After 5: Travelers flock to Ozarks campgrounds

Spotting Jim Spears on the road isn't too tough.

His 45-foot motor home is the size of a Greyhound bus, and its brown-and-tan design matches the 20-foot trailer in back.

If that's not enough, keep an eye out for the silver Mercedes-Benz convertible that Spears and wife Nona bring with them to enjoy the sights once they arrive at their destination.

"I love to travel, and I love to drive," says Spears, who founded Delta Roofing Inc. in 1970. "I always have. ... I'd drive 500 or 600 miles a day, take a nap and drive another 500 or 600 miles."

Though semiretired, Spears is known to put in some 12-hour days at the office when he's not enjoying his RV.

Hitting the road in style brings its own set of perks.

"You can see things that you can't possibly see in an airplane or a train or a bus ... and if you get tired or sleepy or hungry, everything's at your fingertips," says Rick Bryant, who sold limousine manufacturer DaBryan Coach Builders in 1997. Semiretired, he now buys used cars for local dealers.

Thirty years ago, Bryant and his wife would take their small motor home to Table Rock or Stockton lakes and stay at area campgrounds.

Since then, the couple has upgraded. Their recreational vehicle is 42 feet, and it usually pulls a car or a 24-foot trailer. Repeat trips include Florida in the winter and the Rocky Mountains in late summer.

"If you enjoy traveling, it's a nice way to enjoy the country," Bryant says. "If you have pets, you don't have to leave them at home or in a kennel. It's a great way to keep the family together."

Both Spears and Bryant have noticed that RV parks are upgrading, a trend reflected in the Ozarks.

In the last year, Ralph Newell and his wife have invested $157,000 to upgrade Branson KOA, improvements that are part of a plan in place since the Newells bought the property four years ago. They also own a KOA in Lawrence, Kan.

"We offer from the basic tent site all the way up to the most fancy RV site you can get," says Newell, adding that Branson KOA was rated one of the top 300 campgrounds in Trailer Life Magazine.

Upgrades include the addition of deluxe RV patio sites with fireplaces, unique lighting and additional landscaping; two new lodges that sleep six each; a pontoon for rent; a dog park; an inflatable jumping pillow for all ages; and a remodeled, handicapped-accessible bathroom. There's also a pavilion for tent camping with water and electricity that often draws motorcyclists.

"Campgrounds are specializing and evolving," Newell says.

George Shivers' customers also want upgraded RV luxury. He and his wife own Oak Grove RV Park & Campground in Branson, which offers 67 sites year-round and plans to add 50 sites as operating funds allow. Campers who used to drive 37-foot RVs are now driving up in 42- and 45-foot RVs.

"Our business is starting to go very well right now," Shivers says.

For the first time, Branson KOA will be open all year in 2009. Newell credits Branson Landing and Branson Convention Center for increased interest in the Ozarks as an RV destination.

"I believe those two venues have dropped the age of our average camper by 10 years," Newell says. "It's one of the reasons we came to town."

Randy Zickefoose, who works at Sunsational Sunrooms, was raised on tent camping as a thrifty way to see the country, so his definition of a vacation includes a hotel. But that doesn't mean he's abandoned roughing it once in a while.

About twice a year, Zickefoose pitches his tent in The Wilderness at Silver Dollar City. Sometimes Zickefoose's wife comes along, and sometimes it's a chance for Zickefoose and his teenage daughter to enjoy father-daughter time.

"We usually take some games along - hot dogs and s'mores over the fire - typical camping stuff," says Zickefoose. "We just find (going to) Branson once or twice a year gets it out of our system."