Woodhaven Lakes — Hotel in Sublette Township

Before I can review Woodhaven, I have to define what it is. First, Woodhaven is not a camp ground. If you're looking for a getaway weekend or a place to spend a couple of nights on vacation, they don't offer that kind of accommodation. It's also not a Trailer park, although as you drive through you will get the impression in certain portions that you are in the most upscale trailer park you've ever been in. According to Woodhaven's website they are a "private, gated recreational property owner resort" each spot is owned by the member. They have to follow the rules and regulation of the Woodhaven Association, but you own the spot.... HOWEVER you are limited to 200 overnight stays per calendar year. This is due to it not being zoned residential. I can't review this as a campground, but that's how they try to present themselves.

First off there are different ways of getting a lot in Woodhaven. You can get a lot directly from them, or you can get one a government tax sale... IE the lot owner doesn't pay their taxes and the county seizes the property and sells it at auction. Once you get a lot you are now subjected to the Woodhaven Association. They have a fairly strict rules on what you can and can't do on your property or be fined. However from my experience this is inconsistently enforced. Just a quick drive around Woodhaven and you'll see what I mean. What's okay for one site is not okay for another. Last weekend while there I spoke with some of the owners (I've been a frequent guest over the last year, and was looking to obtain a lot). They've all received fines/infractions over the last year for something that seems to be subjectively enforced. IE number of buildings on property, distance to property lines, construction material, etc. Also you need permits for just about everything. However Woodhaven will work with you to get the permits.

Secondly there are a lot of amenities. There are stores, restaurants, recreational facilities, swimming pools, a lake you can swim in, trails, lakes for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, etc. No boats with anything more than an electric trolling motor are allowed on the lakes. They also have special programs and activities on the weekends from movies, to crafts, fishing derbies, etc. They have what they call "Comfort Stations" basically bathrooms with shower houses. They're decently maintained, but what you would expect at a campground... but again, this is not a campground. Thirdly, they have their own security. Which is nice, but honestly some of these guys seem a little aggressive. I know they need to enforce that 15 mph speed limit, but the need to follow a car around that's site seeing seems aggressive. Also if you're taking a load of waste from site improvement to their dumpsters, you may get stopped by security questioning that you are throwing the right stuff away. Seriously guy questioned me throwing construction waste into a construction waste dumpster that's got other construction waste in it. However, if there is an issue they will show up rather promptly.

Overall, Woodhaven is a fun place. It's Glamping in all of its glory. Many of the lots have "trailers" on them that look more like houses than trailers. And where it might not be camping on how I prefer to do it (see tents without someone else camped 15 feet away from me.), it's still a nice location and good for weekend getaway. Honestly, the whole place comes across as the worlds most expensive trailer park with a Home Owners Association...

Unless you are here for an extended stay I'm pretty sure this place isn't worth much of a drive. It didn't live up to the label of resort. The unpleasant aspect of our trip began before we even pulled up to the gate. A car had pulled off to the side of the road gathering pamphlets from a box. In a normal place you slowly pull around them. Here that gets you a snide remark, "We don't do that here." Next we get to the gatehouse. Staff member 1 tells us to do something. Staff member 2 yells at us for doing what Staff member 1 told us to do.

Take my kids to go mini golfing. The price wasn't too bad. But half of the water wasn't working and the other half was as blue as toilet water with one of the cleaning tabs you drop in the tank.

Let's talk about Pool #1. It was indeed warm like walking into a bathtub. It sure was nice. But I can't say the same about many of the people in the pool. There were a bunch of kids. Kids splash. There was one woman who made a rude remark about how the kids splashing was a problem because she didn't want to get wet. This woman was standing chest deep in a pool!!! What did she think was going to happen. My son wanted to jump in the pool. He found a spot that was away from other kids in the pool. Trying to be safe and not jump on other swimmers. One woman sitting in the front row of deck chairs was huffy that she wasn't getting droplets of water at her. The cement between her and the pool wasn't even wet.

The nature center was decent inside. The story book trail was not what I expected. ..you walk around a pavilion and read a story. There were very few interactive things to do. It is very much a look don't touch set up. Not a very good way for kids to learn.

A significant portion of the sites we saw were overgrown, had structures that were in very poor shape. We saw a couple that were clearly structurally unsound. One had it's floor clearly caving in. The bathrooms were rather dingy and could have been better maintained.. That's not a big deal, but detracts from the resort aspect. Thankfully that most of the sites around us have their own bathrooms. Because the bathroom wasn't cleaned at all over the weekend.

About 7 sites away from us there was a party. At 2 in the morning we could have sung along with their music. It seems quiet hours are the one rule not enforced around here.

My kids are really disappointed they can't swim again tomorrow. The pool opens at 11, but we have to be off the resort grounds by noon. Other places I've been to, one has to be out of their campsite by a certain time. That's understandable for cleaning/prep for another user. But if we stayed to swim, that's not causing anyone more work. The lifeguards are there anyway.

The site was nice, but the way they have the fireplace sunk into the ground was troublesome for people with mobility problems.

We were next to an open community use area. That was beautiful. We saw many peaceful deer while here. My kids loved that the deer seemed as intent on watching us as we were of them.

Overall, unless we were visiting someone...

We LOVE ♥️Woodhaven Lakes all year long! They always have plenty of amenities to entertain yourself. Wether is hot or cold. If it’s hot you can chill at the pools, if it’s snowing you can slide at the hills. We have a gym, library, comfort stations working all year long, two swimming pools, beach, multiple playgrounds. You can go fishing, for a nature walk with your dog, cook outdoors, make puzzles, color, take pictures, go treasure hunting or just explore in the woods. We have plenty of activities during regular season, and even if we don’t have common activities you can always find your place here. There’s a nature center where you can take your kids for learning. Participate on boat parades or just go for a boat ride, 5-10k marathons. You can rent a spot or buy a property giving you access all year long regardless Covid or weather conditions. You can watch movies indoors(common area) or at outdoor theaters, enjoy of outdoors concerts, and even religious activities for those seeking spiritual paths. We also have laundry service, market, hardware store, restaurant, tennis, basketball, volleyball, mini golf courts, security 24/7 and much more. Open and fast wifi hotspot access in common areas, which are always clean and Covid guidelines must be follow there for safety. Needles to say you will enjoy of great views and sunsets/sunrises. It’s a great place to visit with your family or friends. Staff is friendly and helpful, always willing to assist you, giving you a warm welcome home with a smile. The community is kind and respectful. You will always want...