Iron Mountain

Great place to camp

We often stay in COE campgrounds. They’re generally among the best of the federal campgrounds. This was an exception. The sites are FAR from level, paved, but badly, Labeling of the sites isn’t overly clear, so we first set up in an adjacent site (place was nearly empty). Maintenance was poor, again quite unlike our usual COE experience. We saw a crew clean the bathrooms, but the sites were not clean, nor were the roadways.

We often stay in COE campgrounds. They’re generally among the best of the federal campgrounds. This was an exception. The sites are FAR from level, paved, but badly, Labeling of the sites isn’t overly clear, so we first set up in an adjacent site (place was nearly empty). Maintenance was poor, again quite unlike our usual COE experience. We saw a crew clean the bathrooms, but the sites were not clean, nor were the roadways.

We drove over 4 hours to get here, and upon arriving after dark were excited to arrive but then surprised to discover a group immediately adjacent to our reserved site had a high-powered stereo system blasting music, glaring spotlights strung about—so bright you couldn’t see the stars, and a good number of boisterous people evidently having lots of fun. The only spot for our tent was maybe 10 feet from all of this. So we pivoted and after some trouble logging onto the internet, and about an hour and a half later managed to secure another quieter site down the hill a ways. We were exhausted but it ended Ok. The ranger refunded us a small portion of our double booking the next day. We’ll be thinking twice before book ling a site in a public campground again.

We drove over 4 hours to get here, and upon arriving after dark were excited to arrive but then surprised to discover a group immediately adjacent to our reserved site had a high-powered stereo system blasting music, glaring spotlights strung about—so bright you couldn’t see the stars, and a good number of boisterous people evidently having lots of fun. The only spot for our tent was maybe 10 feet from all of this. So we pivoted and after some trouble logging onto the internet, and about an hour and a half later managed to secure another quieter site down the hill a ways. We were exhausted but it ended Ok. The ranger refunded us a small portion of our double booking the next day. We’ll be thinking twice before book ling a site in a public campground again.

Just a one-nighter between TX and TN. It was our 2nd stay here. We stayed in #16. It's small, not at all close to level front-to-back nor side-to-side, but it was easily manageable. No one near us on a Monday night. Nearest camper was 7 sites away, and we didn't;t see them until we left. Bathrooms are clean and serviceable, but nothing at all special. Oddly, they were locked Tuesday morning without warning! Not good! It is a beautiful place. We will stay here again and again on our travel to see family. You you are "water people" you will find ample opportunity for water activity.

Just a one-nighter between TX and TN. It was our 2nd stay here. We stayed in #16. It's small, not at all close to level front-to-back nor side-to-side, but it was easily manageable. No one near us on a Monday night. Nearest camper was 7 sites away, and we didn't;t see them until we left. Bathrooms are clean and serviceable, but nothing at all special. Oddly, they were locked Tuesday morning without warning! Not good! It is a beautiful place. We will stay here again and again on our travel to see family. You you are "water people" you will find ample opportunity for water activity.

Always a go to Recreation.Gov destination - clean, great views and all the MTBiking you need!

Always a go to Recreation.Gov destination - clean, great views and all the MTBiking you need!

We arrived Friday evening. Arose early Saturday morning to enjoy coffee and watch the sunrise. It is an absolutely beautiful location. Immediately ants started crawling all over us. We went into the trailer and they were all in the inside. Even in our bed. Fortunately, we had some insect spray and it helped to keep them under control for a short while. The other campers also had the same problem and were having to pack up and leave. The tent campers had to sleep in their cars. The shower house had millions of ants swarming the concrete entryway. The gatekeeper was well aware of the problem but did not share it upon checkin. We were completely infested again on Sunday and decided to just go home. We are very disappointed and feel a refund is in order. This campground should be closed until the ant problem is under control.