If you have read RV park owner Andy Zipser’s essay posted April 3, then you know the state of Virginia has banned him, and other private RV parks, from renting a site to RVers staying less than two weeks.
Here is what Andy has now posted on his late arrival board at Walnut Hills RV Park, Staunton, Virginia. Other RV park owners in a similar situation, please take note.
Andy wrote:
WELCOME, WEARY TRAVELER
Unfortunately, if you’re reading this, it means you’ve arrived after hours in the middle of the COVID19 pandemic—a time when we are barred, by state executive order, from accepting any reservations of less than 14 nights. At the same time, we recognize that you’ve been driving all day, that you’re tired and that you need a place to spend the night.
So be our unpaid guest. The front of the campground, which you passed on your way down the driveway, is completely unreserved. The sites are long pull-thrus with water, cable and 30/50-amp pedestals. Pick whatever site you want and spend the night, and either head out in the morning or visit us in the office after 9 a.m. if you want to discuss longer-term options.
To get there from here, make a left as you pass the office and then keep making right-turns until you’re heading back up the driveway. When you get to the front section, keep to the left going around the loop so you can pull into a site with the utilities on the correct (driver’s) side of your RV.
That’s it. Throw a few bucks into the lock box on the right if you’d like, but don’t feel compelled to do so. These are hard times for all of us, and we know you wouldn’t be on the road if you had a choice, so the least we can do is provide you with something a little more suitable than a Wal-Mart parking lot.
GOOD LUCK. SAFE TRAVELS
##RVT942
Good for you Andy! That scene was classic in Shawshank!
I, unfortunately, had been commuting back and forth from NYS to my fam/friend’s house in TN. 6 months North and 6 months south since my roommate died 2 years ago and I could not find a place to rent to not me but my then two, 10yr old dogs. I bought a van and tried in my mid-fifties to make it work. I finally saved enough at the beginning of February to purchase an older 26′ motorhome. My 1st trip was out here in TN. I have been basically stuck here since this coronavirus outbreak not wanting to go back to NYS anytime soon. My plans of staying in RV Parks have quickly been shot down because of this pandemic and I see no near future turn-around of the closing of National and state parks. Now many, many RV Parks are not accepting anyone new and in a time where the money is tight because of what this outbreak has done to the economy, I have zero ideas as to what to do and where to go. I know I am very grateful that I can stay housed up in TN. On the plus side, this has given me plenty of time to spruce my rig up and do my repairs and remodelling in hopes that I will eventually be able to camp or stay at an RV park, place of some type! My heart goes out to the full-timers who have no real place to go! I hope and pray that the stigma of part or full-time RVing during this time lessens. As you stated We know how to self-isolate better than most!
We have been RVers for 30 years. Our summer plans for workcamping have been put on hold; reservations have been cancelled. Yes, we are disappointed. But life will go on for us; not so much for those who were the victim of this nasty virus.
RVers are allowed to stay in Virginia, just not to TRAVEL!! No different from those of us in our stick houses who are under stay-at-home orders. Why should a home-on-wheels be any different?
Those fulltimers who chose to hunker down such as you did should be fine. Those who wanted to get in just a few more weeks before things got worse…well, guess what? They are worse: many states have not even reached their peak. And those who think they are lucky because they have few cases, are likely just at the end of the procession.
Stay safe. Stay where you are…wherever that may be.
God bless you Andy
Thank you Andy for your generosity and thinking outside the box in these troubling times. If I am ever in Virginia your campground will be on my must stay list. Gods blessings on you.
Wow, so nice to make this offer. I would gladly throw at least $10 in the box to cover my electric for the night–I would be ashamed to do other wise. If you can’t afford that you need to go to the Walmart lot!
What a thoughtful, caring thing to do! Thank you
Wonderful!
First, the sad part is, that these individuals get elected in the first place. They need to be voted out of office. Their reasoning is irrational and way afield.
Mr. Zipser’s offer to RV travelers is a perfect example of genuine American compassion and concern for individuals who are also impacted by this terrible event.
He is to be commended for standing up against such foolish decisions made by ill informed individuals.
Mr. Zipser , should I happen to travel on your route and need a stopping point, my business would without question be yours.
