Hi-Tide Beach & Campground — Hotel in Adams Township

This was our second time at Hi-Tide on the 4th of July and this year we decided to camp. At check in, the site we had was marked primitive, even though we had reserved one with water and electricity. We couldn't get into the gate at first and realized the site issueand had to sort it out abck at the office. Between getting checked in, waiting for the gate and sorting this out, about an hour later we find the site randomly did have water and electricity, although they weren't marked as such. No big deal, the sites were a little close and not very shady near the park, but we didn't plan on staying at our site much anyhow. The lake is huge and the pool floats are awesome! However, they were often crowded as well as the one kids float log roller, but it was a fun time and we could set up our canopy and grill and relax for the day. For the most part, everyone really socially distanced. Now here's where it gets weird, my 10yo loses his snorkel right before we can stop swimming Friday evening (I forgot to mention you HAD to reserve 3 evenings for the holiday weekend) we figure its just down in the sand and we were going to set up early anyhow in the a.m. and would find it. He found it, stumbled across it in someone else's swim bag! A bit disgusting and very unnerving considering the current pandemic, but we found it and were going to bring it home to sanitize. We also had a giant, unmistakable pool float and some kids were playing on it, NBD kids are kids and they were being gentle and respectful. Then a woman decided to enjoy it, gets on, floats for a bit and then after a little while, its gone! She took it right over across the lake to her spot! My son and I had to walk around and all I could do was say, "well this is ours, so we are taking it back now." I've never had a more awkward encounter! To think we should have learned is something I keep kicking myself for! So we have our canopy and plan to stay and swim the next day (Sunday) and hang our used towels up on the rails, and I mean in the cracks of me and my kids getting all the sands out of our butts, used towels. We also decided to take the legs out for good measure and shorten our 90's era clipped together rusty poles canopy. Nevertheless, someone stole our half canopy and said used pool towels. I'm pretty sure the frustration they feel trying to reassemble it, without the directions sewn into the bag I have the legs still in, is karmic relief enough. 3/5 because who wants to constantly watch their dirty used buttcrack towels and spit snorkels while trying to enjoy a dip in the lake. Also, had this strange, gassy aroma. Not sure how to describe it besides really bad garbage smell, although the cans and bins were clean (I looked for my canopy...

At 50, I've been a tent camper my entire life as a kid and as an adult, and have enjoyed many campgrounds from:

1. primitive, state-owned
2. privately owned that run the gamut of most basic to extremely nice
3. to franchised, near resort like places, over the years.

I just spent my very first weekend at Hi-Tide and it definitely ranks high on the list. My children (8 & 12 y/o) made one statement after the other with demanding that Hi-Tide be our "go to" campgrounds moving forward.

The amenities (shower house/batbrooms) were always clean and well supplied. The pool was sparkling clean and clear. The beach/lake with the trampolines and Iceberg climbing wall were all very clean, well constructed, and appeared to be very well maintained.

The tent campsites were located in very nice locations and spaced adequately apart from each other to allow for a little more privacy and feeling of elbow room in a campground setting. Provided tables and fire rings were sturdy and in good repair.

The owners were very friendly and accommodating. They host an amazing dance party at the main pavilion from 8-10pm on Saturdays and it was amazing to see so many families with members ranging from very young to old dancing and enjoying themselves. The music selection was famy friendly with something played for everyone throughout the night.

I did read some complaints about the owner and the bullhorn announcements. I only experienced that once and it was due to a small, unattended child being where they should not without adult supervision. The camp office made it very clear upon check in what the lake rules are for safety reasons. They do not have a lifeguard, so I feel that informing adults/parents (who should be responsible for their own children) of the lake rules up front is adequate enough. Although the bullhorn does seem crude, I believe the owners intent was and most likely always is, safety first. He was concerned and wanted to ensure a parent near to not only being watching their own child, but to also move the child back to the childs age appropriate area.

I would highly recommend this very family friendly campground to anyone and will stay here time...

Upon arrival we checked in and were told that we had to pay extra for 2 of the 4 adults staying in our camper. I don't mind paying this but when you call to make the reservation they should tell you how many people are included and how many pay extra. The campsites are so small that once you park your vehicle next to your camper(no room to leave it in front of it) you have barely any room left on your site. When you are trying to back into your spot you better hope the people camping across from you are at their site to move their vehicles otherwise you're not getting into it. The "Lake" is a stagnant pond, the water feels thick and doesn't look clean. The beach has garbage on it and there are chunks of glass, the garbage cans that are provided were overflowing by noon and trash was on the ground. The Bath house has 4 showers that require quarters and it's shared with the general public so good luck getting a shower. The bathroom and shower stalls are also hogged by the public to change in so you have to wait forever. The fire rings provided at the campsites are so rotted they are falling apart in pieces. Quiet time is 11pm, but even at midnight people have their music going and kids are running around screaming and playing. We arrived Friday evening and by Saturday at noon the dumpster in the campground was overflowing with trash on the ground and the smell was horrific. The pool had a safety handrail to grab when entering the water but it's broken so badly that it provides zero support, which would be a huge deal if the stairs weren't slimy and slippery. The water was cloudy and didn't seem to be from the chemicals because you couldn't smell any. The dump station is located at the exit making it difficult for anyone with a large camper to pull out when someone else is using the station. The septic also seemed to be seeping up through the ground and stunk horribly.

The only positive was the way they do Bingo is fun for kids and adults alike. Our group made the best of it and had some fun, but out of 7 adults and 2 kids each person rated it a 2/10, would not return...