Cagle Recreation Area — Hotel in Willis

(1 star gor Lee the camp host/ 5 star for Cagle recreation area) 3rd year staying at Cagle for a fishing tournament and never had any issues until our last stay. We had reservations for Tuesday-Monday (6 nights). When we arrived, we were greeted by a park host named Jesse. He was very friendly and a retired veteran like myself. We talked for a bit, and then he allowed us to finish getting settled in. On Thursday, a park host named Lee drove by and told me that I had to disconnect and leave either my truck or boat in that spot. He said I couldn't have both or I would get a ticket for not being in the lines. I didn't understand, I was not on the grass, nor was I blocking any camp site (first two pics). We had the same camp site and equipment we had in the previous years and there were never any problems. I explained to him that I did not want to park my boat or truck near the boat ramp because it was out of site and had no outlets to charge the boat or proper security. Either way, I followed Lee's orders and did what he asked in fear of getting a ticket or asked to leave. During the rest of our stay, I walked around the park more than a few times, and there were several other boats and cars parked outside the lines (photos attached). I also watched Mr. Lee drive his golf cart around the park and never had them disconnect or threaten them with being ticketed. Truly didn't understand why he was only having an issue with me. No adjacent site had an issue with my parking as many others had the same truck and boat connections. On the last night, our campsite neighbors decided to leave their campsite early and said we could park there overnight. So I stayed connected and parked my truck and boat on their site since it was still reserved. Park Host Lee got mad and said I can't do that. If it wasn't for the other Park Host named Jesse, Lee would have had me disconnected again. I think Park Host Lee needs to use a little more common sense and help accommodate campers that travel with boats instead of harassing them. Or at least be fair with everyone, not just who he wanted to...

I am giving only 3 stars to rate due to the Camp Hosts!! Cagle Recreation area is wonderful. We have been camping at the Cagle campground since 2009, we know the rules & are good campers, just my husband & I. This visit was ruined by the Camp Hosts!! We had to come after work so we were limited on daylight getting set up, here comes the CH to accuse us of removing the reservation from the wooden post at the campsite, we did not! She didn't have us on the list she had, but I had a reservation in hand. The camper list she had was not current, but she continued to question us!! She delayed us in our camp set up! Next morning another CH asks us to move our truck from the grass, the side of the tires were just touching some grass blades on the edge of the asphalt, not on the grass! We moved our truck anyway. On the Saturday of our stay another CH barged in on a family cookout to tell us where our children should have parked!! Our son & daughter came around 4pm to eat with us, son parked in the spot near our campsite with our 2nd parking pass. Our daughter paid at the entry, but it was unattended so she put $5 in the box. She was not aware of the envelopes. The CH wanted her to move to the day use parking, it was over 100 degrees & there was plenty of marked parking near our site!! Her request was ridiculous & unreasonable!! We still can't believe the nerve of her interference on our dinner!!! The campground was not crowded at all!! We respect the work the CH provide, but this visit was soured by these zealous Hosts!! Cagle is less than an hour from our home so we like to use for a short get away on the weekends & enjoy the outdoors! It is a shame the people in charge find it necessary to treat campers in this manner. We will not be back for a long time, at least until this group of hosts are gone! Thanks for ruining our short...

Wonderful National Recreation Area in the Sam Houston National Forest near Montgomery.. virtually abandoned Monday Tuesday and Wednesday.. After that I suggest that you get reservations online via the National Park Service. If you're senior you can use the golden pass to stay for $19 a night if you are in an RV. day passes only five bucks or free if you are a senior. The sites back right up to the lake in some places and you can swim or float in a pristine area that looks like something from Jurassic Park with moss hanging down from the trees and massive Oaks and Pine covered with squirrels and migratory Birds. We watched a pair of eagles catching fish in the lake several hours. There is a boat dock and launch area with a large parking lot. The weekends are packed and reservations are required if you want an RV site. The trails which were damaged by Hurricane Harvey are now open. Make sure and bring cash because sometimes the front entry Gatehouse is closed.. at that point you will have to pay either by check or cash putting it into an envelope and then depositing that into a large metal box after tearing off a paper proof of payment tag, attaching that to the wooden post at the front of your campsite.. there is no firewood for sale and most of the wood has been picked up by campers and burned I suggest that you bring a bundle or two of firewood if you want to have a campfire. just down the road is the ranger station which has lots of free maps and information about the other trails in the Sam Houston National Forest Area. We backpacked on the Lone Star Trail which crosses nearby.. into areas where there were no sounds except coyotes at night and the never ending sound of incessant crickets and whippoorwills. . the park restrooms are clean and there are no vending machines are ice machines so you need to bring your own...