God bless Andy for doing that! My experience tells me most Rv’ers will throw in a few bucks to pay for the power, at least! This is one of the reasons we’re still in Yuma. I hope we can find places to overnight when we finally head home!
Wow! He is my hero. I don’t live anywhere near him, or else I would go and throw some money into his box, whether I stay or not.
Andy, you are a great American. I salute you, sir.
THIS is what good will looks like.
Andy, you *should* gain lifelong loyalty with this. If we are ever able to get ourselves going again and make our way to Virginia, you will be No. 1 on our list of “stay” places to navigate toward. Bless you…..
AWESOME!!! JUST FRICKING AWESOME!! I will be putting your name in my book as to a place to stay (since boondocking is rare on the East Coast) when we get to take our East bound trip. Other than your directions you should send this to other RV Parks to do the same.
Thank you. I probably won’t be in your area but the thought is awesome. If I find this note in my travels home from the southwest I will definitely throw a $20.00 bill in the box.
My county in Virginia (isle of Wight) has a law that prohibits me from EVER camping on my own farm until I agree to a $1,350.00 campground permit!
Are you kidding me?!? Ridiculousness abounds in sooooooo many ways, in so many places.
That is just so wrong!
A Hero
I sent the requested letter about this ridiculous law
Dear Andy
Congrats to you for making this wonderful sign. I hope your cash box is full. You have my respect.
I just don’t have enough good things to say. This country is full of heroes if you just look around a bit.
Came here to say just this. Thank you, Andy! If we can complete at least part of our previous plans, we hope to stop by and say hi early fall.
Well, this cinches it….as soon as these restrictions are lifted & my husband’s health is restored, we WILL be going to this campground! We’ve wanted to since last year but it just hasn’t worked out. We do live in Virginia so are not terribly far away. In fact, my husband checked it out on his way home from Roanoke and really liked it. This is the kind of place we like…where the owners really care about their customers. Well done, Andy & may God bless you & your family. Hang in there & see you soon!
What is the mailing address of this RV park?
Here is their Website: https://www.walnuthillscampground.com/
Here is their infomation off that site: PHONE: 540-337-3920
EMAIL: OFFICE@WALNUTHILLSCAMPGROUND.COM
ADDRESS:
484 WALNUT HILLS ROAD
STAUNTON, VA 24401
Andy,
My hubby and I travel with our stock car racing team. WASHBURN RACING 07. We going camping in many places that have local and Nascar track. We love local dirt tracks. My hubby races in upstate NY. Your generous offer to RV camping people is so kind.
My family would love to make a trip out to see your RV park. Before my hubby’s POTS Disease takes over. And he can travel anymore. With our family being so big it would be 6 families in all, plus tons of friends.
Again thank you from all of us. GREAT GENEROSITY . Can’t wait.
Hoping you will be just as generous to Andy and his lockbox. 😁
Good for you Andy. I question the thinking behind some of the mandates our elected officials are throwing at us. Sounds like you have found a compassionate way around this particular one.
Way to go ….a caring human being! I know for sure that if we were a benefactor of your thoughtfulness, we would place your regular campsite fee (or more) into your lockbox. These awful times are showing us the best side of many people, like you.
GOD BLESS ANDY ZIPSER!! What a kind and caring thing to do.
Hopefully, when this is over, there will be a shortage of another kind – medals to pin on these caring RV Park owners willing to help others through this. The chances of Geri and I landing in Virginia from Lethbridge Alberta is remote but if we ever do – Andy prepare yourself for one big long handshake – yup a good old fashioned handshake, to show our appreciation for what you’re doing for those who need your compassion.
You are a good man Andy, and good fortune is coming your way…
X a bunch I hope. Great job Andy! God Bless You!
If I read the edict correctly, the ban is on reservations, it doesn’t say anything about first come, first served.
A couple of bucks in the lockbox? I’d throw in the whole amount owed. If you were prepared to pay it anyway,do it now. No name,no registrars filled out, no record of any transaction.NO tax paid to the government.
I think many people know this but not all: power for a large rig can easily cost the campground $10/night, so if you stop by this guy make SURE you leave at least that; preferably his normal rate plus a little extra for those who forget he’s incurring extra expense when you stay.
