Cliffside Park Campgrounds — Hotel in Caledonia

This is our fourth time visiting Cliffside Park and we are still in awe of the weather, the cleanliness of the campground and the layout. We always had enough water pressure and the electrical supply was never below 115v, even during the heat of the day. Our only complaint, and this has happened two years in a row, is that the female (I can't honestly say "lady") part of the campground "hosts" team is quite possibly the rudest, most abrasive woman with whom I've ever come in contact. Last year we were threatened with the greeting, "I'm gonna call the sheriff" when we opened our camper door to a loud knock well after dark Evidently, our grey water valve was seeping and some of the sink/bath water had formed a three inch puddle on the ground below the sewer connection. I attempted to explain that we had repaired the black water valve, but had not yet gotten around to the grey water valve. Her answer was an argumentative, "I don't care what kind of water it is - you're polluting our campground and I'm going to call the sheriff if you don't stop it immediately!!" I offered to hook up our "blue tank" to capture the seep, and did so right away. Her parting words were, "We're going to be watching you and we're calling out the environmental people if you're 'caught' doing this again." Well, to say the least, this "guilty until proven otherwise" attitude while not listening to any sort of explanation, is NOT one of a "host", but rather one of an "enforcer". I realize that standards must be kept and our willingness to comply with those standards was quite evident in this case, but the caustic, judgmental demeanor of this person was inexcusable. I imagine that the county parks management would consider a more "goodwill" attitude toward its clients more acceptable in the public relations domain. ||||Last month we visited again and we found, as before, a beautiful campground, well maintained, and accompanied by warm days and cool nights - truly a pleasure. However, once again, we were confronted by the campground "hostess". Granted, we were in error, but the same threat of, "I'm going to call the sheriff" was the opening greeting. Situation: It was after the park was "closed" (10:00 p.m., I believe) and no traffic was evident in the park as far as we could ascertain. My wife and I had, with great difficulty, lifted the towing handle of our full portable wastewater tank (40 gal. - about 300 lbs.) onto the ball hitch of our truck in order to take it to the dump station in preparation for evening showers. The shortest distance to the dump station was down a ONE-WAY road that was intended to be traveled in the opposite direction we were going (our mistake). My wife and two grandchildren were walking alongside the truck, carrying flashlights, when out of the dark comes an SUV, (Cadillac Escalade, I believe) heading toward us in the opposite direction, with its headlights on bright, stopping about 6 feet from the front our vehicle. I, of course, stopped, as did my family and then both SUV doors opened and out came the campground "hosts" with a greeting of, "Just what do you think you're doing?" I proceeded to attempt to explain that this was the shortest route to the dump station and that my family was acting as roadguards. Before I could complete my explanation, out came the inevitable, "I'm going to call the sheriff about this violation." I responded with, "Please do, I'd very much like to explain myself." This brought the response, "I can't believe you're talking to me this way!" and another threat to call the sheriff. I responded, “I can't believe you're talking to me this way either - you're supposed to be a ‘host’.” With this, the husband interjects, (his first words of the evening), ordering me to, "Park your truck". This standoff lasted another 30 seconds to a minute and the "hosts" got back into their vehicle and sped away. We went ahead and completed our task of dumping and returned to our campsite, whereupon our camp neighbors told us that the campground “hosts” had visited our site, inspecting, and looking at our registration slip posted on the site’s number post. No further action or confrontation(s) were forthcoming during the rest of our visit. ||Granted, I was in the wrong - following my family down the one way road, opposite the intended direction of travel. However, the abrasive, accusatory way the conversation between the campground "hosts" and I began led to a much more volatile, confrontational exchange than was necessary, considering the seriousness of the violation that had occurred. It is this family's belief that the Racine County Parks Department would receive more favorable evaluations if the "Campground Hosts" conducted themselves in a more "host like" manner, rather than beginning conversations with a demand and ending them with threats to call law enforcement to arrest patrons for a signage violation..||||We'll likely be back to visit and bask in your beautiful summer weather and enjoy the well-kept campground surroundings that are Cliffside Park. However, it would be so much more enjoyable if we knew we were truly welcome to be there, rather than being followed around being evaluated for compliance with a one-way road direction sign or spilling a minuscule amount of uncontaminated wastewater onto the gravel surface...

