My review is based on my annual experience over the past eight years. This year, several of my…read moreconcerns appear to have been addressed. While it's too late for the mass departure of annual members this year, I hope this signals that Cross Creek is heading in the right direction.
There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Cross Creek raising its rates every year. After eight years of annual camping, our family--along with eight others--made the decision not to renew. Over the years at Cross Creek, we've built lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories, but with skyrocketing prices and the campground's steady decline, we were left with no choice.
The turning point came when Cross Creek was acquired by Apple Brook. Almost immediately, staffing was reduced, and the amenities that once made it a premier destination were sold off. What was once a AAA-rated resort quickly deteriorated into a glorified state park. The signs of decline were evident: flowerbeds overgrown with weeds, neglected campsites, and unattended weekend lots. Some areas were so overgrown last year with weeds, it was hard to tell where the gravel ended and the grass began.
Safety also became a growing concern during the off season as campers weren't vetted and transients sneaked into the park freely to use the restrooms, showers, washers and dryers. The weekend activities that once defined the campground--such as Harry Potter weekends, haunted houses, escape rooms, and top-tier live music--were replaced with rock painting, karaoke, and second rate bands. When I reached out to the front office two years ago to express my concerns and request a conversation with the owner, I was told he had no interest in speaking with us. The message was clear: with a long waitlist, we were replaceable. When I brought up the decline in activities and amenities, I was told that it was up to the annual campers to organize them--an absurd response.
If you're considering Apple Brook, know that it is not the Cross Creek of the past. The AAA-rated resort is gone, replaced by a contractor campground with annual rate hikes and diminishing activities. If you're looking for a seasonal or annual spot, be prepared for a large price increase each year with fewer and fewer amenities.
Apple Brook has taken its loyal annual and seasonal campers for granted, and as a result, eight families have either left or will leave in just the next few months. My hope with this review is that Apple Brook management sees this and takes action to restore Cross Creek to the incredible destination it once was.
