Boulder Creek RV Park an oasis on 395
Boulder Creek RV Resort opened its doors to full occupancy on the opening day of the 3rd Annual Lone Pine Western Film Festival in 1992. Coming up on 22 years, the popular RV resort has been providing travelers along Highway 395 with some of the best accommodations and services for campers, RV owners, and tourists visiting the Eastern Sierra.
Jaque and Art Hickman, who were already building a mobile home park in Ridgecrest, bought the 25-acre parcel in Lone Pine in 1985. For the next seven years they had archaeological, endangered species, earthquake and a host of other studies taken to meet the myriad of regulatory hoops developers in California are required to jump through under federal and state laws. Adding to the regulatory challenges was the widening of Highway 395, which was taking place during that time. Jaque says the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was wonderfully supportive.
That Boulder Creek RV Resort “literally opened” on the film festival’s opening day, said Jaque Hickman. “The new clubhouse facility was missing door hardware needed for the Certificate of Occupancy approval, which was scheduled the day of the festival opening. We had registrations for all 29 RV spaces at that time. The door hardware was still in Bakersfield. Rather than wait for a truck to bring it down, I drove up to Bakersfield on Thursday, loaded it into my car and drove it straight back. We worked all night to install that hardware and on Friday morning, the day of the inspection, we had it done. We got our certificate as people parked in the driveway waiting. It was pretty crazy.”
That kind of determination to get things done is characteristic of the Hickmans, who fully embraced the community of Lone Pine and over the next 22 years have become one of the town’s most enthusiastic and dedicated supporters. The clubhouse has been a venue for community fundraisers, memorial services, and much more.
“All of our 104 RV sites have full hookups with water, sewer, electrical service as well as cable TV access with 12 channels and free Internet Wi-Fi service,” said Hickman, “Our eight tent sites have water and if we have an open RV space, we will let tent campers use them so they have access to electric outlets. We also have cabins rentals as well.”
The RV Resort has a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a clubhouse with full-kitchen, and showers, restrooms, and a laundry facility. It is also “pet-friendly,” complete with a dog walk.
RV clubs sponsored by RV manufacturers and groups love Boulder Creek as a stopover and a destination.
“This year we will have hosted 26 club groups,” said Hickman.
Hickman said dozens of club members will meet and stay over at the RV Park. The Town of Lone Pine has a variety of spectacular views, fishing, hiking, museums, and other activities to keep visitors entertained. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners can be planned in the clubhouse.
How well does Boulder Creek RV Resort serve its clientele? Very well, apparently. They enjoy a very high return rate as campers and RV’ers come back over and over, often booking a reservation for the next year. The resort doesn’t really need to advertise. Within the RV and camping community, its excellent reputation is passed along by word-of-mouth. Visit online travel review sites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, or Google Reviews, and you will find that the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, offering high praise to the owners, accommodations and friendly staff.
One such devoted fan of the RV Park was Donna Borkowski of Los Angeles. She was on a road trip with her granddaughter, Aurora Rose, age 7 of Garberville, California. The young girl and her grandmother were enjoying the Jacuzzi and swimming pool.
Borkowski said that she has stayed at Boulder Creek and “I love this place. Jaque Hickman is one heck of a cook! And the place is so well-kept and the staff is so helpful and friendly. We keep returning time-and-again.”
What’s in the future for Boulder Creek? Hickman said that they have 32 finished lots on which they could build homes, but are reluctant to do so, preferring to keep the park camping atmosphere. More likely is the possibility of adding more park model cabins for those that do not want to haul a trailer or drive an RV. Under 400 square feet, these “small houses or cabins” have one bedroom with a queen size bed, some with bunk beds as well, a living room, full kitchen, and bathroom. Outside the cabins is a patio, picnic area, and barbeque grill.
For more information on Boulder Creek RV Resort, call (760) 876-4243 or visit their website at www.bouldercreekrvresort.com.
