each year.
Jolly Roger RV Resort in Marathon: Two generations of the Jackson family have owned and operated this park since 1980. When David and Charline Jackson acquired the park, it had both mobile homes and RVs. But after Hurricane Wilma destroyed most of the mobile homes in 2005, the Jacksons rebuilt the park to simply accommodate RVs.
They’ve also added more amenities, including a swimming pool. The Jacksons’ son, Andrew, gradually took over management of the park after Hurricane Wilma.
North Beach Camp Resort in St. Augustine: Frank Usina’s family roots in northwest Florida stretch back more than 250 years.
“We came over in the 1700s from Menorca, Spain,” according to Usina, noting that his ancestors initially left Spain in 1768 as indentured servants to work in an indigo plantation on New Smyrna Beach, south of Daytona, then migrated up to St. Augustine, the oldest continually occupied European settlement in the United States.
Usina is the second-generation owner/operator of North Beach Camp Resort in St. Augustine, which he helped his family build in the late 1960s. North Beach Camp Resort initially had 30 sites, which were built in a circle. The park has since expanded to over 200 sites.
Panacea RV Park in Panacea: Linda Marshall has owned and operated this park since 2011. She has two teenage kids who help with projects around the park.
Peace River Campground in Arcadia: Two generations of the Lempenau family have owned and operated this park since 1992.
When George and John Lempenau acquired the 160-acre park, it had about 175 sites. Their two sons, Lenny and Andrew, and their wives, Summer and Debbie, also work at the park, which now offers 225 sites as well as a 110-acre section that they have designated for off-road vehicle adventures as well as wilderness camping.
The park also has a swimming pool and a small zoo with a miniature donkey, a zebu, a miniature cow, a goat, two tortoises, as well as chickens and rabbits.
Ridge Manor Campground in Dade City: Two generations of the same family have owned and operated this park, which Garry Van Broekhoven purchased in 1994. Broekhoven renovated the park with the help of his children. His daughter, Alison, and her husband, Brad Winterroth, later took over management of the park and purchased it from Alison’s father in 2021.
Stagecoach RV Park in St. Augustine: Charles and Gabye Usina purchased and farmed the land upon which this park was built in the late 1940s. By the 1970s, Charles was “the biggest producer of potatoes for Lay’s potato chips,” according to his grandson, Andrew Petty. Charles eventually stopped potato farming and started raising beef cattle.
By the 1980s, he came up with the idea of building a campground on some of his farmland. The Usinas opened Stagecoach RV Park in July of 1985 and later turned over the park to their daughter, Laurie, and son-in-law, Joe Petty, who raised their son, Andrew, working at the park. Andrew came back to work at the 80-site park after graduating from high school in 2004 and has been working at the family business for over 30 years.
Andrew’s wife, Margaret, subsequently left her job to join him at the campground.
Sun Lake RV Park in Ruskin: Rob Smith has owned and operated this park with his daughter, Amber, and son-in-law, John Peter Winkler, since 2019. Amenities include waterfront RV sites, a 32-acre bass fishing lake, and a heated swimming pool.
Sunshine Village in Webster: Rob Smith owns and operates this RV and manufactured home community with his daughter, Amber, and son-in-law, John Peter Winkler. Smith acquired the park in 2005.
Twin Lakes Camp Resort in DeFuniak Springs: This campground was redesigned by Pat and Heather O’Neill and their five children. The O’Neill family’s adventure with this park began in 2014, just as their children started moving into their teen years. Pat and Heather literally put their son and four daughters in charge of transforming the park into a top shelf RV and glamping resort.
“We spent the first year planning and designing what we thought would be an attractive, resort. After that, the kids went to work,” Pat said.
Today, Twin Lakes Camp Resort is an exceptionally clean campground with 550 acres of water and 3,500 linear feet of waterfront on King Lake and Holley Lakes, with 12 docks. The park currently has 65 full-hookup RV sites, 3 of which are Buddy Sites.
For travelers without an RV, the resort offers five luxury cabin suites, nine fully furnished glamping tents, three tiny homes, and two lake houses for larger groups. Park amenities include pontoon and kayak rentals, a solar-heated swimming pool, an activity center, and an onsite boutique store.
Vero Beach Kamp RV Park in Sebastian: Three generations of the Kahn family have run this park since 1984. Stan and Sherly Kahn founded the park and, after their passing, ownership was passed down to their two sons, Mike and Jim Kahn. Mike’s daughter, Nadine, also works at the park along with other family members.
The 14.5-acre park has 120 full-hookup RV sites as well as a cozy cabin and cottage for rent. The park features large grassy campsites and mature oak trees. Park amenities include a swimming pool, bocce ball, and horseshoes.
Whitey’s Fish Camp on Fleming Island: Located on Swimming Penn Creek on Fleming Island, this park was initially a bait and tackle shop, but eventually evolved to include a 40-site RV park and a restaurant. Whitey and Ann Ham acquired the bait and tackle shop in 1963 and subsequently built an RV park on the property.
They also added a restaurant that’s become locally famous for its all-you-can-eat wild catfish as well as a variety of seafood, chicken and steak dishes. The restaurant also has a waterfront outdoor tiki bar and live entertainment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Three of the Hams’ five children currently operate the park, including Elaine Cassala, Billy Ham, and Luke Lawley.
