Compiled
Comments on RV Campgrounds
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Conneticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisana
Maine
Maryland
Massachuetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennesylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Canada
Niagra Falls - Ontario
Nova Scotia
Alabama
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The worst campground I have ever stayed in was the KOA south
of Montgomery Ala, I have to disagree with ollie1shoe I
think Natures Resort is a fine campground and you only pay
for a portion of your electricity if you stay a month or
more.
Alaska
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Every Alaska State Park I saw.
The ones I saw were literally pull out scenery overlooks
with parking lot stripes that they had put out a sign calling
it a campground and charged a camping fee.
Two were even closed due to budget cuts. That's okay I
guess except that we had just been to the "Public Lands"
info center in Anchorage to get campground info. and nothing
was stated anywhere to that effect.
Don't you just hate driving for hours to get somewhere
only to find it closed and no other alternatives anywhere
close by.
The national forest campgrounds that I saw were far superior
to the state parks in Alaska.
BTW, the Public Lands info center DID have a lot of good
information. It is across the street from the Visitor Center
in downtown Anchorage.
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The West End Campground at Fort Nelson on the Alaska Highway.
The electrical hookup was shared with four other trailers
making it impossible to cook until our neighbors turned
off their tv and went to bed.
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To all of you who will be heading to Alaska, the worst campground
we have EVER had the misfortune to pay money for is the
Kluane Wilderness Village and RV Park Mile 1118 on the Alaskan
Hwy. While it has a very appealing ad in the Milepost and
it is a Good Sam, it was a vast wasteland of gravel,"funny"
electicity, low water pressure, scummy shower facilities.
AND they refused to honor the Good Sam discount unless paying
with cash! To the traveler on the Alcan, beware! Not every
ad in the Milepost accurately depicts the conditions of
the campground!
Arizona
Wow, wish I had found this site earlier. We just had our
worst experience ever with an RV Resort Called Rancho Sedona
in Sedona, Arizona. I know now not to read or purchase Woodall's
or Trailerlife. RanchoSedona advertises this little slice
of paradise and even has a picture on its website. But.
that isn't what you see when you get there. If you like
camping in the Wal-mart parking lot (with some shade trees)
then this is the place for you. we even made reservations
one month ahead of time (had a confirmation number and guaranteed
to our credit card). When we arrived, they had given our
space to a monthly renter and tried to place us literally
10 feet from their public bathroom. They did not bother
to call us before we began our trip but you can bet they
would have charged us 1 nights rent if we had canceled inside
24 hours. The worse part was the owner flat out didn't care.
She said if you don't like the space, you can leave. I am
headed to Small Claims Court over these jerks in hopes of
teaching them a lesson.
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North Phoenix KOA was BY FAR THE WORST one for us.
It was cramped, dusty and dirty. Many of the campers were
homeless transients.
The people closest to us lived in a beat-up old truck camper
(no truck), with an old refrigerator sitting behind it.
It was heart-breaking to see their little children running
around in dirty, torn rags, looking for pop bottles or anything
they could find to trade for something to eat. They had
two pit-bull/rottweiler type mongrels that were also very
hungry. The woman (probably less than 30) had no front teeth.
When the man came home in the evening, he grilled something
that looked like a rat, which was supposedly dinner for
all of them. We had pizza, and gave most of it to them because
we felt so sorry for them. Their dogs were interested in
our dog (a golden retriever), but we were afraid to let
them near him. We were also afraid to leave for any length
of time because of our surroundings. Instead of staying
the intended three nights, we left after one night. This
was a few years ago, but every time we've passed that place
since then, I've felt a deep sadness.
I am not putting down the homeless. God knows any of us,
under the wrong circumstances, could be facing the same
thing. But, when you're camping (especially at a 'chain'
type campground such as KOA), you expect to have fun, not
to be shocked and dismayed. If KOA wants to use their facility
as a shelter for the homeless, that's great. But, advertise
it as such, not as something else.
One thing is for sure. We're not rich, but we left that
place with a much deeper appreciation for our 'comfortable'
lives.
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Dear Hesaskip,
You sound like very tolerant campers but I still would not
double-dog-dare-you to stay at the RXR - oops, I mean the
M&M RV Park in Wellton, Az. 20 miles East of Yuma.
Whoever thought of putting an RV Park next to really busy
train tracks must be hard of hearing. The fellow campers
we're nice but that was the worse place we've ever stayed
in. How could PASSPORT AMERICA lend thier name to that place?
Luckily, we ended-up at the Lake Pleasant RV Park just North
of Phoenix and are enjoying it tremendously! THIS is a campground!
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Oh, and by the way. I really enjoyed my stay at the Williams
AZ KOA. Beautiful park with tall pine trees and a lot of
shade. Friendly people too.
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We agree on the Circle (something) KOA in Williams
AZ. The tall pines, friendly people and the facilities were
reasons we will stay there again. We were there at the end
of Sept and found that 10 days of heavy rain had done some
damage to the roads but they were working on them. After
all to repair a road it has to dry out!
There are two KOA in Williams, my comments are for the one
just off I 40, not the one about 5 miles north of Williams.
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I am seeing KOA a lot as well - I have to admit that most
of them are pretty kruddy- HOWEVER - I thought I would interject
a not-so-sucky KOA that we find always nice and always clean
- on I-40 in Arizona - about 15 miles or so west of Flagstaff.
We went there once b/c it was the closest campground that
WE COULD HAVE A FIRE. So we tried it out and it was great-
lovely hot tub and old but VERY well kept showers etc. They
even have lines to hook up computers. The only drawback
is it is next to the freeway- but not so bad. I have had
my share of terrible campgrounds but I try to forget them.
Best place to camp in AZ - the rim - sorry 'RV'ers - you
can't drive back there - strictly the hard core campers!
There is running water there - every time it rains! HA HA
HA
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We stayed at one in Yuma, Az., but the name excapes me.
We were close to the interstate with lots of noise and then
as we got to sleep here comes a train. At sunrise the next
morning we had fighter jets taking off right over the park.
It seems there is a air force base there. We decided we
better the the quiet hills of Q, Az.uartside
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Islander Resort Lake Havasu City, AZ. Very expensive. Many
rules for cleaning up after pets, rules for driving ATVs,
rules for using game room. The rules didn't seem to apply
to "regulars," after trying to avoid being hit
by arrogant kids driving golf carts and four-wheelers. People
with expensive rigs also seemed to be exempt from rules.
What we thought was gravel on the RV sites turned out to
be dried dog crap. There was THAT much of it. Our experience
is several years old, so maybe it's changed for the better.
But there's no way we will ever go there to find out.
Islander Resort in Lake Havasu, AZ -- this is a beautiful
park with nice spacious sites and I will most definitely
be going back. But it's listed as sucky because it has "inequitable
rules"?? What is that all about?? That's the lamest
response I think I've ever hear.
Arkansas
Texarkana, Sterling Crest RV Park, 2004, Would Not Stay
Again
Benton, I-30 Travel Park, 2004, Satisfactory
Hardy, Spring River Beach Club, 1998, Satisfactory, Check
out Main Street Shops
Mountain View, Holiday Mountain RV Resort, 1998, Satisfactory,
Listen to the Mountain Music on the Square
Second, a private campground (can't remember name) just
off I-30 west of Little Rock. Sign on desk had vague warning
about mosquitoes, and they weren't kidding. Around dark
they came out in swarms. Kids left the door of grandpa's
trailer ajar, about an inch, for less than 5 minutes, and
in the next 15 we killed more than 100 mosquitoes in there.
Suspect we had 50 or more in the tent when we shut it and
spent 15 minutes killing many of them. Only time we've refreshed
our repellant just to go to bed, and I still got 15-20 bites.
Came to find out the CG was next door to a huge rice farm,
you know, a swamp with rice growing in it. Felt sorry for
the CG owners, don't know how you'd get repeat customers
with that level of mosquito problem.
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Just finished reading this thread and it is very enlightning.
My vote for the Suckiest Campground was a KOA that I stayed
in last summer in West Memphis, Ar. It was almost under
an interstate bridge, next to a muddy river. There was a
busy noisey truck stop across the street and two motels
next door. The muddy spot I was assigned was a big mud hole.
There was a jagged, rusty 2" pipe sticking out of the
ground in just the right place to catch a tire or a bare
foot. When I went to the office to tell them about it the
lady (and I use the term loosely) said not to bother her
with complaints. To go talk to the owner in the motel next
door. I went to him and told him what I had found. He just
smiled and nodded his head. I don't think he understood
a word I said. In defense of KOA, I notice that it is NOT
listed in the new KOA directory. He was either too cheap
to renew or KOA kicked him out. Definitaly not a place you
would want to stay.
California
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Lakeshore Inn and RV Park at Lakehead, CA on Lake Shasta.
The train that goes practically on top of the campground
didn't bother me as much as the bathrooms, overall lack
of cleanliness, tiny dirt sites, etc. The dump station is
right next to a site too! Yuck. We spent all our time on
the lake and only came back to the site at night to sleep.
Even that was icky, as this park seems to attract a rough
crowd.
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Worst RV Park in California-Golden Shore RV Park-Long Beach
Management is extremely rude and money hungry. Discriminatory...hate
dogs...actually have Miniature Pinschers listed as dogs
not allowed in park! Overcharge people...;they want a credit
card number to move in. Rules only apply to certain people,
not everyone. Employees use the facilities for weekend parties,
so the campers can't use the pool or hot tub in peace.
Too many complaints to list them all!!
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Lilac Oaks in Escondidio Ca. It was more like a camp for
migrant workers than a campground for RVers.
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I will throw my two cents in on this one!
Campland on the Bay in San Diego. Should have recognized
there may be a problem when we checked in and saw a sign
that said "NO REFUNDS."
Paid for a week and didn't have a minutes peace the entire
time. The place was like trying to vacation in the center
of a fireworks show on the 4th of July. We finally gave
in and decided that the money we would loose by leaving
early was worth it. We did stop at the office and try and
make an arguement for a partial refund, but that was not
to be. Have since talked with others that have stayed there
and echoed our feelings. But, in all fairness, have talked
to those who have stayed there and said they had a great
time.
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Santee Lakes Campground, Santee, California.
What a joke. The "lakes" are reservoir like ponds.
The CG is in the middle of an urban area. The sites (while
some are privated with foliage) are small, difficult to
get into and, as is the entire park, infested with black
ants. The park even “suggests”, in order to prevent an infestation
in your rig, that you sprinkle cleanser around anything
on your RV that touches the ground…...now let’s see…...that
would be. The tires. The levelers. The electric cable. The
television cable. The water hose. The sewer hose. The step
saver. I figure, on that stay alone, I spent about $400.00
on Bon Ami.
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Wanted to spend the memorial weekend at Lake Shasta California.
Checked several web sites for campgrounds. All the State
and National park sites were full 2 weeks before so I looked
into the private "Resorts". Several were promising
and one even offered continental breakfast. Prices ranged
between 25 and 30 bucks. Kinda ticked me off that some charged
extra for pets, using the A/C and event the heat.
Finally decided on the "Salt Creek Resort". No
extra fees. http://www.saltcreekresort.com/
The web site made it look great and the price was 25 smackers
per night. The Mrs. called for reservations as they don't
do online. They required prepayment and she sent them a
$75.00 check. We Mapquested the address and were on our
way.
The access road was quaint, narrow and curvy. Great for
a class "C" or small trailer but not nice for
the 5ers or the Monster Homes. It was the lake though and
I loved the drive.
We drove past the campground at first as I only saw a hand
painted sign which read "Future site of Salt Creek
Resort". Finally pulled into the entrance which was
paved and plenty wide but half the gate was kept closed.
No problem for our Fun Mover.
The first thing we saw was a ramshackle building (supposed
to be the camp store) and then another larger wreck of a
structure (supposed to be the lodge). I turned around and
was about to leave when a "wife beater" clad man
approached our rig. He assured us we were in the right place
and directed us to the RV sights and said to pick the one
we wanted.
The driveway was gravel. The spot was paved and relatively
level. The electric box looked new and we had ample power.
The sewer pipe was too high off the ground and I had to
lift the drain hose to empty the tanks. The fresh water
tap had 2 faucets on it (was actually a good idea having
two available).
The palce had a pool which looked clean. No changing rooms,
bathrooms or showers available as the "lodge"
was merely a shell held up with spit and bailing wire. It
was dangerous of the kiddies and was not blocked off from
the pool so you could walk right in, be careful though cause
the floor was mostly missing and what was there was rotten.
The "cabins" were ancient, rusting, delapidated,
decaying trailers. There were 2 cement block cabins across
from the pool that were freshly painted and under renovation
(Potentially nice). There was actually fresh grass/sod between
the pool and the nice cabins. The rest of the place looked
used hard and uncared for.
Not a bad place, not the "suckiest" but not the
nicest either. Tremendous potential! Looks like management
is trying. Was good for sleeping and hanging out but not
all day. Fortunately we were busy riding the roads on our
motorcycles.
If you need a place to spend the night while on the lake
all day this is a good place to pull into but if you are
looking for the "Resort" that the name implies
you better wait several years for them to clean up the junk
buildings and trailers and fix the place up.
On the up side there was no "trash" on the ground.
and the grass was kept mowed.
Excellent potential but not yet a "Family Resort".
On a scale from 1-10 with 10 as excellent I would rate it
a "4". I was also unhappy that it was not what
I expected from their web site. No lies but was a little
deceptive.
The manager told us the place was closed for 15 years and
it showed. It was a mere shell of it's former self. Was
more like what you would expect from a $15.00 (if that)
per night CG instead of $25.00.
BTW... we were the only MH there and the only other campers
were the owner's teenagers occupying one of the dumpy (trailers)/Cabins.
Would I go back there?
Maybe. If they fix the place up. It was a good location
across the street from the boat landing.
Had we not paid in advance we might have gone somewhere
else.
DM
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Like anything else there are good and bad..... to give
you a different view of KOA, visit Carlsbad KOA (actually
it's about 15 miles north of Carlsbad). Among the top 5
"non-resort" campgrounds we've ever used, and
we'll go 50 miles out of our way to stop there again. Huge
sites, superb owner/managers, excellent facilities (best
showers I've ever seen ANYWHERE), etc.
Credit where credit is due!
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KOA in Sacramento, Ca This is the land of the people with
on teeth. This park is dirty and it smells bad.
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D&M on the road,
I agree with you about the KOA in Sacramento, I believe
it started out as a pretty nice CG but eventually became
a low income trailer park and squatters park, that KOA is
actually in "West Sacramento",near truck stops
and industrial areas, not an ideal place for a CG. I noticed
you are from Davis, which is only 10 minutes up interstate
80 from there, just curious why you would only stay somewhere
10 mins from home?
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Ventura Beach RV Resort (Ventura Calif.)
We were 50 feet from US 101.
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Lake Tulloch RV Park & Resort, just out of Oakdale,
CA. This place was a SLIMY MUD HOLE! I fish/guide around
there all the time, but I'm sure not parking my rig there
again.
La Rancheria RV park in San Ysidro, CA (San Diego/Mexico
border). This is one of those RV parks that's actually a
trailer park with all sorts of losers running around. Stayed
there for the 4th of July this past year. not again...
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KOA is getting bad rap and for good reasons, in many cases.
I'd just like to point out that for us, the absolute best
RV park we have been to is also a KOA (manchester, CA).
Imagine sites as large as state parks. Grassy and plenty
of trees. With full hookups.
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Several years we, family of four, stayed in Yosemite but
could not stay in the valley so we got a reservation in
Crain Flat NPS campground about 20 miles away but still
in the park. Very pretty setting, but not a level site in
the place. Kind of ironic the name Crain Flat, but not a
flat place to be found. I went to find the manager to see
if I could get a more level spot but on the way I noticed
my site was about the most level. I blocked the wheels and
lifted the 8 foot camper about 1 foot away from the truck
to level the fridge enough to operate. I would stay there
again but would bring more blocks. I have stayed in many
parks since I was a kid my self, 40 years, and I have alot
more great memories than the very few negative.
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The Yosemite/ Mariposa KOA in California is HORRIBLE!! The
people that ran the place were rude and they had a spot
for us barely big enough for a tent after we had made reservations
4 months in advance! The KOA headquarters place heard from
us! Needless to say, we got a refund and drove about an
hour over to Bass Lake to a USFS campground that was GREAT!!
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I thought my wife was going to get hystical as I read some
of these postings to her. She said, "Be sure to add
the Sacremento KOA to the list, but then I noticed it was
already listed. My wife said it's so bad put it in twice.
So, here's my vote for the Sac. KOA as the suckiest campground
ever. (after I review my notes from last years vacation
I may add another).
Mountian Gate RV Park, Redding, Ca
Very nice, clean RR, close to I 5, reasonable rates, nice
pool, a good stop and close to Shasta Lake
Redwoods River Resort, Leggit, Ca
This was a one night stop over and in the big trees. Very
friendly people here (the campers), polite staff.
Restrooms clean but not so great, especially in the hot
weather.
Nice pool, store and easy access from the 101. Unpaved roads.
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Knights Ferry, CA. It was our turn to chose a site for the
Good Sam Chapter of which we had just become members. New
to rv-ing, we did not have much experience but the CA campground
book gave it a "9" out of 10. Sounded real good.
Small, shady, on the river, grassy sites, etc. Near the
Hershey's factory. Almost heaven,, right?
Mid-May, 108 degrees. Entrance was curved, steep & cutting
backwards from the wrong direction on a one lane road. The
beach was washed away and now a cliff. Bathhouse dirty,
toilets not all operating, only one showerhead working on
the ladies side. Filthy with spider webs and crawling insects,
door hinges broken and locks gone. In our row of 8 motorhomes,
(there were only 10 spaces total) the further you got from
the bath house the less likely you would have enough power
to run a/c. The spaces on the far end got none. (108 - remember?)
There was a small restaurant with a wedding going on. The
kids kept getting chased out of the water when the photographer
didn't want them in the background. Mucho flies, the picnic
tables were barely on 4 legs and, best of all, the small
stream running through the campground smelled of raw sewage.
At least we weren't in full wedding regallia!
And it was a long time before we were asked to plan the
next trip!
Well it was shady, and small, AND on the river...and we
WEREN'T in the tents.
Six years later we still refer to it as the CAMPING TRIP
FROM H**L.
p.s.: in case you want to go--they aren't in the book anymore.
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Good KOA: Petaluma, CA. This is one of the closest parks
to San Francisco and has been recommended on the Destination
Forum by a number of people. They run excursion trips into
SF for those that can't get there with their RVs. Nice size
pool. Many pull-through spaces. Lots of trees.
I live in the SF Bay area and we go there when camping
with my daughter who uses a wheelchair because the roads
are paved and it is easy to get her around the facities.
Have always encountered a substantial number of European
travelers which makes for interesting conversations.
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Another KOA experience - this one is pretty good:
KOA Midpines - outside Yosemite on SR 140.
Park was on the crowded side, but folks were friendly,
facilities were complete, restrooms and pool area were clean.
Staff - including owner - was courteous and eager to please.
The owner even gave my two young sons specific tips on how
to catch the BIG catfish in the stocked pond at the top
of the hill - which they did. Certainly not the best campground/RV
park I've stayed at, but made a 4 day stay at Yosemite quite
pleasurable. I'd recommend it.
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Now, I've tent camped for years at many free or very cheap
public parks and have had a variety of experiences, some
good and some bad. The park I think is the suckiest (Canyon
Creek Resort in Winters, CA) was free for my visit but is
presented to people as a great alternative to those parks
I had frequented in my pre-RV days.
If it was free, why should I complain you ask? Well, very
good question. The sales gal called me a couple days before
a weekend we were planning to go to R-Ranch, where we own
a share. Although our original destination is a safe bet
and always a good time, the sales gal convinced us to come
to their park, luring us with promises of being spoiled
as their "special guests" and a good spot. We
agreed as the photos on the website looked outstanding [note:
there are lies, darned lies, and photos on the Internet.]
Well, we arrived about mid to later afternoon on a Friday
and were greeted by somebody parked in the RV Check-In spot,
backwards, in something other than an RV. After not budging
on my insistance I was going to park there (mostly out of
the fact I couldn't have backed out of my predicament,)
the fellow shot me a real rude look and peeled out of the
spot. I then proceeded to the guard shack for a check in
and was met by my hostess.
Pulling through the park I was amazed at how tight these
rigs were stacked together. I was wondering if I would have
room to put my awning out. After proceeding through one
section after another and not seeing a site to speak of,
I was beginning to give up hope. The hostess stopped to
talk to some campers and told us to go on ahead. By this
point, the high amount of beer toting, tattooed, convict
looking people walking around made me wonder if this place
wasn't a low security honor ranch on the side. Every spot
we would look at was real tight and had overflow from the
site next to it, not to mention were mostly occupied by
generally scary looking people or in close proximity to
the foul guano stench eminating from the bat-infested highway
bridge running through the park.
We were going to make another loop through but pulled into
one of the all dirt pull throughs, convinced we would just
pull out the next morning (in case there was a parole raid
or something.) That night, we met some people there on their
"free weekend" too and ended up making some new
friends (who we will be taking to R-Ranch with us next weekend.)
Because of the new friendship, the fact it was my birthday
and the kids had cake and ice cream for me, and I did commit
to sit through the sales presentation, we ended up staying
put.
While we were able to cut our sales presentation short
(5 minutes tops) by telling the people we thought their
park was a dump and that we never would return, our new
friends were put through HOURS of a high pressure sale.
As for what makes this the worst place even though I had
stayed at a variety of places, free and overpriced? It was
the first time I had such strong feelings of turning and
running. The whole time I was there, I regretted coming...
not sure if it was the the loud obnoxious drunks (one of
which, while at the pool in the vicinity of children was
urging his wife to show off her new silicone,) the ever
present trash blowing around the park, the filthy restrooms,
the constant stench of bat guano carried to us in the dusty
wind, or just the general over-crowdedness. If it wasn't
for the fact that we met new friends, the trip would have
been a total disaster.
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Pismo Coast Village RV Resort, Pismo Beach Ca.
