We have stayed at FBRC every year since our children were young. We would always request and recieve site #1, and sometimes #2 as well. Our children are now grown, yet still find it fun to come with "mom & dad" camping.
We always come during July. BEST TIME!!
My husband and I stayed for the first time in our new used camper for the whole month of July. And will do it again this yr 2011 also.
We love the Saunders!! and FBRC.
If you dont love everything about camping. . .GO TO A HOTEL!

Thankfull we did not get scared away by the reviews. I would be lying to tell you this was the best campground ever, but it is far from the worst. It conviently located to downtown, the sites were clean and well cared for. The local wildlife (ducks and geese) greeted us every morning, and the staff was friendly and helpfull with local information and recomendations.

Glenda checked us in and upon realizing that a squatter had stolen our "reserved" campsite #17; she comped us two adjacent campsites #5 & 6 for our duration. She also recommend the Bavarian Restaurant (we went for lunch and dinner). Bill answered our many questions over the phone and told me how to get my fishing hook unstuck from an underwater log. Rick told me which holes to fish in and made us feel at home during our stay.

The one knock on the place would have to be the bathhouse. It wasn't horrible, but not up to the standards we are used to. It did not run us away, and was always kept clean, but just lacked some of the modern amenities, like multiple toilets/showers. i can imagine quite a line forming during peak season.

I would certainly return, as you cannot get any closer to the French Broad River. I welcomed us every morning with the flowing sounds. BTW... the train that many have complained about, was not that bad at all. There was a few box cars with squeaky brakes which were annoying, but the trains infrequent trips did not bother us.

The main guy that owns/runs the place is a joke. In the cabin if the water freezes up and you tell him he does NOTHING ABOUT IT. I told him for 2 WINTERS it was freezing up every time it would get below 32 and it was not until the end of the second winter that he fixed it as well as all kinds of other problems. He totally does not care about the -place. As long as you pay the place can run itself into the ground.He does not do his job and is a total and complete looser. It is a family run place so just imagine his family. Kids Mothers etc. If something is wrong with the cabin or part you are using the owner will not come fix it and just kinda laughs and smiles about it. If you are renting a cabin and the water freezes up he just tells you to walk down to the bath house to shower or use the bathroom and forget about trying to do the dishes or anything. And once the SEPTIC TANK BACKED UP INTO THE SHOWER... TOTALLY DISGUSTING PLACE! The owner just takes you money and does not maintain the place. they should be reported to the health department. and some of the structures are not up to code. VERY PATHETIC OWNER AND PLACE! Also there are train tracks on the other side of the river so it gets very loud when it passes

A friend and myself found this campsite several years ago, and I have been going twice a year or more ever since, even my fiance does'nt mind the rusticness of the joint. Yes, it was the price and location that brought us there and the website is decieving, but you get what you pay for. The management is a little backwoods, but hey they're just mountain folk and if your nice to them they'll be nice to you. I've been tent camping for 25+ years now and love the outdoors. I can't help but love this place it has everything I need. A place for my tent, electricity/water, fire ring, view of the river and personally "I love the coal train going by," it reminds me that I am in the mountains away from the stresses of city life. The sites are close together but, I've never had any trouble with my neighbors, if anything I gained a few new friends.