Rice Creek Campground Visitor Center — Hotel in Centerville

We were looking for a low-key first camping experience for our kids, not too far from the Cities in case they really couldn't handle it. This fit the bill.

The campsites were fine, some more separate and shady than others, but pretty standard and basically what I expected. Had no problem with the one we stayed at. The kids appreciated the playground tons. When we were there the lake was having an algae bloom, so we were disappointed not to be able to swim, but that wasn't something anyone could control. (Didn't love the trucked-in construction sand on the beach, though - I didn't even want to be down on the beach with that rough stuff!).

The biggest issue we had was cars. We had 2, and had registered them when we reserved the campsite online. It wasn't until we arrived, though, that anyone said anything about having to pay a per-night fee to park them. You'd think this would be rolled into the cost for the site, charged when you register, or at least MENTIONED before you arrive. But no. So only when we checked in did we find out we were basically paying for another night of camping to just have our cars there.

Our campsite only had enough gravel parking for one car, so we parked the other as close to it as we could and thought we were fine. Nope, the park hosts came by and told us we couldn't park the cars side-by-side. So we moved them to be front-to-back on our site, and the hosts said that was fine. The next morning a park worker came by and told us we couldn't park them THAT WAY, and that they didn't want cars possibly leaking on the grass. If they allow two cars per site (and make you pay for it) and don't want cars off the gravel, they need to gravel for two cars per site, otherwise change the parking allowances (and costs). This especially didn't make sense as we were in a loop that also allowed campers and trailers, which were definitely parked on the grass.

Overall the campsite and amenities were fine, and this would be a four-star review if not for the inconsistent, misleading treatment of the cars you use to get to...

It's been raining. Some sites are flooded, but it's not anyone's fault. But I do think discounts should have been offered to the brave souls that kept their $30 reservations. The beach was nice. There's a small playground. Pottys weren't too far away. Sites are wooded and private. Not enuf room to park 2 cars. I sleep in my campervan due to my disability, so that was a big unexpected problem. I'd had to rent my own site and not camp w my family. Can't have your tires touching grass. Can't park side by side, and it's not long enuf to park bumper to bumper. You'd think after so many complaints, they'd attempt to solve this problem. Also having to pay $7 extra per vehicle per nite is $44/nite total. Seems like alot for grass w a fire pit. There's also a lot of road construction going on in the park, it will be impressive when it's finished. We also reserved the pavilion for an annual meth recovery cookout. It was a nice gathering of safe people. Brought my dog. She loved the water. If you're struggling with addiction, consider finding a meeting. You only need a desire to quit. The fellowship is incredible. These ppl have turned their lives around. They are proof. I have hope for everyone caught in the cycle of addiction. For now, I send you some love 💕. Maybe I'll see ya at a meeting. Ha, ya thought you were just gonna read...

Been tent camping here for 5 years and its getting to the point where it's not worth it anymore. $30 a night, always someone being loud after quiet time. Wood prices have stayed the same for a few years, you just get less wood now. Better get all the wood for breakfast/heat the night before. Saturday morning they weren't open to buy wood until after 9am or 10am. Most of the time that wouldn't matter but it was cold and raining with no dropbox. Plus the wood just sits in an open lot and gets wet before they put in the shed, bring an axe and chop everything smaller for better fires. Some of their better sites have giant tree stumps in them. The site we stayed in had a dead tree that fell and almost landed on one of our tents, lucky it was caught by another tree. One year we got told to move our vehicle because it was on the grass. This year, there was a site with 5 cars and 3 on the grass and they weren't spoken to once after rangers drove by multiple times. People jumping multiple sites in a single day.

$30 a night for tent camping, 7 bucks for a small bundle of wood. Subpar facilities for the price. It's getting to the point of asking,...