I have no idea. I've only been there to go to the restaurant. Some might now go to Take It Easy campground. I don't camp, so I don't know.
Let's go camping! It will be fun
- Thread starter Monello
- Start date
Dakota
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You would think these campgrounds would be busier than they are. Point Lookout has been closed for camping for 2 years now and it looks like it is going to be closed next year as well. https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/southern/pointlookout.aspx
Dennis Point was recently purchased by a venture capital group that focuses on recreational properties. Its my understanding that this is the first marina property they've acquired. They gonna learn some things.... They did convince Capt. Pat to stay.
Same thing happened at Coles Point Plantation some years ago. New owner came in and shoved Anne and Chris out and installed some high-falutin chef that openly stated he didn't like cooking seafood. New owner also stated he wanted a "different kind of clientele" than the local rednecks. Anne and Chris moved on to Coles Point Tavern (which is doing great!) ....there is no operating restaurant at Coles Point Plantation at the moment.
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Dakota
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Yep Tim's Seafood, right? They closed earlier this year for good. That could have been a cash cow, IMO.
I follow a private page at Coles Point Plantation and this year, they said the rates increased by $1650/$1850 (inside vs. water view) making the overall seasonal rate +/- 6 grand. Within 48 hours of the price hike notice (Dec. 12th), nearly 100 comments of angry people posted all saying they will be pulling out. You have to admit, that is a HUGE increase in one year. They have a beach over there and several of the seasonal campers spend time in the spring to clean it up for the warmer months, not the campground owners. I wanted to move there a few years back but the bridge construction lured us in a different direction.
Dakota
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Yep and you would think they would learn not to mess with what is already working well. Business has severely dropped but that is what happens when you have stuffy investors running the show.
Kinnakeet
Well-Known Member
Thats what I was told last year when we were down for a long weekend
We used to have a spot at Breezy Point campground but for some reason they moved away from seasonal.
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I think a lot of times "investors" for SoMD businesses are in DC or Bmore and don't know the area down there. I know that happened with one now-defunct restaurant - the DC shot callers thought that since *they* like to get away from the city and drive an hour for a quiet elegant dinner, everyone does. They catered to their imaginary friends and the restaurant didn't last a year.
Dennis Point is a destination and they really need to play it up as a camping resort that happens to have a restaurant (with entertainment on the back deck). THAT'S what will pull, not just the restaurant itself. We used to go there all the time with friends who were camping or just to have dinner with the gang and stay for the band. The restaurant itself was never a draw because there are other more convenient places to grab dinner.
Sneakers
Just sneakin' around....
I've said that myself. It has incredible potential, as do many other waterfront places down here.
I wasn't aware that Salt was actually doing it, retrofitting and making it a very nice place. @TPD mentioned it, so I took a drive down there to look. It's really coming along nicely. Good example for the others.
Dakota
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Agree - there is so much opportunity in this area. Dennis Point is a beautiful campground but to make it more attractive they could add good wifi (since cell service is awful there), a fishing pier, bands/activities, and take advantage of the restaurant there. It is just right now, they are demanding premium prices for a subpar set up at the moment.
Coles Point (it is actually no longer called the Plantation) has food delivery services inside the campground.
Last year, they also had a business that was taking orders and bringing dinners to your campsite, wifi that people can actually stream from, piers, bands, activities and a small beach and costs less than Dennis Point, meaning you get more for your money.And I don't understand why Point Lookout is taking 3 years to replace water pipes. That place better be real nice when it opens back up.
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Sneakers
Just sneakin' around....
I really have no desire to camp there. Too close to home, like camping in the backyard. And the summer "visitors" are less than desirable. Been trying to get down to Northern Neck in VA, but keep getting sidetracked. Hoping to get the family campout this year down in NC.That place better be real nice when it opens back up.
Used to spend a lot of time in the NorthEast, Maine, NH, MA... I should get back there before I can no longer do that.
Dakota
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It sure is something you have to enjoy doing. We like to crab and fish but after a 4-5 days of that, we are ready to pack it up.
Ever been to Luckenbach, TX? It's a whole lotta nothing. Maybe 8 buildings total. But they have good bands on the weekends. People go there, walk around, shop, drink beer and be entertained. The only thing they don't have is camping. I bet if you could somehow camp there, that place would explode.
It's amazing how 1 place will thrive and another, doing almost the same thing, will suffer.
It's amazing how 1 place will thrive and another, doing almost the same thing, will suffer.
State government running the repairs. Most things government run, no matter what level, is full of delays and cost over runs.And I don't understand why Point Lookout is taking 3 years to replace water pipes. That place better be real nice when it opens back up.
Considering the population that has overrun it...you won't want to go back.And I don't understand why Point Lookout is taking 3 years to replace water pipes. That place better be real nice when it opens back up.
Any work done to the facilities will be destroyed in short order.
Dakota
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I know what you mean and most of that was on the weekends. We typically hit the place during the week.
Frankly, I think we have worn out so many campgrounds in Maryland, Virginia, NC, SC, etc. over the last few decades that frankly giving it all up wouldn't hurt my feelings.
We used to regularly camp at the The Cove Campground, west of Winchester VA. Beautiful place..and huge...but privately owned too.I know what you mean and most of that was on the weekends. We typically hit the place during the week.
Frankly, I think we have worn out so many campgrounds in Maryland, Virginia, NC, SC, etc. over the last few decades that frankly giving it all up wouldn't hurt my feelings.