By:
Submission
This recreation area is part of [Benbrook Lake](http://www.recreation.gov/recreationalAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&recAreaId;=494&agencyCode;=130)
Nice and quiet campground. Lake was a little low while we were here but still a nice stay. Tons of birds and a few other animals. Only gripe is the campground closes its gates at 10pm. So if you stay out past 10pm you ha e to walk back to your campsite or wait until 6am to get in.
No shade or any barriers to block your neighbors. If you're a junkie good spot to go. Will never go back.
We rented the Group Site from 05/06/21-05/09/21
We had one electrical hookup that did not work. Grass needed to be mowed. Restroom facilities were very disgusting .
The biggest complaint was the first campsite you come upon once you enter the park. I'm assuming a long term resident, flea market or a dump station. Also whomever it is drives around the park looking like a stalker.
I asked about it on our way OUT of the park. The campsite host said something along the line of he is a Volunteer or something. I said that it was nasty and disgusting. She said that was after it was cleaned up.
Nice quiet campground, campsites spaced further apart than most other campgrounds I've been to.
**HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYWHERE BUT HERE**
Long review - highlights are filthy bathroom facility, aggressive staff, clingy park ranger, misleading location.
We came for my husband's 31st birthday and reserved two camp sites in advance for $60. The reservation website is pretty minimal and we reviewed ALL online posted rules and regulations at the time of booking. We wanted to make sure we could bring our golf cart. There was NO MENTION that this was against their policies so we took the time to haul it out there with us. The older woman at the gate barely greeted us and informed us we were not allowed to have a golf cart there.
She then provided us with a thick booklet of ‘rules’ that stated no off road vehicles. I’m not sure if she is just unfamiliar with Texas state laws, but golf carts are considered street legal. Regardless, while frustrated, we were respectful and simply agreed to not drive the golf cart.
We then drove down to view our campsites for the first time. They were overgrown, mossy, and not at all what we pictured when viewing our camp sites on their map. (See photos attached - we were at #7 and #10). There were thick trees in front of the ‘water’ which was really just a trickle of algae swamp water. We understand they cannot control mother nature. However, we asked the woman at the front if there was any way we could swap to another camp site. She declined to do so.
There were several (probably 15 unoccupied sites) that she allowed us to use during the day, as long as we did not use their facilities (just a simple picnic table) and did not set up camp. I'm not sure why she could not offer us any of those to stay at. Regardless, we were thankful to be able to use them during the day, as the entire point of going to the lake in 100 degree temps was to be near the water.
About an hour into being there was our first of many visits by a park ranger. She simply reminded us that we were not to use their facilities (again, a basic picnic table) and to be sure that we do not park on the grass. We agreed to continue not to do those things.
Shortly after, another person joined our group and the park ranger returned to inform them that they would need to move their vehicle as two of the front car tires were BARELY in the dirt, and not fully on the pavement. Keep in mind, this was dirt within inches of the pavement.
The same ranger returned a handful of times within a 3 hour period consistently reminding us of the rules (which were already being adhered to) and then proceeded to park two campsites down to monitor our group. (We were the only ones down at that section which was about a mile away from all other camp sites).
This behavior was unprompted and frankly annoying. We paid to visit this campground and ended up being harassed repeatedly. It was almost a joke in our group each time she returned, "oh, now what could she possibly want?"
The next morning, we were assured again that we could use the campsite by the water for day use. After another friend arrived with their daughter for the day, we were rudely informed that we indeed were NOT permitted to be there during the day after all. Seems they just change their rules spur of the moment.
We ended up packing up early and leaving. It simply was not worth the continued aggressiveness by the staff.
The one bathroom that was available (the rest were locked) was dark and absolutely disgusting. An animal carcass was in one of the stalls with maggots all over it. The 'stalls' did not shut, although I'm not sure you would want to be shut in with the smell and swarms of bugs. They are also located right next to a permanent tenant living there with all kinds of junk scattered everywhere - looked like a hoarder's paradise.
We will never come back to this campsite. A state park would have been better than this experience, and those come with a ton of rules and fees. Please spend your money wiser elsewhere.
