WaterSide Campground & RV Park

For local users searching for "rv parks near me" in the Lewistown, Pennsylvania area, WaterSide Campground & RV Park, located at 475 Locust Rd, Lewistown, PA 17044, USA, presents a location with a history of providing riverside camping experiences. Situated along a river that allows for activities like tubing and kayaking directly from the campground, it has historically been a convenient destination for both transit and seasonal campers. However, recent customer reviews indicate significant changes under new corporate ownership that potential visitors should carefully consider.

Lewistown, located in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, offers a scenic environment with access to rivers and outdoor recreational opportunities. WaterSide Campground & RV Park's key environmental feature has been its direct access to the river, allowing guests to easily enjoy water-based activities without the need for additional transportation. This riverside location has been a major draw for those seeking a camping experience integrated with tubing and kayaking.

However, the recent customer reviews paint a picture of a changing environment and policies at WaterSide Campground & RV Park following a change in ownership to a "big corporation." One long-term transit camper, who had enjoyed the campground for the past 13 years, expresses disappointment and states they "will not be returning." The primary reason cited is the introduction of "dog breed restrictions" under the new ownership. While the park initially indicated they would "grandfather" restricted dogs, this policy reportedly does not apply to weekend campers. This change has directly impacted loyal customers who own breeds now deemed "aggressive" by the new management, regardless of the individual dog's temperament. The reviewer laments this policy, highlighting the inconvenience and disappointment of being excluded due to their dog's breed and suggests that the new corporate focus is solely on profit.

Another long-term seasonal camper, who stayed for 10 years, also reports a negative shift in the campground's atmosphere and policies. Their review mentions "too many golf carts," suggesting increased traffic within the park. More concerning are the complaints about "loud parties with a lot of people, alcohol and vulgar language," indicating a potential decline in the peacefulness and family-friendly environment. The reviewer also notes that the campground is "getting too expensive" and that "speeding and other rules not enforced." These issues collectively led to their departure after a decade of being a seasonal guest, signaling a significant change in the park's management and the experience it offers.

Based on these recent negative reviews, it is challenging to provide a detailed description of the positive services and features that might have been present under previous ownership. However, we can infer some services and features that were likely available or are typically expected at an RV park with a history of accommodating transit and seasonal campers:

• Riverside Access for Tubing and Kayaking: Historically, a key feature allowing guests to easily launch and retrieve tubes and kayaks directly from the campground. The current status of access and any new regulations under corporate ownership would need verification.
• RV Sites with Hookups: As an RV park, WaterSide likely offers sites with essential hookups for water, electricity (potentially with various amperage options), and sewer connections. The quality and maintenance of these hookups under new management are uncertain based on the reviews.
• Seasonal Sites: The mention of a 10-year seasonal camper confirms that long-term site rentals were previously available. The policies and pricing for seasonal sites may have changed significantly under the new ownership.
• Transit Camping Availability: The reference to "transit campers" indicates that the park accommodated short-term stays for those passing through the area. The new dog breed restrictions may impact the availability and welcome for transit campers with certain breeds.
• Restroom and Shower Facilities: Typically, RV parks provide communal restrooms and shower facilities for their guests. The cleanliness and upkeep of these facilities under the new management are not mentioned in the reviews.
• Laundry Facilities: On-site laundry rooms with washers and dryers are a common amenity in RV parks, especially those catering to longer stays. Their condition and availability at WaterSide are not mentioned in the reviews.

Features that might have been present or were valued by previous campers, but are now areas of concern, include:

• Peaceful and Family-Friendly Environment: The complaints about loud parties and vulgar language suggest a potential decline in the previously enjoyed peaceful atmosphere.
• Enforcement of Park Rules: The lack of enforcement regarding speeding and other rules is a significant concern raised by a former long-term camper.
• Reasonable Pricing: The park is now perceived as "getting too expensive," indicating a potential shift in pricing strategy under the new corporate ownership.
• Pet-Friendly Policies: The introduction of dog breed restrictions represents a significant change that has negatively impacted at least one long-term customer. The overall pet-friendliness of the park is now questionable for owners of certain breeds.
• Golf Cart Regulations: The mention of "too many golf carts" suggests a potential issue with traffic and safety within the campground that may not be adequately managed.

Regarding promotional information, the negative reviews overshadow any potential positive promotions. The changes in policies, the perceived decline in atmosphere and rule enforcement, and the increased cost are significant deterrents highlighted by former loyal customers. Any promotional material from the new corporate owners would need to be carefully evaluated in light of this recent feedback. Local users should be particularly wary of any claims that contradict the experiences shared in these reviews.

For local users searching for "rv parks near me" in the Lewistown, PA area, WaterSide Campground & RV Park presents a location with a history of riverside access. However, recent reviews strongly suggest a significant shift in the campground's policies, atmosphere, and pricing under new corporate ownership. Potential visitors should be aware of the following concerns raised by former long-term campers:

• New Dog Breed Restrictions: Owners of certain dog breeds may not be permitted on the property, even for weekend stays, despite previous grandfathering assurances for long-term residents.
• Increased Noise and Unruly Behavior: Complaints about loud parties with alcohol and vulgar language suggest a potential decline in the peaceful environment.
• Lack of Rule Enforcement: Speeding and other park rules may not be adequately enforced by the new management.
• Increased Costs: The campground is perceived as becoming increasingly expensive.
• Potential Overuse of Golf Carts: An excessive number of golf carts may contribute to traffic and noise within the park.

Given these significant concerns, local users considering WaterSide Campground & RV Park are strongly advised to exercise caution and seek up-to-date information directly from the new management. It would be prudent to:

• Contact the Campground Directly: Use the provided phone numbers (+1 717-248-3974 or (717) 248-3974) to inquire specifically about current pet policies, rules regarding noise and alcohol, pricing for RV sites (both short-term and long-term), and any regulations regarding golf carts.
• Ask About Rule Enforcement: Inquire about the measures the new management has in place to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests by enforcing park rules.
• Seek Recent Reviews from Other Sources: Look for more recent reviews on other platforms to see if the trends reported by these long-term campers are consistent with the experiences of more recent visitors.
• Consider Visiting the Campground Before Booking: If feasible, a brief visit to the campground might provide a firsthand impression of the current atmosphere and the condition of the facilities.

In conclusion, while WaterSide Campground & RV Park in Lewistown, PA, offers a desirable riverside location with potential for tubing and kayaking, recent changes under new corporate ownership have led to significant concerns among long-term customers regarding pet policies, noise levels, rule enforcement, and pricing. Local users searching for "rv parks near me" should carefully weigh these potential drawbacks and conduct thorough due diligence before making a reservation to ensure the campground meets their expectations for a pleasant and hassle-free camping experience.

WaterSide Campground & RV Park

475 Locust Rd, Lewistown, PA 17044, USA