AMBOY – Mendota Hills Campground, owned by Mark, Sue, and son Jamie Rogers in Amboy, Illinois, has been voted as the Best Family Friendly Campground in the U.S. by participants in RVshare’s Campers’ Choice Awards, aka “The Campies.”  

On September 18, RVShare revealed the Third Annual Campers Choice Award winners in 18 categories. Nominations closed on August 2, and voting for the top three finalists in each category was conducted through September 8. Over 1,000 voters participated in the online awards program. 

Co-owner Jamie Rogers was both surprised and excited by the nomination and win but gave credit to others.

“We were pleased with the win but most importantly our campers were thrilled to see that Mendota Hills was finally recognized for what our family and staff strive for every day – to promote a family-friendly experience,” Jamie Rogers said. “This is really a win for our staff, though. They are what make this place possible with their dedication and love for this campground.

“After the announcement was posted online one of our campers was wearing a Mendota Hills branded shirt at a local restaurant and a stranger stopped them to exclaim that it was ‘The number one family friendly campground in the U.S.’ So, we are all having a bit of fun with the 15 minutes of social media fame.”

The Rogers family started camping in the mid-80s as weekend getaways for the whole family. They took over the then-failing park in 2002 with no pay and few resources for many years. Their goal in bringing the park back to its original thriving family-friendly atmosphere with many amenities, activities and happy campers was aided by countless volunteers who invested “blood, sweat, and tears” over the years of rehabilitation. 

With this national recognition, does this mean there’s growth or expansion in the future for Mendota Hills Campground?

“People ask us all the time when we’re going to add more sites,” Rogers replied. “We are intentionally keeping it at 200 sites on 130 acres, because it is a level that we can appropriately manage so that we don’t lose the closeness with our seasonal and weekend guests alike.” 

Some of Mendota Hills Campgrounds guests weighed in on why they like camping there:

Dawn L. said, “Because they are always looking at ways to improve the campers experience and make their time there memorable. So many of our family’s memories have been made at Mendota Hills.”

Jennifer C. said, “The kids absolutely LOVE it and it’s reasonably priced! Great place for families, where it feels like home, and you are not nickel and dimed for everything.” 

Donna D. said, “You come as a guest and leave as family.” 

Barb W. said, “The campground has a small-town vibe…campers are willing to offer a wave, a helping hand, or a friendly chat around a campfire.”

Karen M. said, “We have been camping here as seasonals for 16 years. It is a great family-oriented campground with many activities for children and adults alike. Friendly people, clean and small enough to have that ‘family feel’ which is important to us. Our children and grandchildren love coming out.” 

What are the Campies?

According to the company’s website, RVshare launched its Campground Partnership Program in 2022, and as a complement to that announced the Campers’ Choice Awards, aka “The Campies.” This annual awards program further weaves RVshare into the fabric of the RV and outdoor travel space, while more importantly giving much-deserved credit to many campgrounds and outdoor travel experts, enthusiasts and creators across the United States in a number of categories.

According to RVShare, winning a “Campie” allows campgrounds the opportunity to highlight their commitment to excellence and allows travelers to book with confidence knowing they are getting the experiences, amenities, and features that are important to them, and heading towards the adventure of a lifetime.

Winners in categories ranging from social media platforms to campgrounds are selected through an online nomination and voting process. Finalists call on their loyal followers, fans, listeners, and guests to cast votes. 

RVshare recognizes each winner on RVshare.com and its owned social media and email channels as well as provides them with promotional kits and merchandise.

A complete list of winners in RVshare’s “The Campies” competition is online at https://pages.rvshare.com/campies/. 

For more information about Mendota Hills Campground, including camping rates, go to www.MendotaHillsCampground.com.