Big Woods Lake Campground — Hotel in Cedar Falls

Hello, I’m sad to say this is the first time I have felt The need to express such a negative experience. I’m a single women traveling across the country to be with my family. I have been seeking out camp grounds to sleep in my car, as I have a bedroom set up in there for comfort. I choose to sleep at camp grounds because I feel safer then parking lots, etc. especially being a woman alone on the road. My go to is always, a camp ground. I arrived very late at night at your camp and with sleepy eyes, just rolled in to an empty space, and quickly made a bite to eat and fell asleep. I had forgotten to pay before I fell asleep. I was woken up at 645a by very loud and fast knocking on my door- it scared me! I was Greeted by an unfriendly Camp host who was not willing to hear my story, and assumed I wasn’t going to pay, and held an angry, aggressive tone with me, even after my apologies and explanation. He was telling me I can sleep in Walmart parking lots if I don’t want to pay. Which I assured him I always planned on paying, as I had a stove already laid out on the table- how silly would it be for me not? It got to a point where I needed to shut my door, After asking him not to speak to me so aggressively, to prevent him from continuing to berate me, which he continued to yell $25! Repeatedly even after I closed my door. My nervous system was completely Messed up after this experience. I felt completely unsafe and unwelcome in this space. I was looking forward to enjoying my morning here, but am packing up to leave ASAP. I tend to do a lot of traveling, a lot by car, and a lot of camping; I will not be recommending this spot to my fellow travelers, especially to my women friends. I am also having a difficult time sending them a message on their website under contact us. It keeps saying my messages are unable...

Well, not being a fan of OVER regulated campgrounds, I can't rate it very highly...reservations can't be longer than two weeks, why? I would stay there all summer if I could, guaranteed income for BHCCC...in the many times I have been there, it has never been at capacity, so that seems to make no sense...apart from that, sharp operators game the system by reserving two weeks, then skip a day and reserve another two weeks and just move to an empty site for a day...and good luck getting a reservation, I think their booked out months in advance(?)...I have never had any luck with them anyway, maybe I'm just not smart enough...the shower house - like that regulation mentioned - is very reminiscent of a prison, cold floor, block walls, punch a button and predetermined temperature water comes out...sometimes a person wants a good hot shower, other times a cooling one, but here you get one-temperature-fits-all, adequate but not good...the area itself is OK, but the shade trees won't be worth anything for another 20 years and many sites have no prospect of shade - ever...trail around the lake and the lake itself get two stars,...

Relaxed atmosphere. Quiet. The playground is located right beside the bathrooms. I found this both a blessing and a curse. lol, I'm sure other parents can relate. Overall, this was in our top 3 for the most enjoyable camping trip. I would recommend and I would camp here again.

Pros:

Mix of reservation and first come, first serve sites

Showers are hot and personal stalls.

Lake for fishing or just relaxing is a stones throw from the campgrounds.

Beautiful trails

Story walk (book placed spread out a long the trail. Great activity for kids)

Dump station and firewood sold on site.

Overall, nice park.

Cons: The front of the park feels overcrowded.

Limited water facets, if not full hook up

Not much shade.

Bathrooms are long distance from camp if not in the front of the park.

Hope you enjoy...