Bear Run Campground celebrates 50 years of business
Craig and Judy Wehr, owners of Bear Run Campground view themselves as part of the hospitality industry, not the camping industry.
This year, the campground celebrates 50 years of business and their philosophy is what the couple feels will be able to help the business survive another 50 years and beyond.
“We want guests to make memories that strengthen family relationships and friendships,” Craig said. “That’s the business we are in, and when people leave we want them to feel like they are renewed.”
Bear Run Campground, 184 Badger Hill Road in Muddy Creek Township, was opened by Craig’s parents, Bob and June Wehr in 1975 when Bob decided to leave his corporate job to explore a career that would be focused around he and his wife’s passion for the outdoors.
June died in 1989 and Bob in 2017, but the business has never left the hands of a Wehr, and that’s just how Craig and Judy want it.
“My brothers and I, after my father passed away, we were all partners and then Judy and I bought them out,” Craig said. “It is still in the family. Grant (Craig and Judy’s son) would be third generation. We are keeping this continuity in the family.”
Craig and Judy officially took over in September of 2024, and this year will be their first full year at the helm of the business.
Grant Wehr serves as the campground’s general manager, overseeing day to day operations, while his wife Morgan Wehr helps with branding and marketing. The family help doesn’t stop there though.
“Then, we have two daughters that also do whatever needs done,” Judy said. “We have two Morgan Wehrs. Our daughter and daughter-in-law, and then our daughter Lauren Irvin and her husband Matt Irvin.”
Craig worked by his parent’s side for many years, and during that time, he learned how he should view each and every single guest that comes to visit.
“Do it right the first time,” Craig said on what he learned from his parents. “As far as things that I learned from them, holistically, when you own your own business, and it is an outdoor hospitality business, you feel directly responsible for all of your guests.
“You get this sense of ownership where you want to make sure they have the best time possible because you have this family pride. These types of businesses whether it's a bed and breakfast or a family campground, you tend to take more personal interest.”
Bear Run Campground officially opened for the 2025 season on April 15. The season will run through October 31.
The campground has about 160 seasonal sites, 60 transient RV sites, 70 tenting sites and 23 rustic cabins and refined lodges on the 60 acre property that borders Moraine State Park.
Craig and Judy said the biggest learning curve for them during their first year as owners was how to get ready for the season, between setting up vendors, getting the shop set up and making sure the utilities are in line.
“With the campground, everyone thinks of it as the owners being only busy in the summer,” Judy said. “We are, but the winter has to be spent on all the preparations. Once the season starts and ramps up, there isn't much time to think.”
Bear Run offers programs, entertainment and activities for guests, particularly on weekends, with kid’s craft programs, local bands and line dancing lessons.
“We offer things, but we also give the campers a chance just to have time as a family sitting around a campfire,” Judy said. “I think that camping is one of the last family-centered activities, and we want to make sure they receive that authentic camping experience, as well as the fun extracurricular activities.”
Craig said that the campground’s busiest times of the year would be Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July weekend, Labor Day weekend and Halloween weekend with nearly 1,000 guests visiting during each of those holidays.
The ultimate goal is to keep the tradition of family ownership at Bear Run Campground, and Judy and Craig are looking to position the business well to be taken over by the third generation of Wehrs.
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Bear Run will be collecting and displaying memorabilia from previous decades.
“It’s interesting to see how much things have evolved since my grandparents first came up with the idea to build,” Grant said. “We have campers that have been with us almost since the beginning, and they’ve seen a lot of changes over the years. We’re proud that our family has this tradition of hospitality that we can share with others.”
