The owners are very nice, lots of spaces available , free WiFi , dog park as well as laundry and…read moretwo full baths ,

So, kinda confusing...but Barefoot Bay (aka. Big Al's Barefoot Bay) and now Castaway's Bar & Grill…read moreis out on Lake Bob Sandlin. Wife and I stopped in (as we have never been here before and they had Line Dance lessons from 6-9. Service was good and a great view of the lake. Food was bar food and good for around here. Line dancing was a bit of a let down as they didn't have a great sound system. But, lots of people showed up and made it fun. All in all, the restaurant is young and they are experiencing some growing pains. Broken tea maker and got a an appetizer wrong...but they made it right. Had pepperoni pizza and Philly Cheesesteak...but forgot to take pictures. We will come again and grow with them!

FLACCID AL'S BAREFOOT BAY…read more JUST THE DETAILS -Our lawnmower stored at Barefoot bay was taken and used by the new marina owners. They claim that our contact and payment info was never transferred from the old owners and it was abandoned property to seize because of that. -Trying to get things sorted out we had unpleasant interactions and intimidation tactics used against us and potentially witnessed some child labor violations. -Payed them the past due balance. The returned mower had approximately $500 worth of vandalism damage done to it. They eventually paid for the repair which seems to be an admittance of guilt. They have not admitted or apologized for any of the damages or unethical use. THE FULL EXPERIENCE Upon returning spring of this year (2025) we were met with all new signage and a fresh wood facade inside and out. New cameras everywhere, an updated bar and dance hall. It was impressive at first glance. Sadly the facelift that had been preformed was nothing better than lipstick on a pig. Under the shimmering red gloss this place is still just swine wallowing in its own filth. On our first visit this year to pick up our mower, a drowsy looking man that appeared to have gum disease approached us. He told us he was wondering who the trailer belonged to. We explained that we were the owners of the equipment. He stated that our automatic payment we had previously set up would need to be updated. When we returned 3 weeks later we found an empty trailer, our mower was missing. Someone had to cut our lock and cable off. We went inside and asked for a manger only to be greeted by a child behind the counter. I asked for a manger and she went to go find them. A middle aged man with a large cold sore approach me and asked what I needed. I was sharply dismissed and directed to a lady in a side office. She started filling out a theft report when a young lady with an upper lip piercing came in and asked what happened. She asked if it was a red mower and then said she would be right back. While I waited for her to return the little girl behind the counter was processing transactions at the register unsupervised. Selling snack, drinks, and even cigarettes at one point. When the woman with the lip piercing returned the girl asked her if it was legal for her to sell cigarettes. She was told no, but not to worry about it. I was eventually handed their land line phone and talked with their new property manager Jessica. While on the phone the cold sore man returned and demanded I take that call elsewhere. He insisted that was a business line and I needed to take the elsewhere. After I told him I was on the business line with the business (the property manager) he stood there staring at me and eventually walked off. A week later when we picked up the lawn mower it was back on the trailer. That's where their fulfillment ended. The control handles were bent so badly the enamel paint was chipped off and the lawnmower was not controllable. The key cylinder had been destroyed, the throttle control was bent, one of the transmission releases was bent, and a chunk of the handle foam was torn off. They vandalized the lawnmower extensively before returning it. Eventually the property manager reimbursed us for the vandalism caused on her team's watch. That seems to be the only ethical part of this entire exchange. What seems to be the most concerning for the future of the marina is the complete lack of ethics within the staff, and potential of willingly violating child labor laws, a minor working the register alone selling age restricted items. The behavior by the cold sore man, a supposed manager trying to pressure and intimidate us, damaging property that they were paid to store and keep secure. "Big Al's" has fallen flat. This place needs to seriously consider replacing the local management. From what I have seen and personally experienced recently at Barefoot bay, it is my opinion that people lacking so much integrity and intelligence operating a business are untrainable and just need to be replaced.

