We reserved a campsite at Pymatuning - Linesville. If you enjoy camping in a Federal Prison setting, this is the place for you.
Before we had the chance to set up camp, we were greeted by the Campground Hosts - aka Prison Guards. First, They scolded us for not displaying a Site Number Card on the post of the tiny, awkard campsite we had been at for less than five minutes. Second, they repeated the long list of insane rules that we had already received upon check-in. Basis summary of rules - if it's fun, you can't do it!
We were wedged between two perfect strangers that were so incredibly close to us that we could smell their breath. But, no beer breath because there is no alcohol permitted here . It was a Military style "nut-to-butt" kind of close. Best to Just shut up and go to sleep. The first evening was so quiet, we had to talk to each other in our "funeral voices" to avoid drawing the attention of the constantly circling Park Rangers. Quiet Time starts at 9pm. We had to cautiously hush as we washed up the dinner dishes to avoid disturbing the morgue-like silence. It was a completely silent ghost town from 9pm until dawn the next day.
On Saturday morning, a friendly Golden Retriever from next-door slipped his owner's grasp and walked over to us for a brief visit. Out of nowhere, a Park Ranger instantly appeared and issued a verbal warning to its' owners. No pets off leash at any time for any reason, no matter what. No exceptions. Obey or leave.
After nearly thirty years of camping, this had to be the Number One most boring, restricted camping experience of our lifetime. Never going back. Couldn't wait to leave.
On a positive note: The water pressure is great. It blasted my baseball cap off when I opened the sink valve. Very memorable! read more