SIGEL, Pa. – Twenty years ago, Mike and Andrea Steele, along with their sons Andy and Adam, made the decision of a lifetime and opened the popular Sigel campground Campers Paradise.
Living in Indiana, Pennsylvania, at the time and working as a superintendent in the coal mining industry, Mike decided that he was tired of the corporate life. He and his wife Andrea made the decision of the lifetime, and Mike left his 28-year career.
The Steeles sold their beautiful five-acre historical Victorian home in Indiana. They had spent twelve years of their life restoring the award-winning, turn-of-the-century-dream home, and Andrea had never dreamed of selling it, but when the home was put on the market, it was sold in less than a week.
The big move took place that January. Most of the belongings were put into storage, and Mike and Andrea took up residence in a 30-foot camper behind the campground’s one room general store. The continuous support, time, and hard work from the couple’s families made the change seem a little easier. Sub-zero temperatures, snow, sleet, and no running water all added to the self-inflicting hardship, but it was never a decision that the family questioned. Living out of the camper and the one-room store, carrying drinking water from a nearby spring, and bundling up every morning for the ride to the campgrounds bathhouse were now all a part of everyday life.
Many people called them crazy and asked why they would give up such a comfortable lifestyle. But, Mike and Andrea have always loved the outdoors and even took a week-long camping trip through the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee for their honeymoon. The couple has experience outdoor adventures from Florida to Alaska, so it was fitting that they should own and work at something that they love so much.
After nine weeks of living in a confined space with few conveniences, a new log home was built on the campgrounds, and Camper’s Paradise truly became their home.
Fast forward to twenty years later, and the Steeles have hosted hundreds and hundreds of guests, have added nine cabins, and even offer guests the chance to stay in a tipi or covered wagon on their vacation!
Located just south of Cook Forest, and one mile from the Clarion River, Campers Paradise has basic campsites and primitive cabins available for those who want an old-fashioned camping trip like Mike and Andrea experienced growing up. For those guests, they offer a sparkling clean bath house with hot showers and flushing toilets. If you’re not up for roughing it, you can choose from six modern and luxury cabins with amenities like satellite tv, fireplaces, hot tubs, and saunas.
Patrons of the campground find themselves coming back again and again for the sparkling pool, the friendly owners and the fun activities.
“We like that they have activities for the kids, bon fires, and DJ’s for the holiday weekends,” explains camper Michael Cullum. “We have visited many different campgrounds, but we find ourselves coming back to Campers Paradise over and over again.”
The Steeles keep their guests busy by offering special weekend events, including crafts, fireworks, hikes, and pool parties.
Campers and local residents alike appreciate the Campers Paradise Outpost, where they sell camping, hunting and fishing supplies, rustic figurines, cast iron, and speckleware.
They have a pizza shop that also sells strombolis, burgers, milkshakes, and ice cream. The next time you’re looking for a respite from everyday life, consider this little haven in Sigel – a true Campers Paradise!
To find out more about Camper’s Paradise, contact them by phone at 814-752-2393, log onto their website at www.campersparadise.net or LIKE their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Campers.Paradise.
They are located at 37 Steele Drive in Sigel.
Above article provided by our News Exchange Partners at The Brookville Mirror.
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