Our Story

Rooted in the French Creek Valley

French Creek RV isn’t simply a campground.

This valley has been part of our family’s story for generations.

Gary Smith has called the Fawcett area home since he was about three years old. In 1958, his parents, Sigmund “Joe” and Marie Smith, moved their family from Boyle, Alberta, to Fawcett, where they established their lives and raised their family on the land.

The Smith family became mixed farmers, raising grain, cattle and hogs — and, at one point, as many as 3,000 turkeys in a single year. Joe also worked in trucking and logging while the family continued building their life in the Fawcett area.

For Gary, though, growing up here meant much more than farming. This valley was home.

Before There Was an RV Park… There Was French Creek

The creek and surrounding countryside were part of Gary’s childhood — a place where neighborhood friends could fish, swim, explore and spend long summer days outdoors.

Those childhood experiences created a connection to French Creek and this valley that never disappeared.

Gary’s family was also connected to the neighboring property that became Hidden Valley. His grandparents owned the property before it passed to his parents, and Gary’s father could see the recreational possibilities this beautiful valley offered. His vision included creating a place where people could come to enjoy the countryside, including a campground and golf course.

That vision planted a seed that would carry into the next generation.

Carrying the Vision Forward

Over the years, the countryside changed. Farms changed hands, agriculture evolved and the way people used the land changed with it.

But French Creek continued winding through the valley. Wildlife continued passing through. The ponds, trees and open countryside remained — along with the peace and quiet that had always made this place special.

Eventually, we realized something:

This was a place worth sharing.

French Creek RV grew from our family’s connection to this land and our desire to give other families the opportunity to experience some of what made growing up here so special — space to breathe, nature at your doorstep, water and wildlife, summer evenings outdoors, dark country skies filled with stars, and time spent with family and friends.

Today, French Creek RV is more than a place to park an RV. It is a place where seasonal guests can settle in, make the site their own, get to know their neighbors and become part of a community.

What began as one family’s connection to this valley has become a place where other families can create traditions, friendships and memories of their own.

French Creek Through the Years

A look back at the land, the development of the campground and some of the memories made along the way.

Some of these photos date back to the earlier years of French Creek RV, when the campground and property were still being developed. Others capture the ponds, creek, trails, wildlife and people enjoying the property over the years.

The landscape has changed as the campground has grown, but the natural beauty and character of the French Creek Valley have remained at the heart of it.