High Falls State Park
Click Here to see our youtube video that highlights this park
The Campgrounds- Here is a link to the campground map at Reserve America. There are two loops. Since at this time in our life we had a 24 foot Class C, we stayed in the 25 ft size limit (red) lake side which has only 30amp . These were complete with concrete unmovable picnic tables and fire pits with grill tops. There were great trees for hammocks. We got decent cell service with 2-3 bars probably because we were only 2 miles from 1-75. The sites were all gravel sites but many have steps up to picnic table and fire pits. Campsites in this area were nicely spaced but the best lake views are hogged by the yurts -(no pets allowed) Yurts are all lake front in the same area as the camping red lakeside loop.
The other loop was called River side with size accommodations from 25-50ft with 50amp at some of the sites. There were many pull thru sites but these were the least shady and private. This area is also an uphill walk to the lake although the river that is close to the campground looked like it could be paddled IF the water level was higher. If you stay at this campground, it will be a long haul to wheel your kayak if you don’t have a car.
*None of the sites except for camp host appeared to have sewer. The only Dump station is on a one way road out of the riverside camping area
Water sports– There are two water options- the River and the Lake. The River was low when we were here and was not kayak friendly or even for a ducky. Lots of logs across the river which makes it seem kayaking on the river would be a challenge in the best of circumstances. Paddling on the lake was nice- early morning was calm and peaceful. Rules say no more than 10hp but we saw most boats had more. My inflatable Hobie SUP had a leak so I ended up renting a SUP at the park visitor center. $10 bought me an hour on the lake giving me a good workout. The rental area had lots to offer–> kayaks, paddle boats, SUP’s and everything was reasonably priced and easy to rent and turn in (bring your id to leave as collateral)
Lake side campground – 2 fishing piers easy walking distance but no real kayak paddle board launch at the campground. (There is a marina with rental equipment about a 5 min- 10 minute walk near the camp registration). We ended up walking our kayak down the hill past the yurts to the lake and launching off the shore.
Hiking- fun and easy trails-Click HERE to download the campground map. just 2 trails and a trail we created which we will call “Billy goat” hiking . The official trails had some nice inclines and while trails were well marked as you were hiking, if you used the map provided it was confusing. We never really knew where we were on the trail because the maps didn’t really correspond with landmarks. The Falls loop shows a figure 8 that is 1.5 mile loop but it was really a series of switchbacks and lots of alternative trails. We just kept going one direction until the trail became private land and dead ended on a gravel road- then walked back to the red trail and came back with the river on our left and just had fun. One trail is on one side of the river and the other trail is on the opposite side of the river. We created our billy goat trail by getting off the trail when we saw the river and scrambling over rocks and mini islands created by the low water levels parallel to the official trail. We like to challenge our muscles occasionally and it is fun to do things like a kid sometimes.
Biking- No official bike trails and the roads near the campground had very little shoulder. If you are going to ride here a mountain bike might keep you safer for road biking so you can ride grassy shoulders in the event of traffic. Keith went for an early Sunday morning ride and felt safer on the road without traffic. He found lots of side roads that with some planning could be a great loop. There is the Dauset Trails and Nature Center 8 miles away but it would just be easier to stay at Indian Springs State Park which is very close to those trails and connects to the nature center via a connecting trail. For our Indian Springs Campground review, you can click HERE. Dauset Trails and Nature center have 26 miles of trails for mountain biking and hiking.
Other nice activities in the area was the putt putt golf next to lakeside campground, and a nice pool that had a fee to use which was also located in the lakeside campground area.
This park has a General store/registration center. It was a great store that rents kayaks, pedal boats, canoes, sups and also had lots of supplies for camping and hiking and ice machine too. You need to bring your drivers license if you decide to rent one of their water toys.
Within a 10 min walk of the Campground General Store/Registration center there is a Dollar store, produce stand ,gas station with diesal ,convenience mart, bbq stand, hot dog stand and 2 diner like restaurants within 10 min walk
High falls state park