Restrooms are not kept up. Womens bathrooms had no toilet
paper for two days. In the mens restroom someone had taken
a bowel movement in one of the shower stalls, it was there
for two days. We left and demanded our money back! Lady
in back of us in line also demanded her money back!
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In three years of fulltiming we had more than our share.
We learned price has no bearing on quality. At Campland
on the Bay in San Diego, where the daily charge exceeds
the retail value of many Rvs parked there, you learn real
quick not to leave any possessions laying around. I think
the hands down worse though is Pinewoods "Resort"
near Wentzville, Mo. How they stay in buisiness I don't
know. The many permanents, the horrible showers and bathrooms,
terrible electric and rude management combine to make for
a pretty bad stay. Until recently this campground was listed
in TL directory. That tells you something about the worth
of that.
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We have stayed in San Diego at Campland By The Bay and the
restrooms and showers were immaculately clean. I find the
critique by lynngol questionably invalid.
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Might as well list my nomination for this prestigious award
- Bear River Lake Resort, CA
It was bad, really bad and we were only there for a weekend.
Rough dirt roads with potholes, overflowing restroom and
the faint sound of the theme song from "Deliverance"
in the background. Locals like to hang around the bar/store.
Planted trout for a fishing derby but some of them died
before they got to the lake. Dumped them in there anyway
so the shore had many dead fish. WILL NEVER GO BACK
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KOA campground in Lake Isabella, Kern County, Calif. Cess
Pool overflowed and the (Mgmt) sat in their bar all day
doing nothing. Also, they let the local kids, Charging,
fifty cents for the day to use the pool, camper behind us
used the area behind our unit to dump the kitty litter,
it rained and filled the huge hole in front of us with a
big pool of water. And when I wrote KOA they said there
wasn't anything they could do about it. Never again there.
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KOA in Lodi, California. If you like high prices, rude people,
dirty restrooms and pool, and freight trains 100 feet from
your site. This is the place for you.
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KOA in Lodi, CA
The whole campground was taken up by the permanent resident
types...so much so that they had no full hookups available
on a weds night.. They treated us like we were criminals.
Our 10 and 11 year olds at the time were told by the incredibly
rude manager that they were not allowed outside our trailer
without an adult supervision. Add that with the clogged
toilet the dryer that ate my money but never dried my clothes
and the fact that the campground was located 100 ft from
a major railway that blew it's horns and chugged by all
night long. These were long trains 60-70 cars at a time
with 3 engines...
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I agree with 5thwheeler, stopped in Lodi KOA last fall just
to get a nights rest before heading on home. Did not see
the train tracks along the side of the park. But after settling
down for the night the train traffic picked up and kept
us waking up every half hour or so all night. Trains blew
their horns at all hours, not just a toot but and extended
HOoooooooonnnnnnnnnnnkkkk! Honk!
Also, the road in front of the park crosses the tracks
and is elivated at the tracks. Every now and then a big
rig would fly over the tracks and create a loud crash of
noise as they went on their way.
Park in Wal-Mart someplace if you just want a little rest
before heading on down the road.
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East Shore RV Park in San Dimas CA,
The brochure shows photos of beautiful rigs with a clean
campground. The reality is you will probably end up next
to somebody who lives in the park and has all of their "stuff"
sitting on the border of your campsites. The lake is polluted
and an airport is next door with planes leaving every 5-15
minutes apart. A plane crashed across the lake from our
camp site while we were there.
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I have absolutely no affliation with the East Shore RV Park
in San Dimas other than we have been there many times with
a group of friends. It is a beautiful park and Section C
high on the hill overlooking the lake is a delightful place
to spend a few days. To include this park with the suckiest
makes me wonder about the veracity of the entire list.
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Well. Someone reported it was "next to the airport
and had a polluted lake". You o.k. with this or not?
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houstonstan
The "airport" is a very small airport for small
private planes only and certainly not objectionable. They
do not fly over the campground and sometimes it is even
fun to watch them take off. As for the "polluted"
lake - the campgrond is high over the "polluted"
lake where you can see people fishing and no doubt endangering
their lives. What a laugh!
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Quote:
I have absolutely no affliation with the East Shore RV
Park in San Dimas other than we have been there many times
with a group of friends. It is a beautiful park and Section
C high on the hill overlooking the lake is a delightful
place to spend a few days. To include this park with the
suckiest makes me wonder about the veracity of the entire
list.
Section c is indeed nice, but they were going to put us
in F; so bad we didn't even register. What a dump!
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The KOA in Sacramento, CA.
It's not a campground, it's a homeless park. More squatters
than campers, and all in filthy trailers or tents. We didn't
feel safe.
Lots of weeds and trash. Aisles are very small and extremely
hard to manuever.
Colorado
Monument Lake of the Rockies RV Park 2004 Good, family
park
Monument Colorado Heights RV Park 2004 Fair, bad sites
Central City Gamblers Edge RV Park 2004 Good, new
Grand Junction Junction West RV Park 2004 Good
Montrose Country Village RV Park 2004 Satisfactory
Gunnison Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch 2004 Fair, bad sites
& roads
Buena Vista Snowy Peaks RV Park 2004 Satisfactory
Royal Gorge Royal View RV Park 2004 Would not stay again
Lamar Country Acres RV Park 2004 Satisfactory, overnight
Bayfield Riverside RV Park 1998 Fair
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Well for one of the better campgrounds until construction
of the highway was "fun valley" in South Fork
Colorado. A family experience and a great park with many
activities. However, the construction of the highway this
year has probably hurt it. We loved the river, fishing,
hiking and the general comaradie of the park. It's not surprising
to encounter 2nd and 3rd generations of family visit this
park. We love it.
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Colorado state park at Walsenburg, Colorado, their Staff
was very unfriendly. I will never stay in a Colorado state
park again.
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I like going to the State Parks here in Colorado, and most
are very nice, or at least adequate. One park I will never
go back to, though, is Eleven Mile. The sites at the campground
there were so unlevel, it was the only time I have ever
had to rest my tires on the top of my leveling blocks, and
it STILL wasn't level. Even those with hydraulic levelers
were having difficulty. I don't know whether they were just
having a bad year, but the sites looked like they hadn't
had any maintenance for a long time.
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Quote:
Worst one for us is the KOA in Lamar, Colorado. The place
was full of mudholes and chickens! The owners let their
chickens run all over the campground with chicken crap everywhere.
When I saw one of the KOA quality check rigs at the Branson
KOA, I wondered if they had ever been to that wonderful
representation of their franchise in Lamar? Unfortunately,
I didn't get to talk to them.
This ain't a problem any more. The KOA in Lamar is out of
business. If traveling through southeast Colorado on US
50 try staying at Lake Hasty State Park 20 miles west of
Lamar. It has electric and water hookups and is very nice.
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KOA Durango Colorado North. We were run out of another site
by a forest fire, called over and were told "no fire,
no smoke." Four hours after we got there, smoke everywhere.
I have asthma and cannot take this for very long.
Got up the next morning, smoke so thick you couldn't see.
We went in hours before the checkout time, explained that
I couldn't handle the smoke and asked to terminate with
a credit for the three days we couldn't use. Not only were
we refused, but while we were standing there, someone else
called in and were told "no smoke", a bald faced
lie.
Nasty people and a very crowded, dusty mediocre campground.
Avoid it like the plague!
One bright spot, when we complained to KOA they investigated
and gave us a nice gift certificate. The last report we
had from them is the franchisee refused to respond to them
either.
Have to balance this with a hearty "Thumbs Up"
for Treetops RV park in Arlington Texas. The most meticulously
maintained place ever run by the nicest folks ever. Five
stars in my view.
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I had to laugh at the Castle Rock, Colo resident saying
nobody complained about the Colo campgrounds. One of the
worst I stayed in in Colo was the KOA at Castle Rock. When
the coal trains come thru it is about being in a number
8 earth quake. I think they are scheduled every hour all
night long. Otherwise it is a good campground.
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I agree with Lonnie Henderson, Castle Rock KOA, thank goodness
it was only one night.
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Somebody said "Not in Colorado." Castle Rock KOA
in Castle Rock. Had reservations for a week, left after
one night.
Castle Rock (formerly KOA) in CO -- I live in Denver and
whenever I have family in town we stay here. I take my fifth
wheel and stay with them at this park. In the past 7 years
that I've lived in Denver, I have stayed in this park at
least 10 times. I have never had a bad experience and the
staff is always extremely friendly. They are close to a
train track that runs by occasionally, but that's not their
fault. And they made the list because "?" You
don't even have a reason for this one.
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Had to chuckle about the hourly coal trains going past the
(ex) KOA south of Castle Rock, Colorado. Know the place
well. The coal trains, comprising three 4,400 hp locomotives
pulling 110 cars (14,000 tons) followed by two 4,400 hp
locomotives pushing, may move slowly (they are going uphill)
but they sure can shake the place up! Then there's I-25
less than 50 yards on the other side of the tracks. Yessir
- quite a campground.
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Worst one for us is the KOA in Lamar, Colorado. The place
was full of mudholes and chickens! The owners let their
chickens run all over the campground with chicken crap everywhere.
When I saw one of the KOA quality check rigs at the Branson
KOA, I wondered if they had ever been to that wonderful
representation of their franchise in Lamar? Unfortunately,
I didn't get to talk to them.
Conneticut
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the next time you are in ct instead of going to riverdale
in clinton ,turn the other way at the exit and go to hammonassett
state park ,wide open sites , nice clean restrooms and 3
miles of beach with bike trails and nature walks.i visited
riverdale ,you were only 1 mile away from the best campground
in ct.
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ACES HIGH in Conneticut. What a fr@@kin dump. Nothing there.
It is a place to park your rig and go gambling. A complete
waste of land for what they have to offer. What they offer
is NADA!
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Gotta vote for the trailer-trashy place full of seasonal
weekenders at Clinton, Connecticut, which is called "RIVERDALE
FARM CAMPSITES". A real rip-off! It's close to the
posh sound front town of Madison, which is a beautiful place,
but the sites are VERY close, hardly any for transients,
and the staff could not be nastier. They renigged on a telephone
reservation made on our return from Canada, and had a terrible
attitude when we found no space at 6 o'clock PM. Had to
stay in a relative's driveway for two nights, but will long
remember the dirt, the crowded sites, the blatant lies,
etc.
Delaware
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By far the worst ever is in Millsboro, Delaware. HOLLY LAKE
CAMPGROUND. A dump is putting is mildly. If only the State
Board of Health visited the campground, they would close
it immediately. Some sites have hook ups that work and some
don't work. Lots of broken down trailers, and the dump station
constantly overflows. One trip was all it took. Words are
not enough!!!!! It's just awful all the way around!
Florida
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Camping on the Gulf in Destin Fl touts its "beach"
campsites at over $60 per night and then charged us extra
when we checked in on Sunday Night Easter Weekend because
it was a holiday. Site was 4 or 5 rows back from the Beach
and not wide enough to use the picnic table becaues of the
cross ties and the neighbors on both sides were about 10
to 15 feet away. Ours was a "double" site with
provision to pull someone behind me (severeal were nose
to tail and inches apart). Has the makings of a beautiful
RV Resort but greed has ruined it.
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Destin RV in Destin, FL. On the beach my back side. After
you cross a major highway. If you don't like the itty bitty
spots they have, no problem.
They'll keep your entire weeks payment and you get to go
somewhere nice! They have thier own website. Check them
out. It's a good 500 yards to a beach, but that isn't what
the website says!
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Ours was the Cherry Valley Resort, off I-10 east of Palm
Springs. We bought the park based on information told to
us by sales staff at Colorado River Resorts. It' part of
that system. We were going to stay there for two weeks.
They forgot to tell us there is a chick farm across the
road and when the wind is right the smell is really bad.
The flys were so bad we had to stay inside all the time.
Add to this that the resort is next to the rest stop off
of I-10 seperated by a fence. The noise was so bad we could
not sleep. We left after five days.
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I don't know about the suckiest, but absolutly the snootyest/snobbyest
was "Lazy Days" at Tampa!!
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Wildwood KOA.Wildwood,Fl Overnite only! (maybe) happy trails,
iamasahdrsbry
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Several years ago we had reservations at a place called
Cape San Blas Resort near Apalachicola, Fla. Our plans were
to stay there a full week. After one night, we left. Weeds
were waist deep, ocean water was muddy, drinking water had
terrible odor, owners were rude, garbage was all over the
grounds. Oh, did I mention the snake in the restroom? My
wife loved that one!
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Dusty & Casey,
The KOA in Naples, FL. almost turned me off of KOA's forever.
The site was supposed to be a pull thru, but because of
the narrow streets and the short sites, people park in the
road. I had to unhook just to get into the site and when
we left, I had to ask someone to move their car so that
I could get out. When I put my slide out, it was almost
over the picnic table on the next site. The "regular"
in the site to our right, had her garden hose wrapped around
our table legs. The place is overcrowded and ill kept.
The cost for all this luxury was $64.00 a night. I don't
claim to know what others might consider bad, but I do know
that we would never stop there again.
Not to bad mouth all KOA's, we just returned from a 2 1/2
month trip and spent several nights in various KOA's including
the one at Devil's Tower. They ranged from good to very
good.
Ellen & Paul.
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Try the Narcoosee Florida KOA! Pulled in and then and should
have been warned when the sign over the desk said that I
would have to ask for my money back within two hours or
they would keep it.
Closest KOA to the Orlando airport, but don't get sucked
in. It is a religous sect that specialises in homeless from
the North Land. We were afraid to leave our camper firstly
for our own safety and secondly for the safety of our camper.
Colby Woods in Ocala, FL. We have a 31 1/2 ft Hitchhiker
w/3 slides and made reservations cuz it was a C2C and the
sites were too small. There were the rusty buckets with
rude people living in them. Grass was uncut, dumpsters overflowing,
showers filthy, unlevel campsites .. a pigsty. Will never
go back.
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Fort Desoto Park Campground in Tierra Verdi (near St. Petersburg),
FL. They have 3 areas for camping. One area is tenters only
and no RVs allowed, another has very low tree limbs and
you have to really see the site before you commit so you
don't damage your coach. The 3rd area has sites that are
perfect for RVs but tenters are also allowed there and most
times there are no sites available.
Many times we have tried to make reservations, (you have
to make reservations in person, use cash, and only up to
a month in advance) and they almost always say they have
no sites available for MHs but the tent area is empty. Why
are all the tenters in the few areas where a MH could fit.
Campground is over run with pesky raccoons who chew through
the hoses. Many of the campers are unruly at night after
a few beers and I have even had an experience where one
of the campers came into the women's shower room "cause
he likes to shower with his old lady".
We stayed at the KOA in ST. Augustine, FL and it wasn't
great. We arrived in the rain. They gave us a site on the
far end of the park and a map. Our site was small and had
recently been used by a long term guest who had put down
a deck. Dust (silt), or something, had sifted thru the deck
and when wet turned into a slippery, slimy, sticky mess.
By the time we got hooked up we were a mess. Cost for my
wife, my granddaughter and I was $48.95. Also the silt (?)
had some kind of mold growing in it that I am still trying
to kill within my storage compartment where I store my leveling
blocks.
St. Augustine KOA in FL -- Another beautiful park. Yes
the sites are a little small but if you know how to drive
it's not a problem. For those of you having problems with
small sites I would suggest you start out with a smaller
RV. I still believe that RV owners should pass a driving
test (with the RV they want to get) before they are allowed
to purchase it. But that's another topic all together.
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KOA in St.Pete/Clearwater area. Squatters, teeney, eeny,
weeny sites, and way expensive. Didn't feel safe.
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Cedar Key Florida listed in the RV Directory,,
was suppose to be a pull through but low trees would never
allow,, asked about triming them to make it a pull through
and you would have thought I was asking to take both their
leggs off,, what a joke,,
site was so close to neighbors that when slides were out
could hardly walk between units,, always great to have our
door walk out directly on the neighbors sewer dump,, lawn
chairs were placed under the 5ver pin,, once was enough,
been there and done that in Cedar Key,,
Cedar Key RV Park in FL -- Anyone that stays in this park
and are unhappy with it are simply incapable of being happy.
This may be the nicest park I've ever seen. I absolutely
love staying here. These people know me by name and I always
have a great time here. The list said they have low branches.
SO WHAT. Come on people. Let's not be so darn petty.
The park in Cedar Key comes to mind. It is a treasure of
an Olde Florida campground. It has a beautiful view right
on the water with great sunsets. Is it a new, huge, clubhouse,
restaurant, 50' pull-thru kind of place? NO!! But that doesn't
mean that it isn't just fine. Its also $20 night.
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I don't know when you stayed at the Cedar Key RV Park but
the past owners ran a dredful business. Then new owners
have spent 2 years cleaning up the park and it is a wonderful
place to visit now. We drive a 36 Holdiay Rambler with one
slide and even our add-room fit fine. What was nice was
they let us pick the site we wanted! We had stayed at the
park that used to be downtown and that closed. We are just
so grateful that there is still a park on the island. It
is our very favorite place to visit. It reminds us of home
which is Rockport, Mass. Sorry that you had such an experience
but that should not keep anyone else from going there, because
we love it.
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Our worst campground was down by Key West right around MM21.
We went there a few months after a hurricane hit. Come to
find out, all the pipes were filled with sand and in the
mornings when everyone would wake up and take their showers,
sewage would flow out of the trailer hook-ups and run down
the street. When we left, their were kids riding their bikes
thru the puddles. Other people were leaving too and while
we were packing up, the way they solved the problem was
to dump and inch or two on top of the puddles and rent the
site to some other poor sucker.
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worst is natures resort near homassasa fl. to many numerous
things to put in type but take my word for it lots of the
snow birds think they own it and maybe they should there
is no limit of dogs you can have and makes no different
how unruly are unsafe they may be to other campers they
are susopose to be on a leash but that just if you are only
there for only short term but i think the stupidist thing
was this old man that had put a few flowers around a power
pole just as you enter the dog walk area as i was walking
my female dog she squatted by the little planted area he
came out of his unit hollering at me dont let your dog use
that flower bed it will kill the flowers well hello i didnt
fall off a turnip truck and a gardner myself as i was trying
nicely to explain that my dog did not use the flowers and
was trying to walk off to avoid any more bad feelings well
guess what his male dog not on a leash was right in the
middle of it standing on 3 legs watering what ever he could
hit i politely said OH its o.k. for your dog to pee on them
but not my female dog for even getting close oh he says
my dog was just using the power pole not the flowers well
needless to say i think i made my point when the next day
his dog ran out at us it not on a leash again which i promptly
pointed out that he was susspose to be on a leash oh not
that little precious he was under control not necesarry
to be on a leash also they never mentioned when we made
reservation that you had pay for electricity also would
have been alright if we had been told upfront there would
be that extra charge
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The worst place: Kountree Kampinn in Naples Florida.
Why?
-Seasonals think they own the place and let you know it.
-1000 rules for vacationers, don't apply to seasonals.
-Management complains about barking dog (He barked twice,
I was busy taking him in when a loud mouthed employee lipped
me off)Otherwise the dog was never heard.
-when dog was outside, same guy barks at my dog trying
to get him going.
-employees kids rude and unruly. They stand in the doorway
of the store demanding a password.(I told him to.....)
-my kids weren't allowed to rollerblade, play ball, or
splash(and it wasn't a very big splash) in the pool. It
ruined a lady's curls.
-I tell my kids never to cut through anywone's property.
Management's kids were everywhere.
-shuffleboard courts said "no kids" My husband
was shuffle boarding with our 14 year old daughter, NOT
4 year old daughter. My husband ran to the trailer(100 ft)
away to tend to something important. Not one minute later.
Old man comes out of his trailer, reciting or should I say
yelling the rules of the shuffleboard court. My daughter
was just sitting there waiting for her dad. Meanwhile, employees
children were biking on the courts.
-Their neighbours have atvs with no mufflers. You can't
see across the pool from the blue haze. Talk about choking,
not to mention you can't hear the person next to you.
-We had reservations for two weeks. Couldn't stand it anymore,
left early with no refund.
-playground was unkept with rusty equipment and knee high
grass.
-sites along highway are pretty but noisy. Closer to the
office sites are pretty, but so tight that we had one rig
try to get into a spot for over 1 1/2 we breathed in diesel
fumes for that long. Because you guessed it, they were forwarding
and backing in right in front of us. Farther into the park
there are slightly larger sites, but they aren't nice, and
they're too close to employees trailers which were messy,
full of unruly kids, and loud mouthes....and across from
a dumpstation.
We go to many many campgrounds and most if not all the
time, we're usually pretty happy. I don't let a couple of
minor complaints stop me, but this is by far the most rotten
campground we ever been to. We cancelled the Naples KOA
reservation to go there, what a mistake. We'd been to the
KOA previously and liked it, but because the price difference
we changed. It's a very pretty campground when you enter,
but all I can say is beware.
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Ref Kountree Kampinn in Naples Florida. Thank you! I was
considering a short stay there next month (they said they
had room). will not go there ever!
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Yep, Kountree Kampinn sucks all right. The park is pretty
w. lots of trees, but many spaces are small. You're right
about the BAD attitude of the snowbirds there. Bossy with
a million rules. Plus they drive around in a golfcart early
in the AM and wake you up to tell you "Bingo supper
in the rec hall tonight" or some BS like that.
Plus the owner is a complete and utter ___-hole.
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Kountry Kambin in Naples, Fl. We stayed there 2 years ago.
The grass around the site was very long and the people who
stayed there full time made your stay miserable. If I tried
to speak to them they would turn their back and walk away.
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Sorry johnas, we spent a week at Kountry Kampinn last March
(2004) and found it to be a very pleasant campground. Mind
you we spent most days out and about and only spent the
evenings at the campsite. But we found the staff quite friendly
and most of the seasonal residents amicable and friendly.
We were placed at the back but the site was clean and easy
to get into and out of. We would go back there if we ever
go back to Naples.
Georgia
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We arrived at LAKE PINES RV PARK in COLUMBUS, GA 12 days
ago and we need to stay in this area for at least 3 months
while my husband does a job here. I'm going to post my thoughts
now and see if anything changes after our term has ended,
because I have seen no reviews on Columbus, GA campgrounds
and someone might be interested.