I'm giving the campground three stars due to the unbelievably BAD CAMPGROUND HOSTS. We stayed at Cliifside Park Campground, Racine County, May 24 – 27, Memorial Day Weekend. The campground itself is Great. The Campground Hosts are a Holy Terror. Our friends arrived to find the power tower on the wrong side of the camper and that side of the site pretty much under water. The thought was to pull in and just not unhook the vehicle in order to have a better camping experience. He had no sooner pulled into the space when the female campground ‘host’ jumped out of her red Cadillac and started screaming at him that you can only back into the sites. We tried to explain the reasoning of pulling into the site and were met with more screaming on her part and then her husband joined in, also screaming. They did not identify themselves as the hosts. We only knew we had two elderly individuals who were greatly out of control. They also alleged that he was driving too fast in the campground. He never does that and actually stated he did not go over 10mph. The speed limit is 15mph. The ‘hosts’ continued to scream that he had, in fact, been going over and threatened to call the sheriff. We and our friends were not confrontational with them. It seemed all they wanted to do was scream, so he gently backed out of the site and drove back around to back in. While he was doing this, the female ‘host’ again made statements that he was driving too fast. Again he was going 10mph. After that we had a pretty nice weekend even with the ground saturation. When we were getting ready to leave, the ‘hosts’ were placing new tags on the posts. I called the male ‘host’ over and said I knew we kind of got off to a bad start and suggested in the future that they identify themselves first and then explain gently to the patron what they had done wrong. This was met with more accusations in a raised voice, arguing about all the things 'they perceived' that were done wrong, with not one shred of being at all apologetic for the way they spoke to us and the scene that they caused. The female ‘host’ then came over and we were met with her screaming at us again and again threatening to call the sheriff. This is not the way to have returning patrons. They are extremely quick to threatened calling the sheriff for no apparent good reason. Really appears these two are on a Power Trip. In all our years of camping I have NEVER experienced Campground Hosts like these two. Most hosts are very friendly and helpful. They don't start out by screaming, making accusations and threats. These are the “CAMPGROUND HOSTS FROM HELL”. Other campers that witnessed their tirade expressed concerns for us. RACINE COUNTY really should investigate these individuals. They seem to think they OWN the park and have their own agenda and ideas of what the rules are. They also had a sign up stating the park was FULL. It was not. This was our second visit to the campground and...

A Stray Compass Life Campground Review:

Cliffside Campground, nestled along the rolling green fields of Racine County, becomes a peaceful retreat where nature meets quiet reflection. With every step you take, there is a blend of tranquility and convenience—only 20 minutes from the shores of Lake Michigan, yet wrapped in the comforting embrace of the forest and the quiet hum of crickets in the night.

Each site stands ready, welcoming both tent and RV campers alike, offering ample space for rigs as large as 45 feet. There’s a sense of openness here, without feeling crammed, even on a weekend when the air is filled with the laughter of families and the scent of wood smoke. The fire rings glow as the sun dips low, and though the fires burn bright, this past weekend left a smoky veil hanging in the air—perhaps a nod to wood that hadn’t fully cured, creating a haze even behind the closed doors of the Badger.

The beauty of this place goes beyond the well-maintained sites and heated bathrooms. The two comfort stations offer warm showers and clean spaces, though the splashing water could use a barrier to prevent wet footprints in the changing areas. The attention to detail speaks of care, as the county keeps everything orderly, from the neatly trimmed playgrounds to the pristine hiking trails that wind behind the campground. It’s here, in the labyrinth of paths, where adventure beckons.

Good shoes and a splash of mosquito spray prepare you for the journey into the woods, where the trees arch overhead, and the fields open to the song of the wind. Wildlife abounds—hawks circle the sky, an owl’s shadow drifts in the twilight, and at night, the haunting call of coyotes cuts through the stillness. Their howls echoed near, filling the campground with the wildness that reminds you: this is their land too.

And while the firepits crackle and guests come and go, the steady rhythm of life here unfolds with simplicity and grace. A place where families gather, dogs roam (but not unattended), and nature feels close, but never overwhelming. The days are filled with exploration, the nights with stories around the fire, and the occasional interruption by a coyote’s call.

For those seeking solace on the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan, Cliffside Campground is more than just a stop on the road—it’s a place where the heart can wander, and the soul can find peace. So, pack your gear, grab your camera, and take a journey with us—follow Stray Compass Life on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram to witness the beauty of the road and the stories it brings.

Thomas Corrao Stray Compass...