Let's begin by applauding the park’s name - BATL. It stands for, Be About That Life, a fitting moniker for founders who realize that a life full of experiences is a life well-lived.
Owners Greg and Anise Brown are avid travelers. Greg’s 25 years in the Marine Corps had taken them all over the world. “We love to travel,” he said. They parlayed their travel bug into running an RV park offering travelers an ideal place to, “Disconnect to reconnect, enjoy the outdoors, and revive and recharge,” as their slogan says.
Their vision for the park is impressive. “We know what it’s like to live out of an RV,” Greg said. “We want to provide a place to camp in the woods but spacious enough for guests to bring all their amenities from home and be able to use them.” At heart, he’s striving for a resort-like experience, “We wanted our place to offer the things we experienced, like wine festivals and beer festivals and different food vendors.” Glampers, in particular, will love what they are working to create.
Grand opening celebrations took place July 4th weekend this year. The resort is nestled on 49 wooded acres in Central Texas about 30-minutes northeast of Waco. It’s near the small country town aptly named Mount Calm. Referring to their piece of Texas countryside, Greg notes, “We had to build everything from the ground up, the electric, water, sewer.” Yet he acknowledged, the undeveloped parcel allowed them to concentrate on making their sites wider and longer than many parks so they can accommodate larger RVs. The largest rig they’ve had so far is 42-feet.
Greg believes the setting is the park’s most unique draw. He said, “It’s like going to a state park. We have all these trees, wildlife, and ponds. But, unlike state parks, we can accommodate larger RVs, have full hookups, Wi-Fi, and can have a campfire.”
Pic of the first guest at BATL Ranch! [Photo/BATL Ranch RV Resort]
Right now, the park has 25 full-hookup spaces, 9 of which are pull-throughs. They’re planning for 100 spaces in two stages of expansion. Just four months old, the park already has some nice features. There are two stocked ponds with catch-and-release fishing, walking trails, a bocce ball court, outdoor games, and a playground for the kids. The park is pet-friendly and has its own dog park. An onsite store offers everything from sundries and clothing to pet supplies and even fishing pole rental. In nicer weather, there are kayak and bike rentals. A BB gun range, and facilities for archery - and believe it or not, axe throwing - are in the works.
Greg says, “In phase 2 we’ve planned another 25 spaces, a pool, and bathhouse.” He added that cabins and yurts are coming next year. “I want to try a treehouse concept and elevate them on a platform. The area is kind of low-lying, so it’s perfect for that,” he said. “Plus we can create spots for hanging hammocks.”
They’ve also planned a fun center that will emphasize techie stuff like video games, virtual reality, a golf simulator, and a shooting simulator. Along with that, a fitness center is planned that will offer activities like yoga and Zoomba and even offer cooking classes,” Greg told The Buzz. Next, they plan to build an outdoor theater, which will have live music and karaoke!
With BATL Ranch RV Resort’s location just a half-hour from Waco, there’s a lot to see and do.
Learn about Waco’s famous soft drink at the Dr. Pepper Museum. Have a tasty treat at the working soda fountain, see a recreation of the soda fountain where Dr. Charles Alderton invented the first Dr. Pepper formula and view artifacts from the original Dr Pepper bottling company. For families, the Soft Drink Hall of Fame and Free Enterprise Institute teaches children about product development and independent business.
Learn about the history of the Texas Rangers and meet active-duty and retired members of the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States.
Chartered in 1845, Baylor University is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Stroll the 1,000-acre campus, located on the banks of the Brazos River that is considered one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. The oldest building, Old Main, dates to 1915.
At this amazing prehistoric site, the fossil remains of 25 mammoths along with a camel and saber-toothed cat have been discovered. In 2009, a shelter was constructed that features a suspended walkway with stunning overhead views of the dig site.
The brainchild of Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Upper fame, the shopping complex is a testament to adaptive re-use. Encompassing two city blocks in downtown Waco and once home to the Brazos Valley Cotton Oil Company, the complex now offers shops, eateries and food trucks, and entertainment. In its first year, Magnolia Market attracted over 1-million visitors.
For fans of Fixer Upper, the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau has also created the Magnolia Trail, a self-guided tour showcasing buildings that have all been featured in episodes of the series.
Complete with swinging doors and sawdust floors, Backyard Saloon is a true Texas experience. Go for Texas fare like brisket, live music, bar games, and drinks.
This craft distillery has earned over 40 international awards, ranking their spirits among the best in the world. Tours will walk you through the whiskey-making process where you’ll learn about everything from their copper stills to the barrels they use. Finish your tour with a tasting and learn about the flavor profiles of their offerings.
So whether you want to tour the growing city of Waco, savor some Dr. Pepper or Texas-made whiskey - or simply relax in the quiet Texas countryside, BATL Ranch RV Resort offers the chance to Be About That Life!