Canadian RV resorts growing by leaps and bounds 

The Recreational Vehicle resort is the fasting growing trend in RV accommodation, and with good reason. A study conducted by Go RVing Canada reveals that almost 24% of RVers fall into the category of owners who take the longest trips, have the highest incomes and are most willing to pay for premium services. It seems freedom of the open road is not the only thing these folks are looking for. They want a destination with all the facilities that they would expect from a fly-in vacation. Luxurious, manicured, private facilities that offer fishing, golf, tennis, community centers, health spas and more. That’s why it should come as no surprise then that the ever growing range of RVs has created a wide, colorful palette of campgrounds to serve this booming RV market.

Upscale parks are popping up right across North America with resorts found in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Often requiring large tracts of land these sites are rural, even isolated – which most often provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing, scenic vacation. It also sets up the resort to be all-inclusive; serving today’s healthy, active RV lifestyle.

There are a number of similar themes at these resorts, such as golf. It’s common for sites to be placed around a golf course, used as the centerpiece of the complex. Often there is a lake, for fishing, swimming and walking around. Indeed, in Canada water is a common feature throughout, be it the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence, lakes in the Rockies or those of the Canadian Shield. And of course we are also bookended by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. These exotic bodies of water offer boating, deep sea fishing and those romantic walks on the beach. For folks who prefer dryer sports, tennis, basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts are available. For relaxing and lounging there will be swimming pools, saunas and hot tubs. For the adventuresome there may be activities as varied as guided horseback trail rides, ATV excursions in the dunes or mountains and local sight-seeing is always popular.

Resorts offer short and long-term rentals but also time-share type parks, straight property ownership, reciprocal camping memberships and even non-profit resorts owned wholly by their members. Freedom from ownership (which is often what attracts new RVers), is also very attractive. The freedom to come and go, visiting the same places each year or never visiting the same place twice. Most visitors to RV resorts stay for at least a few days, and many for months. In fact, long term stays are encouraged with the rental price often cheaper the longer an RVer stays.

Indoors, resorts commonly include lounges, games rooms, craft centers, and rental halls available for family functions, with some sites even offering wood working shops for the use of guests. Outfitted with concrete or asphalt pads, set pleasantly into the landscape, these resort sites have running water, an electrical hookup, sanitary sewer connection and often phone, cable TV and even computer modem outlets. Grounds are manicured and tended, with activity centers connected by pathways and winding trails; many use only whisper-quiet golf carts as in-park transportation. The RV resort is just one of the choices offered by the RV lifestyle.

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