Split Rock Park — Attraction in Palisade Township

I ended up at Split-Rock Park and Campground after finding the previous two campgrounds full. The previous site was Palisades State Park and the Ranger told me try Split-Rock. Luckily, I found this campground had a lot of available sites. I grabbed one even though I didn’t like it so much due to lack of privacy. Later I walked around and found that the park goes well beyond the dam and bathhouse, but by then I was too tired to move my site and correct my registration. I think signage showing campsite locations would be a big improvement. So, if you go, be sure to drive all the way back past the bath house. You will find a narrow road, take that and you will be rewarded with many more camping sites. For the fee they charge, I expected bathrooms with plumbing and even a shower. But no, they have installed port-a-potties and the bath house was not open when I was there. However, the scenery is beautiful, with a waterfall over a dam and trestle train-track over red bluffs. It is true that the train comes by through-out the night and blasts it horn for whatever reason. I was in a van, so the noise did not bother me that much. So, 5-stars for scenery, 1-star for no plumbed bathrooms. I’d say...

Do not camp here!!!

My wife and I were a little hesitant pulling in due to the train tracks that ran immediately next to and parallel with the camp ground. But that would be absurd to put a campground right next to functioning tracks, let alone tracks that operated at night. So we pitched our tent and crashed. The next thing I know I'm dreaming the most vivid dream about a train barreling into my bedroom. Turns out it wasn't a dream... Five times that night my wife and I were awoken by the full on blare of train horns and the clunkity clunk of engine after engine burning the midnight oil to keep our country running. Truly a fascinating display during the day, but just terrifying enough to make you wet the bed a half a dozen times in one night.

I do not understand how a campground placed right next to functioning train tracks can stay afloat. But be warned, you will not sleep if you choose...

I would rate this hidden gem as 5 stars, however the train tracks adjacent to the park have constant traffic with train horns sounding all hours of the day.

Pros: Good number of electric sites for a small town campground. There are plenty of trees at most of the tent and electric sites for hammockers. No biting or pesky bugs the night we stayed there (end of June). The waterfall is great to look at, wonderful to sit on the rocks south of it on a warm day and lovely to listen to. A newer playground to keep the young ones busy.

Cons: Not many sites here, but for some campers this can be a good thing. The trains, so many trains, and the noise they bring. They go past on an almost hourly schedule. The 4 a.m. train was a horrible wake up call with a longer whistle time than any others during the night.

As much as I like the campground, I prefer not to hear a train and it's whistle waking...