Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Kormondy.
Hi Shawn , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to building things, whether it’s businesses, real estate developments, or communities. My career began in real estate, where I focused on investing, land development, and transforming overlooked properties into places with lasting value. Along the way, I discovered that what I enjoyed most wasn’t just developing real estate, it was creating destinations and experiences that people genuinely appreciated.
That mindset led me to Roadhouse Ranch & Camp in Bend. I saw an opportunity to create something different from a traditional campground. Rather than simply offering campsites, I wanted to build a boutique campground and glampground centered around experiential hospitality, where the memories guests make are just as important as the place they stay.
From the beginning, the vision has been what I call “social camping.” Instead of designing a property where every campsite is an isolated destination, I intentionally created shared spaces that encourage guests to gather around the fire, play games, share stories, and build genuine connections. If someone wants complete solitude, Oregon has millions of acres of public land to explore. I wanted to create a place where people reconnect, not only with nature, but with family, friends, and even strangers who often leave as friends.
Like any entrepreneurial journey, the vision has continued to evolve. Today, Roadhouse Ranch & Camp features RV sites, tent camping, and five uniquely themed luxury yurts, each designed to offer its own memorable experience. But the mission hasn’t changed. In a world increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, I believe authentic human connection will become one of our most valuable experiences. My goal is to build one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier boutique outdoor hospitality destinations, where people come not just to stay the night, but to create memories they’ll carry with them long after they leave.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Building Roadhouse Ranch & Camp took years of planning, permitting, design revisions, and construction before we welcomed our first guests. Like any development project, there were unexpected delays, regulatory hurdles, rising costs, and countless decisions that tested both my patience and persistence.
The biggest challenge, though, wasn’t the construction itself. It was staying true to the original vision. It would have been easy to compromise or build a more conventional campground, but I believed there was an opportunity to create something different, a boutique campground and glampground built around experiential hospitality and what I call “social camping.”
That philosophy has guided every decision we’ve made. Instead of designing a property around isolated campsites, we intentionally created spaces that encourage people to gather, share stories, and build genuine connections. Every obstacle forced us to ask the same question: Does this decision move us closer to the experience we want our guests to have?
Entrepreneurship has taught me that setbacks are part of the process. Every challenge has made the campground stronger and clarified our mission. Looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey because it shaped the business into what it is today, and we’re still just getting started.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Roadhouse Ranch & Camp is a boutique campground and glampground in Bend, Oregon, built around the idea of experiential hospitality. We offer RV sites, tent camping, and five uniquely themed luxury yurts, each designed to tell its own story, including the Wagon Wheel, the Lumberjack, the Observatory, the Writer’s Retreat, and the Cascade.
From the beginning, my vision has been what I call “social camping.” Rather than designing a campground where every campsite functions as an isolated destination, we intentionally created shared spaces that encourage guests to gather around the fire, play games, share stories, and build genuine connections. We believe the best travel experiences aren’t defined by amenities alone, but by the memories and relationships they create.
What sets us apart is our commitment to thoughtful design, authentic hospitality, and creating experiences that guests can’t find anywhere else. Every decision, from the themed yurts to the layout of the campground, is guided by one question: How can we create moments people will remember long after they leave?
We’re not trying to build the biggest campground. We’re building a destination where people reconnect with nature, with each other, and with themselves. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, we believe authentic human connection is becoming one of life’s greatest luxuries, and that’s the experience we strive to create for every guest.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is creating places where people genuinely connect. As artificial intelligence becomes woven into nearly every aspect of our lives, I believe authentic human connection will become one of life’s rarest and most valuable experiences.
That’s why I believe the future of hospitality isn’t just about beautiful accommodations or great amenities. It’s about creating environments where meaningful moments happen naturally. A conversation around a campfire. Kids making friends they’ve never met before. Families putting their phones away long enough to watch a sunset together. Those are the experiences people remember.
That philosophy is the foundation of Roadhouse Ranch & Camp. We call it “social camping,” but it’s really about designing spaces that encourage community, conversation, and shared experiences. If guests leave with a new friendship, a stronger connection to the people they came with, or simply feeling more present than when they arrived, then we’ve succeeded.
I hope Roadhouse Ranch & Camp reminds people that while technology will continue to transform how we live and work, some of life’s most meaningful experiences can only happen face-to-face, around a fire, under the stars.
Pricing:
- Campsites starting at approximately $45/night (seasonal pricing).
- Luxury themed yurts starting at approximately $185/night.
- Direct bookings always receive the best available pricing and exclusive promotions through our website.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.RoadhouseRanch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roadhouseranchcamp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoadhouseRanchBend
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RoadhouseRanchCamp
