I have been camping for many years and have never been so disappointed with a campsite/ campground. My experience camping at the College Campground was deplorable; if you have ever seen refugee camps this campground is close to one. The campsites are so close together that you might as well advertise this campground as groups only. There was no privacy!!!! The way the map is drawn makes it look like you have privacy and the sensation of being alone so to speak with nature; especially with the pictures provided. I heard my surrounding neighbors conversations in full detail every moment we were at the campground. I could help but feel like an eavesdropper when I am not. The only reason we stayed is we were out on the water all day. I stayed at Campsite 7 and when I pulled up I couldn't even back my car up all the way because I would have been in my neighbors' tent (Campsite 6). Luckily, I only needed one tent but had I notified host that I was bringing two tents where would I have put the second tent? The spot where I placed my tent was nice and flat- however the ashes that were dumped and spread all over the walk way to the tent pad was awful- we put our chairs in the ashes to keep from tracking ash and soot into our tent.
The first night, Campsite 5 had at least 24 people camping; the map on the campsites doesn't notify potential campers that you might be parking yourself next to a huge party. It would also be nice if hosts know this to somehow tell campers so they can pick a different campground. Campsite 7 is directly in the sun and I would have brought my sunshade however, the picture provided shows shade. Campsites 6,7, 8, 9 are so close to the vault toilets is that even sanitary? In the military (Army) latrines are suppose to be 100 meters downhill or downstream from mess halls; Campsite 7 table for eating on is 3 meters from the vault toilets in the photo it looks farther than that plus the light remains on the entire night. I never used my lantern- saved batteries, but I enjoy looking up at the stars a tad difficult to see the full effect when the lights are on.
I love the US Forest Service and the camp hosts/personnel were very kind at College; yet the last night we were awakened by people partying hard in site 9 that didn't appear to have a reservation because they didn't have a yellow tag indicating a reservation. They had pulled in the middle of the night made a racket of noise with their gear, music, swearing and drinking heavily by 6am. The host drove by in a golf cart around 7am and never stopped to talk with these people. How about sending law enforcement of some kind over if you are intimidated by the group? I sent my sons away so I could pack up and leave because I didn't want them to experience or hear the vulgarity and gang like behavior that was taking place. Not suitable for children nor suitable for anyone wanting to experience the beauty our forests give to us. read more