Most people know about towable and motorized RVs because they frequently see them on roadways across the country.
There is another type of RV, however, that many people don’t even realize are part of the RV family: the park model RV.
Unlike typical towable or motorized units, park model RVs are spacious 400-square-foot cottages with larger kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas that people use like a getaway cottage at their favorite campground or RV resort. They’re considered RVs because they sit on a chassis, have wheels, and are manufactured according to ANSI A119.5, the manufacturing standard for park model RVs.
Why a Park Model RV?
Park models are attractive to consumers because they’re larger and wider than most towable and motorized RVs. They can also be far more affordable than site-built homes and can be set up on purchased or leased campsites in campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts in highly sought-after locations across the country. Park models often make it possible for families, empty nesters, and retirees to have a getaway cottage in vacation destinations they could not otherwise afford.
More than half of the nation’s independently owned and operated campgrounds and RV resorts use park models as glamping accommodations—making it easy to test out a park model.
While some park model RVs are trailer-like in shape, most have pitched roofs, which gives them an attractive appearance. Many park models also can be ordered with front porches and lofts, which are popular sleeping areas for children. Some custom park models even come equipped with special amenities, such as floor-to-ceiling windows or observation decks on the roof.
Where to Purchase a Park Model RV?
There are several different ways to purchase a park model. Park model manufacturers often sell their units to consumers through independently owned and operated campgrounds and RV resorts, using these parks as their “dealers.”
There are also dealers that specialize in park model sales and represent multiple park model manufacturers. These dealers are helpful to consumers because they know which campgrounds or RV resorts have campsites available for park model use, since only a fraction of the nation’s campgrounds and RV resorts sell or lease campsites for permanent park model placement. While park models sit on a chassis and have wheels, they have to be professionally moved onto campsites because of their size.
Where Can I Site My Park Model RV?
Privately owned park models are most commonly found at campgrounds across the Midwest and Northeast, often in locations with lakes or near the coast, which make great family camping destinations. Park models are also widely used by empty nesters and Snowbirds at RV resorts across the Sunbelt, particularly in Arizona, Texas and Florida.
While park model manufacturers can guide you to parks where you can place your own park model, several of the nation’s largest RV resort companies can also help you find locations where you can purchase new or used park model RVs.
Where Can I Purchase a Park Model RV?
Equity LifeStyle Properties
Chicago, IL-based Equity LifeStyle Properties has many RV resorts across the country where people can purchase their own park models. These include:
- Carolina Shores RV Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: This 80-acre resort offers organized activities for adults and children alike, from fishing tournaments to yoga classes. Park amenities include direct beach access, a lazy river, a swimming pool, splash pad, mini-golf, and an arcade.
- Lake George Escape Campground in Lake George, New York: This 178-acre Adirondack resort features lush woods, meadows, and access to the Schroon River. Guests enjoy a variety of activities, from tubing, canoeing, kayaking and pickleball.
- Mt Hood Village Campground in Welches, Oregon: Located just outside Mt Hood National Forest, this resort can serve as a base camp for outdoor activities including hiking, rock climbing, bird watching, mountain biking and golfing. Onsite amenities include a swimming pool, clubhouse, fitness center, as well as hiking and biking trails.
Sun Outdoors
Grand Rapids, MI-based Sun Outdoors has a web page where consumers can find resorts with park models for sale at Sun resorts across the country. Sun resorts that feature park models for sale include:
- Vista del Lago MH & RV Resort in Bradenton, Florida: This 55-and-over pet-friendly community features a clubhouse, heated swimming pool and fitness center along with a catch-and-release fishing lake and many organized activities, including dances and community dinners.
- Settler's Rest RV Community in Zephyrillis, Florida: This 55-and-over resort offers billiards and pickleball, fishing and biking as well as planned activities.
- Chicago, IL-based Zeman RV Resorts, for its part, is building two 55-and-over, park model-only resorts in Florida. These include Beach House Cottage Retreat in Largo, near Tampa, and Solana Cottage Resort in North Port, north of Fort Myers.
