By:
Submission
Formerly Randy's Bluffton Store and Campground - under new ownership
From jct SR 9 & SR 52: Go 9 mi N on US 52, then 3 mi W on Hitching Post Rd.
We used to come when it was Randy’s and always liked it. We had a bad experience this time. Where it is a pretty area the way we were treated this weekend was the worst experience. We had booked the weekend not realizing there was a concert on Saturday. Which we figured no big deal right! Wrong. We come in Saturday from Kayaking to be stopped and told we all needed wristbands! We had just came off the river the 2 wristbands were at the campsite why would we wear them on the river? Also we Didn’t want to attend the concert at all. Owner was very rude and not easy to work with about it. After that we go to the campsite and go to shower. My son, after showering, tried to return to camp. To be stopped by 2 men and told that he had to have a wristband to go anywhere. My son was only trying to go back to me at the campground.Again we didn’t want the concert. Didn’t care about the concert. Thankfully My friend came out just in time to tell them to let him go back. Who stops a child from returning to his parents?? Who makes people who are just camping buy wristbands for a concert they didn’t know was happening. The website when we booked should have been more specific. The confirmation email should have said we were being forced into a concert. We would have just quietly sat at camp ignoring the concert. Turns out we paid $50 extra for the weekend because of the concert. Which we weren’t even going to attend. Again didn’t matter to us. But being stopped and rudely
Talked to right after being on the river. Not being warned when checked that kids would be stopped too. Too scared to send kids to the bathroom even after. So as an upset mom I went to talk to someone. I have never done this type of thing before I rarely send wrong food back. Having my son stopped from returning to me for any amount of time set in w me. I went to the office/bar area. Spoke to a nice young gentleman behind the bar. Because I was so angry I ended up crying. That’s what I do when I get really upset and messing with my kids brings that out. He was super sweet and kind and honestly wanted to help. Explained to him all I wanted for it to never happen again. When camping there no parent or kid should be afraid to use the restroom for fear of being stopped for any reason. How the concert night was ran was messed up. The new owners need to either make sure website when booking warns you that you must attend the concert and that even kids need wristbands even if not attending the music part. My kids were just playing cards in the camper. People should be given an entire list of what to expect concert day. It was done in a really messed up manner. I really Hope it changes next time for anyone who ever camps there. Randy was a lot nicer to deal with. Even before all this happened just getting ice he was rude to my friend who went up. Maybe stressed from concert night???? Either way could be a lot nicer to Deal with. Don’t mess with people’s kids.
It was a complete nightmare here! The staff was incredibly useless, and the transports were unreliable. Even worse, Tim and Tiffany, the owners, were exceedingly unpleasant. It's safe to assume that we won't visit this location again. We urge others to stay away from it at all costs.
Even before all of these issues, my friend had a poor experience attempting to get ice from the staff, as if that weren't bad enough. They treated him with the utmost disrespect. The way the staff treats people unfairly and discriminates against them is appalling.
Everything was dramatically altered when the new owners took over a few years back, which eventually damaged the overall experience. Our once-cherished summer vacation now has a price tag that has nearly tripled.
Our first visit. Tim and Tiffany went out of there way to meet all of our needs. This is the most beautiful campsite I’ve ever stayed. Kayaking will take your breath away. Lost my phone in the river, the next day stopped in the bar to watch a football game and Tiffany asked if I was missing anything? She then pulled my cell from behind the bar and I found out someone found it on a rock and turned it in. Only in Iowa! Thank you!
Everything about this place is pure heaven on Earth! From the campsites to the shuttles, and the staff 5 stars all day! They drop you and your kayaks off on the river and you get out right at your camp spot!! They also have a bar with a kitchen in case you dont wanna cook! The owners Tim and Tiffany were the most amazing hosts and a really fun time to hangout with! (My boyfriend Donnie made quite the impression). I CANNOT wait to go back next year and many years to come!!!
This campground has an amazing location. Beautiful bluffs, large trees and spacious sites. Good food and friendly staff. There is major room for improvement in the bathroom/ shower facilities however. If the bathroom/showers are important to you, do NOT go here. Cinder block walls with rusty shower heads and no doors. Only 1 toilet. Very dirty. And you have to pay to take a shower to top it all off. If the showers were clean and updated I don't have an issue with paying.
