Thousand Trails/Forest Lake

Advance, NC

We visited this campground on a "time-share" sort of deal: they gave us a free weekend in exchange for listening to their sales pitch. They bill themselves as a private resort, and there are many amenities: pools, mini-golf, lake with canoes and paddleboats, tennis and basketball courts, shuffleboard, cafe and game room, and planned activities during the season. We did not buy, for a number of reasons, including the fact that there are very few facility choices in our region, we don't appreciate their "scare tactics" in the sales pitch, and really for the amount of money they ask in "dues" I would think they could keep some of their facilities in better repair. All the outdoor courts/equipment were in serious need of upkeep/maintenance, as was the mini-golf course. But, most activities were free for guests/members.

Scoring:
Site: 3 (small with aging equipment)
Amenities: 4 (many options but not in good repair)
Bathrooms: 3 (roomy but aging, no fan or a/c, stuffy)
Overall: 10

Little Talbot Island State Park

Jacksonville, FL

Most sites are shady if a bit small. You almost can't see neighboring sites due to thick forestation. (Only one pull-thru that we could find, but most sites suitable for pop-ups and mid-size campers.) Campground is on the other side of A1A from the main park, which is where you find the ocean. The campground has access to the salt marsh. Not advisable to walk from campsite to beach. You can't swim at the south end of the island due to the nearness of the St Johns river, but you can swim at the north end. Boardwalks, bathrooms, showers, and covered picnic tables are well-maintained and available at both north and south beach access points. Our only complaint was the skeeters - big monster skeeter squadrons. Should've brought more bug spray!

Scoring:
Site: 5 (#31 - minus one point for huge monster skeeters!)
Amenities: 3 (playground, small boat dock, small laundry; no store)
Bathrooms: 4 (roomy and clean, but not enough hot water!)
Overall: 12

Amicalola Falls State Park

Dahlonega, GA

Very steep drive up to campground. Only 24 or 25 sites but they are all brand-new as of 2005. We were the first to ever use our grill in our site. The sites on the inside of the campground loop seemed to be kind of exposed, not a lot of privacy there; however the outside of the loop sites seemed more "private." Note that the camp store is in the visitor's center, at the bottom of the mountain. The nearby lodge has a restaurant and very small gift shop. The visitor's center has some very cool wildlife displays and a fun "hideout" for the kids, and a great playground. There is a wide, clear field behind the bath house - great for kickball or frisbee or whatever. Campground is near the top of the falls, you can walk there but it's steep in places.

Gravel pads, fire rings, grills, tables.

Scoring:
Site: 4 (#7)
Amenities: 3 (store, playground, and park activities available - but all are at bottom of mountain)
Bathrooms: 4 (brand new at our visit, but still a little small)
Overall: 12