Before the gravel roads were laid, before the signage rose tall under the Texas sun, Pierced Oak RV Park was just a piece of family land, and a dream waiting to be built.
“My journey into outdoor hospitality started with my deep connection to this land,” said April, the park’s owner and founder. “My grandparents purchased the property years ago, and I grew up exploring it. When the opportunity arose to turn it into something special for others to enjoy, I knew I had to take it.”
April’s very first step in developing the park? Not permits. Not plans. Trees.
“I began by clearing out all the small trees, anything under 8 inches in diameter, to expose the mature oaks that were worth preserving,” she said. “Then I did a full tree survey, which gave me a map to design the park around the trees instead of removing them. That guided every decision from that point forward.”
Long before a single site was carved into the Texas Hill Country soil, April’s grandfather unknowingly named the land. On a walk years ago, he slipped a stick into the crook of a young oak tree. Over time, the tree grew around it, swallowing the branch whole. When he discovered it again years later, he called the place Pierced Oak, and the name stuck.
“Throughout my childhood, every visit to the property meant a search for the Pierced Oak,” April recalled. “Now, the tree remains standing and protected. A plaque will share its story with visitors, preserving the legacy of this special place.” Today, that silhouette proudly anchors the park’s logo and its story welcomes every guest who arrives.
When it came to designing the layout, April didn’t force a blueprint onto the land. Instead, she let the land reveal the blueprint.
“The layout evolved very organically,” she said. “I knew I wanted a perimeter loop, which made the most sense for back-in sites. That naturally created four interior islands. The existing family home became the perfect central location for the office and camp store.”
Even areas that seemed unusable found a purpose. “We had a back acre with a 6-foot drop-off, unsuitable for RVs but perfect for a septic area, which eventually became our dog park,” she shared. “The tree map helped me avoid placing sites where there were large oaks or beautiful clusters.”
April partnered with an experienced RV park engineer to bring her ideas to life. “I shared my vision, and he helped refine the technical details, turn radiuses, road widths, site spacing, to make sure everything worked for even the largest rigs,” she said.
But not everything came easy. One project in particular pushed April’s creativity and problem-solving to its limits.
“I wanted a massive, eye-catching version of the Pierced Oak logo to welcome guests,” April said. “That came with a lot of challenges: weight, wind resistance, heat durability, and still needing to look beautiful.”
Over the course of three weeks, she dove into research, experimented with materials, and brought the sign to life. “It had to withstand Texas heat, be light enough to move, strong enough to stay standing in windstorms, and still be stunning,” she said. “It’s 12 feet of structure and storytelling.” Today, that one-of-a-kind sign gives visitors their first taste of the thoughtful design and craftsmanship that defines the entire park.
April is no stranger to creating something from nothing. Many in the DIY world know her from Wilker Do’s, her hands-on, how-to brand where she empowers others to build and make with confidence. Whether it’s woodworking, metalworking, or now, RV park building, April is a maker through and through.
“I’ve always been a builder, creator, and problem solver,” she said. “This was the biggest project I’ve ever taken on and the most meaningful.”
Even missteps became part of the learning process. “When I first cleared the small trees, I mulched everything and left it on site, thinking we’d use it for landscaping,” she laughed. “But it ended up being a massive, inconvenient pile that we had to pay to remove. Then at the end of the project, I had to buy mulch anyway!”
After years of planning, building, and dreaming April finally opened the gates to Pierced Oak March 1, 2025. But it was the night before that really struck her.
“Our camp worker arrived and pulled her RV into her site. She backed in, hooked up, and everything worked,” April said. “The roads worked. The pads worked. The hook-ups worked. Then a gorgeous sunset hit the park, and a few of us gathered to take photos. That was the first real ‘we did it’ moment.”
This year’s grand opening celebration marked a milestone built with sweat and love. But for April, this is only the beginning.
“No build is ever really done,” she said. “Phase 1 gave us all the essentials, but now it’s about adding personality and joy.”
Upcoming plans include raised garden beds, an archery range, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, and fire pit/grill combos at every site. April is especially excited about adding community spaces: “Little touches that make people want to linger and connect.”
“I love seeing people relax, unplug, and truly enjoy their time here,” April said. “Whether it’s a family making memories around the campfire, a couple taking in the Texas Hill Country views, or a solo traveler finding a peaceful escape—knowing that Pierced Oak is part of their journey is incredibly rewarding.”
When asked how her family responded to the completed park, April shared one of the moments that moved her most.
“My dad texted me after opening day, saying, ‘We have a lot to be proud of, but nothing makes us prouder than telling people you’re our daughter.’ That made me feel gooey inside.”
Pierced Oak RV Park stands as a tribute to thoughtful planning, creative problem-solving, and generational love. April’s journey is one that many in the outdoor hospitality world will appreciate, not just for its challenges and triumphs, but for the authenticity it brings to the guest experience.
As a proud OHI member, April credits the organization for helping guide her path. “OHI has been an amazing resource,” she said. “The community, knowledge-sharing, and industry insights have been invaluable as I’ve worked to bring Pierced Oak RV Park to life.”
And while her roots in the industry are still growing, her vision is clear: “I want Pierced Oak to be a place people return to year after year, a spot that feels like a second home.”