I’m on the east coast, so any time I’m swinging south, you’ll be on my stoplist, Andy…
Excellent comment Wolfe, I was about to make a comment….suggesting folks leave more than $10….you were prepared to pay the normal rate when you pulled in, so don’t shortchange Andy’ generosity.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! from a grateful fulltime RVer. We are all in this together.
Andy Zipser YOU are a very kind & caring person…Thank You for doing this for us RV’ers…. I have never been to Virginia, but if I ever do I WILL STAY at your park…..
Thanks. Not traveling now but will b sure to use ur camp when things recover. Bless u. B
As an RV park owner who is very concerned about the infringement of constitutional liberties of those RVers who are now being treated as undesirable refugees [see http://woodallscm.com/california-authorities-search-park-for-transient-rvers/ and https://www.rvtravel.com/is-coronavirus-leading-to-a-constitutional-crisis/ ], I, too, have offered a free place to stay for those caught in the web of the COVID-19 restrictions. But the issue is a very difficult one, and – speaking as an ER physician – I’m not sure if Andy’s (and my own) actions are proper. Of course, we all want to protect the rights of RVers and help those who are caught in that ever-growing web. On the other hand, COVID-19 is a very real threat. We don’t yet have a good understanding of all of its characteristics, but it is clear that this virus spreads very quickly. If there is some small chance that allowing an out-of-county RV to stay within that county will result in hundreds of very sick people plus a few deaths, I’m unconvinced that the “helpful” actions are all that heroic. It is this dilemma that has piqued my interest in possibly filing a lawsuit challenging the restrictions. (For the cynics who think this is a way for attorneys to make money, I’ll just note that I have never taken a nickel in fees for the many thousands of hours of legal work I have engaged in over the past twenty years.) If there are any of you who feel you have had your rights violated and are interested in being plaintiffs in such a lawsuit, please contact me at NiceRVPark@gmail.com. Thanks.
A doctor, lawyer, and RV park owner? Trifecta..
Way to go!
Great owner who cares. Good job.
I stayed at two CG’s, coming home from FL last week, and never saw any CG staff. We took care of business over the phone. Directions to our campsite were in my envelope pinned to the late arrival board. No problem. Prices were reasonable. Camp host met us at check in area and led us to our second CG site.
This sounds wonderful if the story is true. But nowhere in the post and in any of the responses is there a mention of the name of the park or where it is located, other than Virginia.
Here’s the website for the park. It has the contact information on it .
This was in an other article that was reference to this one. https://www.walnuthillscampground.com/
Thanks, alcomechanic, and good point, Dave. It was mentioned in the original post but not in this particular one, so I’ve added it. Y’all stay healthy. (I’m pretending I’m from the South — but have lived in the Seattle area for 73+ years. 😉 ) 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Hi, Dave: If you had clicked through from the original newsletter, you would have seen the following:
“Andy Zipser, owner of the beautiful Walnut Hills RV Park in Staunton, Virginia”
“If you have read RV park owner Andy Zipser’s essay posted April 3, then you know the state of Virginia has banned him, and other private RV parks, from renting a site to RVers staying less than two weeks. Here is what Andy has now posted on his late arrival board. Other RV park owners in a similar situation, please take note.”
The introduction to the article says ” If you have read RV park owner Andy Zipser’s essay posted April 3, then you know the state of Virginia has banned him, and other private RV parks, from renting a site to RVers staying less than two weeks.
Here is what Andy has now posted on his late arrival board at Walnut Hills RV Park, Staunton, Virginia. Other RV park owners in a similar situation, please take note.” Name of owner, park and city/state
Dave…..
The story starts at the top identifying the park owner in paragraph one.
Paragraph two shows it’s Walnut Hills Campground and RV Park.
Andy’s writing is what you would see IF you arrive there.
Hope that helps Dave.
BRAVO I can’t think of anything else to add .
Kudos to Andy and Walnut Hills RV Park. As one who operates a business providing print, digital and social media marketing to RV parks, I highly commend Andy for taking the best PR approach during these times: People Relationships. Well done!
Is this the Walnut Hills KOA?
Hi, Waldo. It used to be with KOA. Here’s an article from Chuck Woodbury and Andy Zipser about it: https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-park-drops-koa-affiliation-owner-explains/ —Diane at RVtravel.com