Lupine/Cedar Bluff Campground

We stayed in Lupine CG for 10 days, and loved it. We had no trouble checking in, and found the host very helpful. You do have to check in at the office which is about ten minutes away, but it’s really not a big deal. The bathrooms were cleaned daily, and even though they got a little rough over the weekend, it was due to inconsiderate campers, not the host. There are plenty of water stations and trash receptacles about. We had plenty of shade at our site, and felt relatively isolated ( site 87). At ten days under $300, I’m not sure about the “overpriced” review left by another camper. We drove from Indiana to stay here, and thoroughly enjoyed our time here. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 is I think they do need bear lockers. We had a beautiful cinnamon colored bear wander into our site a couple of times. While we were very careful to follow food storage protocols, not all campers were. Not having to carry out food around with us for ten days would have been better, but in the grand scheme of things, it really didn’t take anything away from our experience.

Honestly, this was the worst camping experience I've had in a long time, if ever. Nonsensical system with a rude host. Mediocre campground for a lot of money, far apart bathrooms, lots of noise from other campers, the lake, and the road.

We arrived late early evening and the sign at the entrance said to choose any open site and someone would be around to collect our fee and that's what we did. The campground is big with multiple loops but no maps or explanation. We chose a site on a deserted loop, set up camp, and waited around before deciding to go on a walk. The host didn’t come around until after dark and was VERY passive aggressive about us not having stopped by the hosts when we arrived. Apparently, the protocol is to seek out the hosts upon arrival and have them explain the campground to you. I have NEVER been to a campground where the guests are expected to search for the hosts upon arrival. If that’s how they had wanted campers to register then the sign should have said so.

Long story (kind of) short we were in a “double” site (there was no apparent signage) which costs over $70 for one night in a campground that is mediocre at best in a loop that was empty... we ended up having to move after dark and were provided with a poorly drawn and explained map of sites we could use. We ended up in a site without even space for a tent.

The icing on the cake was that when we tried to leave in the morning, the road was closed for a 5K race for hours. There was no signage nor had we been warned. I've been traveling with my mother and she described it as "like being trapped in the campground from hell..."

If you camp here know that Lupine and Cedar Bluff, although listed as two separate campgrounds are one and the same except that Cedar Bluff (on the right of the entrance) is all multiple sites and Lupine (on the left of the entrance road) is all single sites. The lake was really low so the beach felt gross and the picnic area across from the campgrounds was poorly maintained and littered.