roadtripper6336971

We were looking for a place to stay the night (we were driving through from northeast Ohio to southwest Arkansas). Through Campendium I found this campground. It was too late to use their reservation system (which didn't seem to allow/accept same day reservations) but FAQ section of their website gave instructions for those who arrive after hours without reservations, so we gave it a shot.

It was easy to get to from I70. It was about 8 pm (the office closes at 6 pm). Locating an available spot was the easiest we have encountered... at a well lit corner of the office building were slots for every site, and a map of the campground. For sites that were available there was a laminated card with the site's information (size; services e.g. electric, sewer, if it was a pull through; and cost). For those sites that were reserved but people had not shown up yet, there were packets with the last names (which presumably contained all the info they needed for their stay). We just needed to pick a site, take the laminated card from its slot, take one of the provided maps, and an after hours registration envelope and then proceed to our site to set up (we had a pull through site with full hook ups; the cost was $62 but with Good Sam discount paid $56). A pleasant related experience: while looking at the available site information, a woman passing by asked if we had ever been there before. When we said no, she enthusiastically told us how much she and her family loved the place, that they come every year, some campground information, and gave advice on sites and driving to the site (it was dark so that info is always helpful).

We noticed a number of amenities even though dark, and then more the next morning as we walked our dogs. There is a short walking trail through the woods (the outer most sites are up against or under trees; those in the middle had either one to a few trees or no trees). There is a pet exercise area (a no leash place for your dogs to scurry around). There is a large playground with what looked like a lot of things for the kids to play on. Getting to the playground is through a little covered bridge which is not only cool but is needed because the playground is nearly surrounded by large enclosed areas containing two donkeys (mules?), and adorable sheep and tiny goats. I believe you can pet the animals, but even if not they are adorable to watch. There is also an "outdoor kitchen" which is a common area near the office with a large fire pit and lots of seating. There are a number of amenities we didn't use on our quick visit (I suggest perusing their website).

This is a family owned campground (one of four they have). They obviously care about their campgrounds and the people who stay there. The campground is near to I70 which initially worried me, because repetitious, constant noise drives me nuts :) but it turned out to not be a problem at all... it was far enough away that the the traffic sound was more like white noise which I didn't even notice after a while. While you can tell that the buildings are older, they are well maintained and clean. There is only one bathroom facility (with showers) which is in the office/camp store building, but because the campground is fairly small it is not far to walk at all if you need them. There are cabins to rent, spots for tent camping, and trailer/motor home sites; we saw nearly every size of RV from pop-ups to Class A's. The rates vary depending on site size and services; they give a discount for Good Sam or military personnel (and one other discount but cannot recall what that one was). We would definitely stay there again if driving through the area or visiting Terre Haute.

We were heading home (to Ohio) after a two week trip but needed a place to stay a couple nights so we could go to the Ark Encounter and, using Campendium, found this location. This was an interesting experience.

Pros:
- Easy to get to (not far off the freeway)
- Office staff was nice, check in process was quick, and if arriving during office hours, someone in a golf cart will escort you to your site and help you get your RV placed.
- Gravel roads and sites well maintained.
- There are 21 individual bathrooms (toilet, sink, and shower [modern fiberglass enclosure]) which were clean.
- Lots of potential activities for kids and other family members: lake/large pond; large playground area, including two inflatables; pool; large outdoor chess and checkers sets (chess pieces about 14" high with the "boards" created by reddish and blackish bricks); two enclosures for leash free dog exercise.
- RV only campground
- Full hook ups at every site
- Wi-fi
- Illuminated site number markers (so helpful!! when it is dark).
- Although close to freeway, noise not too loud (more like white noise that you dont really notice).
- Very organized business, with attention to details.

