Owner Discusses Unusual & Unique Features Of Park Including Water Adventure Right Outside Columbus, Ohio
Finding a unique purpose and perspective in the campground industry is the name of the game. Jeremy Primmer, the new current owner of the Lakeview RV Campground, just outside Columbus Ohio understands this. With a rock quarry lake built as a diving destination, a thriving jet pack business and a surrounding campground both tranquil and accessible, diversity is the name of the game.
The Buzz: You recently became owner of this unique campground. Can you talk about what drew you?
Jeremy Primmer: The biggest attraction for me with this campground was the depth and the cleanliness of the water. It’s a 16-acre quarry and has spots that are 50 feet deep. The average is 28 to 30 feet. We had the water jet pack business prior to purchasing the campground and we ran that for four years previous. We have the jet pack and flyboard there so visitors can safely learn.
The Buzz: So working the water is sort of congruent on both sides…
JP: It’s so hard to have water this clean. Obviously the diving has been a big part of the campground for years and the uniqueness of the jet back [angle]. The divers are actually there under us while we’re flying…and we are able to work together. So the drivers…they might be out there in a group training but the lake is big enough so we can share and separate the body of water so we can do both.
The Buzz: Can you talk about the geography of Lakeview?
JP: The campground for the most part is level. There is not a whole lot of hills. We do have some tree lines that separate the road from the water. With the largest camp area…there are 70 sites there. I think the largest portion of the 70 sites has 3 roads winding in and out of the same area…which is the furthest off the road. That is one corner of the park that is a little bit away from the water but no more than say 300 yards. The rest of the sites line the side of the lake so you can literally walk out of your campground, walk down the bank, put your fishing line in the water and come back to your campsite afterwards.
The Buzz: Can you talk about what you can see diving under water…even snorkeling.
JP: We do offer snorkeling. The visibility does vary [close to shore] but for the more part we have clarity up to 30 feet and in Ohio that’s really good. [As far as] fishing…a lot of indio, crappie, catfish…I’m told there are a lot of large catfish down on the bottom that are photogenic (chuckling). Fishing in general is encouraged. It is catch and release at this time but I think later this year we will have a fishing tournament or two…and let the campers keep their catch if it is large enough.
JP: In the past, we have had potluck dinners and camper cookouts. We have 50/50 drawings. In the fall, we watch games. We have a TV at the pavilion area so everyone can sit at their picnic table as they’re eating. We’re new to the business and have three boys…and they’re pretty excited about bingo (laughing). We will do some things like that this summer. I do want to do team kayak racing…whether it is mother/daughter or sibling races. We’ll hand out some plaques for those. We’ll change it up through the summer and have different events.
The Buzz: What was the biggest strength?
JP: It’s basically like your own private paradise. The clean deep water is the biggest draw for us. And being able to share it with people is what I look forward to. It’s been interesting how campers come in and talk to you in between customers and ask questions which eventually makes them customers the next day. I like the camper attitude. As far as the jet pack business, we meet a new customer every 45 minutes. So with campsites every weekend, I get to talk to so many people. My wife and kids and I will stay there a lot of times on the weekends.
The Buzz: What kinds of things can the divers see under water?
JP: There are a few things we can see when we are flying above on the jet pack. You can actually see the Frito Lay truck…the roof is very visible and then where the windshield would be. Over from that, if it is very clear you can see a car that is on its side. Obviously the higher you are on a great sunny day, the better the visibility is. There is a fuselage of small aircraft that was put in there years ago in addition to a reef with a lot of pretty vegetation. You can see that when it gets a little shallower on a glass bottom kayak. For the divers, there is a lot of rope. Everything is tied together. There are also platforms throughout so people can train. They start at one point, follow the rope which begins at the Frito Lay truck and then onto a sunken boat…and a wheelchair. I am sure there is a bunch more stuff down there that I’m leaving out.But Plenty to see. Those divers are usually in there for a good 40 minutes.
The Buzz: Is there training and certification offered…since I would think diving in Ohio is unusual.
JP: There are a bunch of organizations that train there. A lot of them are the local fire departments. I know the city of Columbus has a lot of trainers that come down here. During the winter, they will cut through the ice with a chainsaw and practice rescues. Guys who want to learn and get their open water certification I think start here and then go through the steps before they actually go down South and dive somewhere else. There is always a company available to give you a class at the lake. We also have a breathing air system there that we can refill your bottles with. We do not rent anything out other than kayaks and rowboats. We also offer snorkeling and diving to people that are not camping here.
So this is your own little piece of paradise…probably with some interesting nooks and crannies nearby…
JP: We have Hocking Hills just 12 miles south of our location. And it is probably the second most visited vacation destination in Ohio….maybe even larger than that. Hocking Hills is a wonderful natural reserve that has Old Man’s Cave and many other unique hiking experiences, lots of natural rock formations and nature created formations that you can’t find anywhere else. We are also off a main freeway just 12 minutes away. We are near to a Kroger’s grocery store and a Wal Mart a little farther away. We also have a hospital within 5 miles. You can come back to a nice tranquil campground.
Tim Wassberg
A graduate of New York University's Tisch School Of The Arts with degrees in Film/TV Production & Film Criticism, Tim has written for magazines such as Moviemaker, Moving Pictures, Conde Nast Traveler UK and Casino Player. He enjoys traveling and distinct craft beers among other things.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Lakeview RV Park, which offers the perfect camping destination in Central Ohio. They pride themselves on the cleanliness of their facilities and are just 45 minutes East of Columbus, OH. Seasonal sites are available April 15 through October 15.