Fernie RV Resort’s 10th anniversary marks a decade of continuous, year-round operation, steady expansion, and new accommodation offerings in Fernie.
Fernie RV Resort opened on April 1, 2016 as a full-service, year-round resort — a defining part of the business from the beginning. At a time when most campgrounds operated seasonally, Fernie RV Resort was built to welcome guests through all four seasons, with full-service RV sites, modern infrastructure, private washroom facilities, laundry, Wi-Fi, and the snow services needed to support winter operation.
“Our goal is to create a family resort with amenities and services that serve today’s camper,” said Reto Barrington when reservations first opened for the resort in 2016. That goal has remained central to the resort’s development over the past decade.
The original resort opened with 115 sites, including deluxe back-in RV sites, premium pull-through sites designed for large motor coaches, tent camping, and group camping. From the first season, the resort welcomed guests arriving with tents, tent trailers, fifth wheels, and Class A motorhomes, supported by 50-amp electrical service, water, sewer, Wi-Fi, and private family-style washrooms.
Those washroom facilities quickly became one of the resort’s signature accomplishments. Designed for privacy, comfort, and convenience, the original buildings included private family-style rooms with showers, toilets, and sinks, along with commercial-grade laundry facilities. The facilities helped set Fernie RV Resort apart within the campground market and supported the resort’s broader promise of offering a high standard of outdoor accommodation.
Tenting has remained part of the resort’s accommodation mix. In 2017, Fernie RV Resort added a dedicated tent area facility with washrooms, an accessible room, outdoor covered dishwashing sinks with hot and cold water, and bear-safe food storage lockers provided at no cost to guests. The addition improved comfort and convenience for tent campers while supporting responsible food storage in a mountain setting.
As demand grew, Fernie RV Resort expanded steadily. New site areas were added, pads were enlarged, long-term capacity improved, and traffic flow was refined. The Riverside section, opened in 2021, added larger, more private sites in a natural setting beside the Elk River. The later build-out of the G section completed the resort’s original development plan while adding more full-service RV capacity.
The resort also broadened its accommodation options. In 2018, Fernie RV Resort introduced five year-round yurts, giving guests a comfortable outdoor stay without needing to own or transport camping gear. With heat, electricity, beds, Wi-Fi, picnic areas, and nearby washroom access, the yurts helped expand the resort’s appeal beyond traditional RV travellers and tent campers.
That approach continued in 2025 with the introduction of RV Lodging. These climate-controlled RV rentals added full kitchens, fireplaces, modern interiors, and home-like comfort, creating another flexible accommodation option for couples, families, skiers, and visitors looking for a unique Fernie stay without owning an RV.
“Our RV rentals are perfect for couples, families, and travelers looking for a unique experience with like-home comforts,” said Shelley Barrington, Manager of Fernie RV Resort. “If you love camping but don’t own an RV, rent one of ours and experience the great outdoors hassle-free.”
Family amenities have grown alongside the accommodation offerings. The resort added a children’s playground, improved green spaces, developed gardens and gathering areas, and continued to invest in outdoor spaces that support a social, family-friendly campground experience. In 2024, the addition of a pump track created a new activity hub for kids, cyclists, skateboarders, and families.
The resort’s efforts have also been recognized. Fernie RV Resort received the Fernie Community Tourism Achievement Award in 2016 and 2020 for its investment, marketing creativity, and support of the local tourism industry. It has also earned yearly Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards, including recognition from 2020 to 2025, reflecting consistently strong guest reviews and service standards.
Location has remained one of the resort’s greatest strengths. Set between the Elk River, Maiden Lake, and the Fernie Golf Club, and only minutes from Historic Downtown Fernie and Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie RV Resort has become a year-round basecamp for visitors drawn to Fernie’s mountain lifestyle. In winter, it supports skiers, snowboarders, Nordic users, and long-stay guests. In summer, it serves mountain bikers, hikers, golfers, anglers, families, and event travellers.
After more than 3,650 days of continuous operation, Fernie RV Resort’s 10th anniversary is more than a business milestone. It reflects a decade of investment, adaptation, and consistent service in a mountain town where outdoor recreation and visitor demand extend well beyond the traditional summer camping season.
From full-service winter RV sites to tenting, yurts, RV Lodging, riverside camping, expanded washroom facilities, family amenities, and award-winning guest service, Fernie RV Resort has spent the past decade growing with Fernie while helping define what year-round outdoor accommodation can look like in a mountain town.
Thank you for making our dream a reality!