Cons:
- The road the campground is on is very narrow; although you are only on it a short distance, I would not want to have had an RV coming from the opposite direction.
- Many sites had a significant slope (ours was fairly level, but there were many we were glad we didnt get).
- Fairly crowded; sites quite close together.
- While freeway noise wasnt very loud, there is a train track somewhere nearby so sleeping in late is difficult :) due to the train whistle.
- While I included being an organized business as a pro, some of their business practices are negatives for me. They are very much a business, with stringent policies on cancellations, refunds, etc. I was very! surprised to learn, when I was checking out on the online reservation system, that they do not guarantee your selected site... they guarantee the chosen type of site, but not the specific site. You have to pay $10 extra to lock-in the site you selected. There are charges if you park on the grass or put a rug/mat in the grass, if you want to check in early, and I'm sure more extra charges that I didnt see/read about.
- Many, maybe most, sites were not long enough to park your tow vehicle in. You cant park in the grass so most people parked at their site's entrance, perpendicular to their trailer. Having all those vehicles along the edge of the narrow roads could make it very difficult to maneuver your RV into or out of your site. They do have a few parking areas but I only ever saw one vehicle in the one near our site.

While the con list above seems lengthy, we would stay there again if we were in the area and needed someplace for a couple nights.

Stayed here last week of October, in the D loop, and it was lovely! (We've stayed once before, years ago, in the F loop.) The campground is north of Cherokee, NC and is a few miles into the national park. It is a very wooded campground so most sites have shade much or all of the day. There are bathroom facilities with flush toilets, but no other amenities (no showers, electricity, water, sewer or cell service). It is a wonderful place to unplug and relax. The adjacent fast moving creek is absolutely lovely, and there are trails accessible right from the campground. Generators are allowed only in loops D and F and limited to 8 am to 8 pm. Loop F is RV's only (no tents).

It was only a week before our somewhat spur of the moment trip that we made reservations, so availability was very limited. We were able to get site D027 which was described as a paved, curved 89' long pull thru having a slight down hill slope, allows RVs and trailers up to 35', and that there were obstructions that "may limit the use of some RV slide outs." We should have been more thoughtful in interpreting that (we focused more on the size of site)... we arrived in the dark (not recommended) and the obstructions (large boulders and trees [one in particular was on the edge of the paved area]) were very difficult to maneuver around without hitting a boulder or having the tree hit/gouge the top edge of our fifth wheel. We made it, but it was stressful! We would definitely stay at this campground again, but will want the F loop, which is what we recommend for those with larger units.

We are fans of staying in national and state parks, and Army Corps of Engineers (COA) campgrounds, which this campground is. When we visit my husband's parents here in Mountain Home, AR, this is the place we try to stay. Our first stay here was July and we had a site higher up the hill which was spacious, under the trees, and we could glimpse the lake through the trees. This trip (we leave tomorrow) we have a site right on the lake which is beautiful. We only pay $22 and have water and electricity (would be $11 with the USGS Senior Access Pass). The sites close to the water are a bit closer together than those up the hill, but I dont feel we are crammed together). The campground hosts are wonderfully sweet. The bathroom and shower facilities are certainly adequate (concrete and wood structures, nothing fancy). Reservations are required for all sites before occupying, which we did easily through Recreation.gov.

We are thrilled to have found this place. Had been looking for a place roughly half way between NW part of Arkansas and the Great Smoky Mountains and this place fit the bill. The campground can accommodate any size RV, but pay attention to site descriptions as some are small/short. Our site's drive for camper and trailer was 61'. Two sites over was a large Class A. All sites have full hook ups including 30 and 50 amp. Some sites are pull through. Our site was not on the water but we had a lovely view of the lake from our site. Bathroom/shower facility was older industrial (concrete block and metal) but very clean. There is no wi-fi in the campground. In fact, there is little to no cell service. We are ok with that though because a) I knew that ahead of time from reading the campground info and b) having an unplugged couple of days is good for us :)

The state park entrance is right off of I40. But for those arriving late/in the dark... the campground is about 9 miles from the park entrance, and you lose service in places on the road. So as a back up, have a park map print out with you, or have it pulled up on your electronic device before getting to the park.

The state park itself is very large and is inside a state forest. We took a long drive through the park, did a little hiking. It is beautiful! We plan to return someday with our motorcycles. We want to ride around this park area as well as the Natchez Trace National Parkway which we can access about an hour east of this campground.