Jules K.

(Ridge Campground & Lake) I've camped at state parks and national parks, but this was my first Army Corps of Engineers campground, a thing I did not know existed until a last-minute change of plans resulted in our going here for the Independence Day Weekend. I assume that when ACE decided to build a campground around the lake (Raystown) it had made, it looked at other campgrounds and decided not to go with your boring old camp pads. Instead, they decided to do something completely different - duplex camp pads. Yes, on the lower - almost perfectly level - pad we put our little camper. On the upper deck - where the fire ring and picnic table are located - we put our screen room. This camp area was for RVs, so for us it was an insane amount of space. I want to go back to try a pad that has the camper on the upper level and the fire ring on the lower level. Just because. Some of the sites are kind of open, ours was one of the more open sites, but for the most part the trees or the duplex set up make for enough privacy. What else? Bathrooms? Good question - Spotless. They clean them twice a day. There are nice sized shower stalls BUT - what's up ACE? - only one hook for your things and no benches. So, be prepared - one of those reusable shopping bags is your friend. The lake itself was ... a big old lake full of lots of boats going lots of fast. I only note this because if you are in a boat that goes people speed (eg a kayak) and you aren't that experienced [ahem], it can be kind of intimidating once you get away from the little sheltered area where you launch. Regarding that, if there's a kayak/canoe friendly place to launch at that part of the lake, we didn't see it. Parking is also limited and unless you're in a campground that's really close to the lake, launching and then driving back to the campsite and then walking back to the lake ... Ugh, I get tired thinking about it. However - It is definitely a lot of fun out there. There are lots of little islands and cliffs to climb on and plenty of no wake areas where you don't feel like you're going to get mowed down by a pontoon boat, which would be embarrassing.