Projects & Testimonials

Specific Projects

Planned and over saw the $48 million dollar acquistion and develop of a major state park system
Concessions Management Plan -- Yellowstone National Park (Principle Author)
Aspen Lodge Ranch Resort and Conference Center -- Master Plan and Development, Estes Park, Colorado
Concessions Management Plan -- Custer State Park, State of South Dakota
Concessions Development Standards -- National Arbor Day Foundation
Concessions Contract Development -- Voyaguers National Park
Concessions Management Policy -- National Park Service
Revenue Management Plan -- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, State of Montana
Tourism Development Plan -- State of South Dakota, Tourism Department
Briscoe County Tourism Plan -- Briscoe County, Texas
Lone Oak RV Park Master Plan -- Lake Ray Roberts
Firekeeper's Resort Master Plan and Development Proposal -- McLoud, Oklahoma
The Trails Master Plan and Development Concept Proposal -- The Trails at Live Oak Resort, Brenham, Texas
North Lake Resort and Marina -- Lake Conroe, Texas
ARVC Headquarters Master Plan -- Larkspur, Colorado
Castle Rock RV & Cottage Resort -- Castle Rock, Colorado, Center for Outdoor Experience
Mill Creek Ranch Resort -- Master Plan, Planned Development and Development -- Cottage Investors of Canton, Texas
Bear Dance Stay and Stay Area -- Site plan for Center for Outdoor Experience
Majestic Timbers Land Development -- Tyler, Texas
Northshore Landing RV Resort -- Emory, Texas
Lacy Lakeview RV Resort -- Waco, Texas
Lakeside RV Resort -- Lake Livingston, Texas
Benson's Lakeside RV & Cottage Resort -- Fresno, California
Fisherman's Cove -- Lake Conroe, Texas
Tiger Creek Resort -- Tyler, Texas
Waterfalls at Sunset Resort -- Lafayette, LA
Road Runner RV Resort -- Oklahoma City
Bull Creek Ranch Resort -- Olathe, KS
Coyote Ranch Resort -- Wichita Falls, Texas
Piney Ridge -- Tyler, Texas
Oakdale RV Park -- Glen Rose, Texas
Geronimo Creek Resort -- Texas
Gateway to the Gulf Resort -- Texas
Extreme Ranch -- Cleveland, Texas
The Vineyards -- Grapevine, TX
Bonita Bay Resort -- Possum Kingdom
Hideaway Resort (undisclosed)
Bolivar Bay Resort -- Galveston
Peaceful Springs -- Pennsylvania
The Resort at Teton Links -- Driggs, ID
Garden Valley RV and Cottage Resort -- Garden Valley, ID
Rincon Tribe Resort -- Valley Center, CA
Thistle Dew Resort -- Florida
King River Resort -- Montana
Gallatin Gateway Village -- Montana
The Resort at Burnt Store Lake -- Cape Coral, Florida
Lake Conroe RV Park -- Conroe, TX
Ingram Dam Resort -- Ingram, TX
Ottertail Lake -- Perham, MN
Port Alto Resort -- Port Alto, TX
Turkey Creek Ranch RV Park -- Crystal City, TX
Tohickan Resort -- Quakertown, PA
Dilley RV Park -- Dilley, TX
Carrizo Springs RV Park -- Carrizo Springs, TX
Sproat Lake Landing Lodge and Resort -- Vancouver Island, Canada
Lawson's Landing -- Dillon Beach, CA
Rall's Destin RV Park -- Destin, FL
Hill Country RV Resort -- New Braunfels, TX
Wally World Family Resort -- Loudonville, Ohio
Castroville Resort -- Castroville, TX
Pine Near RV Park -- Winthrop, WA
Woodward RV Park -- Woodward, OK
Grand Teton RV Resort -- Jackson, WY
Chandler RV Resort (undisclosed name) -- Chandler, AZ
Beijing, China Master Plan

Testimonials

"The services that Bud Surles has provided The City of Grapevine have been invaluable. From his holistic approach to our projects, to his warm and personable character, my staff and I quickly came to trust and respect Bud's advice and expertise. His knowledge of the outdoor recreation industry combined with his national high level experience supported our decision for choosing his company for design and consultation purposes on our projects. "

On a personal level, Bud approaches his projects as his own and takes great care in making sure that his clients understand the reasons for the advice that provides in a sincere and respectful manner. I would, without hesitation, use Bud's services again and recommend him to anyone needing professional park/campground/resort planning, design, or consultation services." -- Joe Moore, City of Grapevine, TX

"I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your services on the 539 acre tract near Tyler. Your creativity and talent is something to be admired. We asked you to design an R. V. Park and you did an incredible plan on the whole property. You took the time to walk the property several times before you began the design which made a huge difference on the plan as a whole. I would like to continue our relationship in the future for other projects. We recently purchased a 41 acre tract in Houston that I would like you to look at." —Art DePue, E. L. Free & Associates

"Your past experience in both public parks and private resort industries, as well as your Christian service, gives you a perspective unlike any I have seen. It is that unique approach that made your input into our project so valuable. Thank you seems inadequate, for your contribution to our industry." —Ian Steyn

"Bud Surles has been very beneficial in helping this department see the correlation between good revenue production and resource management. He helped us establish concessions policy; has done a renvenue managements plan for one of the nation's largest state parks; and has served as a daily resource for advice and consultation in many areas of park management and planning. His insights in the tourism industry helped South Dakota steer its development emphasis on principle corridors of the Missouri River. He has made presentations to our Governor, the State Legislature, and has always done so to our advantage. I would recommend Bud as a resource for any public or private entity seeking sound advice and planning." —Doug Hofer, Director of the Division of State Parks, South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department

"I want to thank you for all of the hard work you put into our development. We had a dream and a lot of great ideas, but you were the one that knew how to turn that dream into a reality. You took our idea and translated it into a finished product, we couldn't have done it without you (well, we could have, but not without wasting a lot of time and money and we never could have ended up with such a great resort!). Your knowledge, appreciation for nature and your experience with National and State parks really made all the difference in the world. If you ever need a reference, send them to us, we'd be happy to tell them how pleased we were with your services." —Bob Hannaford

"We have been camping for over 34 years in Texas and California and for the last three years we have been reviewing and rating campgrounds and RV parks to add to TexasOutside.com and TexasRV.com. In 2008, we visited Mill Creek Ranch to rate and review the park—Wow, were we impressed with Mill Creek Ranch and everything that Bud Surles was able to achieve in building and staffing this fantastic RV park. Mill Creek Ranch has the highest rating (9.8 out of 10) of any of the RV parks that we have rated in Texas. Not only did Bud build a fantastic park but he staffed it with some of the friendliest and most helpful staff that we have encountered—all of whom seem proud to be a part of Mill Creek Ranch and out to make sure your stay with them is memorable." —Mike Sharp, President, Texas Outside and Texas RV

"I wanted to say thanks again for the great job you did on this project, I really am more than happy with the work you did and i appreciate the advise and job well done. I look forward to us moving on to the next phase which is getting this permitted and then on to building what i believe will be one hell of a project. I am convinced more than ever that this will be the talk of the area for a long time to come and can't wait to break ground on this. One day soon we all will be able to spend a day on the water and watch the sun set at "The Resort" and look out at what we have created :) That my friend is going to be a fine day indeed". -- Scott Dunlap, developer The Burnt Store Lake Resort