Our Story: A Waterfront Legacy
Family Tradition on the Water
Bar Harbor RV Park & Marina has been part of our family for generations. What began as a small dream in 1963 has grown into a place where families, travelers, and boaters continue to gather along the Bush River to relax, reconnect, and experience life by the water.
For us, this is more than a business. It is a way of life rooted along the Chesapeake Bay encompassing traditions, hospitality, and community. We believe guests can feel the difference when a place is cared for by the family who owns it.
Our Beginning
Our story began in April of 1963, when newlyweds Phil and Joan Schaefer purchased the property from Phil’s uncle just days after their wedding. Originally, the park operated as a simple day retreat where families came to picnic, swim, and spend summer days together surrounded by nature.
During the off-season, Joan ran a Montessori school from the office building while Phil traveled throughout Maryland selling school supplies. What started as a seasonal side venture gradually grew as more visitors discovered the peaceful setting and wanted to stay longer. Over time, overnight camping and seasonal stays became part of the park’s evolution.
As the campground expanded, Phil and Joan eventually set aside their full-time careers to focus entirely on the park, turning a small family endeavor into a thriving waterfront destination.
Preserving the Character
As the next generation became involved, the park continued to grow thoughtfully. Their daughter Elyse embraced the family business, helping guide improvements while protecting the natural beauty and character that made the property special.
Rather than overdeveloping the shoreline, our family chose a different path. We have intentionally maintained the landscape and atmosphere that defines authentic Maryland waterfront living.
Bar Harbor is not designed to feel new or manufactured. It is cared for so guests can experience an authentic waterfront environment that has evolved naturally over generations.
This philosophy continues to guide every decision we make today.
Life on the Bush River
Growing up here meant learning the rhythms of life on the water. Fishing lines cast at sunrise, crabbing along the shoreline, boats heading out for the day, and evenings spent around campfires became part of everyday life.
The Bush River connects directly to the Chesapeake Bay, and with it comes a culture shaped by boating traditions, local seafood, wildlife, and a deep appreciation for nature. Bald eagles soar overhead, herons line the shoreline, and each season brings its own character to the park.
Guests often tell us that stepping onto the property feels like stepping into a simpler time, where the focus shifts from schedules and noise to connection, relaxation, and shared experiences outdoors.
Why We Do This
Elyse and her husband Paul raised their children, Carolyn and Mason, on the property, where they learned the ins and outs of the campground from an early age. Today, Elyse, Carolyn, and Mason continue to run Bar Harbor together, carrying forward the same values Phil and Joan established more than sixty years ago.
Our goal has never been simply to operate a campground. It has always been to preserve a place where people feel welcome, where neighbors look out for one another, and where families return year after year to create lasting memories.
Many of our guests have been visiting for generations themselves, creating a community that feels familiar, friendly, and genuine.
We are proud to continue caring for this special piece of waterfront Maryland so future generations can experience it just as so many have before.
A Legacy That Continues
From a small day park in 1963 to a thriving campground and marina today, Bar Harbor remains a family tradition built on stewardship, hospitality, and respect for the land.
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing the experience that has meant so much to our family for more than six decades.