Crooked River State Park — Attraction in St. Marys

We visited Crooked River as a stop-over on our way to Hunting Island Park in South Carolina. I can say that this is one of the nicest kept parks we have camped in so far. The sites are huge, and lots of distance between many of them, with common areas the size of football fields between rings. We had a pull-thru site on our way up (full hookups) and it was very private, with a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post. All sites are packed gravel, and the roads are all paved. There is a dump station on the way to the campground, and the bathrooms are clean for the most part. The one exception is the older bathroom which only has two showers in the men's room, and the one I used was stopped up, which meant by the time I finished my shower I was standing in my own grey water lake...the newer shower facility (which is located in the full hookup loop (see my photo of campground map) has individual lockable rooms that you have complete privacy in. These were very clean and nice hot showers. On our return trip we stayed 2 nights in a partial hookup site (#4) which was the largest pull thru site I think I have ever seen. I mean it must literally be over 150 ft long! It is even nicer by the fact that the back of the site is a giant grassy area and a distance of about 50 yards to the next campers. Our site was again packed gravel, and perfectly level. It had both 50 amp and 30 amp service, and two hose bibs. Crook River campground is nestled with trees so shade is everywhere, and the campground is right on the river (though you cannot go down to it from the campground as it is a cliff). There are many trails to walk or ride your bike on (the trails are as wide as a normal city bike path, and easily ridden on a mountain or hybrid bike, we rode our Schwinn tandem bike and had no problems at all). They have a bird observation area with bird feeders to attract the local birds, and even a gopher turtle nesting area. There is a boat ramp, park store, and miniature golf at the park, and locally there are various restaurants within 4 to 5 miles. We love the Riverside Cafe in St. Mary's which is located on the water. It has the BEST pita and taziki sauce ever, and great food and atmosphere. We also tried OPS restaurant (Italian) and loved the outdoor sitting area which was a pergola overgrown with carolina jasmine which was in bloom. They have a basket of fries for one person that 4 people could eat and still not finish, and their special meat lover calzone was delicious. Finally, if you are retired military you can visit Kings Bay Navy base, located next to Crook River, and shop at the BX/Commissary. All in all, I would have to say Crooked River was the best campground we have visited so far, and that includes Silver Springs Campground in Florida, which was absolutely gorgeous. Be aware that we aren't the only ones who think Crooked River is great, so you will have to make reservations far out to ensure you get a spot! I think that pretty much all the spots are great, but am including the photo of the campground map so you can see the full hookup sites versus partial ones. Good luck and enjoy...

Stopped here 2 days on our way home. After paying $94.16 for two days online I had to pay another $3.75 on arrival for a 'pass.' Not much to do here. Would not spend more than a day here again unless you want to take a day trip out to the Okefenokee Swamp. Other than that, given the cost it's only worth an overnight. There are two sides, one is just a large open grass field with no privacy between sites. The other is wooded with some privacy. Most of the sites here are huge, some will take 3 rigs. Sites are just dirt/sand but were level. There is an area with some cabins, which are just small houses. We never did find the tent-area. Some walking paths, not many. There is a nice day use area with a playground. Restrooms/showers are single use. So, each bathroom has a shower in it. They are clean but spartan. The showers are prison-issue non-adjustable but good pressure, not too hard. Only 2 hooks and one tiny soap shelf. No curtain, just a jack-and-jill wall. Laundry is clean but requires an app, so we didn't do wash here. There is a put-put golf which is ok, needs a little love. There is a nature center, but it is hard to find, only one tiny sign at the roadside. The building has a sign labeling it but is covered with overgrown foliage. It was closed when we stopped by. Don't try to drive there, just walk to it. There isn't a parking lot there. The front office has a little gift shop with a few snacks and ice cream. They also rent bikes. We camped at Crooked River State Park in a...

Great base for excursions to Cumberland Island, St. Mary's, and Amelia Island.

There are 2 campsite loops. Sites 1-38 seemed more spacious than 39-62. We were in site 19, which was huge...lots of space between that site and the neighbors.

Most sites, if not all, had electric hook-up and water. Only a few sites have a water view and sites 11 & 12 looked the best for that.

Bathrooms are clean, but water pressure in showers is weak.; no problem getting hot water, though.

The bathrooms in loop with sites 39-62 are more modern, with 4 private bathrooms containing toilet, sink and shower, concrete floor. Sites 1-38 have older bathrooms, tile floors, with 2 showers in the men's bathroom and 2 in the women's bathroom, multiple toilet stalls, and 2 or 3 sinks. Sites 39-62 have a really nice laundry area. The laundry in loop for 1-38 has only one working dryer and no washing machine. Walking to nicer bathroom and laundry is no problem....simply walk the wide grassy lane between sites 5 and 6 to get there.

Playground looked ok for little ones. There is a putt putt course near visitor center and check-in, and a nice shop at visitor center with Crooked Creek gear, firewood, etc. There are hiking trails and a place to put-in for kayaking.

Campground is well maintained, quiet and clean. We really enjoyed our time and would not...