Open Pond Recreation Area

This park is well maintained, sites are well spaced. It is popular with the locals for a party spot. There were 3 families at a campsite close to the restrooms partying and playing their music. Luckily my spot was far enough away that it wasn’t a problem and all but one family left later in the evening. Make sure to bring cash, there is no one to provide change. Although my spot was a $12 spot I paid $20 because I didn’t have change. Despite a few small negatives I would return to this campground. Restrooms were clean, lake was nice, location was convenient.

Despite being Labor Day weekend and rather busy, it was quiet and breezy. In fact the breeze off the pond (lake) through the longleaf pines was most of what you hear. A very few concrete pads, mostly gravel and well maintained. First come first serve, and on a holiday weekend that’s worrisome if you’re coming from a ways away. Only a one or two of the 65 sites we’re vacant on Labor Day Weekend. Campground host in C Loop was friendly and genuine. Bath houses need updating and cleaning, though it was a busy weekend. The campground is now fully open after having a weekend-only policy much of the summer due to COVID-19. Electric and Water provided. Dump station on other side of pond (lake) near campground entrance.

A very nice place. Unfortunately, due to covid hysteria, currently only open Friday morning until Monday morning. I would have stayed longer if allowed. The rate is reasonable: for sites with water and electric, the daily rate is $16. Senior passes are honored so the senior pass-holder rate is $12. Walk-ins are accepted. First come first served.
There are 4 loops. Loop A, 10 sites, is for primitive camping. Loop B, is for boy/girl scout group camping only. Group C, 40 sites, has water and electric hookups, picnic table, fire ring, restrooms with showers. All sites offer some degree of shade. Loop D, 25 sites, features the same as Loop C. Both loops C and D offer some sites adjacent to the pond, but not all sites have a pond view. The sites situated adjacent to the pond are fairly level, with a slight decline toward the pond. The sites not adjacent to the pond are very level, and offer more shade. Most sites are bluestone gravel. A very few sites are concrete pads.
Restrooms might benefit from some updating, but they were clean.
Swimming is not allowed in the pond due to the presence of alligators, and there is a sad story about a man several years ago whose arm was ripped off from him by an alligator (before swimming was banned.)
There are trails in the forest, but they are not very interesting.
The waste dump station is situated near the park entrance.
Access to the campground is very good and all roads are paved.
Cell service with AT&T was sporadic. You can text about 5% of the time with 1 bar signal strength. Forget about trying to do anything on the internet. I was told by another camper that Verizon is non-existant there.

Large sites on the water are great all rigs (plenty of spaces). First come-first serve get there early on a holiday weekend to avoid crowds. Otherwise there is tons of space. If your rig supports boondocking you can find large sites in the A block to camp for 8 nightly(4 with america beautiful pass).

If you’re a newbie like me just find an empty camp site then go to one of the stations information stands (they are at each entrance section) drop off the money and put your info at your site (when you are leaving is most important). The camp hosts are really nice you might see then walk by if you have questions. Little noisy on holiday weekends but you can go hiking to the 3 or 4 ponds and barely see anybody if you are looking for quiet. Venture out on the hiking trails and explore!

Nice campground. Well kept big sites. Great price. Honor system payments. Nice place to ride bikes. GPS messes you up when getting here. It tells you to take a right on 102 but don’t. The road they give you after the right is a horse trail. Continue on to open pond road. You will see the brown recreation sign. After that it’s easy to figure out. We made the trip in the dark. It was a little harder to find. It’s pitch black out there