There really aren't many campgrounds to choose from around
here, but if anyone knows of any, I would appreciate the
info in case we do decide to move.
When you first arrive, this campground looks absolutely
gorgeous. Lots of tall, tall pines and a large pond as you
drive in. It's also used for wedding receptions as they
have a large 'barn' and 'chapel'.
When I originally phoned to make a reservation the owner
was sooooo nice! Nothing was a problem, long term was perfectly
OK. I specifically asked about a pool because it was hot
and I do enjoy my swimming exercise daily.
When we arrived on a Saturday, we were told the pool was
out of order but would be fixed on the Monday. That was
12 days ago and there is no sign that they have any intention
of opening that pool area. They even have it locked so that
you can't even lie in there on a deck chair to read a book
and socialize.
Laundry has 3 washers and 2 dryers. 1 washer has been out
of order since before we got here and 1 dryer has it's moments.
The bathrooms haven't been cleaned since we got here. I
know this because there is the same trash in the bin and
the same empty soap wrapper in the shower. We really aren't
allowed to use the 'bathhouse' as it's for tent campers
only LOL. If we use it, we will be charged $30 a month.
The basketball ring is so rusty I'm scared it's going to
fall. The drink machine hasn't been plugged in for 4 years
and the public phone is out of order and has been for years.
(I've been told this by a 14 year resident that lives here).
I haven't met the owner in all this time and I've only seen
the managers twice. They never open the office at all and
they don't return phone messages, so it's impossible to
even communicate with any management here. We were given
a list of very, very strict rules and regulations longer
than our 36' rig when we arrived. We were supposed to 'agree
and sign it' but it's so strict that I'm hesitating agreeing
to it!
There is nothing else to do here but use the pool. There
are no activity centers, no communal meeting place, nothing..it's
extremely boring!
Good points, the lots are pull through and have good hookups.
They have shade and non shade sites (for satellite view).
Grounds are in a natural habitat of tall pines, so it's
very pretty to look at.
Extremely quiet!!! I know that can be a good thing most
of the time, but we would really like to intermingle with
people and entertain, but they have an 8pm curfew for noise,
and campfires aren't allowed, so that's out of the question.
We never see anyone about, so it's very, very boring. Kids
would be bored stupid here, as I am! I'm hoping things will
get better, but I am yet to enjoy a swim this summer and
the way this campground is looking, I probably won't.
http://www.lakepines.net/
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We really liked Stone Mountain Park but man!, there's not
a level site in the whole place! Thankfully, the park staff
had an ample supply of "loaner lumber" or I would
have fallen out of bed.
The water taxi over to the laser show was outstanding. The
park staff was great.....Very, very friendly place.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We did not like Leisure Acres campground in Cleveland, GA.
My grandparents camped there years ago and it was much nicer
than it seems to be now. My hot water heater was not working
that weekend so I was going to use the bath house. I used
to tent camp so I can deal with no hot water for a weekend.
WELL....the bath house had no hot water either......EEEEKKKK.
This campground is not terrible, we just didn't care for
it.
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I have stayed at KOAs that were quite acceptable. The Atlanta
North KOA was acceptable for what I needed - a place to
stay during a four game college baseball series. Also, Omaha
KOA was crowded but clean and quiet. We frequently stay
in the Terre Haute, IN KOA during the spring (mid March
through Mid May) for home college baseball games. They always
have their water lines protected and clean showers. However,
the worst campground I have ever been at is the Laramie,
WY KOA. Thank goodness we went to the mountains to camp
after two days.
Idaho
We liked KOAs except for the one in Coer D'Elene, ID which
was so cramped that they should advertise it for tents and
smaller PUs only. Backing in was a nightmare with terraced
ledges that were way too close to the campers and a hefty
drop of 4 feet or more.
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KOA @ Mountain Home, Idaho. Mind you, nothing wrong with
the campground or service; the problem was that it's located
right across the street from the east-west railroad mainline.
Two tracks. Maybe more? And a bloody train zooming past
EVERY HALF HOUR. All.Night.Long. Now, that might not be
a problem for some folks who are acclimated to these things.
I am not...
Illinois
Hillsdale, Sunset Lakes Resort, 2003, Good, Pretty Park
East St. Louis, Casino Queen RV Park, 2003, Good, Casino
Park, Convenient to the MetroLink
Mulburry Grove, Cedarbrook RV Park, 2002, Satisfactory,
Needed to trim trees
Litchfield, Honey Bend RV Park, 1999, Would Not Stay Again
Moline, Indian Trails Campground, 1999, Satisfactory
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Palace Campground in Galena Illinois. Sites are so close
together you cannot move. The awning of the MH next to us
was almost touching our MH. Dogs run without leashes even
though the rules state that they must be on one. Had 3 dogs
walk through our site the first hour we were there. Kids
are allowed to ride bikes and skateboards but adults were
not allowed to ride anything that is electrical (even though
it was not in the rules - just posted in the office where
no one can see it and had to be pointed out to us) We left
the next morning because the owner and workcamper were rude
and we didn't care to stay the weekend with the feeling
like we were packed in like a can of sardines.
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I agree some KOA's are bad, but we just visited one for
the first time that rates high. KOA Lena, IL. which is not
in town and really in the middle of nowhere. Lots of seasonals
on the site but the transient area was very nice, the restrooms
and showers were spotless, and the pool as clean as could
be. It's ratings are high and they deserve it.
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Our most... um... "Colorful" experience was at
a place that is formally named "Hideaway Lakes Resort"
in Yorkville, Illinois.
Well, It should be Hidden Away, and the only thing "Resort"
about this pit was that everything else anywhere close to
Chicago was full that weekend, and we had to resort to staying
there.
When we called to get the reservation, one of the first
questions we asked was if they have a pool. Traveling with
teenagers, that's high on their priority list, and when
they said 'Yes', that helped make the decision.
We arrived there, and the entrance was very nice, but the
further we drove to the Office, the more and more the place
began to look like something out of a "Ma and Pa Kettle"
movie. My wife and I exchanged one of those 'glances', but
there wasn't much else we could do. The people there were
friendly, and gave us a map of where we could go, noting
on there the bathroom (Only one for the whole campground,
near the office) and the Pool were situated. Finding a spot
was pretty easy, they hadn't actually reserved one for us,
but plenty were available - another bad sign on a holiday
weekend. Most of the park was occupied with seasonals, and
dilapidated shells of what once were travel trailers littered
the landscape, some occupied, some built around with decks,
but many simply abandoned, shattered wrecks.
We unhooked and drove around. The roads were muddy and
uneven, with many water-filled potholes and tight turns.
It was way too far for us to go to the bathroom, but now
I understood why the office rented Golf-Carts on the side
- I'm glad for once that we chose full hookup.
Then we drove past the pool. Ah.. yes, the pool. Jethro
from the 'Beverly Hillbillies' better described it as a
"See-ment Pond". It was a hole dug in the ground,
squared off with concrete blocks, filled with a pump from
the neighboring Fox River. Jethro would've been right at
home here. The 'pool' was crowded. Crowded with 'skeeters,
that is. The whole place was teeming with wildlife. We saw
families of Raccoons and billions of odd little roaches
which my daughter nicknamed 'Dang Dogpatch Bugz'.
We stayed the full length of our time there, not leaving
early, but we used the place more like a motel than a campground,
no campfires, no interaction with the other RV'ers, who
seemed too embarrassed to socialize, and certainly no swimming.
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We loved the KOA in Kent, WA, East St. Paul, MN, Union,
IL and Bozeman, MT.
Indiana
Elkhart, Elkhart Campground, 2003, Satisfactory
Shipshewana, Shipshewana South Campground, 2003, Satisfactory
Loogootee, West Boggs Lake Park Camp, 2003, Satisfactory,
Family Park
Nashville, Westward Ho RV Park, 2002, Satisfactory
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DanHouck, thanks, that's good to hear. I believe the Indiana
state parks have taken some actions to control animals in
the past few years. It was just getting unpleasant to stay
in them as it was.
If there had still been a problem, you would have known.
Just after supper one night, we literally had a raccoon
and a skunk facing off in the driveway between our tent
and van, I suppose for the privilege of snatching our marshmallows.
Besides the physical danger posed by angry raccoons and
skunks, if that skunk had sprayed, our trip would have been
over. The tent was only 5 feet away! We haven't had it that
bad lately, so I think somebody took some action.
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Eby's Pines in Indiana! Ultra tiny sites, nothing like it
advertises on its web site. Just down right poor service
and layout. We left a week early and no refund but it was
worth it to get the heck out of their hay field!!
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Finally, and worst, Whitewater State Park near Richmond,
Indiana, around 1995. Raccoon and skunk problem. We're not
talking about "rip open your garbage or open your cooler
if you leave it out" raccoons. No, these would climb
on the picnic table to take marshmallows WHILE YOUR HAND
WAS IN THE BAG. Another raccoon tried, in broad daylight,
to climb in the open door of our van while I was standing
in the door and the kids were still in their car seats.
The door had been open for perhaps 5 seconds. If I'd had
a heavy object or baseball bat handy he'd have died. Instead
I kicked him away and stood guard while my wife got the
kids and we went canoeing. When we got back some morons
were actually feeding it, which is how it lost its instinct
to find food in the woods. It was like living under siege--no
food out ever, stand guard over your burgers, go with the
kids to the van 20 feet away so we could warn them when
a skunk was hiding under it, after dark you get in the tent.
Park personnel knew it but said we can't kill them and they
won't go away when people are feeding them. Hope they've
got the guts to do something since then, but we've never
gone back to check. Lesson for wild animal lovers--if you
love them, don't feed them!
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I have stayed at KOAs that were quite acceptable. The Atlanta
North KOA was acceptable for what I needed - a place to
stay during a four game college baseball series. Also, Omaha
KOA was crowded but clean and quiet. We frequently stay
in the Terre Haute, IN KOA during the spring (mid March
through Mid May) for home college baseball games. They always
have their water lines protected and clean showers. However,
the worst campground I have ever been at is the Laramie,
WY KOA. Thank goodness we went to the mountains to camp
after two days.
Iowa
Amana, Amana Colonies RV Park, 2003, Satisfactory, Large
Open Field
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The suckiest place we ever camped was Scott County Park
in Scott Co Iowa. This place was about 10 miles north of
Davenport. Call me weird but this place was perfect...I
mean nothing was out of place. It was almost scarey. Dont
get me wrong, I dont want to stay in a crap hole but
I also dont want every move I make watched by the ranger
to make sure that we werent going to throw a paper cup in
the fire ring to burn. That wasnt allowed. The ranger was
like the ranger Smith in a yogi bear cartoon. You know how
everywhere yogi went somehow ranger Smith showed up...well
this place was the same. I could b***h on and on but this
place was not a very enjoyable stay. We paid for two nights
and left about 6:00p the next day.
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Have to jump in to defend Scott County park in Scott County,
Iowa. I camp there at least 15 times a year. It's clean,
it's quiet, has a huge swimming pool and some nice hiking
trails. Kids always have a good time, too. Sorry to hear
you didn't enjoy it, guess I will keep your site warm in
case you change your mind. PS--they have a new camping area
with full hookups now.
Kansas
Halstead Spring Lake RV Park 2004 Would not stay again
Garden City Fosters RV Park 2004 Would not stay again
Goddard All Seasons Campground 2004 Would not stay again
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Any of the KOAs on I-70 eastbound between Denver and the
end of KS. They seem to have an affinity to butting the
sites up as close to the Railroad tracks as possible. EVERY
little thing is an extra charge. And there is NOTHING around
to do for miles, yet they charge as if you were next to
disneyland.
We stayed in several camp grounds and frankly all was most
satisfactory. I would be happy to return to any of them.
We stayed at three KOAs. Wendover UT, Salina KS, and Springfield
MO. All of these KOAs were nice.
Kentucky
I totally agree with your post. This brings to mind a reverse
experience I would like to share. We wanted a camp spot
as close to Louisville as we could get for the rally. The
only one we could get into was a KOA in Crittenden, KY.
We usually shy away from KOA's. I went to Campground Reviews
and all the reviews were unfavorable. But, we really had
no choice (we don't do Wal Mart). So we went there to find
one of the nicest parks we have ever stayed at. It turned
out there are new owners and all the reviews were from the
previous owners. We will definitely go back when in KY.
You just never know what you'll find.
Louisana
Marksville, Paragon RV Resort, 2004, One of the Best, Casino
Park
Morgan City, Lake End Park Campground, 2004, Good, On Lake
Palourde
St. Martinsville, Catfish Heaven Campground, 2004, Satisfactory,
Family Park
Abita Springs, Abita Springs RV Resort (WH), 2001, Fair
Robert, Passport to Leisure, 2001, Satisfactory
Robert, Yogi Bears Jellystone Park, 2001, Satisfactory,
Family Park
Land O Pines in Covington, LA. Only close place to stop
over to see my cousin and it is a rundown place with a school
bus rusting in the middle of the park with yellow crime
scene ribbon stretched around it, makes one shudder with
all the old mildew, mold. I mean.. .just like something
out of a horror movie. People were nice here but just a
very old, very uncared for campground. Oh no, we will not
return..
We stayed at the KOA in Lafayette, LA and it was great.
We arrived in a rain shower and the host directed us to
our site and loaned us an umbrella. The place was very nice.
Big sites, beautiful lake and very nice host. Cost for my
wife, granddaughter and I was $28.75.
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KOA RV PARK-ALEXANDRIA LA. was the worst one, you had better
have tow truck to get you out of that park. because we needed
one.
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Riverboat Travel Park in New Orleans. Stinks. Ugly. Noisy.
Tobacco Road. Located in slums. Lots of full-timers with
trashy rigs. Small sites.
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No doubt, I cannot top Tonia's description but I will give
you the suckiest campground or "campground from hell"
in my opinion!
Covington, La. Land-O-Pines Family Campground.
Our new '95 Chevy blew up (again) on I-12 and Good Sam
towed us to the nearest campground while the truck was repaired.
I hope I never have to stay in another "family campground"
like this one!
Maine
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Steer clear of the Bass Harbor Campground on Mt Desert Island,
ME. It has been mismanaged into a pitiful dump of a place,
the showers and restrooms are so bad the board of health
came to inspect after a disgruntled camper complained.......now
that's bad! The pool has not been clear or "swimable"
in 3 seasons now, it just a nightmare.....but hey, that's
just my opinion......! Ther are better places to stay one
the island.....any of them are better.
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The Red Barn Campground in Maine...Barely room to open your
door never mind your canopy.
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Well- - - Maine seems to be getting hammered in this poll-
- - -so I guess I'll just "pile on", if you will.
We stayed at "The Little Ponderosa" in Boothbay
this summer for 2+ weeks. Don't get me wrong here, the campground
looked nice from the road and was maintained well via mowing
and policing, however we were very unhappy about the mosquito
problem. We were there in August and the mosquitoes were
absolutely terrible! The park should do something to combat
the problem on a "regular" basis. Also, the pine
trees we were parked under COVERED the coach and awning
with "sheddings" and sap! Having come all the
way from Alabama, we were soooo much looking forward to
sitting out and enjoying the nice cool weather and socializing
with neighbors. None of that was possible due to the skeeters.
Beware my friends.
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Maine is a popular destination, especially Acadia Natn'l
park on MT Desert Island. If you'd like to stay at the worst
decaying dump on the island, go to Bass Harbor Campground.
The bath houses are so gross you change your mind about
needing a shower. The pool is cloudy at best , but normally
green. I wouldn't stay there if it was free! A MUST MISS!!!!!!!
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Go to RVPARKREVEIWS.COM TO FIND THE GOOD ONES.
I can tell you if you want to go to Moosehead Lake Maine,
go to Balsam Woods CG in Abbot, Maine. Clean sites, nice
owners and Moosehead Lake is the best for hunting and fishing,
boat rides airplane rides etc, and is only about 30 min
away.
Camping in the US is mostly good. If you look at all the
places you will see that there are multiple people talking
about the same place for example is the campground in Naples
FL lots of people are saying don't go but mostly we have
great campgrounds here in US.
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ACE'S HIGH in freeport maine... not a bad campground but
the owners/host and hostes are about as arrogant as can
be. not to mention they wouldn't give me my good sam discount.
$38.00 to rest my eyes last fall. i go to maine alot and
will never stay at this place again.
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My vote for the WORST is in Steep Falls, Maine, Acres of
Wildlife CG. They charged us 35 bucks for a 20x40 piece
of rocky, muddy field, with an electric hookup that barely
ran the tv set without popping its breaker. They also charged
5 bucks extra for our 10 pound pomeranian. All in all, over
40 bucks for 16 hours of torture, screaming brats, firecrackers,
and drunks. CAMPERS BEWARE!!!!!
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Wells Beach Resort, ME.
You can read my comments under Campgrounds and Resorts.
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Wassamki Springs, near Portland Maine. Jets taking off night
and day overhead. Seasonals traipsing through our site--I
looked up from my coffee one morning (still in my nightgown)
to see a group peeking in the window!!! Had my husband position
the picnic table to prevent people from walking by directly
under our awning. Quiet hours NOT enforced. Kids flying
through our site on bikes (it was a pull-through).Left a
day early--about as relaxing as a root canal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The family and I just got back from a two camp ground stay.
The first one we stayed at was Mt.Desert Narrows in Bar
Harbor Maine which was really nice we would go back again.
Being a big tourist arear the restaurants were really expensive.
The second camp ground we were at Powder Horn at Old Orchard
Beach Maine sucked. Its an old camp ground in need of sprucing
up, small roads and way too many people felt like we were
in a sardine can. Driving thru the place you might think
that the people who are walking and on bicycles would have
enough sence to move off to the side of the road, not a
problem at the other place. We'll never go back there again.
Maryland
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Good KOA
Hagerstown/Snug Harbor.
I little crowded but it was a holiday weekend. Was the
first time I had set up our TT. Of course here me and the
DH was looking at this contraption like it had three heads
trying to remember what the sales guy told us to do first
when someone came along and asked if we needed help. Their
staff helped us set-up - and even provided us with more
wood as we found that the rear stabilizer bars didn't even
come close to hitting the ground. They even stopped by later
to make sure that we didn't need any more help. When it
came time to tear down they dropped by to see if we needed
any help. When we dumped for the first time, the one guy
came with us to give us a few "tips". Boy, if
that isn't great customer service!
The sites were pretty level side to side anyway but were
a little narrow, store was well stocked, staff VERY friendly.
The only problem I had was the constant stream of people
walking around. I don't find this to be a problem with the
campground though - it was the weekend.
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Aqua Land Campground on the Potomac River near Newburg,
Md, just before the Potomac River Bridge. Our family was
on its way south when my husband decided he was too tired
to continue driving to our reserved site at a KOA near Bowling
Green Va, where we usually stopped. Aqua Land doubles as
a Marina and I'm sure the boaters enjoyed it more than anyone
camping there. The store was closed when we arrived (it
was only 7pm) and a note said to 'just pick a site' and
pay up in the AM. We pulled forward to a site near other
campers. Initially my sons were excited that there were
numerous 'bunnies' in the area, but soon it became apparent
there were far more than a few of them. In addition there
were a multitude of ferel cats, numerous deer and a variety
of other 'critters' all around. Their feces was also everywhere.
The bathhouse was not much cleaner than the grounds around
it and the water pressure was awful. That was actually OK,
because the color of the water, along with its odor, made
it impossible to get oneself clean.
My husband decided he wasn't too tired to drive after all
and we continued on to another campground.
Our stop there happened several years ago, so the situation
may well have changed, but we will never go back to find
out, that's for certain.
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duncan family campground (maryland) camp at your risk!
Posted: 08/01/03 09:31pm chalmation - Chalmette la - Joined:
07/17/2003
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Duncan Family Campground in Md. gives the word "family"
a bad name. The Place was terrible!
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Niagara County Camping Resort, Lockport N.Y.. It was the
worst of the 5 campgrounds we stayed at during our summer
vacation. The site was in an open grassy field with many
ruts that made leveling almost impossible. The bathroom
was in serious need of upgrading and cleaning. The majority
of the sites are filled with permanent resident in trailers
that look like hobo shantys. The resort should be removed
from the name, nothing resort like about this place.
Of three KOA's we stayed at two were very nice Mercer Pa.
and Gettysburg Pa. The one in Hagerstown Md. was not bad,
just really hard to get to.
RVing, let the adventure begin.
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KOA in Hagerstown, Md.
50% sites set up for permanent rv's. The road to the cg.
was horrible. The worst thing was, the weekend we decided
to try our luck was the annual Civil War re-enactment weekend
and we were the lucky ones to have the site right next to
the cannon. Promptly at 0800 the re-enactners fired the
cannon. Our gun-shy dog had a fit the entire weekend.
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KOA in Hagerstown. Nothing more than a swamp.
Massachuetts
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I would have to agree on the Jellystone in Sturbridge, MA.
We left in spite of having paid for two more days. Disgusting,
dirty, dusty.....now we know where Lowell vacations!
The Jellystone near Sturbridge Village Mass. Dirty, dirty,
dirty. VERY disappointing for the price! This was in 2000
so may have improved.
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Normandy Farms in Foxboro MA is another of the great ones,
clean, neat and great owners. The only complainers are those
who want to booze all night and make noise. Pools on site
and lots to do on site and just off like Patiots football
stadium is about 3 miles away.
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My Wife and I are also new to the road. We took our first
trip recently. We stopped our first night at the KOA outside
Levenworth, WA just behind the Safeway. It was just dark
when we arrived. We parked up on the hill settled in and
slept. The next morning we went to the office. My wife wanted
to check for any email from her mom. Well this is where
things took a wrong turn. I must say I asked about the advertised
data port hookup and was assured it was up and running durring
the day. Oook. When we arrived we were directed out back
on the patio.
We found a crew of employees working busily preparing for
some project to begin. I asked the supervisor about the
phone port. He went into a small room and pulled out a two
foot long phone cord. I had to pull a chair over next to
the building. I finally get hooked up and am trying to get
online and I look up and here stands one of the omployees
in front of me sweeping. Well after the dust settled he
turns around with his back to me and continues to sweep,
in the same spot about two feet in fromt of me.
