Sometimes the adventures are closer to home than you think. My lady and I decided to try a new spot for a weekend getaway — Thompson’s Lake Campground. It’s just a short drive from where we live, but neither of us had ever been there before.

The Good

One of the best parts of the trip was canoeing around the lake. The water was calm, the shoreline green and inviting, and at one point we spotted a bald eagle perched high in a tree keeping watch over its nest.

Our campsite came with an unexpected bonus — a small, private path that led straight from our fire pit to the beach. That little strip of trail made all the difference. Something peaceful about, taking in the night on your own private little beach side perch. The sky was cloudy, so the stars were shy, but that didn’t matter. The lake stretched out in front of us, the quiet all around us. It made for a peaceful time. 

Dinner was steak and vegetables cooked over the fire — easily one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. The campground itself was well-maintained and clean, and being so close to Thatcher Park was a nice bonus. One evening we walked the Indian Ladder Trail, which we had almost entirely to ourselves. The falls had been reduced to a trickle from the recent heat, but the quiet, empty trail was still worth the walk.

The Not-So-Good

Thompson’s Lake is definitely a family campground. Families were everywhere, kids running and playing, and the sites are close together — almost on top of each other. If you’re looking for privacy or solitude, this isn’t the place for it.

We also had a funny mix-up. When we arrived, we set up our tent and gear without double-checking the site number. Hours later, we realized we were in the wrong spot. Out of curiosity, we drove past the site we were supposed to be in — and instantly knew we weren’t moving. The “real” site had no shade, was across from the bathrooms, offered no private beach path, and had zero separation from neighboring campers. We decided to roll the dice and stay put. Thankfully, no one said a word all weekend.

Our last morning brought rain, and with it, the discovery that our tent leaks — just a few drips, nothing serious. We still managed to get a fire going for coffee before packing up and calling it a day.

Final Thoughts

We probably won’t be back to Thompson’s Lake. It’s a great spot for families looking for a busy, kid-friendly campground with plenty of activity, but not the quiet escape we usually look for. Still, I’m glad we gave it a try. We got a few peaceful moments by the water, a bald eagle sighting, a perfect campfire dinner, and a story or two to take with us.