From Childhood Memories to Business Venture:
Brothers Revitalize Rock Creek at Possum Kingdom Lake
Story by Barbara Vinson | Photos by Erika Carter
Brothers, Gavin and Tyler Jones share plans to revitalize Rock Creek at Possum Kingdom Lake
Growing up on the Brazos River just a little south of Weatherford, brothers Gavin and Tyler Jones spent their summers wakeboarding, jet skiing and tubing at Possum Kingdom Lake. It was a huge part of their childhood, they said, and their dad, David Jones, would often wake them up on weekends by saying, “Let’s take the boat to PK.”
So when Rock Creek, a fishing camp located on the north end of the lake, came up for sale, the brothers jumped on the opportunity to buy it this past November.
After graduating from Weatherford High School, Tyler Jones subsequently graduated from Texas Tech University, while his brother joined their father in the family construction business. The brothers combined their knowledge and applied it to the plans they had in mind for Rock Creek.
The brothers said they’ve always been around big commercial projects and have watched business owners run their companies, which made them think, “Why not us?”
They said they love the lake as much as talking to and meeting new people, and that made Rock Creek, which has been around for decades, the perfect business venture for both of them.
The property’s showcase flagpole and flag, which can be seen from miles away, is 150 feet tall, while the flag measures more than 1,800 square feet and weighs 77 pounds. It takes six people to change the flag, they said.
The property’s pool, which was added in 2022, is the centerpiece of Rock Creek. The “kiddie pool” section has a collection of animal characters that spray water into the air, while the main pool is the ultimate lakeside retreat, surrounded by beautiful oak trees and featuring a great view of the lake. The pool has a large cabana area and a deck space with multiple covered areas.
The onsite convenience store, Paradise Point, is getting a refreshed look, and the brothers noted that new inventory arrives every day. The store, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, will be carrying more fishing supplies and expanding its grocery line, and they said one of their goals is to make sure the store is open on a consistent basis.
Tyler Jones admitted that on some days it seems as though everything is happening all at once. The brothers described their days as “organized chaos,” and said it’s “crunch time” right now in the offseason.
Tyler Jones said he currently is staying at Rock Creek in his fifth wheel, while his brother travels between Weatherford and the lake. He said a permanent residence at the lake is one of his goals, but for now both brothers are concentrating on getting Rock Creek up and running.
Living at the lake has given Tyler Jones a glimpse into what a permanent lake life could look like – and what Rock Creek visitors might experience while staying there, too. He said he’s trying to “get his feet as muddy as possible” so he can understand the day-to-day operations and what visitors might want.
Gavin Jones, meanwhile, said every day brings a new adventure. He noted that there have been are a lot of “curveballs” in the form of things they didn’t expect when taking on the business, but fielding them has helped the brothers learn more about the lake.
The first phase of the brothers’ goals is now in progress, with four of the eight cabins on the property torn down to make room for new cabins being constructed, each with its own barbecue grill.
The property’s Reunion Hall, an open-concept event center on the lake with a full kitchen, has been redone, making it a wonderful spot for family reunions and weddings. The brothers said they never thought they would be in the business for love, but they’re excited to explore this new adventure. They said they want Reunion Hall to be a venue for the entire lake and not just the Rock Creek area.
The second phase of their upgrade plans for the property is right around the corner. Plans are to replace the remaining four cabins and renovate “Pop’s Place,” where guests have stayed for more than 40 years. The new Pop’s Place will retain the history of the camp while also getting a much-needed update. The goal, the brothers said, is to give guests a personalized lake experience. They said they want their guests to feel they have left the big city behind and have arrived at a “home away from home” in a beautiful setting.
Other plans to upgrade Rock Creek include adding boat slips and docks, adding an area for beach volleyball, getting an official scale to record big fish catches, and being the site of potential fishing tournaments.
The brothers said they plan to keep everyone updated to what’s happening at Rock Creek through social media, including their website and Facebook. They said they will be updating and providing the same messages across all of their social media platforms.
Tyler Jones said he will stay at the camp and be very hands-on to address any issues. He and his brother said they feel very fortunate to have Destinee and Matt Hayes, along with Rock Creek’s current staff, staying on to serve guests.
Some things at Rock Creek won’t change, though. Spots for recreational vehicles will still be available, as Creek Camp & RV is a full-hookup RV campground with access to water, electricity and internet access. The brothers said they have a waiting list for full-time homeowners.
The Jones brothers said they believe everything happens for a reason, and they added that they couldn’t be happier with their decision to buy Rock Creek. Being at the lake makes them feel almost retired, they said, even though they are busier than ever, and they added that they are “all in” on this project. The magic is there at Rock Creek, they said. They’re just enhancing it, and they’re ready for folks to come stay with them.
https://rockcreekrvresortllc.com
201 Rock Creek Road, Graford, TX 76449
Email: rockcreekpk@gmail.com
Phone: (940) 779-2766
