Two St. Augustine FL Campground Reviews!

[THutch]

The weekend of November 4th, we planned to go to St Augustine and enjoy the beach for a few days. We got to visit two campgrounds, due to the first being very inconsiderate.

North Beach Camp Resort
I made reservations at North Beach Camp Resort for the weekend. I requested and was confirmed for a pull-though, as we would be bringing the toad, but did not anticipate unhooking, as there is a great restaurant right there, and we just wanted to be on the beach. We live close, so we have already seen the sights in St Augustine, and just wanted to relax, camp, and see the beach.

Well, upon our arrival early Friday afternoon, I was told I could not have a pull-through, as none were available, and they had moved us to a back-in site. They also said I was miss-informed, as they do not reserve pull-throughs. I told them I wanted to look at the site to see if I could get in, and they allowed me to drive through the park to look at the site they had held for me. On the plus side, it is a beautiful camp ground, nice wooded sites. However, none of the sites were paved; all were dirt (which would be a problem in rainy weather and dusty in windy weather). The site they had moved us to was short, not level; I would have to unload my toad, disconnect the tow dolly and push it in up hill. Then try to back the coach in, and not block the road. But I guess the real souring point was passing at least 5 completely vacant pull-through sites on the way back to the site they had for me. We went back to the office, and I told them any one of the 5 vacant pull-throughs would work, but I could not use the back-in. They claimed they were all occupied and they tore my paperwork up while I stood at the counter, and told me that's all they had and I could just leave! I could not believe the attitude of the folks at the office! Well we did leave, but I told them I would be posting at all the campground review sites about my impression. My opinion, beautiful place, Old Florida appeal, but their New-Florida take-it-or-leave-it cavalier attitude really ruins the experience.

Bryn Mawr RV Resort
We then called Bryn Mawr RV Resort to see if they had a pull-through for us. This was short notice Friday afternoon, and they put us in spot 195, a pull-through at the ocean end of a row with a nice view of the dunes and ocean. Spaces were smaller, but paved and level with a covered deck, full hookups and Cable TV. There were a lot of full-timers there, but the view was tremendous, beach was a short walk over the boardwalk, and they were pet-friendly. We walked our dog on the beach without any problems. They do have a policy that toads must be unhooked before entering the park, which I didn't like. But we disconnected, and we thoroughly enjoyed our weekend.

Summary:

We had just completed a cross country trip with stays at many RV parks, State Parks and Casinos and I have never been treated as badly as I was at North Beach Camp Resort. Their attitude and customer service really needs improvement before I would consider going there again. I didn't get to talk to the manager, but the help there was no help...to the point of being rude. I'm just glad we found a nicer place, without the attitude to enjoy the weekend!

[THutch]

The weekend of November 4th, we planned to go to St Augustine and enjoy the beach for a few days. We got to visit two campgrounds, due to the first being very inconsiderate.

North Beach Camp Resort
I made reservations at North Beach Camp Resort for the weekend. I requested and was confirmed for a pull-though, as we would be bringing the toad, but did not anticipate unhooking, as there is a great restaurant right there, and we just wanted to be on the beach. We live close, so we have already seen the sights in St Augustine, and just wanted to relax, camp, and see the beach.

Well, upon our arrival early Friday afternoon, I was told I could not have a pull-through, as none were available, and they had moved us to a back-in site. They also said I was miss-informed, as they do not reserve pull-throughs. I told them I wanted to look at the site to see if I could get in, and they allowed me to drive through the park to look at the site they had held for me. On the plus side, it is a beautiful camp ground, nice wooded sites. However, none of the sites were paved; all were dirt (which would be a problem in rainy weather and dusty in windy weather). The site they had moved us to was short, not level; I would have to unload my toad, disconnect the tow dolly and push it in up hill. Then try to back the coach in, and not block the road. But I guess the real souring point was passing at least 5 completely vacant pull-through sites on the way back to the site they had for me. We went back to the office, and I told them any one of the 5 vacant pull-throughs would work, but I could not use the back-in. They claimed they were all occupied and they tore my paperwork up while I stood at the counter, and told me that's all they had and I could just leave! I could not believe the attitude of the folks at the office! Well we did leave, but I told them I would be posting at all the campground review sites about my impression. My opinion, beautiful place, Old Florida appeal, but their New-Florida take-it-or-leave-it cavalier attitude really ruins the experience.

Bryn Mawr RV Resort
We then called Bryn Mawr RV Resort to see if they had a pull-through for us. This was short notice Friday afternoon, and they put us in spot 195, a pull-through at the ocean end of a row with a nice view of the dunes and ocean. Spaces were smaller, but paved and level with a covered deck, full hookups and Cable TV. There were a lot of full-timers there, but the view was tremendous, beach was a short walk over the boardwalk, and they were pet-friendly. We walked our dog on the beach without any problems. They do have a policy that toads must be unhooked before entering the park, which I didn't like. But we disconnected, and we thoroughly enjoyed our weekend.

Summary:

We had just completed a cross country trip with stays at many RV parks, State Parks and Casinos and I have never been treated as badly as I was at North Beach Camp Resort. Their attitude and customer service really needs improvement before I would consider going there again. I didn't get to talk to the manager, but the help there was no help...to the point of being rude. I'm just glad we found a nicer place, without the attitude to enjoy the weekend!

[Beabop]

Glad you had a good time at the 2nd campground. We have some trollers on here who have nothing better to do than make negative remarks to others.

[Miles]

Glad you had the second choice to go to. Based on your exp with the first one I would not even attempt to make arrangements there. Always glad to hear feed back one way or the other. We need more. Thanks for the information.

[doc]

Tom and Nora,
Sorry you guys had such a poor experience.

We had the same thing happen at a large CG on Big Cove Road (nationwide chain) in Cherokee NC. We called and reserved a front row site near the office (paved pad area). When we arrived, the kid on the computer said these sites on the front were reserved and he could only give us a site toward the rear. Terrible site, small and low lying. Turns out the site we had reserved stayed open all weekend.
In retrospect, I believe the kid didn't know how to use the computer. I think the "reserved" site was reserved by us and he didn't have the smarts to figure that out. Duh!!
Anyway, that did it with us and we don't stay there anymore, even if they are one of the few CGs in the area that are open in winter.
I contacted the general manager (didn't do any good but made me feel better) You might try the same thing.

[GaryKD]

Tom,
How about adding these CGs to the CG Review section of this iRV2 site? This is where your comments can help fellow iRV2 members the most.

[rebelsbeach]

GREAT IDEA Gary!!

[JAXFL]

Small world. We were also at the Bryn Mawr RV Resort that weekend, spot 135. We have the TT with all the windows and the 5 bikes parked around the front of the TT. It sure was sandy with the wind Friday night. Still was a great time. We also tried North Beach about 3 years ago and did not like the folks and the playground is the worst I have ever seen. Glad you found Bryn Mawr.

[THutch]

Gary, Bob

I added reviews...is it just me, or is the review section that difficult to use?

JAXFL,

We were in 195...last pull-through by the beach access. Meridian with FBP and the PT Cruiser Convertible.

[JAXFL]

THutch it is just you I think that the most used RV review site in America is RVPARKREVIEW, besure to post there. If I want to know about a campground I go there 1st, then I ask for opinons from the other RV Forums. See ya sometime.