If you're not familiar with Mt Pleasant KOA in Texas, you need to get familiar! This exceptional…read morecampground is owned by a young and awesome couple named Amanda and Jason Baker. They took this campground a few years ago in very rough rundown condition and have transformed it with lots of investment money and tons of labor into one of the nicest most "pleasant" places you'll ever stay. From the state of the art terraced and beautifully fenced dog park to the immaculately kept fishing pond with fountain, beautiful & totally renovated/updated pool, immaculate grounds, everything is perfectly manicured and maintained. Every single upgrade is obvious that no money was spared, only the best furniture and fixtures everywhere. Level sites, many redone with new concrete. Nicely paved and smooth roadways with sweeping roomy turns, no problems with big rigs, no low hanging branches on roads or sites, we are 65' long. Updated electric, plumbing and 90 channels of crystal clear cable TV! Did I mention the perfect wifi signals? We were the furthest site from the office and were able to stream effortlessly. Immaculately clean bathhouse, laundry, no ruts in roadway, no low hanging branches, the upkeep and attention to detail at this place is just exceptional! The staff is so "pleasant" and Jason is constantly working around the campground to keep it looking perfect. Whether you are just looking for a super clean overnight or want to stay 5-6 days like us, this KOA will not disappoint. Need propane or firewood? Jason will come to your site, pick up the tank, fill and return it to your site, hassle free. I had a bum knee on this RV trip and Jason handling that for me was a treat. The beauty of this place is that they didn't provide that service because of my knee or because they liked me better than others, they do this for everyone! This campground is small but gorgeous with the nicest people owning & running it you'll ever meet! Ignore any reviews about highway noise, ALL KOA's are close to the highway, thats why they are so convenient and the road noise was minimal, some people will just complain about anything. We are 5 hours away in Oklahoma City but I promise we will be back, this place and it's owners really made quite the impression on us! Oh and let's not forget about Brenda their 14 year employee and main office person, she is just the best! -Rob & Crystal Rogers Oklahoma City, OK

Great place to stay for either passing through or staying a while. It's clean, very attentive and…read morehas all the perks. It's right off the highway not back far enough to avoid traffic noise. Several pads to choose from and a nice gift shop. Propane refills available. BBQ place across the street and an Applebee's and convenience store all within walking distance. Plenty of trees. Ask for a shady spot.

Went to a wedding there in May 2025. This place is beautiful. the wedding venue was breath…read moretaking, Open doors, wide sky and trees in the background...perfect. We stayed in one of the cabins, the Outlaw, and it was cute and cozy for my wife and I. Queen Mattress, full kitchen and bathroom and most importantly, strong A/C. The game room has a retro arcade consul in it as well as air hockey and the pool was a great place to cool off. the family is already talking about making this a regular thing. thank you for a great weekend.

We've been doing the RV thing for several years, and I have to say that The Pines RV Resort is…read moreeasily top of our list. Currently we are staying at The Pines for the upcoming total eclipse. It's a family-owned campground and Jennifer went out of her way to make sure our stay was comfortable and pleasant. Facilities are exceptional, clean, and abundant. If you plan on traveling in East Texas, do yourself a favor and stay at The Pines. Guaranteed we will be back.

