Joe R.
Yelp
I write this review with confusion, as we wanted to love this place. We actually did love this place. But we also didn't. My rating is mostly based on the fact that I do not see the value for the price. If the price was lower, the rating would be higher. Higher prices typically indicate much better facilities or amenities. Amenities are ok, but not stellar. Sites are very rough.
We had been eying the place for part of our family RV trip, but due to our trip not being able to line up with weekend activities, we had initially passed. Somehow, our schedule opened to allow us to bring the kids for the first weekend of Pumpkin Fest. We were lucky enough to score site 389 just a few days out. Full disclosure that we kind of winged it on the phone, but truly think we ended up with the best site in the park.
Rates are definitely on the higher end for camping, as we were at about $69 per night before discounts. This landed us a site with water and electric, with no sewer. On the subjects of sites, it would be amazing if some of that money had been returned to upkeep and maintenance. The roads, beginning with the front registration, are in need of repair. The main road has been taken over by bumps from tree roots and potholes. The actual camp lettered loops are borderline third world roads. I could understand this for more of a primitive camping environment, but not for this price. Most campsites lacked a real pad (as detailed on other reviews), and pads that do exist tend to be crumbling. Fire pits are not kept up and most not even clean. This did help us with being able to gather some wood on our last day. Other than the sites not being checked or tended between stays, this issue seems to be more of a funding and less of a management issue.
The other issue that we ran into was the inconsistency of information provided between the mountain and campground. It seemed like everyone else told us something different. We had even extended our stay a night into Monday so we could go up to the mountain on Sunday. About 10 minutes after the shuttle was supposed to pick us and ten others up, a lawn guy came by and folded up the schedule and laughed since there were no Sunday shuttles. We were provided three different answers on propane. The inconsistencies were too consistent. After the shuttle episode, we vented to the manager (MW), and she was quick to divert blame, but did provide compensation. As nice as it was, I would have simply preferred a ride to the mountain for my family. It would have cost them less too.
On to the bright side. This site and loop were awesome. It was so quiet. Our loop did not have facilities, but did sit right on the lake with a picture view of the monadnock (since it is not a mountain). We had a rock that we could dock our inflatable raft on. The site was rough, but we fit a 30' rv and 20' tent for our two stragglers. We had one neighbor for two nights, and they were barely around. The grounds were quiet and often patrolled by the local sheriff at night, which was nice. The staff was very nice and professional. Despite the problems, we would come back to this place in a heartbeat...with different expectations.
We were told that capital improvements were starting this November, hopefully. This will include paving roads and upgrading sites.