I finally asked him to move and he acted as if he had just
woke from a deep sleep. I gave up and we dodged the wild
hord of small children racing thru the park. We retreated
to our rig and carefully departed. NEVER TO RETURN. P. S.
I just gave the highlights. Yep there was more. Have great
trips always. John & Sandra.
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Black Bear Campground in Salisbury, MA. Beware. They have
an unwritten rule of not changing reservations dates even
though they have the space available. We made reservations
in January, 2003, paid for them, then in July, we wanted
to come in 2 days sooner and leave 2 days sooner for our
August vacation. They then told us of the unwritten policy
of no changing dates, even though they had the room. They
are under new management, seem pinched for revenue, and
delight in knowing you can't use your reservations so they
can then resell the spot again.
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My 2 cents for what it is worth, I agree that what one does
like another may not.
I agree with the Acres of Wildlike in Mainenot being good
as well as Jellystone in Sturbridge but I like both Powderhorn
in Maine and Rusnik in Mass.
As far as KOA's, I've been to a few and they have been
nice and clean including Lundy Ln Niagra Falls Canada side
and one up in Maine.
I have a list of 5 campgrounds that I will not return to:
Tuxbury Pond, NH, Pine Acres NH, Cold Brook MA, Tip Tam
NJ, and Jellystone MA.
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Rusnick Campground, Salisbury, Mass. It is on the Mass/New
Hampshire border. The staff "forgot" to tell us
that while there are 2 roads to exit the park, there really
is only one. The other is up a steep hill with a small sign
directing you the other way. After we made the wrong turn,
they were not very helpful as we tried to get turned around.
The extent of their help was to offer to call a tow truck
for which we would have to pay the cost. I would NEVER go
back there again!!!
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I have a tie for suckiest...
Niagara KOA in NY and the Jellystone in Sturbridge MA.
Both were dirty and over packed with nasty people.
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We'll second that on Jellysone in Sturbridge, MA
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I will third that opinion on Jellystone at Turdbrige, Mass.
but it looks like you have missed a world class bad at Lake
Lure, N.C. according to rvparkreviews.com he must have some
kind of record.
Michigan
Iron River, Iron River RV Park, 2003, Good, A Pleasant
Suprise
Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Locks Campground, 2003, Satisfactory,
On The River
Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, 2003, Good,
On Lake Huron
Traverse City, Holiday Park Campground, 2003, Satisfactory
Muskegon, Muskegon KOA Campground, 2003, Would Not Stay
Again
Buchanan, Bear Cave Resort, 2003, Satisfactory
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Defenatly the State Park in Traverse City Michigan. 1)Right
next to the main highway that goes through Traverse City
2)Right Next to Traverse City's International Airport 3)Right
next to a freight train line. THE worst camping experence
I have ever had. After one day we left. Luckly we found
the best campground in Norther Michigan. That campground
is the Empire Township Campground. It's next to a small
landing strip, but the noise isn't too bad
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yup. ours was at the petoskey,mi koa...voted #1 in usa!!!!
sites too toght after we informed them of our rig. had to
back in over others sites. slidouts brushed against trees.
rigs parked as in a parking lot. we opened up and immediately
got into the car to find another park...we did, and left
the next morning asap...even getting out was a problem as
the exit signs were pointing in the wrong direction!!..
and all for $40/night
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Vacation Trailer Park in Benzonia, Michigan. On US 31 at
the Betsie River. My TT and truck had to park side by side
on lot. No other place to park. Enough room to open the
TT door. Everything else sucked. Avoid the place.
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We are pretty new to the RV world, but here is what we've
seen so far. Stayed once at the Cheboygan State park in
Cheboygan Michigan and loved it, small park on the water
(at least our site was). One stay at the Mackinaw Mill creek
campground, afraid I have some bias here (friends of the
family) Sites were a little small but loved the park in
general. One stay at the Jellystone in Holley Michigan,
never again. Bathrooms and showers were first rate, after
that I'm not sure that there was a level site in the park,
I was amazed at how far some people had their rigs jacked
up to get them level. The people running the park were awfully
rude. We were there for the 4th of July weekend and the
place was packed and I suppose the folks running it were
a little harried, but when we asked them about the activities
for the kids on the last day of our stay they informed us
that they cancelled them and if we didn't like it we could
pack our rig and get out of the park, and we did.
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The worst park I ever stayed at was “House of David Travel
Trailer Park” in Benton Harbor Michigan. It is in a run
down part of town. Roads are rutted, dirt small side to
side sites. Almost every one there are year round campers.
ie. They live in there camper. They made white trash look
good. There were remnants of a kiddy land that looks as
if it was closed 30 years ago but they forgot to tear it
down. People would just drive through your site like it
was a road rather then going to the end of the black and
back down the other.
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jelly stone campround holly mi
Minnesota
Winona, Prairie Island Campground, 2003, Fair
Red Wing, Treasure Island Casino RV Park, 2003, Satisfactory
Hinkley, Grand Casino Hinkley RV Resort, 2003, One Of The
Best
Two Harbors, Penmarallter Campsite, 2003, Satisfactory
Grand Maris, Grand Maris RV Park, 2003, Satisfactory
We loved the KOA in Kent, WA, East St. Paul, MN, Union,
IL and Bozeman, MT.
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We try to make the best out of every situation but this
place was such a rinky-dink, Mickey Mouse operation I just
have to warn others.
Alexandria Minnesota is a popular resort/fishing area.
We made reservations 2 weeks in advance at "Head of
the Lakes Resort" in Osakis (near Alexandria). I told
them we would arrive around 5:00 p.m. Fella on the phone
says "No Problem! As long as you're here before 8:00,
that's when the office closes."
We arrive at 5:15 p.m. We had never been there before,
or been in the area for that matter. The driveway had a
line of cones and construction tape dividing it down the
middle. On the left side there was a crew applying blacktop
to that side of the driveway (these guys will henceforth
be known as "Dumb and Dumber"). The right side
had already been done and looked to be dry.
Keep in mind, we're sitting in the road with our 23' TT
and truck, wondering if it's okay to drive on the driveway.
There were no signs posted at all. I say to the hubby, "Well,
it looks dry, and besides, where else could we go?"
There was only one way to get into the resort.
So, we enter the driveway of doom. As we go along, the
driveway is getting narrower and narrower. We approach the
Lodge, and the driveway makes an abrupt right turn, with
the cones blocking any escape or alternate route. The cones
"corral" us around the front of the lodge, where
we promptly hear a very loud, very sickening grating/crashing
noise. Hubby had only been doing about 2 miles per hour.
Turns out, we tattooed their front porch step, which was
made of wood, and now sticks out an extra six inches courtesy
of our rear trailer tire.
The entire clan runs out of the lodge- I think there must
have been 15 family members there. None of the men were
wearing shirts, and all of them had big ol' beer bellies.
I hide in the truck with the cats as hubby gets out to survey
the damage. Thankfully, it was minimal and easily repaired.
They actually said to us, "We never saw anyone pull
right up to the lodge like that before!" Keep in mind,
there was no where else to go!
Hubby goes inside along with most of the clan to check
in. Remember Dumb and Dumber, the tar guys? They decide
to spray their tar stuff about 2 feet from my truck and
trailer. I'm sitting there watching the overspray and wondering
how much of it is spraying onto us. I was just leaning over
to ask them to give us a chance to move, when hubby comes
back out, along with 4 of the men-folk. They proceed to
have him BACK UP over 75 feet, back to the road, where they
have us park in one of the electric sites. Hubby tells me
that we won't be able to get to our reserved site until
7:30! This is two hours away.
By now I'm fuming. Hot, tired, been up since 3:30 that
morning, unsure of the area. Finally we decide to call the
nearby state park to see if they had any "first come,
first served" spots open. Used the pay phone in the
lodge, which, surprise surprise, does not work. We decide
to take our chances and get out of there, so we go to tell
them that we're leaving. That seemed to get their attention,
and thankfully they agreed to get us into our site then,
vs. in two hours.
So, it's down to the site, which is a 25 foot wide strip
of grass between the seasonal mobile homes and the lake.
Hubby "conferences" with the men-folk owners of
the resort as to how they expect him to actually get our
trailer down here, since the drive way is officially off
limits.
Their solution: they had my husband drive over about 300
feet of grass, across the lawns of the mobile home owners,
and BETWEEN two mobile homes, between which our rig barely
fit (about 3 feet extra on either side) to get to our site.
Fine, we thought, we just want to set up and get showers
and put an end to this long day. The resort men-folk are
nice enough to help us set up and get level. They provide
a few cinderblocks and wood blocks, since the site slopes
at a steep angle down to the lake.
Get set up, head to the shower house. Big mistake. Says
it was built in 1973 and I don't think it had been cleaned
since. The shower area was cinderblock and dirt floor, with
this wooden grate on the floor to walk on. Trouble was,
the floor was not even, and the grate would bow as you walked
on it, to the point you felt as if you were going to break
thru it. Fastest shower of my life. For the rest of our
stay, I used the tiny faux-shower in our trailer.
We did try to make the best of the situation. Took a swim
in the "swimming area" of the lake, which was
a 20 foot beach right next to the boat launch ramp. It's
a bit disconcerning to be in the water and have boats pass
right by you. We thought about renting a canoe or boat but
didn't want to give them any more money! These people also
suffered from "sign-itis"... meaning a sign for
everything, mostly to tell you what not to do. Meanwhile
the seasonal people seemed to have full reign of the place,
including their kids with the firecrackers and sparklers.
The day we left, a man from one of the mobile homes came
over to us and politely asked us if the cinderblocks we
used to level up our trailer were ours. Well, no, we told
him, the fellas from the resort brought those. Well, it
turns out that the resort guys took this poor old man's
cinderblocks from his yard and gave them to us to use.
I can only say, Live and Learn... I did, and maybe I can
save someone else the hassle...
Mississippi
Biloxi, Martin Lake RV Resort, 2003, Satisfactory
Robinsonville, Hollywood RV Park, 2003, Good, Casino Park
Robinsonville, Sams Town RV Park, 2002, Good, Casino Park
Pass Christian, Five Star RV Resort, 1999, Would Not Stay
Again
Vicksburg, Isle of Capri RV Park, 1998, Satisfactory, Casino
Park
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Right across from the beach (?) in Biloxi, Miss. Trains
all night just 50 or so yards behind the CG. Left after
two sleepless nights.
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I stayed at a campground near Meridian, Mississippi, that
seemed to be a bit wet. The manager said it had recently
flooded so quickly that half of the RV's couldn't get out
in time. A railroad with a train per hour ajoined the campground,
too. Finally, the restrooms were dirty. It was raining a
bit the day I stayed there - made me kind of anxious. Sorry
can't remember the name, could have been KOA. Let's say
it was KOA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My wife and I are new RVers. We purchased our RV May 1 this
year and our first trip was from here in Mississippi (near
Memphis TN)to California and back via Salt Lake City to
visit our sons.
We stayed in several camp grounds and frankly all was most
satisfactory. I would be happy to return to any of them.
We stayed at three KOAs. Wendover UT, Salina KS, and Springfield
MO. All of these KOAs were nice.
Someone mentioned the Corps of Enginee parks. They are
excellent. We have on nearby called Hernando Point (Mississippi)
and have spent several nights there although it only about
twenty miles from home.
I would also recommend the Casino RV parks. We stayed at
Sams Town for $9.00 at Tunica MS. (Full hookups and cable).
I'm certain that sooner or later we'll have a "suckey"
to add to the list here but so far so good.
Dave & Dee
Missouri
Carthage, Coachlight RV Park, 2004, Good, Convenient to
I-44, Check out Precious Moments
Branson, Treasure Lake RV Park, 2004, Good
Strafford, RV Park Strafford, 2004, Satisfactory, Overnight,
Convenient to I-44
Nevada, Candle Creek RV Park, 2003, Satisfactory, Overnight
Oak Grove, Lake Paradise Camping Club, 2003, Fair
Branson West, Acorn Acres RV Park, 2002, Good
Osage Beach, Osage Beach KOA, 1999, Satisfactory
Hannibal, Mark Twain Campground, 1999, Satisfactory
Owensville, Lost Valley Lake Resort, 1999, Satisfactory
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meramec State Park (Missouri); sites are not only close
together, but many at right angles to each other; lots of
people tent camp here, so you are almost guarenteed a tent
pitched under your slide-out.
Campground Nazi on golf cart wouldn't let us set up camp...had
to wait in the pouring rain (we had a paid in full reservation)
until the fee booth opened. No reasoning with this one!
Dining lodge "open daily during the summer" was
closed in June.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My vote goes to Lake Paradise, MO !!!!!!!!! Stay somewhere
else.
We stayed in several camp grounds and frankly all was most
satisfactory. I would be happy to return to any of them.
We stayed at three KOAs. Wendover UT, Salina KS, and Springfield
MO. All of these KOAs were nice.
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St Louis South KOA is by far the worst CG we have ever been
to in over 30 years of camping.
We never did see any live person-office was closed when
we arrived at 4:00 PM and still closed when we left at 9:30
AM. We are honest and paid for our site.
Sites are not numbered or you cannot see them for the tall
grass and the playground is disgusting.
We notified KOA about the condition with a copy to the park
and they said they would check it out.
Never heard back from either KOA or the park.
We think KOA has slipped a lot over the past five years
and are very careful of them now.
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In three years of fulltiming we had more than our share.
We learned price has no bearing on quality. At Campland
on the Bay in San Diego, where the daily charge exceeds
the retail value of many Rvs parked there, you learn real
quick not to leave any possessions laying around. I think
the hands down worse though is Pinewoods "Resort"
near Wentzville, Mo. How they stay in buisiness I don't
know. The many permanents, the horrible showers and bathrooms,
terrible electric and rude management combine to make for
a pretty bad stay. Until recently this campground was listed
in TL directory. That tells you something about the worth
of that.
Montana
We loved the KOA in Kent, WA, East St. Paul, MN, Union,
IL and Bozeman, MT.
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The worst KOA CG at west glacier park MT.
I ha a reservation for 3 nights, the CG staff did not honor
it. “We have a big caravan arrived unexpected and we had
to give them your site since you arrived at 7:30pm. We will
accommodate you on the third night if you want!”
I end up staying at the CG, SAN-SUZ-ED RV CAMPGROUND across
from them. The owner Kathleen was a great CG host. I will
always stay at www.san-suz-edrvpark.com.
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We are fairly new to RVing, and stayed in a lot of KOAs.
Because we didn't have anything to compare to, we thought
they were the norm. Boy were we wrong.
They for the most part are old, tight spaces, noisey, unfriendly,and
way over priced. When our KOA card expired, we didn't even
get a letter wondering why. We continuly drive by empty
KOAs. I wonder why.
One really good one though, Three Forks, Montana. We will
stay there any chance we get. Spotless clean, trees and
grass and quiet. The owner does the ground maintinance,
and it shows
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I don't remember the name of it but, it is the only campground
on the south side of U.S. 2 in Montana between Cutbank and
Browning. You park on the grass and when it rains,which
is most nights in the summer,You awake to find yourself
sunk into the ground up to your axles. [The ground is a
slippery clay gumbo when wet] The owner of the campground
will not help you to get out but his brother in law who
owns the only wrecker around is always available at $100
in cash only. Now this place is on the Blackfoot Indian
Reservation but the campground owner nor the wrecker owner
are indian. The morning i spent my $100 he pulled out 19
other rigs using a winch and cable. I complained to the
Blackfoot Council in Browning about it and they said they
knew about it but could do nothing because there was a sign
warning campers that the ground is sometimes soft after
a rain. Soft. A quagmire is what it is. And i never seen
any sign. Now this is not a regular campground it's just
and overnight parking space with electric and water hookups
at the owners house. Beware, if it's raining it's set up
to rip you off.
Nebraska
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holiday Travel Park, North Platte, Nebraska. Not bad except
for one problem. It rained overnight and the sewers backed
up.
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Grand Island KOA Nebraska. If you're going west on I-80
you can't get there, the overpass is gone! You gotta go
past it and turn around. After the exit from the eastbound
side, you are greeted by an old abandoned truck stop. Next
door is the campground right after the paved road turns
to dust. Typical KOA layout and amenities. Oh, you say you
want to get back on your westerly trip the next morning?
Nope, you gotta go east to the next exit and turn around
or they'll be happy to show you the shortcut!
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Converesly, the best campground on this last 3,500 mile
loop through the Tetons, Yellowstone, Custer, and the Sandhills,
was the Campground at Cabela's sporting goods store RV park
in Sydney, Nebraska. Beautiful park, nice graveled sites,
level, clean, full hookups with cable tv, adjacent to Cabela's,
(you don't want to buy anything do ya?), for only $22 per
night. Very friendly staff, I'd rate it a 10 across the
board.
Nevada
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KOA Circus Circus Las Vegas! Nothing but a huge asphault
parking lot! YUK!!!!!
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Overton Beach at Lake Mead, NV! First week of June, we drove
for what seemed like forever in blinding sun and blazing
heat (115 in the shade and there was no shade!) thru the
desert to what we have been told (on the phone by the gal
making our reservations) is a beautiful rv park with all
the amenities including a nice beach, marina, etc. We get
there and it's bascially a parking lot. They did have 50
amp service and sewer but that was it. Lake Mead was about
60 feet down so the beach area was just mud. Bath house?
Well, the mens was backed up so they just locked the mens
and the womens (we don't use 'em anyway but everyone else
at the park kept trying). The maintenance guy locked the
doors and left for the day. We couldn't believe it! Whoever
owned the marina also owned the campground. They did a great
job on the marina but it cost $200 a day to rent a boat,
$125 for a half day and I was not going to spend that every
day for a week. We decide not to stay the intended week.
Walked to the office (which was fairly nice) and told the
gal that we were not going to stay as this was not what
we had expected or had been told by our reservationist.
She immediately got ticked off and started yelling. Usually
I'm the hothead but since hubby had made the reservations,
he got right back at her. That's when we decided to push
for a refund. She eventually did give us the refund but
I would never stay there again. We ended up driving to Boulder
City and staying at Boulder Oaks RV Resort only a mile from
Lake Mead and a great marina. Loved that park.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, KOA keeps coming up. We have found that the KOA's are
expensive and certainly not desirable or well maintained
and usually populated with many permanents. The Silverton
in Las Vegas, a very nice RV Park, up until this year was
NOT a KOA and we stayed there a few times. Last year we
paid $18.90 a night and this year I was quoted $28.52 for
the same site, this included the Good Sam Discount or KOA
discount. When I questioned the rate I was told that the
former rate was before we were a KOA. That should tell all
to try to boycott the KOA's. Same RV Park, nothing added
and so we are just paying for the name. But what name? If
KOA meant a quality park then it might be worth it, but
that is seldom the case. Too many other parks in Las Vegas,
but stay away from the overcrowded parking lot Circus Circus.
Small sites and miserable.
New Hampshire
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blueberry Shores on Newfound Lake NH. We just drove thru.
The sites were crammed together. The "waterfront site"
they showed us looked like the side of the road. And the
seasonals were another story most were old trailers that
had built additions on them, not just porches but structures.
It looked like an old shanty town. Also only seasonals got
to moor boats there. It is too bad because this is one of
the cleanest lakes you wil ever see. No other campgrounds
on this lake that I know of.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuxbury Pond Campground in South Hampton,New Hampshire My
wife and I were there over the Memorial Day w/e. The place
was all muddy because of the new sewer pipe installations.
The connections are high off the ground,the family next
to me had to play with their sewer hose all w/e to use the
connection. Mine was just sink drainage and worked fine.
They had a dj on 2 of the 3 nights and he was very loud
but played good music. Everyone it seems has a dog and you
have to watch out for the feces. I told the office at 1pm
on Saturday that the mens room was out of paper towels,they
still hadn't been replaced the next day. Kids were running
all over the place and walking on the tables in the pavillion.
Now up here in New Hampshire the season is just beginning
so I'll cut them a little slack for either unsupervised
or untrained teenage staff in the beginning. But someone
needs to take charge of the help get them trained and working.
With the right staff this place has alot of potential. There
is no need for cigarette butts,ice cream and candy wrappers
on the ground. I like the closeness to home for a quick
w/e getaway when one has other stuff going on at home and
has to dart in and out and will probably try them again
in the fall but for a destination for a week at this time
I would not recommend it
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second place goes to Russnick Campground in New Hampshire.
This was our first stop 2 years ago as relatively newbees.
They didn't bother to tell us that there was only one way
out. The way we chose was up this steep hill that NOBODY
could get up with an RV. We made a wrong turn and ended
up on this road. Campground mgt. was absolutely NO HELP
at all!!! Stay away.
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We have camped for 38 years & the one CG that really
sticks in my mind as absolutely horrible is PEMI RIVER CG
in Campton, NH. This place flat out sucks!! Very small sites
that are so unlevel one needs a sky hook to get close to
level. The store looks like it was from the depression with
hardly anything there at all. The dump station is locked
with a padlock & only the owner has the key. But, try
to find the d**n owner.
This place stinks!!!!
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My 2 cents for what it is worth, I agree that what one does
like another may not.
I agree with the Acres of Wildlike in Mainenot being good
as well as Jellystone in Sturbridge but I like both Powderhorn
in Maine and Rusnik in Mass.
As far as KOA's, I've been to a few and they have been
nice and clean including Lundy Ln Niagra Falls Canada side
and one up in Maine.
I have a list of 5 campgrounds that I will not return to:
Tuxbury Pond, NH, Pine Acres NH, Cold Brook MA, Tip Tam
NJ, and Jellystone MA.
New Jersey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My vote would be the Buena Vista campground in Buena, NJ.
The sites were very close together (tents were compelled
to camp in an open and unshaded field during the holiday
weekend, this supposedly to allow Management to keep better
track on the tenters in view of incidents of violence in
previous years); the facilities were crowded; post-curfew
hours were extremely noisy; security in the evening was
largely non-existent; and virtually every recreational opportunity
involves an added cost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My 2 cents for what it is worth, I agree that what one does
like another may not.
