This is a great campground that would balance out the outdoor folks with those that appreciate a little luxury. The river is loud and cold- there are two restaurants on site- River’s end and a smaller more “bar like” restaurant across walking bridge. There is a convenience store across the street, and an outfitter there to provide kayaks etc. to anyone who wants to try them out. The Appalachian trail goes right thru the middle so serious hikers are happy to see civilization again and have shower access, water, and vending machines. This place would appeal to kids and adults.
The wildlife we saw were unbelievable. You can rent bikes during certain hours but kids are little and tire easily so we still drove “the loop” several times. The only downside would be that many people visit this campground and it is not necessarily quiet. After 10 it settled down quite a bit- the kids enjoyed seeing more kids their age nearby to make friends with. There are several short hikes and architectural gems in a very small area. Views are beautiful. We saw a wolf chasing a deer (deer escaped!)- finally saw a young Bear right off the trail. We saw many deer and wild turkeys, and birds.
We were pleasantly surprised by the nice views, great tent campsites, cold river access, and access to restaurants even though camp feels remote. At night there was a lake nearby you could see the alligator’s eyes glowing - kids thought that was cool. Great swimming- but river had very strong current so kids wore Life jackets. This area is hilly and has a different appearance than most state parks I’ve been to in LA. The restrooms/shower access are a short walk and kept very clean.
The people running this Koa were very friendly. The cabins are comfortable with an a/c unit. The kids love the elaborate slide built into the hill and the snack bar at the pool. This place is nothing fancy -but simple and just what we needed. There was access to a small general store, showers and laundry facility. There is a nice quiet area to hang hammocks and chill out. We cooked hot dogs and marshmallows in the campfire ring one night. Each cabin has a swing in front. There are several good restaurants nearby in Meridian. Great, restful weekend trip.