Imagine a vast prairie in Colorado where farming and family reign supreme. In the heart of this scenic landscape lies Big Ben’s RV Park, a hidden gem that Ben, the park owner, brought back to life after years of dormancy.
But Big Ben’s story is not just about a campground’s revival. It’s about one man’s determination to create a welcoming space for people just passing through—and those looking for a place to call home.
Ben’s interest in RV life took root during his days of extensive work-related travel. Armed with a teardrop camper, he and his wife chose to embrace the freedom of the open road, trading hotel rooms for the great outdoors.
“The experience took me back to my childhood when my parents took the family out to California,” Ben remembered. “We’d stay at different parks going across the country. Since then I’ve been interested in RV parks.”
So when Ben relocated to Arriba, Colorado, and noticed the remnants of an old campground, he couldn’t resist the call of opportunity.
“I lived a stone’s throw from this campground,” Ben explained. “I found the old sign. It used to be called Old West Campground back in the 80s and 90s. It kind of fell by the wayside. Someone was farming it for hay.”
Since it was practically in his backyard, Ben already felt a deep connection to the place. Determined to restore it to its former glory, he reached out to the last surviving heir of the property and asked for her blessing.
“Sure enough,” Ben recalled, “she agreed.“
The journey to transform the Old West into Big Ben’s RV Park began. But Ben has big plans to take the park further than it's ever been before.
Starting in April 2022, Ben dedicated a year and a half to refurbishing the park. He started with 32 sites, with plans to develop 41 more.
During the process, Ben discovered that his county in Colorado allows living in RVs and tiny houses year-round, providing a unique opportunity to create a thriving RV and tiny house community—a more affordable housing alternative for those in need. And that’s when his plan took a bit of a pivot.
“In some areas, the price for a house is astronomical,” Ben admitted. “My goal, my mission is to provide people with a place where they can afford to live the way they want to live. I want to provide them with space, adequate amenities, and a wholesome environment for everyone moving forward.”
So that's what he's doing.
Ben’s commitment to his vision is clear in every step he takes to improve the park. From plans to build a new clubhouse to enhancing each site on the property, Ben looks to make both short-term and long-term guests feel at home.
However, in the midst of the transformation a new must-have quickly became evident. Ben needed a hand with campground management.
“I had no idea what kind of campground reservation software I was looking for,” Ben said. “So I threw out a question in an RV park owner’s group I’m in. People suggested CampLife.”
With CampLife, Ben can focus on building up the park while the software takes reservations, reporting, guest communication, and other essential tasks off his plate.
“It’s been great,” Ben said. “Lacy in Onboarding has been great—the whole team has been, really. Everyone has been super friendly. I’m happy with the way things are going because we’ve had a mixture of people who found us just by getting off the interstate and people who have found us on CampLife.com.”
As Big Ben’s RV Park continues to grow, CampLife remains a steadfast partner, supporting Ben as he realizes his dreams. Both Ben and CampLife share a common goal—to make life easier for campground owners and operators while providing memorable experiences for both passersby and those looking for a totally different way of life.
So if you’re ready to embark on your own RV adventure, check out Big Ben’s RV Park. Nightly and weekly reservations are available spring, summer, and fall, and monthly spots are open year-round for those who need them.
And if you’re looking for a trusted ally on your campground management journey, reach out today. CampLife is here to support you all the way.
Manage your park with seamless and modern reservation software for just $3 per reservation.
