Camp Clearwater — Hotel in White Lake

VERY DISAPPOINTING TO SAY THE LEAST! We visited back in August and spoke with one of the owners, Mr. David Clark. Mr. Clark is the Secretary and Treasurer of Clearwater Enterprises, Inc. We had heard that living in a campsite might not be allowed and he assured me and my client, who has extreme arthritis, that she would have no problems. He told us an NC Statute allowed people to live at campsites for up to six months, but, nothing would prevent someone from leaving for one day and then coming back for another six months. He convinced us we would have no trouble living in the camp...."...we want people to live here.".

Based on his word, we listed a lady's home and put it under contact scheduled to close December 15 of 2023. Now, we called the office this past week to finalize the purchase of a camper on one of the sites and were told by staff that a Town of White Lake ordinance was causing them to kick out people living there. The secretary, Kristy Coleson, sent me a copy of the ordinance, highlighting the part about living at a campsite. I called the Town of White Lake and spoke with Town Administrator Shawn Martin. I had the copy of the ordinance with me and read it to him. I asked him if someone wanted to live at a campsite for four months, as an example, and then left for a day and came back for another four months.....would this be allowed? He told me YES it would be fine. He did tell me that campgrounds can make rules that are more stringent than the town's rules, but again, Mr. Clark assured us we would have no problems.

I have been waiting for a couple days and have not had a return call from Hope Campbell, Mr David Clark's daughter, who is also the President of Clearwater Enterprises, Inc. I did receive a return call this past Wednesday from Kristy Coleson and she said they would be calling me Thursday.....I never received a call. I did receive a quick email yesterday morning which stated they were busy getting ready for a tree lighting ceremony.

Now, this business has caused damage to the sellers of the camper, the buyer for the camper who has put down a lot of money to buy the camper. Also damaged is the buyer who is selling her home in Clayton to move there on Mr. Clark's word. She spent all of her money fixing up her home and putting a deposit on the camper. Also damaged are the buyers for her home who have also put down a deposit and have spent money on inspections, etc. My time and the buyer agent's time has also been wasted.

We are hoping for a quick resolution to the problem but we will have no choice but to seek legal assistance next week. This problem could have been handled a lot faster if they had just returned my calls. We never would have stepped a foot on this property if we had known this situation...

MONTHLY RENTERS BEWARE||When we arrived at Camp Clearwater during the off-season for my boyfriends job, they thought a lot of their monthly renters during the Off-season when there was not much other business. But unfortunately as soon as summer rolls around round they are ready to screw you over. Since November we have been paying monthly rates on the 1st of every month. When my boyfriend paid the rent for the month of May we were not told that anything would be different than any other month previously. We paid the full monthly amount which was $720. This month they decided to cut us five days short. They gave roughly a weeks notice that our reservation would end before the end of the month. When we called to ask what was going on it took them three days to get back to us just to let us know that they could not do anything about our reservation. They booted someone who has paid since November and would have been paying for multiple more months all for a four day long reservation . Which starts before the month of May is even over. I called today to see if they planned on giving us the money back for the days that they took our reservation and gave to someone else. One of the ladies thought that she was witty by saying that it was not a tenant landlord lease agreement and that if you went by nightly rates we would actually owe them money. I find that very odd that they advertise monthly rates But can pick and choose when they cut a month short. The very least that they could have done is lit us know that this would be the case when my boyfriend went in to pay the rent for May. Instead like I said they waited a week before they wanted us to leave to post a note on the door. Luckily my boyfriend is not as petty as I am and he is not going to stress himself out over a little bit of money that they screwed us out of but I am here to tell you that I do not recommend this place I would not give them any more of my money ever again. Like I told the ladies in the office when they had me on speaker phone they’re very unprofessional and either need to learn how to coordinate booking reservations or go find a job less challenging. It is pointless to pay their high prices anyway when you have to deal with all the riffraff trash that they would rather rent nightly rates to and their outrageous laundry prices, when there are other campgrounds in town that are Less Noisy and have free laundry. Do your research and park your camper at one of those...

Since 2021, I have been a regular visitor to this location and always appreciated the positive and welcoming atmosphere. However, during my most recent visit in 2025, I noticed a shift that left me somewhat disappointed. The friendly environment that once characterized my experiences appeared diminished, replaced by interactions that felt less inviting.

During this visit, I encountered a couple of safety concerns, including incidents where me and my family was almost struck while walking. Some rude people on golf carts as well. Enhancing pedestrian safety measures, such as clearer walkways or designated walking areas, could greatly improve the overall experience. Additionally, I observed a preference for cash-only transactions, which raised questions about standard business practices. Implementing transparent payment options, including electronic methods, might foster greater trust among visitors.

the water quality was disappointing. It was no longer clear, appearing green with an unpleasant odor. This was not only off-putting but also worrisome. I overheard a conversation where a mother mentioned that her child had become seriously ill after being in the water, even requiring hospitalization—definitely alarming to hear.

Additionally, the shower facilities were inconsistent. Some showers only provided hot water, while others offered only cold, making it difficult to find a comfortable balance. This lack of basic facility maintenance was frustrating.

On a positive note, I did meet several kind individuals whose warmth stood out and was genuinely appreciated. Their hospitality serves as a strong foundation for this community. With attention to these areas—enhancing safety, promoting transparent practices, and nurturing the friendly atmosphere—I believe the location can continue to thrive. I hope to see these improvements in the future, which would encourage me to return and support this community once more, for now though I don’t think I can contribute financially to this...