In the old days, RVers were happy when they found a nice campground with a swimming pool. Nowadays, growing numbers of campgrounds are not only distinguishing themselves with resort-style swimming pools, but waterparks, complete with multilevel play structures with water cannons, waterslides and splashpads for the little ones. Some campgrounds even offer ziplines and ropes courses, such as the Ventura Ranch KOA in Santa Paula, California, which has 12 ziplines and 12 ropes' elements.
“We have two courses: the first is the Adventure Course with 8 zips and 12 ropes' elements,” said Ventura Ranch KOA owner Scott Cory. “The second course, called Eagles Nest, is ziplines only with 4 zips. These ziplines are a little faster and longer.”
It’s not just kids that are enjoying the ziplines and ropes courses. “(People) 50 and below love the challenge of the ropes' elements and the mix of the ziplines,” Cory explained, adding, “The course has a great value to the guest since it can take 35 to 45 minutes to run. Everyone feels accomplished when they finish, since its safe, but not necessarily easy on the ropes' challenges.”
The ziplines only course is quicker and easier, since there are not any agility challenges. “The (ziplines) course is higher and faster than Adventure Course and thus the height and speed tend to be the adrenaline rush on this course,” Cory said. Both courses are designed to be family friendly and safe for guests from 8 to 75 years old. They also offer excellent views of the campground. “On our courses you fly over the pool, the arts and crafts area, the bike track, and gem mining. You get a bird’s eye view of the river, the highest peak in Ventura, and the lemon groves,” Cory said.
If you’re looking for fun entertainment for people of all ages, Cory said, there’s nothing better than ziplines and ropes courses. “A few years ago, I had a group of high school classmates all come up and celebrate our 65th birthdays together,” Cory recalled. “It was a riot watching everyone navigate through the two courses. Everyone loved the time together on the course, and definitely was the most talked about event during their stay. Most had sore muscles the next day.”
The good news for RV enthusiasts is that you can find campgrounds with ziplines and/or ropes courses across the country. There are also campgrounds that have mini-zipline-type rides just a few feet off the ground for little kids. Here’s a sampling of campgrounds across the country with descriptions of the types of zipline rides and ropes courses they offer for their guests:
