FYI this is my first time ever writing a negative campground review, but this experience deserves one. Our large family group stayed at Devil’s Tombstone Campground over Memorial Day weekend, and despite having camped dozens of times over the years, this was by far the worst campground and staff experience we’ve ever had.
When we arrived there was no caretaker present, no cell service to call the posted number, and we were later condescendingly told we “should have checked in” and “should have knocked”— both of which we did. We were then told the posted number was “only for emergencies,” despite nowhere stating that. The first caretaker who checked us in was pleasant, but after that it felt like staff constantly monitored and corrected our group over extremely minor issues: partially parking on grass, briefly parking near the bathroom walkway, plugging into an outlet near the restroom during 40-degree rainy weather, hanging signs, and even checking our tarp lines on trees. Many of these rules were not posted anywhere.
After someone plugged into the bathroom outlet because they were freezing (there was no sign that said you couldn't and it was not listed in the rules), the bathroom power was shut off entirely, leaving the bathrooms without lights at night, which created an obvious safety issue. Around the same time, a camera suddenly appeared near the outlet area, which felt excessive and uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, staff spent hours mowing, weed-whacking, and chain sawing during the middle of Friday on Memorial Day weekend while simultaneously nitpicking campers over every little thing.
The final straw was being told we could not use a fully enclosed propane fire pit with no embers during cold, windy, rainy weather. After expressing frustration over the constant nitpicking, forest rangers were called on us the next morning. Staff reportedly told them we had garbage and food everywhere, which was completely false. Thankfully the rangers themselves were respectful and seemed to quickly realize we were simply a group trying to enjoy our weekend.
The campground itself was also very misleading compared to online photos. The “lake” is more like a shallow pond unsuitable for meaningful fishing, kayaking, or swimming. The supposedly stocked creek running through the campground was completely dry, there is no running water in the bathrooms, and a main road cuts directly through the campground with traffic flying by at highway speeds.
We still managed to have fun because we enjoy spending time outdoors together, but we would absolutely not return or recommend this campground.
Traveler
