Carvins Cove Reservoir — Local services in Hollins

This place is absolutely beautiful. The 1 star rating is not directed towards the nature or activities they offer.

The attendant at the front gate is one of the most hostile and rude people I have ever met. Truly disgusting attitude. I had brought my elderly mother here from NC. About a 3 hour drive from home. When we arrived, we tried reading all the signs trying to figure out where to go and what to do. No one was at the first checkpoint, so we drove to the next. There was a stop sign at the next building. We came to a stop. Was not sure what to do next since no one was there. We pulled forward about 6 ft in front of the stop sign so we could pull over and figure out what to do without blocking the roadway. We sat there for about 1 minute and then the attendant came knocking hard on my window. I rolled down the window and said hello. Here’s how the conversation went from there:

Attendant (raised and very hostile voice): You can’t be here without paying

Me: oh, I’m sorry, we were trying to figure out what to do because it’s our first time here.

Attendant (now yelling): you shouldn’t even be past that gate since you didn’t pay. It’s $7. You can’t be in here (pointing to the gate literally right behind my car)

At this point my dog had started barking since the random man was yelling at me through my window.

Me: Sir, I am fine with paying. Can I just park right here and pay you now?

Attendant: No! You need to circle the parking lot and come back to the stop sign and pay your fee.

I look back at the stop sign literally right behind the car, thinking to myself there’s no way this guy is serious

Me: sir, we are sorry. We did stop but did not know what to do from there.

just stares at me with anger

Me: I’m sorry. We have never been here before and it is not posted to wait on an attendant.

walks away huffing and puffing

I then circle the parking lot to end up at the stop, exactly 6 ft behind where I was parked. He is standing there, takes my $20. Says he’ll go get my change. Comes back out, gives me the whole speech about the trails, etc. The proceeds to say that I better not let my dog off leash and where exactly in the park I was planning on going. Wasn’t planning on it buddy, and I’m not sure it matters which trail I’m walking?

ANYWAY, I say nothing more to him, take the brochure and my change and go to park my car. The altercation left me and my family upset and we could not even enjoy being at the park at that point. Ended up leaving after about 20 of walking because it was just such a terrible...

Great place if it's not overrun with obnoxiously loud kayak renters or flooded with John boat anglers at every turn. I prefer going when everyone is at work and non holidays. Serene and gorgeous views, great bass fishing if you're patient, and friendly staff. 4 out of 5 because as a water source it's sad to see pollutants beer cans, Gatorade bottles and folks camping on shores out of view of the water authority's view. -kayak and...

Felt very disrespected by the people who were “in charged “. We paid $7 just for being there for 10 minutes they need to learn some manners. we were yelled at 5 minutes before they closed to leave when we were walking back to our car they told us to leave before they closed or they were going to charge us with trespassing when we peacefully told them that we were leaving they didn’t...