Martha's Vineyard's only family campground has officially traded in its mom-and-pop roots for corporate ownership. Northgate Resorts, a Michigan-based operator behind several branded camp-resorts, has purchased the Martha's Vineyard Family Campground in Vineyard Haven, closing the book on decades of Feeney family stewardship and kicking off island chatter about what might come next for prices, access and local character.
Northgate announced the deal in a press release, noting that the property has roughly 180 campsites, rustic cabins and tent-and-RV hookups and sits about 1.5 miles from the Vineyard Haven ferry terminal, according to PR Newswire. The campground's reservation page lists the 2026 opening day as May 20 and lays out the booking-release schedule and peak-season ground rules. Northgate is pitching the acquisition as part of a broader push to bulk up its outdoor-hospitality portfolio.
Local Reaction And A Longtime Family Legacy
The park had been owned and operated by the Feeney family for decades. Dan Feeney ran day-to-day operations from 1988 until his death in March, and reporting notes that the purchase agreement was in place before he passed. Chelsea Bossenbroek, Northgate's general counsel, told The Martha's Vineyard Times the company "was very sorry that he passed away prior to the sale closing" and said there are "no immediate plans to make changes this season." Islanders, already watching a run of family and locally run businesses change hands, are treating this sale as one more test of how corporate ownership fits into an island that prides itself on local control.
Northgate's Growing Footprint
Northgate says it operates more than three dozen camp resorts around the country and manages more Jellystone Park locations than any other company, along with brands such as Camp Fimfo and Camp Margaritaville, according to its resort portfolio. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company has been on a steady buying streak, scooping up family-run properties in recent years as it builds a network of branded campgrounds, per Northgate Resorts.
Why Islanders Are Keeping Score
Locals are openly wondering whether national ownership will mean higher rates or a shift toward more commercial-style amenities that could chip away at the park's laid-back, family-camp vibe, a concern raised in local coverage. The Martha's Vineyard Times notes that the sale lands amid a broader wave of family and locally run businesses changing hands on the Vineyard and points to industry reporting that camping demand surged after the pandemic, making campgrounds more attractive to investors.
What Campers Need To Know Right Now
For the immediate season, Northgate says it is not rolling out any big changes, and the park's reservation page remains live with site types, pet rules and peak-season policies for 2026. Campers with existing bookings or questions are being directed to check the campground's reservation page or contact the park directly for the latest details. In its press release, Northgate reiterates a commitment to maintain the campground's family-friendly atmosphere, at least in the near term.
Boston Business Journal and local outlets are tracking how the handoff plays out. Island residents and repeat campers say they will be watching closely to see whether Northgate preserves the Feeney family's legacy or steers the Vineyard's only family campground in a different direction.
