How We Got Here

Our story starts with our customers, the campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Camping World began in 1966 as a small store in Beech Bend Park outside of Bowling Green, Kentucky. What began as a way to fulfill campers’ requests for supplies has grown into the largest outdoor lifestyle retailer with over 190 stores and over 14,000 employees.


  Explore over 50 years of Camping World history.

1966
First Camping World store opens inside Beech Bend Park after founder David Garvin successfully launches business selling RV parts and supplies from the back of a pickup truck in the park campground. Corporate offices are located in an old farmhouse nearby. A simple black-and-white catalog is printed and mailed to customer addressess collected in the store and at the campground.
1969
Good Sam launches the first comprehensive RV insurance program. Today, Good Sam provides a wide choice of insurance products.
1973-1979
New Camping World store with four service bays and offices opens on Beech Bend Road, a short distance from the park. First store outside Bowling Green opens in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. First Florida store opens in Kissimmee.
1980-1989
14 more Camping World stores open in six states including the first one in California.
1984

A Mobile RV SuperCenter provided products and services at off-site events, utilizing a team of Camping World crewmembers and service technicians.
1995
Camping World Opens its 25th store!
1995
GoodSamClub.com launches. Today, the site helps members plan trips, find events, connect with other members, locate Good Sam Parks and so much more.
1997
Camping World joins the Affinity Group family of outdoor, travel and RV lifestyle enterprises.
2000
The Inaugural Rural opens its gates Gillette, Wyoming.
2000-2009

58 additional Camping World retail stores and service centers open in 32 states.
2003
Camping World expands into new and used RV Sales at select locations.
2006
Camping World opens its 50th store!
2009
Camping World becomes the title sponsor of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™ racing.
The Nascar Camping World Truck Series™ logo and word mark are used under license by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. and CWI, Inc.
2013
Camping World opens its 100th store!
2013
The Good Sam Camping app enables smartphone users to find Good Sam Parks in the palms of their hands. Today, the app can be downloaded on smartphones and tablets on both Apple and Android operating systems.
2016
In October 2016, Camping World became a publicly traded company when it raised $251 million in an IPO.
2016
Camping World began an eight-year agreement for the naming rights to Orlando’s football stadium, formerly known as the Citrus Bowl, now the Camping World Stadium. The stadium hosts a number of events, including the “Camping World Kickoff”, Orlando City and Orlando Pride soccer games, concerts and the Camping World Bowl.
2017
Camping World and Major League Baseball announced a multi-year partnership making Camping World the Official RV Dealer of Major League Baseball, Official RV and Outdoor Supply Company of Major League Baseball, as well as the Presenting Partner of the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and Presenting Partner of the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
2017
Camping World announces acquisition of Gander Mountain and Overton’s. Gander Mountain is rebranded as Gander Outdoors.
2017-2018
Camping World acquires outdoor specialty retailer, The House For Active Sports, to expand its portfolio and better serve outdoor enthusiasts.
2018
The Good Sam Club reaches two-million-member milestone.
2019
Camping World Holdings Rolls Out Gander RV Super Centers Across the Country.
Camping World is the leading RV and outdoor lifestyle retailer providing new products, services, and support to recreationists everywhere.
Good Sam provides everything customers need to have a good trip- from savings on fuel and campgrounds to roadside assistance and other specialty services. 
Meet Our CEO, Marcus Lemonis
Marcus Lemonis is living the American Dream through hard work, determination, passion, and compassion. Born in war-torn Beirut, Lebanon, in 1973, Marcus showed an entrepreneurial spirit at an early age.  Those who have had the chance to hear his story through his moving speaking engagements would say that he is humble, down to earth and 100 percent brutally honest.
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