American Wilderness Campground & Event Center — Hotel in Grafton Township

This place is great for camping “IF” you are a seasonal camper. When my husband and I made reservations we thought American wilderness would be a great place to getaway. Especially after learning they are parents of a Marine. We are also parents of a disabled Marine veteran and have a long military family history. On our first night within hours young kids were driving a golf cart near the campsites in the grass by the group campers children playing. One of the adults asked if they were even old enough to drive the cart, they then sped off saying they were getting there parents. With in 5/10 minutes a group of 3 golf carts with 4-5 people mixed with men and women pulled up trying to intimidate the group of campers, with their small children being present. The group campers tried to de-escalate the situation and tell them what happened but they were too intoxicated for them to reason with. One of the young adult males from the group campers said he was calling the law when one of the guys tried to fight with them saying let’s make it worth it pushing a couple of them while their small children were right next to them. There was a couple people with them that was trying to reason with the obnoxious ones trying to fight and get them to leave from the group campers camp site that was behind us. We had a good view from our campsite and we both had campfires going so you could see each others campsites. The cops were called and 2 cruisers drove in past our campsite to the other side of the swimming lake to talk with the golf cart group because they were not at the campsite behind us. I am assuming because the adult male from the group campers behind us was on the phone talking to I think the police or manger right next to our campsite. He asked us earlier after the young kids on golf cart left to get their parents, if we knew how old you have to be to drive a golf cart. This is where we found out after speaking with the group campers and the office that you have to be a part of the seasonal group or you get no help if there’s any problems with other campers. The group campers were very nice, respectful and very quiet considering how many there were camping on one campsite. They kept apologizing for the disturbance of the golf cart people. This really upset my husband and I that this happened to these young adults trying to camp with their small children because we have adult children their age. On top of older adults our age always bitching about the younger generation that they don’t take their head’s out of their phones. These young adults were not bothering anyone and were having a good time camping with their children and friends and these seasonal campers had to ruin it for them. My husband and I stayed up watching over these young campers because we saw the other campers standing on the other side of the swimming lake looking over at their campsite and a couple times golf carts came by slowing down in front of their campsite. My husband and I went to the office the next day after learning the group campers were packing up and leaving because their children were so terrified to stay because of the other people attacking their parents. The seasonal campers traumatized these young children and they also called a couple of the kids retarted which was very on called for. My husband spoke with the office and suggested they give the group of young adult campers their money back because they were bullied by the other campers and their children were traumatized. According to the office personnel my husband spoke with they were going to refund the kids money back but according to the group campers that asked for a refund since they were leaving and they were told no. American Wilderness is trying to protect their seasonal campers only. I’m very disappointed as a Marine parent that American Wilderness who has a sticker on their mailbox outside the office “proud parent of a Marine” who argues with whoever leaves a negative review. This is not how Marine Corps families should act you are representing your Marine with...

I truly wish I could write a glowing review for this wedding venue, but our experience was disappointing and frustrating on several critical levels.

To begin with, the temperature inside the building was consistently over 86 degrees throughout the entire event. It was sweltering and uncomfortable, creating an unsafe environment for many guests, especially the elderly and children. Several people ended up leaving early simply because they couldn't tolerate the heat.

Accessibility was an even bigger issue. Guests with disabilities were not allowed to be dropped off near the entrance and instead had to walk uphill across a gravel parking lot—some using rollators, which made the trek extremely difficult and unsafe. For a venue hosting formal events, this lack of accommodation is unacceptable.

We were told there would be a parking attendant to help manage traffic, but instead there was someone lazily waving a flag in circles without offering any direction. It caused confusion and unnecessary traffic issues that could have easily been avoided with even minimal effort.

Inexplicably, the venue also allowed a parade to take place directly in front of the property during the wedding. The groom, who was in his military uniform, was repeatedly interrupted and asked to join the parade—as he was trying to enjoy his own wedding. It was incredibly disrespectful and disruptive to what should have been one of the most meaningful days of his life.

