This was our first time here, stayed four days, Thursday through Sunday in June, 2014. Relaxing, fun filled experience for myself and my little boy. There were many black tree stalks filling the woods but the new growth is about five feet or so now so there's green life pushing it's way up ! It's still a beautiful, HUGE park. That said, the fire department did an excellent job of saving the park's structures - all the cabins (and their surrounding trees), golf course, YMCA pool, etc. All trees around these structures are tall and green. Drove around the tent campground and it's beautiful, bathrooms immaculate.
Ranger tips - cabins made with stone stay cooler, # 1-5. Lake access- cabins #1, 5, 10-12. # 1 has direct access.
**Rangers- they were incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and personable. Unfortunately for them, they are responsible for cleaning the cabins after people check out. I find this a shame. The cleaning service was cancelled by the state a few years ago. I did what I could and cleaned our kitchen spotless but couldn't do the whole cabin. I would think a ranger's talent is used more effectively elsewhere. Since the cabins stayed rented months in advance year round I think the state should raise the cabin/campground rates slightly to cover the cost of a cleaning crew. Our cabin was immaculate upon arrival, thank you rangers !
Cabins-
quaint - we stayed in the 2 person (#2) stone cabin. Ranger let us look into a few
others that had just been vacated -just as nice as ours.
kitchen - Each has a small ( maybe 3 feet tall ?) refrigerator with small freezer. Electric stove top- worked perfect as did the sink :) (no oven in any)
Bathroom - basic tub with shower, sink, toilet - all worked perfect. Towels and rags are provided. Left dirty ones outside cabin with a note asking for more and new ones were delivered that afternoon by the rangers.
Bedroom - very comfortable full size bed in ours (it's the smallest cabin - for 2 people only). Linens, thin hotel type blanket, pillows provided (we brought our own blankets, pillows). Had bedside table, lamp, chest of drawers and an open closet.
living room - we had 2 big chairs in ours. This is where the a/c unit is located as well. The unit works excellent ! it's remote control accessed - easy and got cold :) fireplace looks great but to hot to use.
Ceiling fans in living room, bedroom worked great to circulate the cool air.
Back and front doors - we received a key but be warned that the doors will AUTOMATICALLY lock after about ten minutes !
in - ground grill in the backyard - worked great and has a fire pit area :)
YMCA pool - Really clean, a diving 'plank' (no diving board) that all the kids loved. Average size pool with 2 baby pools on either end of the pool that are completely separate from the main pool. Cash snack bar.Bathrooms have showers, clean. Lockers for storage near the entrance. Only problem is they don't staff adequately for the summer - there was a wait list to get in Friday afternoon so Saturday i called to verify when the wait list was cleared ( about 4). turns out people have birthday parties and bring in a lot of kids. on our Saturday they did have about 3 more lifeguards than Friday but seemed to be surprised they needed that many. it's summertime, people are camping - what do they expect ? Otherwise, a great experience !
Golf course - Lost Pines, really nice. The trees were saved from the wildfire so it's beautiful, and hilly. You can play 9 or 18 holes. Carts are to be in by 8 p.m. We saw rabbits everywhere :) Friendly and helpful staff. Didn't realize but we could have brought our own ice chest on the golf cart. Golf shop has everything - we bought some loose balls at a $1 a piece, waters, snacks, etc.
Lake- small but adequate for fishing and canoeing (we didn't fish) . We went to park ranger station at 9 a.m. saturday to reserve a canoe but all 4 had been rented for the entire day. We followed their advice and canoed at Buescher State park about 10 miles away. Our rangers were incredibly helpful buy confirming with Buescher that they had a competition on the lake finishing at noon so we didn't' waste our time going to early. That lake is HUGE, lots of greenery (this park didn't burn so we did our nature walk there , too). It was our fist time canoeing EVER - canoe was good, life jackets and oars were provided (child under 12 mandated to wear one). Be warned - use lots and lots of bug spray !
Fees-
cabin rental fee (ours was 80 a night)
park entry fee $ 4 daily, under 12 free
ymca fee - $3 for adult, under 13 free
canoe rental - $ 5 per hour (2 hours was plenty for us)
golf course - we reserved online so got half price on Friday night - $ 15 for all 18 holes & use of golf cart (my son has his own clubs but those are no charge). $ 5 fee for me since i wasn't golfing but I was riding:) If tee time is reversed at the shop it might be double. read more