Tag Archives: reviews

River at the end of the hiking trail at Mendotta Hills Campground

Review ~ Mendota Hills Campground

As many of you know, I love to go camping. I’ve decided to write a campground review of my personal experience during my travels. Of course, these will be my honest opinions based on my visit.

MENDOTA HILLS CAMPGROUND

6642 US HIGHWAY 52 ~ AMBOY, IL 61310 ~ 815-849-5930

https://mendotahillscampground.com/

Mendota Hills Campground is a family owned and operated campground. It has close to 200 campsites, with probably at 2/3 being seasonal sites, and the remaining sites available for overnight guests. There are 3 lakes stocked for catch & release fishing. There is also a swimming lake with a sandy beach and water toys. It seems the main mode of transportation once your camp is set up is by golf cart. There are couple nice trails for an easy hike. The staff is friendly and helpful. The camp store is well stocked with supplies you may have forgotten. In addition to ice and firewood, they have candy, novelty ice cream and an arcade room. They have public restrooms, shower houses and laundry room. There is a nice playground near a pavilion. Also nearby is a volleyball court, basketball court and archery range.

Everything you might expect from a family owned – family friendly campground ?

I have stayed at this campground on 3 different occasions.

  • June 2016 (back-in electric/water site – it was hotter than Hades)
  • September 2018 (rental cabin – it was cold & rainy)
  • May 2019 (pull-thru FHU site – it was perfect IMHO sunny and 70’s)

Let me start by saying that I had a great experience all 3 times ? I mention the 3 different visits because I experienced a different type of campsite each time.

Here are some points that I feel they do right:

  • They have weekly themes
  • Family/kid friendly activities (mostly on weekends)
  • Pet friendly
  • Non-denominational church services are offered on Sunday mornings with a pot-luck lunch afterwards
  • Free Wi-Fi

Here are some points that I feel could be improved:

  • The back-in electric/water only site we were at was very unlevel
  • The pull-thru FHU site we were at had very odd placement of the power pedestal, water spigot and sewer drain (we had to borrow a 30amp power extension cord and 2 additional stinky slinky extension hoses to be completely hooked up)
  • General updating (however, we spoke with the owners and they were telling us that there are in the process of updating the campsites section by section)

Overall, I feel this is a lovely place to spend a long weekend relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors. I give it 2 thumbs up (although I have simple needs) ?

Top 10 Blog Posts 2015

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2015 ~ The Year In Review

Happy New Year !!

I’ve always loved watching those “Year in Review”, “Top 10” (or Top 100) types of shows on TV. You know the ones … they usually break the stories down into different categories, like severe weather or celebrity deaths.

Sometimes I didn’t even remember the stories, or else I remembered but thought they took place longer ago. Time has a way of playing tricks with us. Some things flash by in an instant, while other times, time seems to stand still.

Tracy Helps You’s “Year in Review” for 2015

These were my top 5 Blog Posts from 2015 …

Back To School ~ College Bound

Locks of Love Donation

How My To-Do List Helps Me Get & Stay Organized

Tornado Touches Down / Stormy Spring Weather in Illinois

Top 10 Tips For Having A Successful Garage Sale

These were my top 5 Book Reviews from 2015 …

Book Review & Giveaway ~ Hot Flash by Kathy Carmichael

Book Review & Giveaway ~ Eighty and Out by Kim Cano

Book Review & Giveaway ~ Fractured Not Broken

Book Review & Giveaway ~ The Road Home by Kathleen Shoop

Book Review & Giveaway ~ Return To Me by Carolyn Menke

Thanks for taking the time to reminisce with us … Let us know if you have a topic you would like to read about … We’d love to hear from you :)