I agree with the Acres of Wildlike in Mainenot being good
as well as Jellystone in Sturbridge but I like both Powderhorn
in Maine and Rusnik in Mass.
As far as KOA's, I've been to a few and they have been
nice and clean including Lundy Ln Niagra Falls Canada side
and one up in Maine.
I have a list of 5 campgrounds that I will not return to:
Tuxbury Pond, NH, Pine Acres NH, Cold Brook MA, Tip Tam
NJ, and Jellystone MA.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've been to several places that I'll never go back to here
in NJ. Kymers is one one of them. After that weekend I know
how sardines must feel. also enjoyed the 3" stone gravel
sites next to log cabins on wheels! I have to agree with
Hesaskip that to each his own. What offends me, you may
like. The one exception is filth! Enjoyed everyone's input
here... at least I got a good laugh today!
New Mexico
Santa Fe Santa Fe Skies RV Park 2004 Satisfactory
Deming Little Vineyard RV Park 2004 Good
Tijeras Hidden Valley Resort 1998 Fair, narrow sites
Tucumcari Mountain Road RV Park 1998 Satisfactory, overnight
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Our worst campground was South Narrows,run by the BLM. This
place is located 20 miles south of Grants, New Mexico on
state rt 117. It had been rainng (July 23,2004). We had
asked the ranger about how safe it would be to camp there
with all the rain they been having,hey no problem the campground
has never flooded out in the 17 yrs I've been here the ranger
told us. Well guess what, it flooded out from a flash flood
and we lost our truck ('03 f250) was able to save the camper.
Two other families lost their rigs also.So when the rest
of you complain abot kids running around,the site too small,they
don't have a pool,things could be much worst. You could
be just walking away thanking God at you are still alive...c.traveler2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worst park ever...Little Creek RV Park in Alto NM. I called
the Little Creek RV Park in June to make reservations for
August and secured them with my credit card. I talked to
a very nice woman that went over the map of the RV park
with me and we picked out a spot to reserve. We agreed on
space #30 because she said it was a little bit larger space
and we would have room for a table and our awning. We talked
again in July and went over the map a second time. I told
her that we may be after 6pm getting there and she said,
"No problem, the space is reserved for you so just
pull in and set up and then come to the office the next
day to register." We talked to her again on the way
out there in August to ask for better directions.
When we got there at 5:45PM, the office was closed and
there was a note on the door directing us to space #39.
This was confusing because we had reserved space #30 and
during our 3 conversations, she never mentioned another
space. When we drove around to space # 30, we found an RV
had already set up there. We went around to space #39 and
found an extremely small space, next to the main road, and
next to the garbage dumpsters. We went back to the office
to get a telephone # to call.
We got this man that took my husband around to see what
had happened. When my husband said that we could not get
our motorhome in #39 because it was too short with no room
to manuver, the man took my husband around to another site.
On the way my husband saw a site(#9) that was comparable
to site #30 and asked about it. The man said, "No,
it is reserved. Those people will be in in a couple of days."
My husband said that we were there now and would like the
spot. They man told my husband that maybe we didn't want
to stay there at all.
We asked the woman at the office why our reserved space
was rented and she said that she made an "economical
dicision" to rent out our space and give us another
one. The people parked in our space did not like space #39,
so she moved us to that space, but maybe we should just
find somewhere else to stay.
After driving 12 hours, you can understand that we were
very upset that our reservation was given away. She said
that just because you call and reserve a space doesn't mean
that you will get that space when you get there. I told
her that she knew how to take the reservation but did not
know how to hold the reservation. My husband asked why we
couldn't have site #9. She too said that #9 was reserved
and the people would be there in a couple of days.
My husband asked her why she honored their reservation
and not ours. She became hostile and said that we needed
to go somewhere else. Our "kind" was not welcome
there and to get off her property immediately.
We left, but as we did, I blew my horn in disgust. The
two of them came out of the building and started holding
up their hands and shaking them with obscene jestures. They
were shouting something that we could not clearly hear from
where we were, but sounded like racial slurs.
These people were clearly upset when they saw us. It was
clearly a dicrimination against Hispanic people. They got
too upset too easily for it to be anything we did or said.
Clearly this is not a place to recommend anyone to stay.
We finally went back to the Rainbow Lake RV park where
we stayed last year. We parked there about 8:30PM and went
into the office the next day. The people were extremely
appologetic for this other park. The people at Rainbow Lake
were so nice and the complete opposite of the ugly people
at Little Creek RV park. But, we had to take a space that
was not reserved because they honor their reservations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USA RV campground, Gallup, NM
This is a good campground completely ruined by the owner/manager
Eugene Donley(sp?). 5 rigs from our Colorado RV club traveled
over 550 miles to attend the Intertribal Indian Ceremonies
in early August. Our wagonmaster for the event is a 74 year
old widowed music teacher and church organist who pilots
her own Class C. She had arranged with this campground for
our group months in advance. She was the last one to arrive
on Aug. 5th because she had tire problems on the way down.
After she had registered she told the clerk she would listen
to their pet rules later, but keep her pet in the RV while
she met us for dinner. As she pulled away to go to her assigned
site, the above mentioned manager came running out cursing
her and told her she was evicted. She was terribly distraught
and when she found me we went to the office to try to straighten
out what I thought was probably a misunderstanding. We were
refused admission to the office and I was told I was evicted
also because I came to the office with her. Eventually our
whole group was evicted by the police on instructions from
the manager. They assured us this happens almost weekly,
but there was nothing they could do. The only other campground
nearby is at Red Rock State Park. We did end up there the
next day after spending the night at the local Walmart parking
lot.
I can't believe this kind of thing is legal or condoned.
I talked with both the police and chamber of commerce and
the state park people. They all assured me this happens
very often (weekly). The manager is a nut case and should
lose his license. I can't believe Good Sam has not heard
of these complaints and still sponsors him.
Be forewarned if you travel with pets or for any other reason
do something the manager doesn't like. One policeman told
us the manager called them out one evening to evict a gentleman
who was dringing a beer INSIDE his RV. He probably had a
dog, but I didn't ask.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyway, I have three standouts, although not too bad by
some standards: First, Red Rock State Park campground in
Gallup, New Mexico, 1994. The positives--beautiful and towering
red cliffs especially awesome at sunset. Negatives--dirty,
really dirty, showers and sinks, plugged toilets, cleaning
crew didn't seem to care. Also, a mangy, YELLOW-EYED dog,
which wandered around the campground. He came into our site
and stared at my 3 and 1-1/2 year olds. I ran over with
a hammer and got between him and them until Mom got them
into the van, because where I grew up, his very appearance
says "rabies." Mentioned it to lone staff member
at office, he shrugged. Scenery was so good we might go
back if place was cleaned up.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the non-winter months, forget tent camping at the Wheeler
Peak trail head in the Coyote Parking lot at Taos Ski Valley
Resort, New Mexico. There aren't any campsites, so you just
pitch it where you can next to the parking lot, no water,
and try to sleep with all the lights, traffic and noise
of the resort.
This may work for the RVers who are there to hike or play,
but it is definitely not "wilderness" camping.
But even an RV needs a generator or plenty of water because
the Coyote parking lot has no hook-ups. And the resort convenience
store DOES NOT sell ice! Nearest ice is in Taos.
Unless you hike on up the Wheeler Peak trail with your
tent, plan on stopping on the 2 lane highway, park on the
highway, and find a rock to pitch a tent next to the river
which is next to the highway, and listen to the traffic
all night. We said forget it, and stayed in a bed and breakfast.
Other than less than desirable camping conditions (we love
primitive, but do like a nice quiet campground or uncrowded
wilderness area) we had a great time hiking Wheeler Peak
and enjoying the river behind the B & B.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scenic canyon RV Park in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. That's
at the top of my list! E Mail me for details - I don't want
to get sued!
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Clifford -
Sorry YOU didn't like Scenic Canyon RV. The sites slope
1/4" per foot in order to provide rainwater drainage
and to provide for the sewers to operate properly.
It is pretty difficult not to have some steep access when
in the mountains. You stayed in the foothills at Mayhill
(actually in a river bed).
Since you left, we have been full every night. Thanks for
leaving!
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As of July 2002:
White's City RV park just outside the entrance to Carlsbad
Caverns in New Mexico.
We stayed there in 1991, had a nice experience and looked
forward to staying there again. Not any more! What a dump.
It makes the Texas parks look 5 star. Literally a dump,
since there are piles of old trash, tires, appliances etc.
in the little ravines surrounding the park. Bathrooms were
plugged during our stay, the only two park employees we
saw sat on a table in an empty site yelling obscenities
at each other for over an hour.
The local motel in White City administers the park but
is quick to point out they are NOT in any way responsible
for it - they only fill out paperwork and collect the money.
It looks like the White family owned park is now operated
by third generation inheritance beneficiaries....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're new to RV'ing, but we've done our fair share of tent
camping and seeing the states and provinces in a Jeep or
conversion van. Prior to the RV, we usually stayed in state
and provincial parks and I can't remember a bad one.
KOAs: The KOA in Amarillo was not a good experience. As
someone mentioned previously, the trains rumble through
there every 45 minutes or so. The KOA in Albuquerque was
nice, but very expensive for what it was.
Palisade Park on the west side of Albuquerque is a place
to avoid. We pulled in, talked to the people in the office,
looked around and then left. Most of the residents looked
a little too permanent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years ago my wife and I were traveling along with my parents
on our way to Colorado from Texas. We decided to stop for
the night just north of Santa Fe, NM at a campground adjacent
to to Camel Rock, which as the name implies strongly resembles
a camel. As we pulled in toward the office, I noticed a
sign on the fence looking toward the formation which read
"picture permit $2.00", and thought that rather
strange since from that angle it didn't even resemble a
camel. As we my dad and I were about to fill out the registration
papers the owner told us what the rate was, and I honestly
can't remember except that it was outrageously high for
that period. My dad and I just looked at each other and
he asked if I was ready, and I replied "let's go!"
Never have stopped there since.
New York
I would have to agree on the "Niagara County Camping
Resort in Lockport, NY" It's a dump, waste of money
and time. People at the front store are friendly, but that's
the only thing going for it. The place is only a few miles
away from the homestead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just returned from Skyline RV Campground & Resort
in Darien Center, NY. I am not happy with it at all. They
have a large area with many spaces.....almost ALL of them
are permanent residents. There were only about a dozen open
spots, with no full hook ups, for the recreational or family
camper.
It was great to wake up Saturday morning to the sounds
of lawn mowers and weed trimmers.........
Beware.
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I THOUGHT THERE COULD NEVER BE A CAMPGROUND more terrible
than the Grand Island KOA that I visited 20 years ago (
and from all your posts, it still is quite SUCKY),,,HOWERVER,
that being said, just returned from
upstate NY....
MY NEW favorite most sucky is Catskill Mountain Ranch....
the campground was over booked this weekend, so I was led,
to the slaughter, up horrible broken hilly unpaved (for
about 30 years, I recon)to a site where a seasonal resided...but
got squeezed in the site
(the seasonal was not there) next to his bombsheltered rig....
it did have electric and we had no place to go....
after hooking up...the place was full with trash in the
rear...a couple of matress...a fire ring full of water,
butts *not the kind you sit on. old bottles, dog poos and
lots of empty fuel canisters....
there was garbage all around the site....how do you live
like that...
can't understand....management has no concerns over this,
I guess.....
now I understand the seasonals vs. campers thing...
next site was a kinda beach hut village which had an ongoing
party till
cows died....(thought I was going to stay a week, but left
after 2 nites) yucky AND sucky
I do prefer state and county parks...and will do my best
to not go
to any pvt campgrounds......
except Ft. Wilderness, that is....
next weekend to Long Islands Hither Hills St Park and enjoy
the ocean and miles of clean beaches....
ah....it is so good to be home...
keep those SUCKY REPORTS COMING....
dusty
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nice thread - keep it going. I'm sitting here with my Woodall's
guide placing big red X's next to every one of these just
to be sure we never pull in to any of them by accident.
as far as that KOA Grand Island/Niagara Falls, we heard
the same. We were lucky to have picked the KOA Lewiston/Niagara
Falls North and it is by far much better - a very nice campground
with nice owners. Do not confuse the two KOA's. While there,
we met another family who had been at the KOA Grand Island
- checked in, saw the piece of blacktop they were assigned
to and then pulled out.
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Bissells Hideaway Resort, near Niagara Falls on the Ontario
side, near Fonthill.
We thought it would be nice with a big pool and water slide.
Woodalls rated 5 stars for facilities and recreation, which
leads me to believe that Woodalls will up campgrounds ratings
if the price is right. This is the highest rated campground
I've ever been to, and also the absolute most disgusting!
But the sites we reserved 5 months in advance would've been
full with just a pop up and our Jeep GC, and our bunk end
would have been right at the end of the site which backed
up to a group of partying young people with 4 tents on one
site. There was a lot of younger people there and it was
some Civic Holiday in Canada, to say the least the place
was packed because they let the general public use the pool.
We stopped into one of the bathrooms and they were very
outdated, dirty and had pay showers.
There was so many people in the pool that we wouldn't let
our kids play in it anyway. We ended up getting our money
back and just grabbed a hotel in St Catherines for the night.
This would be a great place if I was 20 years old, but for
families go elsewhere.
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Niagara County Camping Resort, Lockport N.Y.. It was the
worst of the 5 campgrounds we stayed at during our summer
vacation. The site was in an open grassy field with many
ruts that made leveling almost impossible. The bathroom
was in serious need of upgrading and cleaning. The majority
of the sites are filled with permanent resident in trailers
that look like hobo shantys. The resort should be removed
from the name, nothing resort like about this place.
Of three KOA's we stayed at two were very nice Mercer Pa.
and Gettysburg Pa. The one in Hagerstown Md. was not bad,
just really hard to get to.
RVing, let the adventure begin.
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Mine would have to be Association Island in Henderson Harbor
NY-Mud all over the place one bathroom for 100 sites,
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MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.was and ..WILL ALWAYS BE
KOA GRAND ISLAND NIAGRA FALLS, NY....
and since it was my second campground ever, it left me with
lasting memories of a nightmare on GRAND ISLAND.....I have
never seen a campground AS BAD AS THIS, HAVE NEVER returned
to a KOA....
MONITORING this thread I see, after 20 years, it is still
the same campground from hell...........
well. I guess somethings never, never change......
DUSTY
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Grand Island KOA in Niagra Falls. The place should be condemned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mine has to be the KOA at Niagara Falls - Grand Island.
What a dump.
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I have a tie for suckiest...
Niagara KOA in NY and the Jellystone in Sturbridge MA.
Both were dirty and over packed with nasty people.
North Carolina
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will third that opinion on Jellystone at Turdbrige, Mass.
but it looks like you have missed a world class bad at Lake
Lure, N.C. according to rvparkreviews.com he must have some
kind of record.
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The worst park that DW and I have stayed in is Creekside
Mountain near Chimney Rock NC. It was by a creek and it
had a mountain of trash in it. The sites were horrible.
They were adding cabins to the park and I believe they might
be doing away with RVs. Some of the RV sites were right
between the cabins. I have never seen anything like it and
will never go back.
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I would have to say that the worst CG that we ever stayed
at was Pineola's Campground By the River. The Owner was
so rude acting when we got there, that I was ready to go
shortly after we got there. But, because it was late and
there was not any other place to go at the time, we stayed
just one nite. Which was enough for anyone. The first site
that he told us to park in was not good at all. It was so
small that we had no room to put out anything. And he told
us the only reason why he would not allow us to camp in
one of the sites along the river as they called it was because
we had a dog. But, he realized just how unhappy we were
and he decided to let us stay in one of the sites along
the river, which was nothing more than a small stream, go
figure. As we were getting ready to go over to the other
site which turned out to be a little better than the previous
one we were in, he asked if my husband would take a ride
on his golf cart with him to take a look at the site and
make sure it was ok. Well, Along the way, he is reciting
all these rules and regulations that they had and even handed
him this paper with alll these rules that they had that
pertained to dogs and pets. I thought that he was going
a bit over board with all those rules and regulations for
dogs, pets, etc. When we got over to the other site, my
husband said that he was told my the man that the campers
that were beside us had to leave the mext day, because their
dog was becoming a problem with barking loud, He was not
even barking!!!!! I also, observed at how "others"
obeyed all those rules and regulations in regards to dogs,
pets, etc. I saw someone take a small child's shovel, pick
up their dogs poop, and rather than throw it away in the
trash and dispose of it properly, they slung it up against
a tree. Now, I don't know about you, But, I feel like that
they were more enforcing the rules when it came to the non-seasonal
campers. Because the seaonal crowd, the ones that stayed
year round, acted like they owned the place and they were
constantly watching you making sure you were on your P's
& Q's. Which I did not like at all. It is sad to know
that there are people out there that are watching someone,
waiting for them to mess up and then prey on them like buzzards.
I found it to be very disturbing. We won't go back thats
for sure. I hope that those who are planning to go to NC
Mountains anytime soon, please read this before considering
going to this particular CG. There are so many more better
ones out there. Please consider all options before making
any final choices.
The other place is the KOA in Cherokee, North Carolina.
It used to be nice but now it is a real circus. They put
in so much stuff to get more money like rental bikes, rental
cars, cafes, you name it that it is just too busy and dangerous
with kids in low riding rental bikes. Very hard to see in
big rig.
Ohio
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Crystal Lake or something like that near Cleveland... I80
on one border, train tracks to the rear and flight pattern
for airport about 5 miles away.... NOISEY. The water came
out milky looking. The trailer across from us had men in
and out of it all day long... not sure what that was about,but
could guess. I will say the small lake was beautiful. This
was in 1998 so may have improved.
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I do not know the name of the CG but it is in wooster ohio,
and it is the only one in town. It is about 3 miles north
of wooster and was a complete mudhole. I paid for the week
but left after 2 days. My carpet in my car and MH had to
be scrubbed. We bought rubber boots so we did not ruin our
shoes. There was no gravel, only mud in the camping areas
and I got my diesel pusher stuck while being guided by the
park manager. He said not to worry, he got the farm tractor
and pulled me out...I should have left right then.
I left the CG and went to the fair grounds and parked for
$10 per day on pavement and it was great
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The WORST is Hidden Lakes RV "Resort" in Mt. Gilead,
Ohio. This is a Coast-to-Coast park and believe it or not
is rated as one of their resort parks. It consists of rusted,
derelict hulks sitting permanently in overgrown lots. Most
of the trailers lacked wheels, and some lacked windows (no
glass), and a glimpse inside their open doors showed utter
filth. To make matters worse, some of the permanents didn't
have sewer hooks, so they would bring their blue tanks up
to the dump (directly across from our trailer) and dump
WITHOUT A SEWER HOSE. They just emptied it out and drove
away, and they let us practically puke from the stench.
This isn't the only reason we cancelled Coast-to-Coast,
but it was Reason #1!
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Enon Beach Campground, Enon Ohio.
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Enon Beach campground in enon ohio has to be the worst of
all It is a dump and the beach is an old gravel pit
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Try Beck's Family CG in Wooster, Ohio. It's actually part
of the junk yard located next to it. There are a million
rabbits under and everywhere but on top of the campers,
good thing they can't fly. The CG is also next to a cow
pasture and in the morning the cows come walking down the
CG roads and go bathing in the CG pond!!! All but about
5 sites are seasonal with moss on the RV's, screens torn,
doors left open, branches and leaves everywhere and RV's
sitting there rotting away. I asked about the million rabbit
thing and the answer was that 5 years ago someone let 2
domestic rabbits loose and now there's a million there of
every color and marking posibility.
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Well... there is a KOA just off I-70 outside of Toledo OH.
Actually, Its a nice enough place, in fact, they were packed,
it was late at night and we were on a "drive through"
but they put us up in the driveway, anyhow. At the crack
of dawn, the jets started taking off from the airport, and,
guess where the campground was? Smack dab against the end
of the runway. COVERED with jet fuel and noise!
Oklahoma
Rockwell RV Park 2002 Satisfactory
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Lake Altus State Park in Oklahoma. The campsite was not
too bad, other than having to back the trailer up a rather
steep hill to get into the site. The bathroom was what made
it #1 in my book. The shower was two walls of cinder blocks
(no shower curtains) and the water came out of a hole in
the wall and dribbled down the blackened cinder block. The
bathroom had these high windows that would be great for
privacy except the road was about 10 ft. above the bathroom.
So you could wave to the cars passing on the road as you
sat on the toilet or took a shower. What is worse is there
are no other campgrounds anywhere near the area.
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Hi Dusty and Casey Jones,
My wife and I have been RV'ing now for almost 30 years and
we have stayed in some pretty funky CG's. This one beats
them all.
Tuckered out RV Park, Hooker Oklahoma.This is why:
1. In the middle of small ramshacke town with gravel roads,
next to major rail road with long freight train rumbling
through every half hour.
2. One city lot big.
3. No fence.
4. No comfort station,
5. No black water hook ups
6. No trash dumpster
7. About 3' space between sites.
8. No office
9. No security or staff.
10 No cable, phone, or modem hook ups
11.No shade trees.
12, Collection of fee consists of locked mail box.
13. Manager/Owner worked in another town more than 30 miles
away.
14. No picnic tables or benches.
15. Neigbors dogs baked all night.
If we had not been extremely tired after driving from Santa
Fe, New Mexico without stopping, we would have kept going.
I guess we are not the only RV'rs that do that. Otherwise,
this place would not atract any RV'rs at all.
Camping Cat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusty and Casey: This place, the "Tuckered out RV park"
in Hooker, Oklahoma on hwy 54 is not necessarily the worst
in the country, but it cerainly is "basic" to
say the least. It is on a city sized grass covered lot with
6 hook-up stations, water,electric and sewer. No fence,
no trash dumpster, no office, no comfort station, no public
telephone, nothing else, except a locked mail box in which
you deposit $6.00 per night. It beats sleeping in a truck
stop, but not by much.
Oregon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small RV parks will often offer reduced rates for cutomers
who don't require hook-ups, simply a place to pull off to
park and sleep. Our park offers a $12 overnight parking
rate. This allows you a space, without hook-ups from 8:30
pm to 8:30 am. You are also allowed use of the Dump/Cleaning
station when you depart in the morning.
