History of Thousand Trails.
Thousand Trails is celebrating 55 years during 2024. In 1969 Mike Kuolt formed Pacific Rim Group, Inc. and purchased 640 acres near Chehalis, Washington. Come 1971, Kuolt did not want to sell the Chehalis property, so he moved forward with the membership campground concept. He changed the name of Pacific Rim Group to Thousand Trails, Inc., in a nod to an energetic little squirrel named Filbert. In 1972 Chehalis is the first campground in the Thousand Trails network to open to members.
In 1975 Leavenworth Campground opens to members. In 1976, Thousand Trails purchases a third campground in Mt. Vernon, Washington. In 1978 trading posts open at both Chehalis and Leavenworth campgrounds. Thousand Trails also purchases the Bend, Oregon property.
In 1979, Cultus Lake, La Conner and Lake of the Springs open; Thousand Trails membership has 13,000 families. In 1981, Singer and cowboy actor Roy Rogers becomes Thousand Trails' first official spokesperson. Oakzanita Springs campground opens.
In 1984, Thousand Trails continues to grow, adding Michigan's St. Clair campground, Indiana's Horseshoe Lake, Ohio's Kenisee and Wilmington campgrounds, as well as Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, North Carolina's Forest Lake and Florida's Orlando campgrounds.
In 1987, Thousand Trails and NACO campgrounds are combined under common ownership; Roy Rogers and son Dusty are welcomed by more than 1,000 members at Soledad Canyon's Western Hoedown.
In 1989, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans perform at the first Thousand Trails Rally held in Laughlin, Nevada. In 1999, Thousand Trails acquires the Leisure Time Resorts campgrounds.
In 2004, Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. purchases the Thousand Trails and NACO campgrounds. In 2006, Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. purchases the Outdoor World and Mid-Atlantic campgrounds.
In 2008, Equity Lifestyle Properties assumes management of membership campgrounds. In 2010, Thousand Trails Facebook page launches. In 2012, Idyllwild, California gets an overhaul of their amenities, including upgraded sites, playground, dog park, and more.
In 2013, Soledad Canyon in California receives an investment of over $1 million to improve the welcome center, lodges, sports courts and more. In 2014, Thousand Trails celebrates 45 years of making camping memories. Many happy campers showed up to Thousand Trails campgrounds.
In 2015, #100DaysofCamping rally towels launch. One of the first camper photos with a rally towel came from Gettysburg Farm Campground in Pennsylvania.
In 2017, the Trails Collection Reciprocal Program launches. Existing Thousand Trails members can add the Trails Collection (Encore Parks) to their membership. In 2018, Lake Conroe in Texas opens over 100 new sites.
In 2019, Thousand Trails celebrates 50 years. TrailBlazer Magazine celebrates 40 years.
In 2021 Thousand Trails launches Adventure and joins TikTok. In 2022, Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch in Gunnison, Colorado joins Thousand Trails and the Cabin Pass is launched.
Thousand Trails is celebrating 55 years during 2024. In 1969 Mike Kuolt formed Pacific Rim Group, Inc. and purchased 640 acres near Chehalis, Washington. Come 1971, Kuolt did not want to sell the Chehalis property, so he moved forward with the membership campground concept. He changed the name of Pacific Rim Group to Thousand Trails, Inc., in a nod to an energetic little squirrel named Filbert. In 1972 Chehalis is the first campground in the Thousand Trails network to open to members.
In 1975 Leavenworth Campground opens to members. In 1976, Thousand Trails purchases a third campground in Mt. Vernon, Washington. In 1978 trading posts open at both Chehalis and Leavenworth campgrounds. Thousand Trails also purchases the Bend, Oregon property.
In 1979, Cultus Lake, La Conner and Lake of the Springs open; Thousand Trails membership has 13,000 families. In 1981, Singer and cowboy actor Roy Rogers becomes Thousand Trails' first official spokesperson. Oakzanita Springs campground opens.
In 1984, Thousand Trails continues to grow, adding Michigan's St. Clair campground, Indiana's Horseshoe Lake, Ohio's Kenisee and Wilmington campgrounds, as well as Virginia's Chesapeake Bay, North Carolina's Forest Lake and Florida's Orlando campgrounds.
In 1987, Thousand Trails and NACO campgrounds are combined under common ownership; Roy Rogers and son Dusty are welcomed by more than 1,000 members at Soledad Canyon's Western Hoedown.
In 1989, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans perform at the first Thousand Trails Rally held in Laughlin, Nevada. In 1999, Thousand Trails acquires the Leisure Time Resorts campgrounds.
In 2004, Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. purchases the Thousand Trails and NACO campgrounds. In 2006, Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. purchases the Outdoor World and Mid-Atlantic campgrounds.
In 2008, Equity Lifestyle Properties assumes management of membership campgrounds. In 2010, Thousand Trails Facebook page launches. In 2012, Idyllwild, California gets an overhaul of their amenities, including upgraded sites, playground, dog park, and more.
In 2013, Soledad Canyon in California receives an investment of over $1 million to improve the welcome center, lodges, sports courts and more. In 2014, Thousand Trails celebrates 45 years of making camping memories. Many happy campers showed up to Thousand Trails campgrounds.
In 2015, #100DaysofCamping rally towels launch. One of the first camper photos with a rally towel came from Gettysburg Farm Campground in Pennsylvania.
In 2017, the Trails Collection Reciprocal Program launches. Existing Thousand Trails members can add the Trails Collection (Encore Parks) to their membership. In 2018, Lake Conroe in Texas opens over 100 new sites.
In 2019, Thousand Trails celebrates 50 years. TrailBlazer Magazine celebrates 40 years.
In 2021 Thousand Trails launches Adventure and joins TikTok. In 2022, Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch in Gunnison, Colorado joins Thousand Trails and the Cabin Pass is launched.