Black River Camping at Horse Shoe Ranch

This was our first time camping in that area. Let me start with the pros: The river is beautiful, location of the camp ground is great. Staff was cordial, security vehicle was coming often to check on things around camp and we felt safe, we did not have a problem with people talking loud late at night or during the night or loud music which was nice to have a good night of sleep. The Crowd on the camp seemed to be more family oriented which was a plus.

Cons: We float on a Saturday , it was one of the hottest day of the year. I have never seen so many people floating in a river like this. There were hundreds if not tousands of people this past weekend. The rafts and canoes kept bumping on each other (yes it was that crowded!) The crowd on the river this past saturday was rowdy . Extremnely amout of cussing, drinking, smoking (weed specially) and littering (which we had a bag and pick up after some garbage that was left behind on the river). If you have small children try to avoid weekends... the crowd was very disapointing. Some of the behavior we saw was very innapropriete specially in front of small children.

The only complain about the camp ground was the bathrooms , I choose these place because of their reviews on how clean their bathrooms were. The portable pottys were very dirty and the regular bathroom and shower house were also very very dirty. Toilet paper had run out . it was discussing.

During the float lauch there was a bit of confusion. The young man in charge was upset because they had overbooked the canoes and there was not enough canoes for a group in front of us. It seemed a bit desorganized but we got on the river eventually. They also seemed understaffed for the amout of people they had on their camp this past saturday.

On the side note, they are building new bathrooms in the property which will probably help the bathroom situation (hopefully) .

I will give them another shot...but next time, during the week.

Fantastic campground, family run. The owners are great people, very friendly and welcoming. It's small but very well kept, right along the Black River. Having read a few reviews myself I was prepared for camping with porta potties, I will say they were the cleanest ones I have ever used, cleaner in fact than some camp site bathrooms of other locations in the area. Firewood is available and for the price it is a decent amount of quality dry oak.

Unfortunately the last night we were there a couple just a few sites down from us had too much to drink, they were only there that night, and were up arguing until early morning hours. That was my only complaint and not the fault of the campground, I'm sure I could have said something and it would have been handled appropriately. None the less I will be back.

Beautiful campsite on a great section on the river. Very scenic. Only wish it was less crowded when we went or maybe the campsites were a little more spread out. Clearly this is a popular spot and for good reason. The people that camped next to us stayed up really late and were smoking and talking loudly. We could hear their whole conversation and then one of the float employees (driver/worker) joined in with them and talked about how dumb the patrons he dealt with that day were. To each their own I guess but It still gave my boyfriend and I a good laugh.

Regardless, the river itself is beautiful and we will definitely be back. Good kayaks too. I wish the float was longer. It is pretty fast since the river moves quick. They say it’s 6 / 7 miles. Would recommend stopping and swimming or else you go through it too fast. I don’t recommend doing a raft if the water level is low. You put 3 people on that thing with a cooler and your going to be dragging it everywhere.