Forty-five years ago, when Kevin McCauley was a student at New England College, he made an unusual but life-changing decision. On a break between classes, he wandered into Hillsborough, New Hampshire. There, he stumbled upon 500 acres of forested land that was for sale at just $200 an acre.
Most students might have thought twice, but not Kevin. He recalls the moment when the land “spoke” to him. It was love at first sight. He bought the property on a whim. At the time, he didn’t realize how his impulsive purchase would shape his future.
A vision
Kevin didn’t buy the land with a fully formed plan. He started small, cutting down trees, milling the lumber, and building three homesteads. Slowly, his vision grew. With his career in architecture and home building in Greenwich, Connecticut, he and his family worked to pay off the land. Eventually, Kevin’s vision became Rocky Valley RV Resort.
Rocky Valley RV Resort
After years of hard work, the land is now home to a complete resort, featuring 34 RV sites, a clubhouse, private bath suites, a shop stocked with camping and RV essentials, free Wi-Fi, and 150 acres of wilderness.
Rocky Valley RV Resort is the first new campground of its kind in New Hampshire in five years. As such, its website proclaims: “Welcome to southern New Hampshire’s best-kept secret.”
Family legacy
For Kevin, this land became more than just a property. It became a home. Here, he and his wife raised his son, Erik. Kevin’s son explored forests, dirt paths, and a small brook as a child.
The bond between the land and the McCauley family deepened over the decades. Erik, now grown with a family of his own, returned to help his father bring the dream of Rocky Valley RV Resort to life.
Personal experience
Erik’s experience with RV living made him the perfect partner. Nine years ago, Erik and his now-wife started living full-time in an RV. Erik quickly discovered one of the biggest challenges of RV life: Wi-Fi connectivity. So, he launched a business, MobileMustHave. The business sells gadgets that keep RVers connected while on the road.
When his father approached him about developing an RV park on the Hillsborough land, Erik knew it was a good idea.
Rocky Valley RV Resort Grand Opening
After years of planning and hard work, the McCauleys officially opened Rocky Valley RV Resort to the public on August 31. The resort was in operation all summer for friends and family. The trial period helped the McCauleys iron out details. Now, with the clubhouse finished, it’s time to invite everyone else in.
Magical place
The RV park’s clubhouse is particularly special, thanks to the handiwork of Zeth Kenney, a stonemason and childhood friend of Erik’s. Kenney built the clubhouse’s granite chimney and used fresh pine from the property to complete the look.
For Zeth, helping build the resort was about more than just construction; it was about recapturing the magic he felt on the property as a child. “It used to be magical when we were kids. Yeah, I want to bring that back.”
The future of Rocky Valley RV Resort
The opening of Rocky Valley RV Resort is just the beginning. The McCauleys plan to stay open through the fall. They hope to attract leaf-peepers looking for a place to camp while enjoying the stunning New England foliage. But they’re not stopping there.
Kevin and Erik have big dreams of expanding the resort. They plan to include more RV sites, additional amenities, and new activities for both RVers and non-RV visitors alike. Their goal? To revitalize the Hillsborough area and offer visitors a place to reconnect with nature. They hope to share the location’s peace and tranquility that they’ve enjoyed for decades.
Goal
As Kevin and Erik reflect on how far the property has come, they remain rooted in their original goal: to preserve the land’s natural beauty and share it with others. What began as an impulsive college student’s purchase has blossomed into a family legacy and a haven for RVers looking for a piece of paradise in southern New Hampshire.
Visit their website to learn more or make a reservation.
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What a great story, Gail. Thank you for writing it.
Love it! Wish I had that foresight about places I saw in Colorado when in college in the ’60s. But, working part-time during college and full-time in summers, I barely paid for my rent and food. Even a $10K purchase wouldn’t have been in my wildest dreams!
Thanks, Gail. And good luck, Kevin, in your new venture!
Thank you, Gail, for a great story of considerable interest to me. I followed Erik and Kayla on YouTube for a few years and learned of Mobile Must Haves at its outset. Because we do not full-time or work remotely, I have never become a customer. However, their videos were always well done. I am sure that their campground/resort is equally well done. I certainly wish them well. Have a great weekend and safe travels! 🙂