We understand that sometimes you just need to rest before
pushing on to your destination. Most owners are willing
to work with customers if asked about reduced (no hook-ups)
overnight rates. We truly do not want any of our spaces
to just sit empty.
If you ever find yourself pushing a late leg on your trip
through the southwest coastal region of Oregon, we hope
you remember us.
Sheila Sparlin
Owner, Sea Bird RV Park
QUOTE (bayoubengal @ Aug 3 2004, 08:17 PM)
Sheila, Don't know if you get many takers for $12 with
no hook-ups. Our state parks only charge $12 with hook-ups
(water and electric) and we've stayed in some PA campgrounds
with full hook-ups for as little as $6. Maybe you should
cut that price in half and get more takers.
The $12 allows you use of the bathrooms/showers(forgot to
mention in last post) and use of the dump/cleaning station
as you depart. We get plenty of after hours customer parking
at the $12 rate. Compared to other parks and resorts that
charge the full daily rate $12 seems very reasonable for
secure overnight parking.
We have Harris Beach State Park just down the road from
us and they charge $18 for water and septic hookup. No reduced
rate for a "no hook-up" site. It is a wonderful
State camp ground overlooking the ocean. Full hook-up site
runs $22 per night. So I think we are in a range equal to,
sometimes less, then most local parks. Thats the great thing
about this area you really have a big variety in service
levels.
Appreciate you feedback
Sheila
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Place that is at least the equal, though, is still a KOA:
Cascade Locks KOA in Oregon is a lovely park, and the folks
who run it are very nice. Just wish someone had warned me
about the every-15-minute trains that go by (the track is
as close as the one in Castle Rock) night and day. Not only
do they go by, but the westbound trains have a "sound
horn now" sign almost even with the campground. I must
have arrived just after one went through, otherwise, I would
never have registered. I won't ever again.
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Beware of the Driftwood RV Resort in Boardman ( I 84) Oregon,
Columbia River.
We pulled in during 100+ degree temps and were assigned
a space next to a beat up permanate trailer from about 1970.
(A Traveleze, remember those, my dad had one, nice trailers)
Trash and atv's were all over their site. The shrubs were
brown or dead from lack of water and there was stuff from
the cottonwood trees all over the site and roads.
Looking out our front window we had a marvelous view of
a shanty town mobil home park (other side of the chain link
fence fence) with crud everywhere and an overgrown lawn.
Looking around we realized that we were on some type of
paved lot that had been cut up to accomadate putting in
water, sewer lines and plantings. There were still painted
lines on the surface that we couldn't figure out. My wife
thought it was an old school yard, but I don't know.
Going over to do some laundry I discovered that there was
no blower, or air on in the mobile trailer set up for this
purpose. There was a air conditioner but it had a bunch
of grass and weeds growing out of it. The restrooms in this
trailer were locked and stepping outside I realized why.
The sewer had backed up and run all over the ground and
they had just left it there.
Walking around later we found that the other restrooms had
no air or blowers either. They were clean however. I guess
their not used much during hot weather.
Trecking over to the pool building (inside pool) we found
that some other building had been torn down and what was
left was a weed coverd pit with cement steps. The pool building
was nice but my wife had some concerns about the color of
the water. I really couldn't tell because it was dusk and
there were no lights on inside the pool area or blowers
either. Remember it's over a hundred degrees.
As we made our way back to our spot the blesssed breeze
began. Opps, another feature of this park is their convienient
access to livestock areas. If the breeze was blowing north
it was a major manure smell. When the breez blew east it
was actually pretty nice. (At this point we are looking
for things to be thankful for).
At about 2am our permanate neighbors came home and there
was some rather loud and slurred discussion about one helping
the other up the three wooden steps to the door. A little
crashing, banging and colorful language continued for a
while. At one point there was a boom box blasting out some
country rap.
Well it's a "Good Sam" park and the Trailer Life
rating for the park is 8/9.5/8. Go figure. Needless to say
we shot out of their early the next morning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just returned from a 2400 mile trip to Oregon.
These are some impressions about the campgrounds.
Koa in Waldport,
Great location, not all sites are ok, we we're put in a
site that sloped uncomfortably toward a deep ravine where
incidentally they threw off their gardening clippings/prunings.
Spent two days hoping we wouldn't slide into the compost
heap.
Lots of tent sites and several cabins. If you need to use
the restroom there were times that you had to wait for someone
to finnish their shower.(toilets and showers [6 or 8] combined).
Good roads, parking spaces dirt/gravel, beautiful bridge
and bay within walking distance.
Emmigrant Springs State Park, La Grande/Pendelton
Wow, Oregon knows how to do state parks.
Driftwood RV Resort, Boardman
We we're sore in need of a place to stay but oh boy this
was the low point of our trip. We hit there in 100 degree
plus temp. No air or even blowers on in the restrooms or
laundry. One restroom locked down and we could see the residue
where the sewer had run all over the ground and not been
cleaned up.
It appeared that the gardner has some difficulty "keeping
up".
My wife had some concern about the color of the pool.
When the wind blows from the south you become strongly
aware that you are in a livestock area.
Not many permanants but the ones next to us came home about
1 am, loud voices and turned on the music. Lots of junk
laying around their site.
I would not make this place a priority stop during a I
84 transit
Plesant Valley RV Park, Tillamook
It was OK , clean well maintained restrooms and laundry.
Grass at all site (pretty close together)
Nice store, large selection of spirits, friendly desk people.
If you don't mind eating a little dust (dirt/gravel roads)
then you would probably like this stop. It was a nice stop.
Harris Beach State Park, Brookings
Wow, Oregon knows how to do state parks.
Crater Lake National Park, Klamath Falls/Bend
What can I say, If you have a larger rig try for the A
or B loop, showers only at the main office.
Mountian Gate RV Park, Redding, Ca
Very nice, clean RR, close to I 5, reasonable rates, nice
pool, a good stop and close to Shasta Lake
Redwoods River Resort, Leggit, Ca
This was a one night stop over and in the big trees. Very
friendly people here (the campers), polite staff.
Restrooms clean but not so great, especially in the hot
weather.
Nice pool, store and easy access from the 101. Unpaved roads.
One thing that made a difference to me was if the roads
were paved. Really, some of these parks would be so much
better if they would pave their roads. We had mostly good
parks, some great and only one that could be described as
"suckiest".
I hope this info is useful to someone.
* This post was edited 08/03/03 07:28pm by Sing4Mi *
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We stayed at the Driftwood in Boardman this past summer
(July 04) and they are under new management who is dedicated
to cleaning up and making a new name for this campgound.
The only problem we encountered was that the transfer to
a new owner did not apparently include the reservations,
so he did not have our name. However, he cheerfully assigned
us to a spot. I would like to see this campground get some
business. We had a nice overnight stay there and think it
was clean and welll policed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We drove across the US this summer from RI to WA and back
as far as Idaho before we totaled our TT and car. We had
great camping experiences most of the way across. We liked
KOAs except for the one in Coer D'Elene, ID which was so
cramped that they should advertise it for tents and smaller
PUs only. Backing in was a nightmare with terraced ledges
that were way too close to the campers and a hefty drop
of 4 feet or more. We loved the KOA in Kent, WA, East St.
Paul, MN, Union, IL and Bozeman, MT. We also stayed in a
very interesting, no frills campground in Medora, ND which
I do not think was KOA. We lost our itinerary in the accident
so I am writing from memory. We had heard horror tales about
the Driftwood in Boardman, OR but it is under new management
and was just fine and friendly. I care about cleanliness,
security, and nice people. Have had that at almost every
stop. Happy camping!
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Just about the very best Camping experience we've ever had
was at the KOA in Astoria, Oregon. The price was about average
for the area, but that's the only thing that was! They made
an effort to keep families with kids away from us old farts,
to protect the kids, everything sparkled, there was pleasant
(but quiet) background music in the shower area. They werenm't
terrifically busy, so they only had RV's in the odd numbered
lots so everyone had more space & privacy.... I could
go on!
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Well... I have to say that of all the posts I've read in
this forum this thread has had me glued to my seat wanting
to keep reading more about the suckiest campgrounds and
also I found it the most entertaining to read. I do sympathise
with those who have had these bad experiences but I have
to admit I have had some good laughs whilst reading them
too. (sorry folks - don't mean to minimize your bad experiences
but when you put them all together I can't help but chuckle
at some). I have had some bad ones in my own homeland in
Australia but being new to RV-ing here in the states I haven't
stayed in enough campgrounds yet to have hit any "sucky"
ones yet (and I hope I don't). I want to thank everyone
for contributing this info as it will help us all to avoid
the bad ones. I for one am printing out many of these to
file them in our "Do Not Go There" list.
I can, however, recommend a really nice RV park in Oregon
called Rogue River RV Park (I think that was the name) anyway
it was right on the Rogue River with lovely, level, large
sites set amongst beautiful trees and plush pastures of
green grass with the only sounds being the wind rustling
through the trees and the water of the river lapping against
the banks as it babbled past. It was clean and quiet and
everyone was friendly and helpful and the hookups were a
whopping 50amps so all electricals worked great....ALL AT
ONCE TOO so there ya go folks.....a rose amongst the thorns
of RV campgrounds.
Pennesylvania
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You need to add Scarlett Knob Campground in Ohiopyle, PA.
(Near the house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, "Falling
Water")
Scarlett Knob has only one site really big enough for an
RV. They want you to pay to use anything extra, including
their dump station - yes, even if you are staying there.
Nobody in their right mind would want to use their filty
showers or toilets. They look about as clean as backwoods
pit toilets after a 4th of July weekend. Bugs and grime
inhabit the pitiful showers. No way was I going to sink
75 cents into one to find out if it even had hot water.
Somehow I doubt it. We paid $20 to stay at this dump (nothing
else available). There was no way we were going to pay $5
to use their dump station too.
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80/81 campground in Wilkes-Barre/Hazelton, Pa. Friendly
to you on the phone and miserable after you get there. I
highly recommend avoiding this place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I agree on th 80/81 campground in PA. The campground was
small and the campsites were comfortable. There was complimentary
coffee furnished by a local restaurant. The would-be comforts
were definitely marred by the obvious unhappy staff. No
personality and the store/waiting room/check-in was locked
most of the time. If they saw you coming they would come
from the home across the street to open office. There is
modem hu, but they have no problem telling you to get off
because they were going to lock the office - in the middle
of the day. This experience made you feel very unwelcomed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the 81/80 RV Park in Pennsylvania...
Gee, we had a pretty good experience there. We only overnighted,
so I may not know all about it, but the owner was very friendly
both on the phone and in person. He personally walked out
to our site and made sure that we got in easily and that
all was in order. It was very early in the season when we
were there, but a number of rigs were pulling in right around
the same time. It seemed just fine to me.
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I stayed at a pretty bad one recently. In west PA near Mt.
Davis (state highpoint) is a camp called Scottyland RV resort.
it is nothing more than a parking lot for weekend and summer
trailers, of all sizes and ages. The space between a lot
of them was sometimes less than 5 feet.
There were a total of 8 sites for travellers. all the other
sites had year round trailers. It was early in the season,
and the check in girl failed to tell me the bath room was
closed. All around there was all types of recreation for
kids, but most was worn out, shut down or broken. (basketball
court had one backboard with no hoop)
They have a nice website, so that is why I stopped there.
Trip to the high point was great, so I was happy with the
trip, but certainly not the campground.
4 down, 46 to go!
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Sorry one more thing. Pa state parks are some of the nicest
I have ever seen. Never stayed in one due to the no dog
policy in this state.
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How about Mt. Pines "Resort" in Champian, Pa.
in the Laurel Mt.s area. Nothing has been done for at least
6 years. Sewage running on streets and muddy drinking water.
When the pool is open, it seldom is filtered and chemicals
are unknown. Potholes you could loose a RV in. No activities
for family. And if you complain about anything you are told
"If you don't like it, get out." NO REFUNDS
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I would have to say Western Village in Carlise PA. The smell
of sewer is so bad you cannot eat outdoors and the owner/manager
is a SOB!!!! He caters to the full timers and treats the
weekenders like trailer trash. The park is filty dirty and
the rest rooms are a nightmare, clogged toilets and black
mildew in the showers. Most of the sites for over nighters
and weekenders are too small to put your awning out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One counterpoint. We recently stayed in Western Village
in Carlisle which is "suckiest" on your list twice
in a two week trip.
I have no comment on the complaint about the bathrooms
snce in my class A I am unconcerned about that amenity.
there was no sewer smell while we were there - in August.
It is clear that they cater to seasonal and longer term
stays, of over 200 sites there are a dozen or more that
are clearly set aside for overnight stays. These sites are
near the entrance and while they do not have sewer connection,
the ideal exit path takes one past the dump. Works fine
for an overnight stay.
Our first time through was on a Saturday and they had live
music entertainment in a pavillion included in the camping.
It wasn't great but for nothing it was fun.
They are just off I 81 and I 76 and 4 miles from a Flying
J and they are open year round - in the Northeast. I will
be back. Oh yes they are in a residential neighborhood with
no traffic, train or airport noise.
THIS IS NOT SUCKY.
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Of three KOA's we stayed at two were very nice Mercer Pa.
and Gettysburg Pa. The one in Hagerstown Md. was not bad,
just really hard to get to.
RVing, let the adventure begin.
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We had one of the worst experiences ever at the Jonestown
KOA,Old Rt. 22, Jonestown, PA. No gravel on pads, share
electrical box with neighbor, water lines in next pad leaking,
50 amp not sufficient, help and owner seemed as if they
could care less. Was so bad that I did something I never
do, wrote a letter to KOA and told them they should send
an inspector in and make corrections or take their name
off the property.
Received my response, we'll tell the owner!! I had already
done that and it was clear they knew the problems.
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Jim Thorpe Camping Resort, Jim Thorpe, Pa. This place is
a dump, Could use a couple of weeks work with a chainsaw
and backhoe to striaghten things out a lttle. To many seasonals,
and to many of them in poor condition. Low branches all
over the place and low wires. One electric wire almost took
my AC unite off. Didn't see it as we where trying to find
our site in the dark as directed by owner. We will never
see this place again!
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The worst campground we ever stayed in was the KOA in Williamsburg.
The manager/owner had the worst attitude ever. I'm seeing
alot of KOA's here...what happened to this reputation they
are supposed to have?
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We stayed at a CG in Hop Bottom, PA back in 1992. Crummy
sites......just a mowed field "area" with elec.
& water hookups. Like many others commenting on the
seasonals and their "own the place" attitude this
had that, too. Most folks were there to party....loud music,
loud voices, crummy vocabulary. Kept waking up our 4 month
old (we were in a Coleman pop-up back then). And if that
didn't wake her up it was the incessant announcements over
the PA system for individuals to come to the office for
a message or a phone call. Cold showers were free, you had
to pay for hot water. Store was dirty and not well stocked.
I believe this operation is under new ownership since we
were there, but we will never go back. That was our first
"RV" experience for my wife and daughter....fortunately
my daughter was too young to remember and my wife has since
forgiven me......
South Carolina
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Lake Hartwell - State Park Exit #1 Interstate 85, What a
dump!! Some sites eroding into the lake, tables on a hill,
trash everywhere, some strange camping people let in there,
bath house nasty. Dont believe the web site WOW not a good
experience.
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Our "suckiest" experience was with Barefoot RV
Resort in N.Myrtle Beach,SC. The sites are extremely tiny.
We had a 30 foot travel trailer at the time and found it
nearly impossible to find enough room to park the tow vehicle
the night we arrived. So, on our way out to get groceries,
we asked the young lady at the registration office if we
could park across from our site in a "golf cart pen"
(Which had ZERO carts parked in it!). After returning from
the store, we were greated a short time later by an older
gentleman who commenced to JUMP MY A**!! He didn't even
identify himself until I asked him who he was. He then smarted
off "I'm the general manager". I tried to explain
that we had gotten permission from a staff member to park
there until I could do some "tweeking" on the
camper's position in the daylight to which he replied "That
girl had no authority to give you any such permission! I'll
deal with her!" I'll tell ya, I was so mad that I nearly
pulled up stakes right then and left but we had done so
much planning for the trip.....What a class A jerk that
guy was.
So, we have officially forever scratched this campground
from any future visits and have persuaded at least three
rv friends from ever going there just by relating this true
story. I was treated like common trash by this old power-crazy
thug. I can see the need to be this way towards folks who
have absolutely no respect for rules/property but in our
circumstance, it was totally out of line.
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Lake Aire in Charleston, SC. WHAT A DUMP. The rain causes
massive ooozyyyy mud which you cannot scrape from your rig
or truck or shoes, slimy showers, noisy kids running all
over, scummy pond, rude mgrs who charge more than the stated
amt for a club membership. We left early, just couldnt take
it anymore. Ususal rusting hulks of pathetic campers with
unusual people living full time there acting as if we were
trespassing.
Note: there is a place in Crystal River called Nature's
Coast Landing north of the CR mall that is fabulous. Not
to be confused with the one with the similar name of Natures
Landing in Homossassas!
South Dakota
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Mrlcemaker We stayed in a KOA in Mitchell, SD last month,
it was very nice. Young couple ran it,friendly, chatty &
made sure you were set up. Also stayed in another in eastern
SD not far from the Badlands, but don't remember the name
of the town. It also was nice.
Rates were average.
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KOA Deadwood, SD. What a dusty over crowded mess of an RV
Park! Don't believe Woodalls. The sites are so close together,
you wouldn't believe it.
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My worst experiences have always been at "campgounds"
that are really "trailer parks".
What really surprises me is major franchises allow their
names to be attached to them. This site was great for finding
highly recommended campgrounds on our recent round-the-country
trip.
Green River State Park Utah - Gestapo retirees overseeing
park. Green River was a major disappointment, so we ended
up spending most of our time in Moab. Sad, because Green
River does have a strategic location.
Rafter J in S. Dakota. Very large Park. The "youths"
they have running the operation just don't have the people
skills yet. Sewer was a problem, and they could care less.
I had to find an adult later to get the issue resolved (we
moved). But even this person made it like he was doing me
a favor.
Tennessee
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Mississippi River RV Park in Memphis, Tn. REAL DUMP!
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The KOA in West Memphis will rank at the bottom of any of
the campgrounds mentioned here. Thankfully we only stayed
there one night as we were traveling and needed a place
to crash. A Wall Mart parking lot would have been like heaven
compared to this place. It was right next to the interstate,
across the street for an all night truck stop. The sites
were all a big mud hole and my site had a jagged piece of
pipe sticking out of the ground just ripe to ruin a tire
or a kids foot. When I complained to the lady in the office,
she said not to bother her, if I wanted to coplain to see
the owner who was managing the next door motel. When I confronted
him all he did was smile and nod. I don't think he understood
a word I said. I don't think he could speak or understand
the english language. This place is definitely one you do
not want to stay at.
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The suckiest campground we went to was this past summer.
Turkey Creek Campground in Waverly, TN. It was 1 hour from
the interstate----which they did not tell us.
The showers looked like they had never been cleaned. The
toliets were not any better. One shower had a big hole in
the wall and the water came out of the hole.
The sites were not properly marked.
We stayed during the week and it was great but when it
came to the weekend the "permanent" campers gave
you a hint that you were not wanted. They stayed up with
loud music and talking until 3:30 am. The only reason they
went to bed is because it started to rain.
On Saturday morning, my husband and I started packing up
a little and pondering the idea of leaving, when I turned
around and say a guy peeing on his tire------just like a
dog. Needless to say we left.
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Mine would be this campground just below the dam in western
Tennessee. I can't remember the name of the campground,
but it was our second choice because our first choice was
full. The dam had this HUGE horn which sounded very pleasant,
and the nearby paper factory would send us this wonderful
odor that was even better! The campground was overcrowded,
and everyone had a boat, or jet-skim but we didn't. The
good thing is we can laugh about it now, but at the time
it was BAD
Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge Area
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Crazy Horse, Gatlinberg Tenn. (campground ripoff)
I made a reservation several months ahead with a credit
card. They took that money real quick. Then my wife asked
for a site on a stream (almost $50.00 a night). We informed
them that we have a rather large rig (Ford Excursion and
a 27' trailer) and 4 children. A two year old was the smallest.
We arrived to find our site only big enough for the trailer,
we would have to park our truck in an overflow lot. This
site had a 15' drop with boulders directly behind the camper.
The campground was a capacity so when I asked the asst.
mgr to find us another site, the only other one she could
find backed up on a neighbors trailer home with junked cars
and wild chickens running through the camp site. As we had
only been there for an hour I asked to check out and have
my credit card refunded........I'm sorry we don't give refunds!
So I'm out about $200+ so far. I'm hoppin mad and not done
with these crooks yet.
AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!
Stay at Smokey Bear Campground down the street. Cheap,
clean, under new ownership and much better. Also their staff
is excellent.
Angel, we don't have experience with either of those campgrounds.
We did however stay at Little River Village Campground in
Townsend. It is off of Route 73 (I think the # is correct)
west of Gatlinburg and the National Forest. Nice place.
Stayed there twice and even took friends with us the second
time. If you have kids the place is great. Not a vehicle
got in while we were there without being noticed. Also the
staff does not put up with inappropriate horseplay, especially
at the pool. I believe they have a website, search for them
if interested.
Twin Creek is a nice place. Facilities are wonderful, bathrooms
the most immaculate I've ever seen. Conveient to Gatlinburg
via a couple minute trolley ride, longer to Pigeon Forge.
"interesting" to pull a long trailer into if
coming in through Gatlinburg, as the G'burg streets are
small, but the campground itself is easy to get into. Would
stay there again in a second. They don't allow pop-up's,
if that matters.
Crazyhorse is very nice, but much further out of town.
We stayed @ Twin Creek in the hot summer of 1999. Great
place, clean and scenic. We travelled south thru Sieverville,
Pigeon Forge and found that to be a giant mistake. Heavy
traffic, lots of traffic lights. Approaching Twin Creek
from the east is a whole lot easier.
