Let's try this again since google keeps taking it down!
I've been to River Ridge a few times, but this first visit of the season was a disaster from the moment I arrived.
1. The "Lodge" Trailer
Calling that trailer a "lodge" is laughable. It reeks of mold and dog urine the second you walk in. It's filthy, outdated, and honestly embarrassing. The carpet looks as though it's harboring the next pandemic virus! The guest bathroom is disgusting -- dirty, neglected, and that random garden‑tub shower with a moldy clear curtain in the middle of the room is just gross.
Dave, the manager, is nice but clearly overwhelmed and running the place by himself. His husband, however, gave off extremely uncomfortable vibes. Nothing about that interaction felt professional.
2. Rental Campers
The rental campers are a rip‑off. I've stayed in the Mallard and the old retro one -- both were filthy and poorly maintained. This time in the retro one, it was the same story: dirt, dead bugs, spider webs, dried urine around the toilet, and a "shower" that's literally a galvanized bucket sitting on a floor that feels like it's about to collapse. For the prices they charge, it's shameful.
I've heard the cabins are better, but at this point I'm not holding my breath.
3. "Fort Licking" Play Area
The indoor part is small and gets smelly fast. Any possibility of ventilation? The outdoor area is a mud pit with old, falling‑apart wooden structures. No grass, no mulch, nothing. It looks abandoned.
4. Rosie's Clubhouse
Rosie's is cluttered and needs a deep clean. Stuff is shoved against every wall. The new floor looks terrible -- bubbling, peeling, uneven -- and the fact that they had to announce not to drag chairs across it says everything. If this was a professional job I really hope they got their money back.
5. Outdoor Shower House
The open‑air showers are nice, but the bathroom side is disgusting. It looks like it's barely cleaned. And the saloon doors? Absolutely not. There's almost zero privacy. You can practically see someone using the toilet from outside. Who thought that was acceptable? Someone have a scat fetish?? A
6. Pool Area
The pool looks good and is bigger than before. But the "hot pods" -- two plastic tubs with makeshift plumbing -- are nasty. One was hot, both looked dirty, and there's no way that setup can handle the number of people using them. It felt more like a human soup pot than a hot tub.
7. Grounds & Maintenance
The grounds are depressing. No landscaping except at the permanent sites. A metal carport by the pool stuffed with junk. Everything looks neglected. It genuinely feels like the owners have stopped caring. some mulch and a few plants could go a long way.
I've also seen posts about the owners being anti‑trans. I hope that's not true, but based on what I've heard, I'm not convinced. It's disappointing and out of touch with the community they claim to serve.
The Only Good Part:
The permanent residents. They're the reason this place still has any soul. They were warm, fun, welcoming, and honestly the highlight of the entire weekend. The DJ (Dylan) was great, and the group around the fire -- Kirby, Chad, and I think Louis,(skinny, blonde, more feminine) and others -- had me laughing nonstop.
Bottom Line
I don't know if I'll be back this year. If I do return, it'll be for the people -- not the so‑called "amenities."
I hope the owners and management wake up, take pride in what they have, and fix the mess they've let this place become read more