Nestled at the bottom of the Ortega Mountains is a peaceful place where many people are known to stay a day or stay forever.

Once a Jewish boys’ camp in the 1940s, Lake Park RV Resort and Motel in Lake Elsinore is now temporary or permanent housing for many people.

There are 201 total RV sites that can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet with full hook-ups and all utilities and cable as well as Park Models, an onsite motel, guest cottages, a pool and two recreation rooms.

The resort rents by the day, week or month.

"People are downsizing," said sales manager Jennifer Diaz. "We had a lady come here who wanted to spend more time with her daughter and less hours working. All utilities are included except the phone, but most people just use their cell phones these days anyway."

Diaz also said the motel is good for people who are in transition.

"Maybe a family lost their home because of foreclosure and they need a place to rent," she said. "We’re getting a lot of those here."

Park Models starting in the high $20,000s are a permanent housing option.

The models look like mobile homes but are considered RVs. They also rent for $600 a month.

Features include full appliances, vaulted ceilings, loft storage, lakefront access and more.

"This could be a vacation home for people wanting to get away from the city," said Diaz. "It’s so pretty to come out here. There are mountain views, tons of birds and critters and no one is aware of the city."

Management at the resort runs a tight ship and residents looking to stay long-term are given criminal background checks.

As a Passport America participating campground, RV groups are known for staying at the resort to hold their monthly events.

The Desert Bounders of Southeastern California, for example, come regularly.

When asked what draws the Bounders to the park every month, group treasurer Debbie Telling said, "They are really nice people. They work really well with you and the price is good."

What does the group do?

"We eat, we eat, we eat, we eat and we eat," said president Jim Ramberg as Telling and fellow Bounders Minnie and Carmine Baffo laughed in agreement.

Bounders United was formed 20 years ago by a group of RV enthusiasts. Local Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] and regional chapters have been park-hopping ever since.

One of the highlights RV groups love is the free use of the recreation room facilities, which include a kitchen, TV, Wi-Fi access and fireplace depending on the room.

Last week the Rocking Chariots gathered in one of the recreation rooms to play a game they called "Track Races." The group made a grid on a table using tape and put six Hot Wheels at a starting line.

They rolled two dice. Each car was numbered one through six. If, for example, a number two and five were rolled, the cars with those numbers moved one space on the grid until someone reached the finish line.

The Chariots go to different resorts every month but often come to Lake Park for a few days depending on when the designated Wagon Master makes reservations.

At Lake Park, the Wagon Master, who is a rotating group member with several leadership duties, gets to stay at the park for free – just one more perk for the groups.

Like the RV groups, permanent residents enjoy the resort for many reasons as well.

Office manager Bess Horrocks has lived here for 14 years.

"The people who live here are good," she said. "They’re not nosey. If you are gone for a week, they’ll keep an eye on your place.

"Everyone’s like family. It’s a tight community. People are always willing to help you.

"We have our own maintenance crew that lives on site. They clean up trash, trim the trees and do a lot of repair work. They really care how it looks.

"The resort is very beautiful when the trees are green, and when the leaves drop, the maintenance crew will clear them out too."

The 20-acre resort is tucked away beneath the mountains on what some would call a busy highway, but the noise of the street is deceiving said, Diaz.

"We are set so far back from the street it’s not even noticeable," she explained.

But walking to nearby restaurants and retail shops is no trouble at all at this convenient location.

As they say at the resort, "Stay a day – stay forever."

Lake Park RV Resort and Motel is at 32000 Riverside Dr. in Lake Elsinore. Visit www.lakeparkrvresort.com or call (951) 674-7911 for additional information.