A wedding venue should prioritize guest comfort, accessibility, and respect for the couple's day. Unfortunately, this venue failed in all of those areas. I cannot recommend it to anyone looking for a smooth, respectful, and guest-friendly experience. Thank you for taking the time to respond. However, I feel it’s important to clarify a few things, especially since your response does not fully acknowledge the concerns we raised.

Yes, the weather was hot and humid, but that’s exactly why a functioning cooling system is essential for any indoor venue—particularly one hosting a formal event with nearly 100 guests, including elderly individuals and children. Blaming open doors during guest arrival doesn’t account for why the temperature remained dangerously high for the entire duration of the event. It created genuine discomfort and caused multiple guests to leave early.

Regarding parking and accessibility, I understand that your staff may not have been informed directly by each individual with a mobility need—but this highlights the issue. Accessibility should be proactive, not reactive. Expecting guests with disabilities to navigate a gravel lot and uphill walk unless they specifically request help is not an inclusive or safe approach. It’s also worth noting that your team was made aware in advance that some attendees had accessibility needs.

As for the parade, I’m aware of the timing—but having a public event begin midway through a private wedding still resulted in unnecessary noise, distractions, and confusion. Regardless of intent, multiple interruptions occurred, including someone approaching the groom during his own celebration. While the gesture may have been meant kindly, the impact was disruptive—and avoidable with better coordination.

We chose your venue in good faith, expecting a professional and guest-centered experience. I share this review not out of malice, but in the hope that future events at your venue can benefit from more careful planning, clear communication, and a stronger commitment to guest comfort and...

This place is great for camping “IF” you are a seasonal resident. When my family made the reservation at first I was bothered because American Wilderness wanted to put 5 family’s on the same site, but once we arrived and set up it was pretty cool and even had a conversation about how cheap and convenient it was. Until we were sitting around talking when some teenagers started driving a golf cart around the edge of our site near some small children. These kids were doing donuts and reversing off the road and in pitch black very close to our kids. One of our adults asked if they were even old enough to drive the cart, they then sped off saying they were getting there parents. With in 5/10 minutes a group of 3 golf carts pulled up trying to intimidate my group. With so many small children in our group we tried to de-escalate the situation and tell them what happened but they were too intoxicated to reason with. So we told them we were calling the law when one of the guys tried to fight saying let’s make it worth it pushing a couple of us while the kids are right next to us. There was a couple people with them that was trying to reason and get them to leave from site 44. The cops come talk the the other group first then with us and the owners son. This is where we found out the hard way that you have to be a part of the seasonal group or you get no help. The cops told the owners son that is was up to them on what to do because apparently in this city assaulting two people is just a ticket. The owners son rode to the other people’s site came back and said the people were sleeping and they would “investigate” it in the morning which was a lie because they were out partying until 3AM. The next day my group and the group next to us went a put complaints in and went nowhere so we left a day early because we were not sure if we would be safe. Half our group left the first night with the younger children because they were scared. We had a few kids there on the autism spectrum that the violent adults was calling retarded. Some of my group asked for partial refund on the second night since we were leaving and was told no. I have since asked for copy’s of the complaints and names as I’m looking to start a civil lawsuit and have been ignored. Now I will just wait a few days and get the police report since the American Wilderness is only trying to protect there seasonal customers. I see American Wilderness argues with whoever leaves a negative review they never take responsibility for anything.

Since they lied in there response it is obvious that the management here is trash. Look at any negative review and they respond with some argument of how the person leaving the review is wrong. The drunk party that came over to our site over 100 feet away to start a fight has something to say about us the family with 7 kids under the age of 7 just TRYING to enjoy the outdoors and not party. That’s funny but it’s whatever with management like yours you will run yourselves in the ground anyway. So stay if you want but beware it’s party/drug infested and don’t dare try to call them out because they are perfect. By the way the sheriff was in agreement you were to kick the drunk violent people out the next day and you did not stick to your agreement that’s why we left...