The following article is from August 31, 2003, Sunday Leader-Herald. By Alison Swartz

Some people "rough it" and some people "go all out." It's your choice at Royal Mountain Campsites.

Locate on Route 29, Nine miles west of Johnstown, Royal Mountain Campsites specialize in "Happy Campers." The experience is a relaxed atmosphere hidden at the base of Royal Mountain on the border of the Adirondack Park. It's situated behind acres of pines where you can not hear any road traffic.

Fifteen years ago, owners and operators Joan and Tom Dudley bought the property when it only had 10 campsites and was overgrown. They were thinking ahead to retirement and thought it'd be a nice way to supplement their income in the future. After their first couple of years at the campsite, it was time to move their office out of their home adjacent to the campground, and they decided to open an office and ice cream shop next door. At the time there was no place to stop for snacks and ice cream on Route 29 between Johnstown and Dolgeville, and they decided to have a place for their guests and passersby.

"You can't mess with success. Grow your business a little at a time," Joan Dudley said.

Throughout their 15 years, Joan and Tom Dudley did grow their business little by little. Today, Royal Mountain Campsites has 80 sites, 36 of them are for the full seasonal term, and the others are rented out during the week and weekends, or whatever their guests prefer. A large pond rests in the middle of the campground and is stocked with fish every years. Many of their guests of all ages enjoy fishing in Granny's Pond. The squaw Stream is fed by the pond and can be crossed at their covered bridge.

Royal Mountain Campsites also has a covered and enclosed pavilion for rent that holds up to 100 people. It's fully equipped with a refrigerator, stove, grill, roasters and even a fire place to cozy up to when it gets chilly. Some of their overnight guests use it, and those staying the night may also hold their parties there.

Many campers bring their RVs, camper trailers and pop-ups while some still rough it with tents. But, those who don't have those resources can rent Royal Mountain's cabin, which sleeps six and has it's own television, refrigerator, ceiling fan, heater and gas grill. New this year to Royal Mountain Campsites is a tepee. Guests enjoy this form of camping Native American Style.

People come from all over the world, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, England and the list goes on. Royal Mountain ads are seen in three of the top leading camping magazines, which has contributed to a great deal of the tourism for Fulton County.

"We send a lot of our campers to the local tourism attractions," Joan Dudley said. "We can't keep brochures on our racks. People take them left and right."

Many of their seasonal guests are from the south and come to the campsites year after year. They camp all summer and go back home in late autumn. According to Joan Dudley, one family has stayed with them for the past 14 years.

Little did they know how busy they'd be and how successful both the campsite and ice cream business has been. Some evenings the ice cream parking lot is completely full. That parking lot has been increased a couple of times in the last few years too.

Granny's ice cream is open daily from 11:30 A.M. to 10 P.M. through Labor Day. It closes at 9 P.M. through Columbus Day. Each week they feature a different flavor of ice cream and frozen yogurt as well at their regular menu which includes hot dogs, sausage peppers and onions, chips, macaroni and potato salads, ice cream cakes and other ice cream desserts.

Royal Mountain Campsites offers the following in addition to the previous information: RV Parts & Accessories, electric and water hookups, shaded and sunny sites, hot showers, cabin rentals, dump station, picnic tables, rest rooms, horseshoes, laundromat, badminton, fire rings, volleyball, bocci ball, ice cream, snack bar, hiking and LP Gas.

Joan Dudley works daily around the clock and only sets herself 15 hours a week of time off. She starts at 6 A.M. and sometimes earlier than that.

"It's a fun business to have, but it takes a lot of work, care and love for this type of business," she said.

And it shows. Their sites are well kept throughout the season. They clean and mow a solid two days plus per week, and also recently put in a new electrical service, "enough for maybe a few more sites to add" I said joking to her.

Joan Dudley shared some interesting stores about her experience. And this only goes to show you how much care Joan and Tom Dudley put in to this business.

A couple of gentlemen from Norway stayed at their camp site a few years ago who spoke very little English. They wanted to go out to dinner and Joan and Tom Dudley gave them a few options. As the men left in their RV to go out, Tom noticed that they were dragging their electrical cord from the back and had forgotten to unhook it before they left their campsite. Tom Dudley tired to wave them down as they were leaving, but they only waved back. So Joan and Tom Dudley knew that when the two men returned they'd have some repairs to do that night. They were up repairing their electrical unit until 2 A.M.

Royal Mountain Campsites and Granny's Ice Cream is located at 4948 Route 29 at the junction of Route 10 South of Rockwood. Their season starts in April and continues through October. For more information about camping at Royal, call the Dudleys at 518-762-1946.

Alsion Swartz is tourism director for the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Back to Site Contents