Joyce Hinkley, who co-owns Harmony Campground, walks in a field that she, and her husband, Ron, plan to expand their campground on across the road from their original campground in Silver Lake on Friday afternoon.
Joyce Hinkley, who co-owns Harmony Campground with her husband, Ron, stands on the newly built docks along Mayfield Lake on Friday afternoon in Silver Creek.
Joyce Hinkley, who co-owns Harmony Campground with her husband, Ron, stands on the stage they built that overlooks Mayfield Lake on Friday afternoon in Silver Creek. The Hinkley's plan on expanding the campgrounds with over 50 new lots across the road from the original campground.
There are some big changes coming to Harmony Lakeside RV Park on Mayfield Lake.
The camping area has become so popular with recreationalists that owners Joyce and Ron Hinkley have decided to expand their offerings by about half.
“If I’m going to work myself to death, I might as well work myself to death and make a dollar,” Joyce said. “Plus, we’ll be able to hire some extra people.”
The 12.5-acre campground currently offers 80 sites, but the expansion will add another 42 sites and several amenities on eight additional acres. The docks along the lake will make room for another six boats.
As part of the expansion, the Hinkleys are adding cable TV, electricity, sewer, WiFi and a laundry room into the extra property. They will also be putting in a swimming pool for those who want to cool off but would prefer to stay out of the lake.
Harmony is a popular destination for motorhome tourists in the summertime thanks to its proximity to Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier.
Europeans traveling the Pacific Northwest are a very common part of the category.
It’s also become something of a family reunion hot spot thanks to its upscale cabins and boat rentals.
“We want to be a destination park,” Joyce said. “We’re not on a main highway, so you’re only coming here if you have a reason.”
Many people plan their vacations months in advance, so while their personal schedules might be set in stone, the world around them is often in flux.
The Hinkleys have seen a rise in business as the economy has been improving, but Mother Nature herself might be one of the biggest influencers. When the national parks closed due to the temporary government shutdown, and in the summer when officials closed the forests to recreators over concerns of wildfires, many of those vacationers decided to simply delay their plans, not cancel them.
Harmony, and other facilities, are filling quickly as reservations pour in.
“We’ve had to turn away as many as 100 people a day over the weekends,” Joyce said.
An already high seasonal demand, combined with those spikes, make expansion a sensible option for the couple.
Ideally, the three phase construction will be entirely completed in time for the start of the 2017 season.
Learn more by visiting www.harmonylakesidervpark.com.
