WayHaven Resorts, the outdoor hospitality brand of Bison Peak Ventures, is proud to announce the acquisition of Van Riper’s Resort, a historic waterfront motel, RV resort, and marina in Sekiu, Washington. The acquisition joins the recently acquired Mason’s Resort, creating a unified guest experience across two of Sekiu’s most iconic destinations while preserving the history, traditions and character that have made this fishing community a beloved destination for generations, according to a press release.
Together, Mason’s Resort and Van Riper’s Resort represent approximately 90% of the guest moorage and dock space in the Sekiu area, allowing WayHaven to better coordinate lodging, RV accommodations, marina operations and guest services while remaining committed to preserving the authentic experience that has defined Sekiu for decades.
For WayHaven, however, this acquisition has never been about controlling docks. It’s about preserving a destination, noted the release.
Nestled along the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Sekiu has long been known as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier salmon fishing destinations. Families have returned year after year to launch boats before sunrise, tell stories around campfires, watch bald eagles soar overhead and introduce each new generation to the traditions that have defined this remarkable community.
Many guests don’t simply vacation here. They come home, stated the release.
Van Riper’s Resort has welcomed anglers, boaters, and families for generations, becoming an important part of Sekiu’s history and the town’s waterfront identity. Rather than changing what has made these resorts special, WayHaven’s vision is to protect and celebrate their legacy.
“Our goal has never been to purchase incredible destinations and turn them into cookie-cutter resorts,” said Mychele Bisson, CEO of Bison Peak Ventures and founder of WayHaven Resorts. “Every destination has its own personality, history, and traditions. Those stories deserve to be preserved, not replaced. We want guests who have been coming here for thirty or forty years to pull into the same resort they remember, while enjoying an even better guest experience. We didn’t come to Sekiu to change its story. We came to help ensure its story continues to be told for generations to come.”
That commitment began almost immediately after WayHaven’s arrival in Sekiu.
One of the company’s first opportunities to become part of the community came when it was entrusted with helping host Sekiu Days, one of the town’s longest-standing annual traditions. Working alongside local organizations and community members, WayHaven welcomed both residents and visitors with family activities, a laser show and a fireworks display over the harbor.
“When we first purchased Mason’s, one of the very first questions we were asked wasn’t about renovations or expansion,” Bisson said. “It was, ‘Are you going to keep the fireworks?’ Our answer was immediate — of course. Why would we ever take away something that has meant so much to this community? Traditions like Sekiu Days belong to the people who have built this town. We simply have the privilege of helping preserve them.”
That weekend reinforced exactly why WayHaven chose to invest in Sekiu.
“It wasn’t about putting our name on an event,” Bisson continued. “It was about watching families gather along the waterfront, children running through the parks, old friends reconnecting, and guests experiencing Sekiu for the very first time. Those are the moments that matter. That’s what outdoor hospitality is really about.”
Since arriving in Sekiu, Bisson says one of the most meaningful experiences has been hearing the stories that guests have shared.
“People have shown us pictures on their phones and Facebook that go back decades,” she said. “Photos of grandparents teaching grandchildren to fish. Children holding their very first salmon. Family reunions on these docks. Couples who have returned every summer for years. There are thousands of those memories, and every single one tells a story. We now have the incredible responsibility of becoming part of those stories moving forward.”
WayHaven believes destinations like Sekiu are becoming increasingly rare.
Small waterfront communities centered around fishing, boating and family traditions represent an important part of the Pacific Northwest’s heritage. As outdoor hospitality continues to evolve, WayHaven’s philosophy is not to standardize these places but to celebrate what makes each one unique, noted the release.
Both Mason’s Resort and Van Riper’s Resort will continue operating under their historic names while joining the WayHaven Resorts collection. Guests can expect continued investment in infrastructure, marina facilities, lodging, RV accommodations and customer service while preserving the unique character and identity that generations of visitors have come to love.
“We don’t want guests to feel like Mason’s or Van Riper’s disappeared,” Bisson said. “Quite the opposite. We want their stories to be preserved and shared with a new generation. Sharing these special places helps preserve them so our grandchildren—and one day their children—can continue making memories here for decades to come.”
As WayHaven continues to grow across North America, its mission remains unchanged: to preserve remarkable outdoor destinations while creating exceptional guest experiences built around connection, adventure, affordability and family traditions, noted the release.
“Because in the end, the greatest asset isn’t the real estate. It’s the memories created there,” stated the release.
For more information, visit www.wayhavenresorts.com.
