Looking for a site filled with family fun and entertainment that is not too far from home? Acorn Oaks RV Park is located at 16614 W. SR. 114 in Francesville, Indiana, 40 miles north of Lafayette, 20 miles east of I-65 and 40 miles south of I-80/94. The 25-acre campground is set back in a quiet area and is the perfect spot for a quick weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation.
The park is located in close proximity to the Tippecanoe River, where tubers and kayakers enjoy many relaxing afternoons floating and paddling down the waterway while taking in the beautiful natural surroundings. Nearby, Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area features a sandhill crane viewing area. Indiana Beach is a quick 20-minute drive away.
Acorn Oaks RV Park's owners are new to the Pulaski County area, choosing Salem Township to open their business venture. Owners Bill and Christie Nicholson decided to relocate to Indiana from Arizona last fall after vacationing with their children at Acorn Oaks RV Park. The Nicholson family had been avid campers for years, enjoying tent camping, hiking, kayaking, camping in their RV and for several years, they even owned a pop-up camper as well.
“Being from Arizona, we camped a lot in the mountains and on the river,” Christie Nicholson said. “For years, my husband and I talked about owning a campground. We always thought that it would be something we would do when we retired or when we were empty nesters, but then we decided to just go for it and do it while we still have the energy. We wanted to do something that the whole family could do together while also doing something that we all enjoy. We have been in the hospitality and construction industries for years, which gave us the experience we needed to be campground/RV park owners.”
Acorn Oaks’ campground season runs from the middle of April to the middle of October. There are 105 camp sites available.
“We offer 50 amp, 30 amp and 20 amp sites, all with water and some with sewer,” Christie Nicholson said. “We also have a honey wagon for a small fee, or you can do-it-yourself dump for free when you stay on site. We also have cabins, RVs and tents for rent.”
With an atmosphere of relaxation, leisure and fun, campers have access to an onsite banquet hall for party rentals, Hops & Grapes Lounge (to come), clean restrooms and showers, dump station, stocked fishing pond, gameroom with pool table, ping pong equipment, board games, general store, firewood, ice and fishing bait, playground, basketball court, cornhole boards and horseshoe pits, wagon rides, and walking trails.
“Campers will find that, at Acorn Oaks, while we are still really close to the river, lake, interstate, motocross and Indiana beach, we are not that close where it is congested or overcrowded,” said Christie Nicholson. “We offer a much quieter experience and a very central location if you want to do more than one thing while visiting. We also offer activities every weekend and meals for sale, so you can just sit back and relax.”
The Nicholsons are working to include a space just for adults that will feature darts, a pool table and other games along with specialty coffees, beer, wine and a limited food menu.
“My hope is that the Hops & Grapes Lounge will be open before Memorial Day weekend, fingers crossed,” Christie Nicholson said.
The Nicholsons invite other prospective business owners to check out Pulaski County if they are looking to open a business.
“The people in the state of Indiana are so nice and welcoming,” Nicholson said. “This is the perfect place to experience a slower pace in everyday activities versus living in a hustling metropolitan area where you are constantly on the go.”
Campers interested in making a reservation can book online or over the phone. In most cases, with the exception of holiday weekends, reservations are available for the same day.
For more information, visit acornoaksrvpark.com.
To find out more about business development opportunities in Pulaski County, click on development.pulaskionline.org.
