Tammy Jo and I went down for a week in September and honestly didn't know what to expect. The reviews online are either "best place ever" or "total nightmare." The truth as usual is somewhere in the middle.
The Good Stuff
The beach access is fantastic. Golf cart down to the sand in about 5 minutes. Speaking of golf carts — you basically need one here. The place is huge. We rented one for the week ($300 ish) and it was worth every penny.
Sites are full hookup including sewer. Ours was level and clean. They have a water park, mini golf, arcade, pools. The kids in the site next to us were in heaven.
The Not-So-Good
Its crowded. Like really crowded. Especially on weekends when the annual renters come down. The permanent sites have full-on decks, sheds, and landscaping. Some look nicer than my first apartment.
Rules enforcement is inconsistent. Some areas are quiet and peaceful. Other areas have music blasting at midnight. Luck of the draw depending on your neighbors.
Also $$$. Peak season rates are not cheap especially for beachside sites.
But if you want a beach vacation with full hookups and your kids are the type who need constant entertainment, Ocean Lakes delivers. Just temper your expectations — its more beach resort than campground.
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We learned most of this the hard way. Nice to see it written out clearly.
gonna try this next trip to Moab. The hauler is packed and ready!
Wish we had read this before our trip to Gulf Shores. Would have saved us a headache.
My Airstream has been thru worse and this advice would have helped back then.
My whole rig cost less than most peoples monthly rent. Freedom isnt expensive.
I photographed something similar on my last trip thru New Mexico. Beautiful stuff.