My friends and I were there yesterday, and the person at the toll gate cursed at us for not knowing the difference between a metro and state park, mind you were all 17, and then threatened to give us a ticket as we turned around, and then did after hunting us down to another “part” of the lake. My mother called because i am underaged and they acted like they didn’t care that their employee does not have decent people skills and shouldn’t be working with the public. Ranger 14-2. (what’s on my “violation notice”.) they’re trying to charge me for a park pass at a park that had no toll booth. they chased us down from the one where they did have a toll booth, but we politely asked if we could just pull around and leave, because no one had money and that’s when she threatened to give us a ticket. so i will not be coming back. nor will i be advising anything to go there. for the simple fact that you get treated like you’re stupid.

Generally, we have great experiences camping at state parks. We enjoyed our stay at the Bruin Lake campground...although it felt like there were two different camping experiences available here! The "lower" campground, by the lakefront, had a very modern and updated shower/bathroom building, lake views and access, and very much a friendly, open vibe. The downside is that there is very little shade in this area, so if that's important (or if it's very hot), the lower area may not be for you. However, we liked this area the best of the campground. We had a spot on the "upper" campground, near the older shower house/restrooms. There was a much different "vibe" here (although admittedly extremely shaded). The shower house/bathroom itself, while being older, as also always crowded, and the bathroom and shower stalls seemed to be always dirty; they weren't nearly as clean as the lower level, and didn't seem to get the TLC that we see at other parks. The grounds themselves were very good. There were several hiking trails....oh, yeah, and those chains of lakes!! Having access to kayaks on the chain of lakes this park sits around is incredible, providing a lot of opportunity to spend a LOT of time on the water!