Kara R.

Starkville, MS

Joined January 2019

Love hiking and camping - don't do enough camping but am working to rectify!

Quiet with easy access

This campground is in a remote part of the mountains but is very easy to find. My niece and I stayed here for 1 night recently and completely enjoyed the stay. You get a view of the mountains from the road, there is lots of hiking to be found, and plenty of water to enjoy hearing. One of the trails in the park takes you to a waterfall but first you must cross a cool log bridge over a rocky creek. 

This campground is located in bear county and they do a great job making sure that you are aware of this fact and know what to do. They provide bear-proof garbage throughout the grounds and every few campsites, has a bear-proof box that you can keep food in if you aren't traveling by a hard-shelled vehicle (their words). Bathrooms are readily accessible and are kept clean. They also have a place to clean your dishes outside the bathrooms so that all scents stay away from your campsite.

The night we stayed, it was very windy. Be prepared for this as the area is full of trees, it sounds like roaring at times even though it wasn't doing much at all. It wasn't stormy, just extra windy that night. This could be a little scary to kids who aren't prepared.

Very nice

Enjoyed this park - very nice. The campsite was very clean and fairly easy to get around. I was pleasantly surprised to see all the play areas in each of the campground groupings.  Very nice setup for kids of all ages. There's a huge pool by the lake that you can pay to swim in (11 feet deep at one end). The staff here is very friendly and helpful. 

The one complaint I have with the park in general is lack of informational signs about the waterfalls - no warning that to get to certain waterfalls, involves climbing down/up trails that are nothing more then going up and over wet, slippery rocks (not the crushed gravel kind). I asked about this and they are working on getting more information out for this so that people who have health issues can decide whether to go or not. I did it but certainly wish I hadn't - it wasn't easy for someone who has had multiple knee surgeries and has severe asthma. Beyond more information, it would be nice if the handrail went the full length of the trail vs just half of it - that would help a lot! 

All in all - very worth the trip to visit and camp here.

Terrible

Stayed overnight in July and there was just 1 toilet working! When it rains just a bit, the campground is a mess. I expect mud but this was awful. Way too much water lying around to be able to setup a tent. Fortunately, they had a couple spots that were a bit higher up so not as wet and muddy. Too expensive for what you get. Staff was ok, not overly friendly or helpful but certainly not rude.