"Sunny Valley Campground" does not do this hidden gem justice. Something like, "Sunny Valley Family Camp Resort" might be more fitting. I can't believe I have lived in Southern Oregon most my life and never heard of it! We had a birthday there this week and none of our guests (all natives as well) hadn't either, so when I tell you I hesitate to leave a review for fear that it will become more popular, I mean it - I have mixed feelings about promoting it, but the owners of SV Campground deserve to be put on a pedestal, so here goes.
From my first inquiry call, I knew things were different. I was searching for a place that I could bring a bunch of kids camping and also invite a ton of guests for a party. I told them that right away and instead of the panicked or evasive response I had gotten elsewhere, I got a, "Great! We are here until 8 every day. Come check it out!"
When we arrived to tour the grounds, Brad pointed us toward a pavilion that looked like something on the front of a magazine with oversized raw pine pillars with exposed steel hardware, strung with Edison lights. He had built it himself with trees from the property and offered it to us free of charge to host our guests for a party. Our first impression of the owners, Brad and Chris, and their property stayed true through our entire visit and our stay the following week. I was more impressed every moment I was there.
Perfect 10 highlights:
Family friendly - Something out of a movie. Nostalgic. This place embodied what is missing in our world today. There were some good guidelines such as pool closing at dark, kids under 14 needing to be with an adult in game room, etc., but I was allowed to be parent. I saw the owners working all day every day. I worried that my kids were too rowdy, but they just gave hi-fives. I worried our party was too loud, but they said, "Happy Birthday. I hope you are having the best party every!" On the contrary, if I had been there with friends to party and be wild, I surely would have met a different side of Brad and Chris. They were not prudes, by any stretch; they just made it clear this was a place for families.
Cleanliness - Every area was perfectly clean. Spotless campsites. The bathrooms were hands-down the nicest and cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen at a campground. They had a ton of people working to keep the property beautiful, not manicured, just perfectly clean - just the way I like it. The cabins and wagons were unbelievable clean - they smelled wonderful and felt so good to be in.
Amenities - Such attention to detail! Tent and RV sites, cabins (log cabins with twin bunks, a double bed, table, electric, and a porch swing), covered wagons (with enormous king beds and twin bunks, electric, fans and heaters, and a table), all with picnic tables and fire rings. A pool, a store, book exchange, DVD rentals, horseshoe, volleyball, crocket, playground, game room (air hockey, pool, foosball), board games, dog park, bathrooms (gorgeous) with showers, laundry, propane, water/electric hook ups, dump site, dishwashing station and a group meeting area (ALL FREE OTHER THAN COIN-OP LAUNDRY AND THE DVD'S WHICH ARE $1!!). It was everything we love about going to a resort, but in a campground!
Generosity - Offering such an unbelievable experience, Chris and Brad could charge a lot more, but the prices are extremely low. And then, all of the fun is free! The things that did come with a price tag were very inexpensive (example: in the store, we bought birthday candles for $1.25 and ice for $2.50 - same or lower price than the grocery store). They charged no fee for pets or anything else we used. They regularly play movies at the pavilion on the outdoor movie screen for all guests, but offered to play one specially on a Tuesday for the birthday celebration as well. It was so much fun (with popcorn for $0.50)! They let us use chairs and tables for the party, a water bucket for the fire, crocket and badminton supplies as much as we wanted with no fee, not even a waiver. They treated us like family.
Atmosphere - Tall shade trees, light breeze, children laughing. Even though it was quite close to the freeway, the noise was barely noticeable and the trees made it feel as though we were in the high mountains. Especially in this time in history where everything feels out of wack, this place felt good, in every sense of the word. They just got everything right. read more