Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground — Hotel in Middlebury

The first time I came to Eby's Pines was when I was a child, probably no more than 8 or 9. We went back a few times after that until my mom found a different campground to go to permanently. Then when I was about 13 my dad started taking me and my sister camping again and we would camp there 2 or 3 times a year for the next 3 years. I loved that place, and this past June I was able to take my boyfriend for the first time. He actually enjoyed himself. The site was lovely and we were near the river and pond. We booked for Labor Day weekend before we left. We were so excited, we couldn't wait for Labor Day weekend. It was fantastic. The site we had was nice and shady, which was good because it was HOT. Saturday became almost unbearable, and I forgot my swimsuit, but Sunday was nice. You can tell there are some seasonal campers there, some that live there for the season and those that do the weekend thing. Never had any issue with them. They are polite and courteous and look out for each other and for you if you're nice to them. I know I can't for a while, but when I can, I am hoping to have a seasonal site there. It would be nice to think that it was the perfect weekend and nothing went wrong, but I can't say that. The biggest issue was Saturday night. As many have commented, for the good or bad, the store closes at 9 p.m. If you have issues there is no one to complain too that I am aware of. It was well past 11 p.m. and where we were located we had two different "villages" (more than 2 sites camping together as a group) trying to out do each other with their music. Someone finally had to call the cops it was so bad. The two biggest issues I have, one they have no control over, is the camp plot size, and the nearest big box store. The camp plots, as someone pointed out, are small. If you bring too much stuff, you may need to park your car in the lot and rent a golf cart. In today's day and age where glamping is a big trend, the plots need to be clearly marked. I was just glad that we had no one one the other three sides of us, we had a corner lot, as I am sure we were in some of their space, not on purpose. If I could give half stars I would have taken half off for this reason alone. As for the nearest big box store, plan to travel at least 20 to 30 minutes. My boyfriend and I learned that in June and packed for that this time around, but still found ourselves going there Friday of Memorial Day. My suggestion, when you get to the site, do an inventory of everything you have, make a list of EVERYTHING you need, and make a run. If you forgot something, it wasn't that important or the camp store should have it. We will be coming back here next year, and we think his family might be joining as well. If they do, We'll see how the cabins are as my future mother-in-law isn't too outdoorsy. And for those complaining about rates, where else can you stay for $44 a night? The rates were reasonable to some other campgrounds or other...

BED BUGS!!!!

Overall the park was OK, store closes early so if you need anything before bed, get it early. You can purchase wood, but they do not deliver to camp site, it is quite the ordeal to get your wood, you have to go to he store and purchase a key for a wood bin, then drive to the wood bins and collect your wood and take it yourself to your campsite, so We came home and had to clean all the wood chips out of the back of our mini van, not fun.

Pool was nice and the kids really enjoyed it. It was very hot and muggy and rained a lot, no fan or AC in the cabin. However the Amusement/laser tag/skate rink across the street was a nice retreat during the rain and hit sticky weather. Overall the stay was just OK.

However, we stayed in cabin and didn't realize until we got home that we had been bitten by BED BUGS! We go to many campgrounds thruout the summer (weekenders) and this is the first time we have had this problem, but this is the first time we'd stayed at Ebys Pines. We always take separate linens that we use just for camping in cabins and sometimes our tent, and I store them in space bags and when we get home everything goes straight to the wash then gets packed back up for the next trip. While putting one set in the wash, I found a bed bug. It was dead already probably from being trapped in the space bag in the hot car. Got everything washed and dried and thought how lucky we were that we didn't seem to have been bitten. But 5 days after getting home the itching started, so far it's just me and my 5 year old son, I'm an ER nurse so I know that bed bug bites look like an that itching can appear up to 2 weeks after you are bitten.

I got online to get the phone number to call them and advise them of the situation and seen more that one Google review in the last month talking about the bed bugs, and that the owners were already made aware of the situation long before we got there!!! Which infuriates me!! I've called the camp ground and left a message to speak with the owner but have heard can nothing back yet, and the girl who took my call didn't seem at all surprised when I mentioned bed bugs!!! I'm hoping and praying that we didn't bring any living ones home with us.

Will update if and when we hear back from...

Unless you're 100% certain that you will not experience an illness, mechanical breakdown, death in the family or any other unforeseen circumstances I would recommend that you do not book this campground. ||||I learned the hard way that this campground has no empathy or compassion for unforeseen circumstances. I was on my way to this campground and less than 23 miles away when my motor home broke down on interstate 80. My rig was towed off the highway. Thank goodness a holiday inn express was at the next exit. As it was close to 5: 00 on a Friday I was unable to secure a mobile mechanic until the following Monday. ||||When I contacted the staff to let them know I was stranded and due to mechanical failure not able to make it to the campsite I was told that I would be charged the full fee. I explained the circumstances and offered to provide the tow truck receipt as proof that I was in fact stranded. My proof was denied and I was told that if an exception was made for me then other customers may try to use a mechanical breakdown as an excuse to cancel a reservation. ||||I feel sad for these people who are obviously incapable of showing empathy for someone in distress. Apparently the single night fee of $50.00 means more than showing a basic human kindness. ||||If you're traveling on the 80, try Elkhart co./ middlebury KOA holiday or Twin Mills Camling resort. ||informationally, due to the time it's taking for repairs, I had to cancel several other campsites and every single campsite gave me a full refund. More importantly every other campsite wished me well. obviously other campsites know more about human kindness and marketing...