Our History
Gloria Marcon purchased Gooney Creek Campground in 1994 when she was 67 years old. Pamela Marcon (oldest daughter) was living in the cabin when in June 1995, a hundred-year rainfall caused the mountain at the headwaters of Gooney Creek to give way. An epic amount of debris - boulders, trees, etc. came roaring down the creek. Pam lost everything, a little girl lost her life, and the campground was decimated just one year after Gloria purchased it. The trauma for Pam was overwhelming and she moved back to her home in Arlington, VA. Gloria began rebuilding the campground with a small bit of FEMA money, a lot of blood, sweat and tears of family, friends, campers, even strangers.
Through the years, Gloria developed quite a following of repeat campers which became life-long friends to the family and campground. She continued running Gooney herself with the help of the occasional handyman. In 2012, (she was 85) a torn mitral valve required open heart surgery. Gloria returned to Gooney and began her slow recovery. Pam would come and help run the campground during the season from April through October. As Gloria edged toward 90, it became clear she needed help so Pam left her home in Arlington and came to run the campground. With the help of Valerie (Gloria’s youngest) she and Pam cared for their mother and the campground until her passing at the age of 95 in June 2022. Pam purchased the campground from her mother’s estate in May 2023.
Pam made the campground her own and continued the legacy of repeat campers becoming lifelong friends and helpers. You may or may not know that Pam is a pretty great artist and has always loved murals as you can see around the campground. Many of her paintings are on display (and for sale) in the office.
No amount of words can express the gratitude and love the
Marcon family has for the camping angels who have offered
so much through the years.
As time went by Pam’s health declined and a series of strokes in October 2024 left to her being bedridden in the cabin. Valerie stepped in to oversee Pam’s health and the campground. Once again, camping angels - Miranda and Justin Trujillo - appeared at the campground. An amazing relationship quickly developed with Miranda (and hospice) caring for Pam and both she and her husband taking care of the property. They have been working hard since September to clean up the grounds and are making many improvements.
Gooney Creek Campground will open for its final season on April 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025, and will be for sale in the near future.
For questions regarding the future sale please contact Valerie Wilson at valeriemarconwilson@comcast.net