Introduction:
We would not recommend this campground because of their customer service, but if you're just looking for a place to set up for a couple of days, and you're willing to pay the price and take the risk, objectively, it's not a bad campground.
Click here to read about our criteria for campground reviews.
The Basics:
Overall Rating: 3.3/5
Price per night / Discounts: $53 / None
Campground website: Shore Hills Campground
Our Site #: 133 - FHU
Privacy Rating (how spacious and private do the sites feel):
3/5: This rating is completely dependent on what area you camp in. The FHU sites are all in an open field with no trees. There's a decent amount of space between the sites, but without trees, you're looking right at your neighbors. There's an entire other section that is located in the forest, but those sites don't have full hook ups. Most are W/E only. Additionally, many of those sites are un-level and many would not be suitable for a big rig. While we generally don't like campgrounds that are set up in big fields like this, we wanted full hook ups, so it was a trade-off.
Location Rating (accessibility to points of interest or to major highways):
4/5: This campground is located about halfway between the picturesque town of Wiscasset and Boothbay Harbor. It's too far to walk to the harbor, but the campground does have a shuttle bus that heads down there a couple times each day. All the other random necessities are nearby.
Site Quality and Big Rig Accessibility Rating (utilities and accessibility of campground hook ups):
5/5: The FHU sites are large, level, and many come with a raised platform patio. The utilities were well placed and everything worked well. We had no problem getting into our site. The sites in the woods might be a bit tighter for some big rigs, but it just depends on the site.
Technology and Customer Service Rating (online resources, reservations, and staff):
1/5: Their customer service, or lack thereof, is what stands out most about this campground and it is why we will never be back. They are sticklers for their rules and if you have a cancellation, for any reason, expect your $50 deposit to go down the drain. In our case, I broke my leg just days after mailing in our deposit and well over two weeks before the reservation was to start. Instead of showing any compassion whatsoever, they were more than happy to run off with our money. I would understand if we simply changed our mind about where we wanted to go, or waited until the last minute to cancel, but none of those things happened. They have one of the harshest reservation policies I've seen in a year of traveling. They get all the benefit and the customer takes on all the risk. Additionally, they are simply not friendly. Both times I went into the office, I barely got a "hello." Prior to our arrival, I had read that they offered a shuttle downtown. At check in, I asked about it and the lady just handed me a business card with departure times. No explanation, no friendly conversation, no nothing. I've had friendlier interactions with DMV staff. They don't take credit cards or debit cards, they charge extra fees for random nonsense (washing your car onsite), there are a ton of posted rules and regulations for doing this or that. Everything benefits them and costs their customers. It just seems like a joyless place.
Internet Availability Rating (Verizon coverage or campground wifi):
3.5/5: Verizon worked fine. If they had wifi, it didn't reach our site.
Summary:
We had a lousy experience with this campground when I broke my leg and they made no effort to show us any kindness or try to make things better in any way. It was clear that they do not care about their customers. That impression was reinforced when we arrived and they could barely find the energy to make us feel welcomed. They are entitled to run their business how they want, but for $53 per night, they could at least act like they appreciate their customers. We won't be back.