My dearest beloved lady companion and I have been avid focused, discriminating, varied travelers…read morefor 25 years and I've fished East Texas and surrounding areas for about 50 years. Out of the 604 nights we've spent away from home in that time in places ranging from sketchy to highly luxurious, the three we enjoyed in Scenic View's motel were among the very, very best. Ellison Creek Reservoir aka Lone Star Lake turned out to be one of our favorites in the state. It is beautiful and uncrowded, with clear water and abundant vegetation to support bass fishing. The people in the town of Lone Star were very nice. The Scenic View facility is very clean, safe, pleasant, and operated with a most impressive devotion to quality and friendliness. The owners and operators since 1998, Jim and Kim, are super cool, dedicated to guest enjoyment, and clearly have reinvested abundantly in the property. They are starkly authentic and decent souls. Bass fishing was good even during a cold front. Tap water was tasty, no need to tote bottled. Beds were comfy. Hot water did not run out. The boat ramp was good and well-lit. Dockage with power or park boat trailer in front of cabin/motel door and charge up. Multiple grill-BBQ-smoker options. The kitchenette worked great, was very helpful, and there is good restaurant food within walking distance. Two bed double occupancy in the motel was $80.48 per night TOTAL final cost with no cleaning fee, etc. Coin-op laundry facilities are at motel rear, workshop side. That area has an almost supernatural ability to pull one fantastic sunset after another from the heavens, and the comfortable sheltered lower outdoor level of the store is a great place from which to watch them. So is the open deck atop the store. And sunset happens but once a day, but all day lasts....wait for it....all day! Watching a storm roll in at dawn from there was a treat. Relaxing and gazing out at a forested lake is simply fulfilling. The lake is very scenic with pine and hardwood forest and is much smaller than the chaos-riddled metro reservoirs many of their guests are used to. We were often the only boat on the lake. Lakeside properties are fun to look at and were well-kept. The residents were friendly, unlike what I've experienced at some places, and their docks and boathouses held fish. Lots of wildlife - bald eagles, river otter family of 5, raccoon family of 5, dozens and dozens of bird species, white pelicans, herons, cranes, and so on. Children must be supervised at all times and pets are not allowed in the motel or cabin. Yes, that's not ideal for some, but for everyone else, well, it's.....uh.....AWESOME, casting (see what I did there?) away a big chunk of things that can make leisure days go sideways. It's pleasingly close to the DFW metroplex and the drive through the middle instead of using I-30 or I-20 is very pleasant Texas backroad fun. Bortle stage 3 dark skies are just 15 minutes away to the ENE with ample gravel county roads with turnouts for stargazers. Lake O' the Pines is just a few minutes SE. Daingerfield SP. Jefferson. The most excellent Welsh Reservoir power plant cold water fishery. As part of a loop tour of the bevy of great lakes in E TX, SV is a great base camp. Amusingly, we arrived intending to spend a day or two of the four fishing Pines, a longtime favorite of ours, but were so happy with Scenic View facility and Lone Star Lake that we never left. Why go out for steak when there's already a tomahawk ribeye in your lap? The best part of this great experience was making friends with several of the soundly and roundly pleasant, considerate, and interesting staff, guests, and neighborhood residents, who often get together for events such as Thirsty Thursday and have a just plain good ol' time. I expect some of those associations will last for a long time. Hopefully, days other than Thursday get thirsty, too, for we plan to return regularly. A+ drenched in 5 star sauce.

Love this place!!! Truly a unique experience that one must enjoy!!! Thanks Kim & Jimread more

Pool never open- informed it cost to much to keep up and heated…read more Bathrooms- always clean or closed. Laundry- only two washers and two dryers $2 per load and don't you dare use liquid or powder only expensive pods allowed. Lots of land to walk on and explore- nope had to have special permission to go out and hike, walk, and fish. Canoes and kayaks- none that we saw even asked about. WiFi- what's that?!? Dining hall to rent for events- more like storage for things. Fire ants- plenty available take some home or onto your next adventure. All gravel and potholes- be prepared to dodge these in hopes of not breaking something.

This place is fantastic! It is so clean and beautiful with great views. The staff is very friendly…read more Our grandkids loved swimming in the pool.

This is one of our favorite places to camp. The owners, Gene and Linda are great. Friendly and…read moreaccommodating atmosphere with a small grocery store on site. The store is always stocked and has a surprising selection of pretty much anything you could need. Pond in the back of the property is great for fishing and they recently added a bait shop. Overall great value! We will be back!

A beautiful lake & place to stay with your RV, We highly recommend it…read more Nice size lots with full hook ups & RV dump station too.

We love Walleye! Beautiful lake front sites and some with full hookups. Some sites even have docks…read moreto park your boat. Lovely location on the water but you are out in the country so bring everything you need. Stores are about 25-30 minutes away. We will be back!