Come with us on an adventure through the years exploring the history of Thousand Trails.

Start: 1969

1969

1969

Milt Kuolt forms Pacific Rim Group, Inc., and purchases 640-acre parcel of land near Chehalis, Washington.

1971

Opting not to sell the Chehalis property, Kuolt moves forward with the membership campground concept... read more »

1972

Chehalis, the first preserve in the Thousand Trails Network, opens to members.

1975

Leavenworth Preserve welcomes members.

1976

Thousand Trails purchases third preserve in Mt. Vernon, Washington.

1978

Trading Posts open at both Chehalis and Leavenworth Preserves; TT purchases Bend, Oregon, property.

1979

Cultus Lake, La Conner and Lake of the Springs open; TT membership is at 13,000 families. A new color tabloid, TrailBlazer, replaces member newsletter.

1981

Singer and cowboy actor Roy Rogers becomes TT’s first official spokesperson. Oakzanita Preserve opens.

1982

TT takes on Texas opening Colorado River, Lake Conroe, Medina Lake and Lake Whitney. Nevada comes next as... read more »

1984

TT continues to grow adding Michigan’s St. Clair Preserve, Indiana’s Horseshoe Lake, Ohio’s Kenisee Lake and... read more »

1985

Palm Springs opens.

1987

Thousand Trails and NACO campgrounds are combined under common ownership; Roy Rogers, and son Dusty, are welcomed... read more »

1989

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans perform at the first Thousand Trails Rally held in Laughlin, Nevada.

1999

The Leisure Time resorts become part of the Thousand Trails family of campgrounds.

2004

Thousand Trails and NACO campgrounds become part of the Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., network of recreational properties.

2006

Outdoor World and Mid-Atlantic become part of the Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc., network of recreational properties.

2010

Thousand Trails Facebook page launches. The photo is from Orlando (FL) and is the first photo we ever shared on Facebook.

2012

Idyllwild (CA) gets an overhaul of their amenities including upgraded sites, playground, dogpark and more.

2013

Soledad Canyon (CA) receives an investment of over $1 million to improve the welcome center, lodges, sports courts, and more.

2014

Thousand Trails celebrates 45 Years of Making Camping Memories! Many happy campers showed up to Thousand Trails Campgrounds.

2015

#100DaysofCamping rally towels launch! One of the first camper photos with a rally towel came from Gettysburg Farm Campground (PA).

2017

Trails Collection Reciprocal Program launches. Existing Thousand Trails members can add the Trails Collection to their membership.

2018

Lake Conroe (TX) opens over 100 new sites! trailblazermagazine.net relaunches.

2019

Thousand Trails Celebrates 50 Years! TrailBlazer Magazine celebrates 40 years!

2021

Thousand Trails launches Adventure and joins TikTok.

2022

Thousand Trails launches the Cabin Pass. Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch in Gunnison, Colorado, joins the family.

2024

Thousand Trails Celebrates 55 Years! TrailBlazer Magazine celebrates 45 years!