Branson's Compton Ridge Campground bought out of foreclosure

A 76-acre Branson campground near Silver Dollar City was purchased out of foreclosure this month by a Texas company.

Texarkana, Texas-based Ocean Canyon Properties closed on the purchase of Compton Ridge Campground March 7 for an undisclosed amount from seller First Community Bank of the Ozarks, said Peter Graffman, executive vice president and co-founder of Ocean Canyon. The bank took over the property last year and the resort closed Dec. 1, he said.

On April 1, Ocean Canyon plans to reopen the park, which includes a 30-room motel, 25-room lodge, 260 RV sites, two outdoor pools and an indoor pool, a country store and wireless Internet access across the campground. The park sits about a mile away from Silver Dollar City.

Graffman said Ocean Canyon has been working to clean up the park in time for its opening date, and added infrastructure - such as computers, televisions and the wireless Internet system - sold off during the foreclosure sale.

He said Ocean Canyon would keep Compton Ridge much the same, with its music, entertainment and food-based events for campers.

"We think Branson is a very vibrant tourist community, family oriented, which is really kind of our values," Graffman said. "We thought it would be a great fit."

Compton Ridge becomes Ocean Canyon's eighth resort and its first public campground. Its others - which includes a resort in southeast Arkansas - are available only to its clients, who pay for annual memberships. While Compton Ridge will be available to Ocean Canyon's members, the Branson park will be open to the public, Graffman said.