OHI has named the winners for its 2024 Awards of Excellence during the Awards of Excellence Luncheon at the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) in Oklahoma. The awards celebrate parks in the Small, Medium, Large, Mega, and other categories that set the standard for excellence and innovation in outdoor hospitality.
According to OHI, the Awards of Excellence are peer-reviewed and judged. “These finalists are industry treasures—constantly elevating standards through innovative, forward-thinking practices.”
“OHI is proud to have such an exceptional group of parks, professionals, and outdoor hospitality businesses to recognize through the Awards of Excellence Program this year at OHCE2024. All the winners are more than deserving of these awards, and we were thrilled to honor them,” OHI said in a press release.
Large/Mega Plan-It-Green Friendly Park of the Year
The award for outstanding environmental sustainability and green initiatives goes to Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, recognized for its exemplary commitment to eco-friendly practices. Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, owned and operated by Padre Dam Municipal Water District, offers a wide array of amenities, including camping, cabin rentals, fishing, boating, playgrounds, walking trails, and facility rentals, as well as hosting special events and providing a habitat for approximately 230 bird species.
Other finalists in this category include Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country in New Braunfels, Texas; Evergreen Campsites and Resort in Wild Rose, Wisconsin; and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Waller, Texas.
Mega Park of the Year Winner
In the Mega Parks category, Lakewood Camping Resort in South Carolina secured the winning spot. The resort offers a wide array of amenities, including a fully equipped water park, both indoor and outdoor pools, basketball courts, a mini-golf course, beach volleyball courts, and a beachfront amphitheater for live shows.
Other finalists in the lineup are Camp Margaritaville Breaux Bridge in Louisiana, Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park in Ohio, and Sun Outdoors locations in Virginia and South Carolina.
Large Park Category Winner
For the Large Park category, the winners are El Campo Lost Lagoon RV Resort in Texas and Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. The Lost Lagoon Resort is a luxury campground, boasting the world’s largest RV resort swimming pool, a Wibit Sports Park, Flowrider Island, thrilling water slides, and over 200 concrete RV sites. Guests can enjoy an on-site café, a full bar, and convenient golf cart rentals, adding to the resort’s comprehensive amenities.
Other finalists include Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Texas, Paradise Ranch RV Resort in Mississippi, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve in California, and Savannah Lakes RV Resort in South Carolina.
Medium Park Category Winner
In the Medium Park category, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Columbus North in Ohio takes the top award. According to its website, the campground showcases a variety of tent and RV campsites designed for family-friendly comfort and flexibility, with options to suit any camping style and budget. Accommodating motorhomes, travel trailers, pop-ups, and tents, it offers 50-amp electric sites, full hookups, pull-thru options, and premium locations for added convenience.
Medium Park finalists are Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort: Lakes Region in New Hampshire, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Texas, and Sun Outdoors properties in Florida and Maine.
Small Park Category Winner
In the Small Park category, Quilly’s Big Fish RV Park in Texas and Aspen Grove RV Park in Utah have been named the winners. Quilly’s Big Fish RV Park offers everything needed for a comfortable stay, including full hook-ups (30/50 amp), a swimming pool, a clubhouse, family bathrooms, weekly and monthly rates, and a spacious dog park.
Finalists include Big Meadow Family Campground in Tennessee, Lone Mountain Riverfront Camping in Maine, and Roamstead Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.
Supplier of the Year – Newbook
Newbook has been named the winner of the 2024 Awards of Excellence Supplier of the Year, an award recognizing a supplier within the outdoor hospitality industry that has consistently provided exceptional products or services.
Industry leaders and dedicated professionals were also honored for their contributions to outdoor hospitality. The State Leader Award was awarded to Dee Witting (The Carolinas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds). The New Jersey Campground Owners Association (NJCOA) won the State Directory Award for a medium-sized association, while the Maine Campground Owners Association (MECOA) took the same prize for a large-sized association.
The Campground Partner Award was presented to Selena Kelly-Irvin of The Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park. The Unity Through Generosity Award went to Jim Button, OHE. Additionally, Mark Maciha, Ed.D., CPO, received the Above and Beyond Award.
Recognitions included the Stan Martin Award, which was awarded to Peter Brown, OHC, and the Pioneer Award was received by Robert Bouse, CPO, OHE. The Chairman’s Awards went to Peter Brown, Kathy Palmeri, and Heather Rubenaker. Joe Moore was also honored with the Outgoing Board Chair’s Award.
Featured image by Brian Searl/Modern Campground
