Harrison Bay State Park — Attraction in Soddy-Daisy

Let me start by saying this is a beautiful, peaceful park. Unfortunately, our experience was lacking. Upon our arrival, we were told the park was out of power and they didn't know when it would be on and since we had already arrived a refund was not an option. We were initially told that we could not use a generator. We then confirmed with another employee driving around that we could but only until 10 pm. The power was restored within 2 hours. Upon arriving at our site, we quickly discovered that our camp site was not accessible due to obstacles on the opposite side of the road, making it a 90' turn to back in. We tried from both directions to no avail. Our camper is 34', the site description says it's 43'. That's a stretch. We arrived on a Tuesday to find the entire campground was only about 30% occupied. We learned that the campground is popular with locals so it'll fill up for the weekend. Due to this it was difficult to find a site that was level enough and long enough since we couldn't get it our site. We were told by the clerk that she couldn't help us because she didn't have power or phone. As she said that the phone started ringing. My husband asked if he could try to find another site using the app. She responded that she still couldn't help him. We searched each loop for a site that that would work for the next 6 days. All of the good sites were taken for the weekend. We ended up in B42. It is a relatively steep site. We had to bring the front up all the way and it was still not quite high enough. When we went to the office to update our reservation we were actually given a partial refund due to the sites in section B not being level. Other reviews talk about how level the sites are. The sites in section A are mostly level. Section C is okay, too. Section B...not so much. My husband met a local man who camps there often. He said the sections have nicknames. Section A is champagne. Section B is mixed drinks. Section C is beer. LOL Lastly, by our own admission, we thought that we were supposed to check out on a Tuesday. We were actually supposed to check out the day before. (No, we did not have dates posted on our site number post/pole.) We simply marked it wrong on our calendar. We realized it as we were enjoying our last day in Chattanooga. My husband tried to call and got an outgoing message saying the messages aren't checked very often. So, he didn't leave a message. Shortly after that received a phone call from an unfriendly ranger who stated that we were suppose to check out that day. My husband apologized and explained that it was his mistake and that he tried to call. He told the ranger that we were about to pull back in and that we would go to the office in the morning to pay. (We thought the office was closed.) He said we had to do it immediately because he was getting ready to tow it. Again, this was a week day and not only was this site not rented but the park was only at about 30% capacity. Also, if security is a concern for you...thete are no gates and no vehicle windshield cards. When we asked if we needed a card on our windshield, we were told they don't do that anymore. Just FYI. So, the park is absolutely beautiful. The staff isn't very friendly. And pick your site carefully. We'll go back. But, we'll be in section...

I loved this place. Many of my family gatherings for Easter, family reunions, birthdays have been here. I’ve never had an issue until today. My wife and I reserved the recreation building for 8/17/24 to renew our vows. We had planned this day for 8 months. Over 60 guests attended. The ceremony was to take place at 5:30. At 5:15 the power inexplicably went out. No lights and no AC. Our guests (those who stayed) had to sit in the dark while my wife and I renewed our vows again in the dark. Everyone’s in formal attire sweating profusely. The power was out through the ceremony and the reception. Guests were having to use the restrooms using the light from their phones. Any music we’d planned on using was unusable. Now I know this wasn’t anybody’s fault don’t get me wrong but considering we paid $300 for the building only to not be able to use it properly I would’ve expected maybe a partial refund but the park manager wouldn’t even take the time to even get on the phone to speak to me instead opting to relay the message through a receptionist. The unprofessional attitude is what bothers me. We made the best of it but our special day wasn’t as special.

Response to owner’s response

I called the following Monday after the event. I first got an answering machine and I left a message for someone to contact which nobody ever did. I called later and spoke to a female who stated she wasn’t able to do anything about my situation and asked if I would like to speak with the park manager. I said yes. After about five minutes on hold she returned to the phone and said the park manager stated the outage wasn’t the park’s fault and there was nothing they would do about it. The park manager never even took the time to speak with me. I know a power outage isn’t the park’s fault that’s an act of God but some common courtesy...

We stayed at this park on two different occasions and in some respects had vastly different experiences. Our first stay was in campground C, site 15. It was a shaded site, that backed up to the woods and was for the most part fairly level. The bathrooms in that campground are adequate, but could have used a little more thorough and frequent cleaning. Overall, it was a pleasant three day stay. There are ample roads for biking, and several places to view the beautiful bay from the park. Our second visit was less than ideal. Our site, campground B, site 44 was a disaster. We thought we would never be able to level our small camper in this pull through site, which basically sat along the road with no shade. The grass was up to our knees, and throughout our stay no one came by to mow. Security at the park seemed lax for a state facility....no car tags were provided and the gates remained open continuously. At one point, a person who seemed to be living out of his car drove to the campground bathroom to use those facilities. I saw the rangers drive through on a few occasions, but far less than at other state parks I have visited. The staff at the registration A frame were less than enthusiastic, and acted as if they wished people would simply go away. The park has an aviary containing two birds; a red tailed hawk and a vulture. The interpretive center is only open two days a week, leaving one to wonder who is caring for these birds. The water in the hawk's cage was so dirty there was algae in it. I am by no means a raptor rehabilitator, but I wondered what enrichment if any these birds were provided. I came away feeling this state park is sadly neglected. I won't be...