Oakland Mills Park — Attraction in Mount Pleasant

Oakland Mills County Park, situated on the Skunk River, is a mish-mash of congruities and contradictions. There are three--rumor has it four--campgrounds surrounding the old dam built at Oakland Mills. All that is left of the community now are a few homes and a little restaurant with a lot of personality (and the winner of a pulled pork contest, I believe).

The rumor-has-it campground is the primitive campground on the north side of the river. I couldn't find it, so I guess when Henry County says "primitive," they mean it. One guy in an RV said he likes it over there, so I guess it exists . . . somewhere. It might just be a wide area in the road.

The South Shore Area campground is the nicest, in my opinion. There is nice grass and cement pads for the rig. There is a large area for tents if you don't mind the sun. Showers and restrooms are available, although the showers require quarters and the restrooms (a distance from the camp) are locked at night unless you ask the camp host not to. Water is available but is activated by spring faucets, so you have to hold the spigot handle to keep the water flowing, and you cannot stay permanently hooked up. Electric is available but not sewer, although there is a dump station (also with a spring-loaded spigot). However, there are some nice, shady trees for a number of camping spots.

The Top-of-the-Hill Area is the campground on the bluff above the river on the south side. It has the newest shower and restroom facility, although it is small. The campsites are gravel and most, it seems, are drive-through for the bigger rigs.

Waterworks Park campground is across the road on the south side of the bridge. It's a flat area with a good kids' playground setup. However, the pit toilet is pretty funky. (Some might say, "What pit toilet isn't?) I was told access to the river for fishing is easier here. The gravel road is oiled/treated to lessen dust. Some camps are beneath big cottonwoods, and some, along the river, are just pull-throughs, although the directions are a little confusing. "Absolutely no parking on the grass." What do you do, then? Use half the gravel road for your campsite? Water spigots are available. I didn't check on the faucet type, etc.

I've camped three times at Oakland Mills, twice on bicycle touring trips and once with my teardrop trailer--twice at South Shore (one tent/one camper), and once up the hill. It's a fun place to stay, in a sleepy, muddy river kind of way. Phone reception is poor, the catfishing is good, and the river just...

We came for a nature hike. I have a 4 and 6 yr old. It was recommended that we get there early because of parking and we did. My 6 yr old has to go to the bathroom and there are no public spots 2 do so. So we have to wait over a half hr for them to open the nature center. So the woman in charge opens the door and let's her and her helpers in and locks the doors behind her. My child has already been waiting over a half hr to use the facilities. Her daughter goes in and asks if the bathroom may be used . The answer we get" we aren't opening the doors until 6pm he will have to wait". The park looked nice, can't say much because we had to leave after waiting for so long. But the person in charge obviously cares little for others and didn't care whatsoever that a lil boy was about to poo himself. There is a special place for ppl line that. We will never go back under any circumstance because...

Ive grown up around this area and Oakland Mills offers a wide range of things to do. Camping in a tent, or camper. They have fishing rather your a novice or expert and have so many fish you can catch, like blue gill, catchfish, carp, gar, drum and I'm sure orhers. They have a restraunt if you get hungry and want to enjoy the view indoors or out. There are hiking trails and a nature center for the whole family with hands on learning! It doesnt matter what you are in the mood for, Oakland Mills is sure to...