Twin Creeks is really nice. One of the best rated campgrounds
in Tennessee. Has a trolley stop at the entrance to the
campground which you can take to Gburg or Pigeon Forge.
Be careful, however, about the registration rules. I think
there is a minimum night stay and I have heard it is difficult
to change at the last minute. I would make sure to call
and get details before making a reservation.
Also, DO NOT go through Gatlinburg to get there. Go I-40
to Cosby and backtrack. Much easier. The campground can
give you directions.
If you want to stay in the area around Pigeon Forge, I
recommend River Edge or Fort Wear. Both are good as well.
I stayed at the CRAZY HORSE CAMPGROUND in Gatlinburg and
loved it they had a water slide fishing pond live band on
the weekends and a little theater that the kids put on a
little play for all of the other campers. The general store
the was on of the best I have ever been in. only down side
is its 12 miles from gatlinburg.
I stayed in Crazyhorse and the bathrooms were without
hot water and the pool was not heated as advertised. The
staff was rude and charged me for the nights I left early
after accepting my complaint as valid. I will not stay there
again I don't care how many waterslides they put up or which
band comes to play.
If you are looking for bumper-to-bumper madness, then Gatlinburg
&/or Pigeon Forge is the place for you.......any campground
will do. But, if you are going to enjoy the Smoky Mts, then
camp in Townsend, Tn. Someone has already mentioned Little
River Village Campground. We have camped in 38 different
states........this is our favorite campground of all. You
can take a day trip back to G'burg, if you must, but don't
miss Cades Cove or the rest of the Nt'l Park.
We have stayed in several campgrounds in and around Gatlinburg
and Pigeon Forge. The Twin Creeks is very nice and the campground
is immaculate. The River Plantation is also very nice. It
is outside Pigeon Forge, actually in Sevierville, although
very close to all the shopping. The Riversedge in Pigeon
Forge is great. I prefer Gatlinburg. It depends on what
you want to be close to. The Crazy Horse is too far out
of town for our taste.
If you are fully self contained, I would recommed staying
in Cades Cove Campground inside the National Park. They
have a dump station but like most National Park Campsites
they have no hookups at the individual sites. No showers
either but if you have adequate holding tanks this isn't
a problem. You won't find a more peaceful place to stay.
The campground is just next to the entrance to Cades Cove,
a 10 mile loop that has a lot of wildlife and beautiful
scenery. Bring your bikes because they close the cove to
cars on Saturday morning and it's a great ride.
We've also stayed at Little River Campground in Townsend.
THis is a real nice park on the river. Lots of shade and
nice pool. Restrooms are clean and showers provide excellent
privacy. Campground is just outside the entrance to the
National Park. The Little River is one of the best rivers
in the NP for swimming and tubing. The Townsend entrance
is very convenient to Cades Cove, approx. 1/2 way between
Cades Cove and Gatlinburg.
I AM ALSO LOOKING FOR GOOD CAMPING AREAS IN OR NEAR GATLINBURG.
I HAVE FOUND A COUPLE THAT SOUND PRETTY GOOD. CRAZY HORSE
& HUCK A BEE, WHICH HAS CHANGED OWNERS. ANY ONE STAYED
AT EITHER ONE LET ME KNOW.
We have a 38 ft mountain air and had no problem entering
and exiting the 3rd campsite on 321 directions are once
in gatlinburg go to light #3 turn Left on 321 that thier
are 2-4 pretty nice camping sites I stay in one, cant remember
the name sorry but the campsites on 321 puts you no more
than 2miles away from all the activites, the most expensive
one I called on 321 seem to be the most beautiful the next
to the last one last year had a lot of construction going
on and the noise would wake you by 8am they may be done
with that now, i would ask when i make my reservation is
construction is still going on on the highway. Hope this
is some help. If interested email me at saladmaster1@adelphia.net
and i will look up the info for you i keep all that in the
motorhome
We stayed at Twin Creek RV Resort the 2nd Week of October
2004. It was a fantastic campground! Although we didn’t
use them, the Restroom / Showers were immaculate. This was
one of the most expensive Parks we’ve stayed at, however
in my opinion, it’s a great location, the owners are nice,
and the facility was wonderful. I would definitely go back
when in the area. I do think I remember reading somewhere
there was a minimum stay? But I talked to many there when
we were there, who were only staying a day or two? So maybe
that is a rule during certain times of seasons?
We stayed at Smokey Bear Camp Ground and loved it. It is
smaller but nice and neat. Has a hot tub and pool and nice
sites....
You can't be River Edge. It is located at the end of the
main highway in Pigeon Forge before you start up the mountain
into Gatlinburg. You can ride the trolly which stops in
the campground into Gatlinburg as well as to all the outlets
in Pigeon Forge if you don't want to drive. The bath house
is 5-Star, the best I've seen. The staff is great, the sites
are gravel with full hook-up as well as a channel on their
cable that lets you see what the kids are doing in the game
room.
Their website is www.stayriveredge.com
Planning trip to Smokey Mountains late April and want to
avoid the Gatlinburg/Dollywood area. Have a 34' fifth wheel
and looking for clean campground (prefer full hookups but
open to other options) where we can enjoy the mountains
and have easy access to the park where we will spend most
of our time. Appears North Carolina campgrounds offer a
more "mountain" experience but concerned about
access entry to park. Suggestions?
Try Maggie Valley. Jonathan Creekside Campground should
easily handle your rig. MV is quieter and oh so much nicer
to base camp and see the Smokies. Don't forget to do breakfast
at Joey's Pancake House.
I would look at Smokey Bear campground. We have stayed
there and like it when we stayed there. They have noce pull
thrus and they are not so commercial.
You should try the Peaceful Side of the Smokies and go
to Townsend TN, there are several CG's in the area that
you might like, we always stay at The Mountaineer. You can
pull up Townsend on the Web and they list the CG's. The
Mountaineer is a small CG and I think they only have 1 pull
thru site. However, they are very family oriented and there
is lots to do in the area. If you like the outdoors, you
would have to go to Cade's Cove. The Townsend area is just
over Wear's Valley Road from Dollywood and the surrounding
towns, about 18 miles if memories serves. Hope this helps.
Anne
Texas
Marshall, Mom & Pops RV Park, 2004, Satisfactory, Overnight,
Check out Marshall Pottery
Fort Stockton, Parkview RV Park, 2004, Fair, Overnight
Aledo, Cowtown RV Park, 2003, Good, Convenient to I-20,
Fort Worth
Monahans, Country Club RV Resort, 2003, Fair, Overnight
Fredericksburg, Oakwood RV Resort, 2002, Satisfactory
Schertz, Stone Creek RV Park, 2002, Satisfactory, Convenient
to I-35, San Antonio
Brookshire, Houston West KOA, 2002, Satisfactory, Convenient
to I-10, Katy Mills
Corsicana, American RV Park, 2002, Satisfactory, Check out
the Collin St. Bakery
Whitney, Sun Country RV Resort, 1998, Satisfactory
Fredericksburg, Lady Bird Johnson RV Park,1998, Satisfactory
Bandera, Yogi Bear Jellystone Park, 1998, Satisfactory
Hitchcock, Lazy Days RV Park, 1998, Fair
Port Aransas, Pioneer RV Park, 1998, Good, Newer, On the
Gulf
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The campground in Schertz, Texas is Stone Creek RV park.
It may be the worst RV Park we ever stayed in. The entrance
street, off I35 just north of San Antonio, is highlighted
by an old out of business gas station and beer joint with
weeds and old broken down cars greeting you. The entrance
drive is about a quarter mile long and is bracketed by junk
yards filled with old cars and construction equipment.
The office and store are somewhat attractive, the rest
of the park is hidden from view. Yes, the staff is just
a bunch of non-caring teenagers who feel you are disturbing
their gum chewing.
We checked in and paid for a weeks's stay. The first 3
rows of sites were attractive and inviting. We assumed the
rest of the park was just as nice. But, we were assigned
a space not in those first 3 rows. Our space was located
out of view of the office. As I hooked up I noticed all
the mobile homes and vacant junky RV's around.
Gander took a short drive to look around and came back
with the news that this place was a mobile home park and
most of the RV's were permanent. The whole place was filthy
and junky. The view of the hills from our site was obscured
by all the mobile homes and the constant traffic from them.
Stone Creek's ad in the Trailer Life CG directory says
that there is a fishing pond and nature walk. The pond was
a depositiry for the sewage system and there were signs
warning not to go there. They also say that they have cable
TV. They do but the cable only carries the 3 major networks.
Also, many of the sites don't have cable connections. They
told me that the site next to mine had dual connections
and to use it. My cable wasn't long enough. They said they
would supply me with a longer one but never did.
There were RV's with no sides, just ripped out. There was
an 18 wheeler trailer with a door cut into the side. It
was in use.
The thing that really gets me is that TL CG directory rates
this place as a 9.5, 8.5*, 7. That is soooo wrong. The bathhouses
were small and filthy. We estimated there were about 400
people living there yet there was only one small pool and
one small laundry. Both were filthy. I blame TL for a total
misreresentation. I know about the disclaimors but some
things are just too obvious for the inspectors to miss.
I now feel that I have to question TL ratings. All I need
is a guide, not total misrepresentation. BTW, Woodall's,
TL, Goodsam are all owned by the Affinity Group. Interesting,
eh?
Bottom line, avoid Stone Creek RV park in Schertz, Texas
at all costs. And don't believe that all the ratings and
ads in TL or Woodalls are a true depiction of the park.
Goose
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Well, I am not exactly sure where to begin on this one.
My family went to Plum Creek RV resort in Kyle, TX. We looked
up the website and from everything on it, it appeared to
be a rather nice park. Boy were we mistaken! If you have
a motor home, don't even attempt to stay in this park. The
roads are horribly narrow. If you do attempt to manuever
through the park, all the overhang from the dead trees will
rip your rig right up. There are 3 (yes 3 out of about 50)
paved sites. Im not sure the reason behind this, but it
looks rediculous. The park looked like it had not been mowed
in months. Dead fall from the trees was falling on most
of the rigs in there. If you want somewhat of a decent site,
you will have to stay on the "inside" ring of
the park. All of the sites on the outside ring are pretty
much worthless. The sites on the outside are very unlevel
and not even deep enough to park a 20 foot trailer in most
of them. They do have what appears to be a new pool, however
you can't really use it unless you want to get sick. It
was so green and filthy. The laundry mat was rediculous.
There is 4 washers and 4 dryers in it but only one washer
worked and 3 dyers. The bathhouse was actually nice. Probably
about the only nice thing in this park. The so called "playground"
is just a lawsuit waiting to happen. They have half barrels
for fire rings. Most of them were just filled with garbage
from past campers. God only knows how long ago it had been
as most of the garbage was shredded and spread all over
the sites. What I couldn't believe was the office. Noone
was ever there. They would have a sign on the door saying
"be back at 10am or 4pm" or whatever but when
you went there after that time, noone was there. I saw plenty
of people come in to camp but ended up leaving or just pulling
in and out the next day without paying because noone was
ever at the office to register. They claim to fill propane
but noone is certified to fill tanks so you have to go somewhere
else. They say they have a security gate, but while we were
there, it never worked. The "fishing pond" and
"spring fed pond" was nothing more than a swamp.
And may I add, there were 2 (yes 2) pull thru sites in this
whole park. There are no wilderness trails or constructed
walking paths. Just weeds everywhere. This park is just
something else. One good thing is it was very quiet and
peaceful but other than that, I would go elsewhere. I gave
them my business this time, but I will never stay at this
"rv resort" again, nor will I recommend it to
anyone else.
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I wanted to take a short drive weekend outing, so we traveled
the short distance from San Antonio to Kyle, TX. We made
reservations at Plum Creek RV Resort. The place looked nice
enough on their website (http://www.plumcreekrv.com/).
We arrived late Friday. The lady at the check-in desk was
pleasant, but did comment that they didn't get many weekenders.
Seemed odd to me as we saw a number or RV's in the park.
About 30. She gave us a choice of three sites, all three
were the only asphalt paved sites. Large sites, but I think
they are the only ones they offer for non-permanent party
folks. Turns out we were the only transients this weekend,
LOL.
The place looks as if it was once a very nice little park,
and also looks as if it could be once again. Just needs
some cleanup. There are a few very rundown trailers scattered
around the place, obviously not used in many months (years?).
One site even looked like the trash dump--old apartment
sized fridge, 4 car tires, a couple of batteries, various
pieces of pressboard furniture. It appeared someone high-tailed
it out of there in a hurry.
Overall, the folks living there were quiet, but there was
a steady stream of vehicles coming and going, some just
went around the circle of the park a few times--kinda gave
my wife and I an uneasy feeling as folks would point and
stare as they drove by--perhaps it was just a "look
at the new folks" type of thing.
The bathhouse was pretty clean, so it does appear there
is some maintenance happening in the place. They have a
new-ish pool, and it was clean. New 4 sided picnic tables
were at most sites, and new half-barrel fire rings were
in place. And they've recently added cable TV hookups. It
does look like someone is trying.....but they really need
to get all the rundown rigs and junk out of the place if
they really want to rebuild.
I guess the funniest part of the whole weekend was Saturday
night. (yes, we stayed the weekend--troupers that we are)
Anyway, a Class A pulled in about 9:30-10:00PM Saturday.
My wife and I were actually excited--someone else just stopping
in for a night or two!!!! But---they drove around the perimeter
road, probably looking at the two remaining paved sites,
and promptly drove back out the gate. We had a laugh, let
the fire die down, and went to bed.
Like the title says--we really didn't feel that we were
in a campground, or RV Resort (as Plum Creek calls itself)--with
all the permanent folks, it really did feel like we were
staying in someone's yard. Not the worst place to stay,
but just an odd weekend. We were the only ones leaving on
Sunday afternoon.....!
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Any park that caters to full timers and not rvers. Old "no
longer KOA" in Arlington Texas right on Cooper.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I stayed at a KOA campground in Houston
this past month. The grounds were impecable,
and the owner set up a nice fenced in area
for the dog walk, complete with poop scoops
and a garbage can. Real nice. EXCEPT it was
located 'right next to her house', and everytime you
would walk up to it to exercise your dog.....
her 5 dogs would come running out of her house
screaming and barking at you! Go figure!
I checked out early and moved on to another park.
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Another is the big RV park on I-35 (west side) in Shertz,
TX. Can't remember the name right now though. Rules have
rules and signs are posted with fines all over the place.
Apparently the rules only apply to overnighters as the full
timers get by with anything. I addition the office staff
is rude. After we left, I wrote a letter to the manager
about the problems and told her that we'd never be back
again and would see that the word was spread. Never go so
much as a reply.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ledgewater, campwood tx
pictures on the net can be very deceiving
stay away,stay far away
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http://www.artesianspringsresort.com/
Don't be fooled by the pictures! Even though this is an
Artesian well fed lake, the proprieters still chlorinate
the water. I didn't actually see that, I just heard from
a local that stays there often.
We decided to do a drive by before we committed to dragging
the rig out there. The park is at the end of a 4 mile dirt
road. The sites are in the woods, on dirt. The buildings
are filthy in the main attraction, the lake, isn't any bigger
than a swimming pool.
For many campers, this is as good as it gets and there
is a really bizzare loyal following of this place. Some
things just cannot be explained.
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A note on Texas State Parks: If you are unsure about a park,
you can call the reservation line (512) 389-8900 and get
basic information. But the thing I like is that you can
go to the website, www.tpwd.state.tx.us, look up the park
you are interested in and in addition to a lot of detail,
you will get the phone number for the park. We have done
this several times and have always found a very friendly,
informative real live person to talk to about current park
conditions.
Also, the few times we have stayed at Corps of Engineer
parks in Texas we have found very clean parks with really
large spaces.
And for the bad, Last Chance Resort at Lake LBJ north of
Kingsland Texas. Tiny spaces, the park nazi will come out
and show you EXACTLY where you will park, not just what
space, but exactly where in the space. And the attitude
of the rest of the staff was just as bad if not worse. Our
group of campers renamed it "Last Choice" resort.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The KOA in Ft Stockton Texas is old but nice and clean.
The hosts are pleasant and accomodating. They have a small
fenced area you can let your dogs loose for a while. They
also serve dinner and breakfast if you don't want to cook.
As for the worst. Camp Hueco Springs in New Braunfels.
There's only about 10 feet between RV's. I enjoyed smelling
the results of my neighbors daily sitdown while I drank
my coffee on my private 5 x 10 concrete pad. The back of
my trailer was about 15 feet from River Road which has a
constant stream of traffic from about 8:00am to 2:00am.
Of course, those lucky enough to get a spot on the river
were a full 40 feet from River Road. Across the street heavy
equipment was clearing land for a new development. The ash
from the burning brush piles wafted down on us like snow,
only dirtier. (I've always wondered what it would be like
to camp on the island of Monserat.) It's a heavily wooded
area, but all the trees had been removed from the RV area
of the park. My wife awoke at 4:00am to the sound of loud
rap music only to discover it was coming from the guy manning
the front gate of the park. Finally, an impromptu Mardi
Gras parade erupted at 11:00 on Saturday night complete
with beads, topless women, blowup dolls, and fake over-sized
genetalia (at least I think they were fake) being displayed.
Other than that, it's a great place to camp with your family.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have to balance this with a hearty "Thumbs Up"
for Treetops RV park in Arlington Texas. The most meticulously
maintained place ever run by the nicest folks ever. Five
stars in my view.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're new to RV'ing, but we've done our fair share of tent
camping and seeing the states and provinces in a Jeep or
conversion van. Prior to the RV, we usually stayed in state
and provincial parks and I can't remember a bad one.
KOAs: The KOA in Amarillo was not a good experience. As
someone mentioned previously, the trains rumble through
there every 45 minutes or so. The KOA in Albuquerque was
nice, but very expensive for what it was.
Palisade Park on the west side of Albuquerque is a place
to avoid. We pulled in, talked to the people in the office,
looked around and then left. Most of the residents looked
a little too permanent.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You never been to Goose Island State Park during mosquito
season. We have and you better bring plenty of bug juice
and/or blood transfusions. Note the entrance warning sign
about mosquitoes.
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Definitely Mustang Island State Park (Texas). Just a parking
lot filled with mosquitos. Recommend Goose Island State
Park instead if you are in that area.
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The worst has to be the KOA in Amarillo TX.
The brochure and website make it sound like a dream they
emphasize that they are "far from the Route 40 noise"
That's true, but what they don't tell you is they are immediately
adjacent to the Amarillo Int. Airport (They back up to the
fuel depo for the airport.
But it's true, The jets screaming directly overhead at slightly
over treetop level(You'd have to guess, there are precious
few trees)are "Far from the I-40 noise"
The lady at the office set us at ease though "Don't
worry, they stop at 10 p.m."
Again TRUE! But that's when the railyard (directly adjacent
on the other side starts up.
Needless to stay we pulled up stakes the next day for Albuquerque.
Much nicer KOA there.
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Houstonstan: You would have been much better off just traveling
a few miles further east of Corpus Christi, and checking
in at "Woody Lakes" in Rockport. Great place,
wide sites, lots of amenities and shade trees, friendly
people and within walking distance to Walmart and the beach.
They are listed in Woodalls>
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It is tied between Sea Rim State Park in Texas, where the
critters darn near carry you off and any Washington State
Park where they nickel and dime you to death. X amount to
camp, $.50 for a 3 minute shower, the first minute of which
is ice cold, the third minute of which doesn't come, and
then $5 to dump on your way out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lakeside RV Resort and Marina, Onalaska, TX
I have a picture of a snake crawling out of the window
of the trailer parked in the spot next to us. Really I do!
May not be the worst we have stayed in but it is pretty
high on the list!
Lakeside RV Resort and Marina, TX -- Was the poster that
complained about this park on drugs?? They complained about
snakes?? Snakes are everywhere. If you don't ever want to
go where there are snakes, then brick yourself in, because
no matter what park you go to, you can find snakes (unless
it's completely paved. In this case they are under the pavement).
This is another beautiful park and I will be back.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We’ve camped since the early 60’s and I before that with
my parents in northern California where there were few established
campgrounds and we camped where we wanted. BUT the suckiest
was in Corpus Christi, Texas at the Puerto del Sol on the
bay this past April. The web site pictures and descriptions
were outstanding, so reservations for a premium water front
site were made and paid for a week. The next day we noticed
many homeless-looking people and I asked the manager. He
said they are all carnival workers and ‘they have to have
a place to stay so we take them in since no other RV park
will’. We saw one ‘lady’ seated outside in a very compromising
position shaving her legs in public view. Well, they caused
no problems for us but made us uneasy. Out of state people,
but not carnival, were parked next to us and had two small
yapping dogs living mostly inside their trailer but only
let out at 11pm to bark. When they left, we couldn’t believe
the dog crap left underneath their trailer and the flies.
Sites were uneven and much too close to each other. Being
that close to salt spray put 10 years of rust on two brand
new bikes and our new trailer frame. Texas State Parks are
great.
Utah
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moab Valley Campground, Moab, Utah.
Run by the "Camp Ground Nazi" (if you've ever
watched Seinfield, you'll understand the name!)
All the signs are rules, not one saying welcome and enjoy
your stay!!! You can't even bring a drink to the pool area
and I mean not even water in a plastic bottle!! Helloooooo,
it's the desert out there, you need water!! There is a grass
area next to the sites, but you're not supposed to put anything
on the grass! If you put chairs out, you have to take them
up when your not sitting in them!! I actually drove in to
find the manager standing on his golf cart and trying to
look in the windows of our RV!!! It seemed like he hated
the campers so much, that we decided to stay just to annoy
him!!! There is an extra charge for everything and the manager
patrols, and I mean that literally, all day and most of
the night making sure you are sitting there and not enjoying
your stay!!
I told him when we left that he should get out of the camp
ground business because it must cause him so much stress
to write so many rules!! I swear you see 15 signs telling
you what not to do just on the drive in. Oh and that reminds
me, you have to use a special card to open the stalag gate
to get in or out!!
Other than that, I LOVE MOAB!!!!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We stayed in several camp grounds and frankly all was most
satisfactory. I would be happy to return to any of them.
