Open Road Resorts (ORR), founded in 2019 by Chase Becker and Jim Omstrom, has entered the outdoor hospitality industry with a focus on cleanliness, safety, and family-friendly amenities. Since its inception, the company has expanded to five RV parks across four states, with plans to add more properties.
In an exclusive interview with Modern Campground, Omstrom shared that the inspiration for ORR was rooted in the founders’ professional backgrounds and personal passions.
Becker and Omstrom’s research led them to acquire their first property, Dallas Northeast Campground, which served as a launchpad for ORR’s vision. This acquisition not only introduced them to the RV park industry but also deepened their appreciation for its unique community of guests and employees.
Their portfolio soon expanded to include Red Rock RV Park near Yellowstone National Park and two properties in Polson, Montana, marking the beginning of their multi-state presence.
“[I] grew up camping. Just love the outdoors, love the whole lifestyle. [We] found a park in the Dallas market that we thought was really interesting—the Dallas Northeast Campground—for our first park and started a conversation with the owner and ended up buying that property,” Omstrom told Modern Campground.
Addressing Industry Challenges with Operational Excellence
Central to ORR’s philosophy is addressing a prevalent challenge in the RV park industry: inconsistent guest experiences. “And what we set out and really wanted to do was offer people a consistently great experience,” Omstrom shared.
Omstrom explained that the goal is for guests to leave their trip knowing they had a “wonderful time” at an Open Road Resorts property. He highlighted that the parks aim to offer clean bathrooms and laundry facilities, ensuring an overall tidy and secure environment.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of providing great amenities, a family-friendly atmosphere, and helpful, welcoming employees to create a consistently positive and memorable experience.
ORR’s operational model also reflects its dedication to quality. Omstrom noted, “The way we view it is we are essentially outdoor hotels.” This approach extends to hiring, with Becker and Omstrom personally involved in the recruitment of key staff, particularly general managers.
“One of the biggest obstacles we face when starting out—running a small business and buying a park—is hiring great people. And it’s hard to find great people. Chase and I try to interview all or most of our employees, especially at the general manager level, and hiring great people is always an obstacle,” Omstrom explained.
In addition to finding the right people, managing the operational demands of the business is one of the challenges they continue to navigate. According to Omstrom, one of their early realizations was the highly operationally intensive nature of the RV park industry. He explained that many post-COVID investors mistakenly believe these properties can be passively managed, but this is far from the reality.
“It’s a hospitality company where you’re having guests check in and check out every day, and you want to provide them with an amazing experience. So, it’s operationally intensive, and you need to have a great team in place under you,” he said.
The company’s expansion strategy is also guided by a combination of market trends and deliberate decision-making. ORR acquired its initial properties before COVID-19 and paused new purchases during the pandemic. With recent market normalization, the company resumed acquisitions, adding three parks, including properties in Omaha, Santa Fe, and Dallas.
Sustainability and Community at the Heart of the Mission
Sustainability is another key focus for ORR. The company is in discussions to partner with organizations for tree-planting initiatives and has begun incorporating eco-friendly practices, such as using energy-efficient products and sourcing local materials.
“We’re working through that now to standardize the process,” Omstrom shared, emphasizing their commitment to environmentally conscious operations.
“We also try and use locally sourced products at our parks to the extent that we can, more efficient light bulbs, more efficient packaging, and things of that nature. But we’re continuing to work through that and thinking of more efficient ways of doing things from an eco-friendly perspective,” he explained.
Amenities at ORR’s properties are carefully designed to create memorable guest experiences. At Red Rock RV Park, outdoor kitchens, pickleball courts, and recreational areas foster a sense of community among guests.
ORR’s emphasis on consistency extends to its approach to park improvements. For instance, at Good Shepherd RV Park, the company is adding pickleball courts, a swimming pool, a fishing pond, and a playground to enhance the guest experience. Omstrom highlighted that they often seek properties with potential for upgrades, allowing them to align each location with the company’s high standards.
Expansion remains a key priority for ORR. Over the next five years, the company plans to continue acquiring properties in premier locations while maintaining its commitment to clean, safe, and amenity-rich environments.
Omstrom expressed confidence in their ability to grow while staying true to their mission of delivering exceptional guest experiences.
Featured image by Open Road Resorts
