I booked a stay at this park because I wanted to see some alligators and I wanted to be close to Providence Canyon, as there is no where to stay at Providence. We stayed in the efficiency cottages, and they were just fine. The park itself was okay, but it needed some major cleaning up. The shores of the lake were just covered in trash. I know it can't be easy getting in there to clean up when there are alligators. The guy in the Visitor Center wasn't the nicest and really acted like we were an inconvenience when we just wanted to look around. My son was 5 at the time, and couldn't write or read yet, so we would do the Junior Ranger books as a family. When we went back to get the badges, he told us he could only give us one for one completed book instead of both of the kids getting a badge. We've never had anyone have an issue giving my kids the badges for completing the book together.
We were very thrilled to see many alligators. It was SOOOO hot though and you couldn't swim in the lake. There really was nowhere to swim. We tried to play putt putt and were pretty miserable. We actually went into their little clubhouse/shelter for a bit to cool down. We walked the little trail quite a few times that led to a small peninsula. We got to see many gators along the way but we got a good fright when we saw a pile of gravestones. It looks like they may have had some type of haunted trail for Halloween and they just left the decorations in a pile. We also were walking along the lake when I fell into a 2 foot deep hole that was completely hidden. I was lucky that I was okay, but someone else could have broken their leg. I was just very surprised that it wasn't marked off. Also, you will want to get gas and groceries before you come as there was nothing for 30 minutes at least.
Accommodations:
There is a campground, cottages and efficiency cottages. We stayed in the efficiency cottages. They were very cheap and had everything we needed. There were 2 full sized bed, a small kitchenette, a full bathroom, a dining table, a TV and a couch, as well as each having a small porch. Just across the way was a field and a playground, perfect for the kids to go play. The only thing is that we stayed on the very end, and we had a nice view of a graveyard.