We stayed at three KOAs. Wendover UT, Salina KS, and Springfield
MO. All of these KOAs were nice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My worst experiences have always been at "campgounds"
that are really "trailer parks".
What really surprises me is major franchises allow their
names to be attached to them. This site was great for finding
highly recommended campgrounds on our recent round-the-country
trip.
Green River State Park Utah - Gestapo retirees overseeing
park. Green River was a major disappointment, so we ended
up spending most of our time in Moab. Sad, because Green
River does have a strategic location.
Rafter J in S. Dakota. Very large Park. The "youths"
they have running the operation just don't have the people
skills yet. Sewer was a problem, and they could care less.
I had to find an adult later to get the issue resolved (we
moved). But even this person made it like he was doing me
a favor.
Virginia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I haven't checked all the postings, but if "It's a
Wonderful Life" isn't listed, it sure should be. Park
is off I-81 in Virginia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
another one is the outdoors resorts of virgina beach; it
has become a glorified trailer park. mostly park models
and the owners put up chains and ropes across their driveways
so it becomes impossible for motorhomes to back into lots.
if you have ever been to any other ora in the country you
can clearly see that the maintenance leaves alot to be desired.
there is a campground mentally[fishcamp} not a resort.also
they have a club house thats not handicapped accessible.
most activities are held up two flights of stairs; too cheap
to get an elevator. dues are 1400 a year. and they want
50-60 dollars a night rental.
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Candy Hill Campground in Winchester, VA
We stayed there a couple weeks ago. The people were very
curt to every question we asked. We had a friend stop by
for a few minutes and they were very rude to her when they
told her to stop at the office to register as a guest. I
am surprised they operate a campground if they don't want
to be friendly to people. I got the impression when I picked
up some mail that they didn't even want to give me that
service. I think a smile would have broken their faces!
I will say that the campground was clean, but I won't say
that they have any friendly service. I haven't checked out
the other campgrounds in the area of Winchester, but if
I were coming back I would certainly try another campground.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jamestown camplands Virgina. This is right across the street
from the Jamestown settlement.
One bath house was a storage for all garbage. We walked
our road and there was gargage of some type on ever camp
site. 4 sites down some on dumped fish and in the Virgina
heat was smelling and disusting.
In the womens room the tampons that were stuck to the celeing
were the worst.
The pool slide was real slick due to the green alge on
it.
This was a Sam Goodie camp aproved. Management did clean
up the broken glass at the working bath house and removed
the tampons from the celing but that was the only improvements.
We will not only not ever stay at this camplands but have
and never will stay at a Sam Goodie camp approved camplands
again!
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Wildwood Campground near Lynchburg, VA. It is a pretty setting,
but the managers are unfriendly and rude. We were there
recently and wanted to have some family members up to experience
camping and campgrounds . . . they wouldn't "allow"
it, even though they would have made money (on the charges
for visitors) and their brochures said visitors were allowed.
They even went so far as to say had they known we wanted
to have a picnic for our family (3 sisters, a mother, and
a daughter . . .all adults), they would have said they were
booked and not rented us a spot. Needless to say, we won't
go back or recommend them to anyone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have gone to visit my son who is at Virginia Military
Academy in Lexington and sometimes take my TT when I visit
for the weekend, especially the big football weekends when
motels are full. I have stayed at what is now the Yogi Bear
Campground near Natural Bridge but more often at Walnut
Hills CG south of Staunton and it is a very nice facility.
I did drive into Longs Campground one weekend with nothing
in tow to check it out as it was so much closer to Lexington
and did not see how anyone would dare tow a rig into it,
nor want to stay there either. There is a truck stop a few
miles north of Lexington on Rt. 11 called Lee HI and a block
or so behind the main facilities there is what seems to
be a decent small campground I may try on my next trip there
if I take my TT.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexington, Virginia. Horse country. Awesome scenery. Inviting
back roads. That's the good news.
The bad news is Longs Campground. The instructions to get
there from Woodalls or some such directory were sketchy
and confusing, but not confusing enough, because unfortunately
we found our way in there anyhow.
As soon as you pull off the road into the driveway you
know you should turn around quickly and leave, but you're
trapped --- it's very narrow so you can't turn around, and
it's on a steep downhill grade (gravel) on a blind turn
so you can't back up onto the highway to make your escape.
(Music fades to "Dueling Banjos") --- set your
dashboard clock back 1 hour and 75 years. This place is
ugly --- if it's raining, you'll need to call an industrial-strength
tow truck to retrive you from the mud --- no area of flat
level ground more than a foot square in the whole place.
The hookups might not be on the correct side of your unit
(we had to run the sewer hose across under the 5er), everything
is built on the side of a hill --- it was difficult to ascertain
which sewer connection to use, as each site seems to have
an assortment, and it's not clear which are abandoned in
place and which are for use.
Luckily we were just 'overnighting' as transients!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our "worst" experience was Anvil campground in
Williamsburg, VA. They claim they are the highest rated
park in the area. Woodalls 4 diamonds and 9.5/9.5/8 etc.
etc.. Facility was an ex mobile home park, ex mobile homes
included, with a high speed freight/passenger line running
25 ft. behind all sites on one side of the campground. The
trains came through every 2 hours daily & 3x per night.
The force of their passage felt like it was going to blow
us into the street. Tracks were not visible when you pull
in, so it was a rather comical moment when the first train
came through. Can't imagine how they got such a high rating.
We'll visit Williamsburg again, but not at Anvil.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROCKY BRANCH MARINA AND CAMPGROUND IN VIRGINIA.
(same reply as the Rocky Branch Marina in another area.
Sorry, just don't want anyone to miss this)
I highly suggest if you plan on staying at this "so-called
campground" pitch a tent on the side of the road first.
It will be much quieter and cleaner. The campground is one
big lot and you pitch your tent where ever you find a spot,
even if it is on top of someone else. No designated spots,
fire rings, picnic tables etc... . They lock the main bathrooms
at 9 pm and you get to use a port-a-potty until 9 am. We
asked the people on the right of us to please turn the music
down (two times) at 2 am. And the people to the left of
us were singing Happy Birthday to someone at 4 am. All the
kids (ages ranging from 7-17) were in the water directly
in front of our tents until 1 am. And then there parents
where making whoopie in the water until 1:30 am. Needless
to say the campsite owners live on the property and have
many many many chickens and dogs. Oh yes, they also have
a roster who cock-a-doodle-doos at 6 am sharp. We got no
sleep. Also, the dogs were barking in between the other
people being quiet for the minute or so they were. To top
off our one day adventure (which was suppose to be 3 days),
when I talked to the owners about the rules and regulations
they had posted about quiet hours start at 11 pm, no loud
music, no cussing etc... the response I got was "well,
you know." No, I don't know. DO NOT WASTE YOUR $20.00
(a night) at this campsite. By the way, we had to get one
of our trashbags and clean the site before we could put
our tent up. There was cups, plastic bottles, chicken bones,
potato chips bags and beer cans and tops all over the place.
Very hilly too. This marina and campground is on Lake Anna,
just south of Fredericksburg.
Washington
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seattle/Tacoma KOA
Noisy, expensive and crowded.
We loved the KOA in Kent, WA, East St. Paul, MN, Union,
IL and Bozeman, MT.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As has been pointed out by many, what's satisfactory to
some is not at all satisfactory to others. I think a really
big differentiation comes in separating RV Parks from camgrounds.
RV Parks usually have level sites, pools, great showers,full
hookups etc., but sites close together. Campgrounds, on
the other hand are a favorite of many for their spacious
sites, trees, shade, picnic tables and fire pits, etc. but
they sometimes lack the amenities including hookups. This
posting refers to "campgrounds" but it seems to
me that most of the votes for suckiest go to RV Parks.
The best alternative for my tastes is a combo park that
has the space, trees, hookups firepits, etc. Like Rafter
J Bar in SD or Whistler at Jasper National Park.
Suckiest for me was the Issiquah Village RV park in Issiquah,
WA. Never been to a place where they packed me in so close
on the left, right and behind. Sewer hoses were much too
close to the neightbor's door. The truckers using their
engine brakes on I-90 kept us awake most of the night. Yucch!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The KOA west of Seattle.... they are cramming way too many
full size RVs into sites only suited for tents or small
campers during the busy summer months.
Also, No place too park a tow vehicle, and the park is next
to a highway that is extremely noisy starting very early
in the morning.
I wrote KOA and AAA about this one, our worst ever camping
experience!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The suckiest place I have ever been is where I am staying
right now. I call it HOBO-HEAVEN where anything goes. There
are five trailers here . One guy has three junk cars here
it looks pretty bad you would not believe the noise and
the last couple had 15 cats to add to the mix. To say the
least I am looking for another spot. Would love to property
sit.I am sure there are some nice places out there. In general
RV people are very unique and that is what set them out
from the rest. Take care you all. Wisdom from the EVERGREEN
STATE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We just wanted to warn other travelers about the Snoqualmie
River CG in Fall City Wa. No security. Maintance person
is always asking for a beer. Only two showers for entire
park. Only four sites have full hook ups. Full time residents
have these. To use dump is $11.00. No refunds, period. All
night party's. Manager say's if you don't like it leave.
Only four tent sites have access to the river. Beer bottles
and broken glass all along the river. Water smells like
rotten eggs. Some residents look like a meth lab convention.
Be carefull if you need to stay here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The most surprising thing to me on this topic, is the number
of people who actually STAY at a campground that they do
not like. We have run into a few, and simply leave - refund
or not. I do not believe in paying to be miserable. Sunbanks
Resort in Electric City Wash. was one we left. Incredibly
crowded. Your site is considered a public access - right
under your awning & your nose. The boaters & jet
skiers are in sardine heaven though, and park those in your
site too if they can. Hardly room for your table, let alone
awning(not fully extended) The management happily gave a
refund though, as there were many more jet boaters in line
to enter the sardine can.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is tied between Sea Rim State Park in Texas, where the
critters darn near carry you off and any Washington State
Park where they nickel and dime you to death. X amount to
camp, $.50 for a 3 minute shower, the first minute of which
is ice cold, the third minute of which doesn't come, and
then $5 to dump on your way out.
West Virginia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Need not forget Harpers Ferry, WV KOA. When it rains it
could provide ample swamp land for FL.
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About 8 years ago, about 9PM on way to Virgina Beach on
our son's Spring Break.
I don't recall the name of the CG, but it was one exit
west of White Sulphur Springs WV. The access was south off
I64 thru a very NARROW one lane stone arch railroad viaduct
that also crossed a creek w/o a guardrail. The edge of the
creek was a stone wall that was 4 -6 inches higher than
the road that dropped off vertically. It was very tight
going with our Class C at the time, since the rear outside
tires rode up on the capstones both coming and going.
The office was a bar/tattoo parlor/with a pool table .
The people were nice though. The hookups were primitive,
sites un-level and the power worked at the 4th one by cutting
the ground lug off my 15 amp adapter. We didn't use the
water hookup since the handle as missing.
We were awakened at 3A.M. by something large and black
tearing up the trash cans and dumpster. We left at 1st light.
We've been through the area several times, but haven't
checked to see if they are still open for business.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six & Plum CG in Morgantown, WV
Thanks to DeLorme and our "personalized" GPS mapfile
program*, we have never been stuck having to park at a noisy,
smelly truck stop or other relatively unsafe place like
a parking lot. (Remember the guy in Goshen, IN, whose fifth-wheel
was broadsided by a drunk at 2:15 a.m. the night before
an Escapade?)
That said -- we always plan to stop by mid afternoon, and
if the maps suggest that the roads are rather twisty and
narrow (Go figure! In WV!?), we will go so far as to unhook
and drive the toad into the campground. [This does not necessarily
apply to overnight stops, or areas where the campground
is visible from the major highway.]
The road to Six & Plum (Lovely name, lousy campground)
would never have permitted our 40' MH to navigate its turns
safely. Even in the toad, we were leary of meeting a vehicle
coming the other way
As we made the final sharp turn, and saw the abandonded
metal relics of a motorized past and the heaps of debris
everywhere, one question came to the forefronts of our minds:
Is this a junkyard or a dump? And then the huge dog with
a spiked collar lunged at us, but was stopped short by inches
thanks to a heavy metal chain.
*www.campingandcampgrounds.com -- "Benefits" --
GPS File Updates
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When at Pipestem West Virginia, stay at Pipestem State Park.
Beautiful place. Hiking & Ranger hikes & info. Tram
down to river, restaurant. Just lovely.
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The KOA in Pipestem, WV. The worst gravel road I've ever
seen in a campground. Plus, the sites were not mowed and
were not attractive. Not at all what I've seen at other
KOA's.
Wisconsin
Grantsburg, James N. McNally Campground, 2003, Good, A
Pleasant Suprise
Superior, Northland RV Park, 2003, Poor, Only Park In The
Area
Watertown, River Bend RV Resort, 1999, Would Not Stay Again
Carlsville, Harbor Village RV Resort, 1999, Satisfactory
Kiefer, Rustic Barn Campgroung, 1999, Satisfactory
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riverbend resort outside of Watertown WI Website
Didn't stay there, company picnic was there. A former employee
is a member. Brochure made it sound so nice for the family.
Guard shack to let you on the grounds. Toured the sites
of the campground and it was a gravel parking lot with 10'
strips of grass between the spots. Enough teenage smut going
around to open a maternity ward. Available camping from
there website
Quote:
150 sites available for overnight camping and 20 sites
open to public
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hi everyone
my worst so far is sherwood forest in wis. dells our site
was on an end and the ground sloped so much that to level
the TT the tounge was in the gravel and the back bumper
was about 3 1/2 ft in the air all while setting up in 100
deg. temps, also the cg wasn`t the nicest oh yeah did I
mention this was our first time out with our TT.
i`m amazed were still married after that one.
from now on it`s commercial cg`s! unless I stay at walmart!
uh oh now I did it
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Oakdale KOA Wisconsin. Not a bad little campground if you're
deaf or really into those NASCAR headset radios. It sits
right on I-90 and behind a very active truck stop.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The suckiest campground ever ? ANY Wisconsin State park.
If you don't get a site with an electric hook-up you can't
run your generator ANYTIME!!! In July when it was blistering
hot that is what we experienced. A Wal-Mart parking lot
has them beat hands down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rustic Woods campground Waupaca Wisconsin. Would not be
a bad campground but sites are not properly marked and small.
Also no proper drain system for rain runoff. It rained so
hard left huge deep puddles in the road by our camper. Our
kids enjoyed that, riding there bikes through the puddle.
There was actually 2 campers that had to change sites, there
sites got flooded out. Another thing I did not care for
is the office. They were closed most of the time and the
campground was full.
Wyoming
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How about a good park? Do you like golfing, Oregon Trail
History, boating and fishing and even rodeo and street dance
at the right time of year? Well, this place isn't the biggest,
even full isn't crowded, not a bunch of amenities, full
hookups and sits on the approach to the 9th green of a great
little 9 hole golf course. Daily rates are hard to beat
as well. Register Cliff just a few miles away on my Aunt
and Uncle's property.
Guernsey, Wyoming is the place and here's a link if you're
interested.
http://www.golfandcamp.com/camp.html
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I have to agree with Santara Song about the Grand Teton
RV Park north of Jackson Hole, WY. We just returned from
vacation to Tetons and Yellowstone and couldn't get out
of that park fast enough. We were parked in a teeny space
(we have a 24 ft. Springdale) directly across from the playground
and the noise continued into late at night. There was a
tent erected and we could see nothing of the Grand Tetons.
I think they gave us the suckiest spot they could find for
$40.00 a night. We quickly found another spot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have stayed at KOAs that were quite acceptable. The Atlanta
North KOA was acceptable for what I needed - a place to
stay during a four game college baseball series. Also, Omaha
KOA was crowded but clean and quiet. We frequently stay
in the Terre Haute, IN KOA during the spring (mid March
through Mid May) for home college baseball games. They always
have their water lines protected and clean showers. However,
the worst campground I have ever been at is the Laramie,
WY KOA. Thank goodness we went to the mountains to camp
after two days.
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Rawlings, Wyo. worst ever KOA we have stayed in, dirt and
rocks, trash all over the place, spots were un even, utilities
were several feet apart requring extra elect cord, and sewer
hose etc. There were a couple of snakes seen and enough
spiders under the rickity picknic table to give to a zoo
for research. Glad it was an overnight stop only.
Good KOA San Diego (Chula Vista0 Ca. and a few others
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My two cents worth has to be the Grand Teton RV Park north
of Jackson, WY. They have a fabulous view of the Teton range,
but I believe the RV park has been there longer than the
mountains! They have the market cornered, no other parks
have this view, therefore they don't feel compelled to keep
the facilities updated. They rank fairly high in the camground
directories, but the directory's criteria and mine often
times don't jibe. It seems they campground owners know what
the directories rate and how to manipulate that to their
advantage; showers, laundry facilities, store, etc., as
those are quite clean and nice. However the actual parking
sites, where we actually spend our time, are uneven, unpaved,
ungraveled, with old 30 amp electrical outlets. The 50s
are at the other end of the park where, you guessed it,
you cannot see the only asset of the place, the Grand Tetons!
As a matter of fact we had to park against the traffic flow
in order to face our motor home toward the mountains to
get the view. At $42 I expected a better facility, but was
disappointed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We did 7000 miles in July and without a doubt the worst
campground we have ever stayed in was the Fishing Bridge
campground in Yellowstone. A Wal-Mart parking lot on a busy
sunday does not even come close to being as bad as the dump
in Yellowstone. The sights are so close side to side that
it was not even possible to fully put out the awning on
the sight they gave us. Also back to back with other campers.
The help was rude and basically said take it or leave it
as they had a lot of other people that would take it. We
had made reservations for 2 nights but left and could not
even get a refund because they said they had changed the
rules so that you must cancel with 48 hours notice or loose
your money. We went to one of the other campgrounds that
did not have full hookups and were only on a first come
first serve basis, it was named Mammoth campground and was
wonderful. The campground host were very friendly, the area
was clean and large pull thru sites.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sinks Canyon State Park, Lander, Wy.
Couldn't even find a place big enough to pitch a tent--and
it wasn't full.
Go on up the road into the Wind River Range national forest
campgrounds. Up high, trees, mountain lakes--just lovely.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hi I hate to say it but I thought Yellowstone Park had the
worst sites. The park is almost the size of a small state
but you wouldn't know it from the campsite. I could hardly
park a 30 foot class a and jeep on the site. I would prefer
to park in a wal-mart before i would spend the 40 bucks
to park in a parking lot in yellowstone. the park is nice
but try not to stay there.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you stay in that parking lot called Fishing Bridge
in Yellowstone?
Try some of the real campgrounds. No, they don't have hook
ups but lots of people stay there with rigs your size for
days without hook ups. They charge much less too--seems
like around $15.00.
When you make reservations, they ask your vehicle sizes
to accomodate you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hi It should be called Fishing Bridge Parking Lot
I now have a smaller rig(23 foot) and no toad and for health
reasons I don't reserve campsites. To hard to know from
day to day my schedule but will try to use the other sites
on my next visit. We have been there each time we travel
west but generally use the park as a senic drive to pass
thru to the coast. thanks for the info.
Canada
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Waterton Springs campground, located just outside the gates
of the Park at waterton, Alberta, new owners, beware, after
we arrived there, un benounced they came up to my brother
in law and said they just decided to charge the owners of
the pets there, $2.oo aday, long story anyways, beware,
go into town and stay there, a much nicer park and friendier
people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There is a campground up here west of drumheller,alberta,
canada. We booked there for 2 nights, we found it in a travel
guide. The campground itself was quite nice, however. No
fires, no putting down your green astro turf, no talking
after 10pm, we sat around a citronella candle at 11pm and
were told to put it out, how bad is that?? When we told
them we were leaving the next day, the lady was VERY snotty
about giving out money back, and she never did. It doesn't
take much for the word to get around when you are talking
about something someone had bad experience with.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Thompson "resort", Cline River, Alberta,
Canada. If you have a mecdium size rig, or larger, you need
a mountain goat to get into your site!
Niagra Falls -
Ontario
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steve781 wrote:
I have a tie for suckiest...
Niagara KOA in NY and the Jellystone in Sturbridge MA.
Both were dirty and over packed with nasty people.
Nothing has changed since 2002. HOWEVER, the Niagara KOA
in CANADA is the best KOA we had ever experienced. The Canadians
have their act together. The New Yorkers do not. (hehehe,
I'm from the New York side, and worst yet, Niagara Falls!
I am in the know!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The KOA on Lundy Lane on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls
was great.
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Bissells Hideway in Fonthill Ontario (near Niagara Falls).
You drive in and the first impression is that this is going
to be nice. Very nice office and entrance area. Despite
having a reservation, the first two sites they gave us had
campers on them. The sites are so tight that a tractor was
needed to put my trailer in. It is almost all seasonals
with junk piled everywhere. Roads are very narrow. Bathrooms
are nasty. Showers are not only dirty, but you have to PAY
to use them.
Advertised as a resort because of the large (and admittedly
nice) pool, but the pool is very busy due to the picnic
area for the locals.
Definitely NOT reccomended!
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Quote:
Bissells Hideaway Resort, near Niagara Falls Fronthill
ON, Can crowded, pool
How can you say the pool is crowded at Bissell's? It's
an ACRE! I've been there several times and it's never been
crowded. Excellent campground. www.bissellshideaway.com
Nova Scotia
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Someone mentioned Nova Scotia!! We just returned from there
and all the campgrounds that we saw were so crowded and
close. The worst one was in Truro called Scotia Pines. Kids
rode their bikes up & down after dark. They had signs
posted everywhere saying they were a "early to bed"
family campground and the 10 o'clock quitet time was stickly
enforced. Well, at 10:45 we went to the office and asked
when it would start to calm down. People were sitting out
with radios blasting. The campsites were so close (4 sites
in a row hooked up to one electric/water post)that the people
next to us in a pop-up had their screen house so close to
our tt that you couldn't walk between then. The kids stayed
up to 1:30 playing cards right on the other side of our
wall. Yuck. We left the next day.
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