It’s located in the city limits of Andalusia, but visitors will feel like they’ve escaped to a getaway in a wooded oasis when The Oaks opens later this fall. 

Jason and Dawn Smith are developing the family RV park and campground on Brooklyn Road. The park offers concrete and gravel RV pads; RV rentals; family cabins; glamping tents; and primitive camping. Amenities include fishing, a bath house with private rooms, a children’s playground complete with zip line, and golf cart rentals for getting back and forth to the spring-fed pond. Visitors will have access to wi-fi in most of the camp. 

Jason Smith said he started researching RV parks and looking at area property about three years ago.

“I saw a need for it,” he said. “My relatives own Boggs and Boulders. I know a lot of folks in the Destin area. My wife is from Illinois and some of her relatives are snow birds. They can be close to the beach without being down there in the middle of it. The parks down there are booked up a year in advance.”

Mayor Earl Johnson said the project is timely and much-needed.

“I was already discussing with our staff the need for an RV park here,” he said. “We couldn’t believe it when Jason came to us with his vision. This development is timely and will be a great asset for Andalusia.” 

Smith said he was looking for property in the county and found the Brooklyn Road location when he went to look at a tractor he was interested in buying. 

“I ended up buying the property,” he said. “All 32 acres.”

He had visited a number of RV parks as he looked for just the right location, so once he had the property, he designed the park and got to work. 

And while he’ll be ready to open in November, he won’t be finished with the park. He plans to add a splash pad, a dog park, and a barbecue pit. By next spring, the Smiths will add kayak and canoe trips to the menu at The Oaks.  

As word of the new park has spread by word of mouth, the response has been positive. People are already contacting The Oaks for rentals, Jason Smith said. 

“We don’t have the cabins up yet, and they’re all rented for Thanksgiving,” he said. 

The Oaks will have three cottages, each of which will sleep five people. Each has a full kitchen, living room and bath. 

He also has several reservations for RV pads in November, ahead of the grand opening set for Dec. 13-14. 

A ribbon cutting is set for 10 a.m. on Fri., Dec. 13. On Saturday, the Smiths are inviting the public in to see the facility and will have Today’s Yesterday’s Band from 5 until 9 p.m., with barbecue from Hilltop. 

The Oaks is located at 13421 Brooklyn Road. Additional information and online reservations are available at www.oaksfamilyrv.com. The Smiths can also be reached at , or 334.313.8164.