Due to my wifes death, I recently had to spend extended time in Tennessee. On our way west, we decided to stop at Natchez Trace State park. We only expected W&E, but ended up with a FHU site. The park was relatively spacious and had nice open areas around all of the camping loops. Then we moved to our destination park, Meeman Shelby Forest state park. W&E sites, which we expected, but they were so old that the soil next to the asphalt pad was eroded away about 14 inches around the parking pad. No cell service, (which I understand is not their fault, but being only 20 miles from a large city it was a shock) narrow roads entering and a lot of new scratches because trees had not been trimmed. The rangers and staff at Shelby forest were great, we needed to extend our stay and they worked with us, to accomadate us. But the conditions at the two parks were starkly different. Being close to the state capitol, and in full public view of the politicians made for a wonderful park at Natchez Trace, being hidden in north Shelby county landed that park with little to no upgrades since the CCC workers built it 60+ years ago.

Could it be because of heavier use in one than the other?

The budget runs everything in government, hence the income from the parks determines the budget.....

One was a forest, are you upset because there was too many trees in the forest or it wasn't all paved.

May your wife rest in peace and your heart heal as best it can.

Shelby forest was fully booked both weekends and around 40-50% during the week. For September usage, that seems pretty active. Natchez Trace on a Sunday was no more active, but I was only there the one night. What was a little odd it seemed to me was the number of car campers each night. Singles or couples who came in, unloaded their cars onto the picnic tables, covered them with a tarp or plastic, slept in the car and packed up the next morning. Even saw a couple of car/suv's pulling u-haul trailers do it. Guess some folks are still shy on the idea of motel rooms with coronacrud.

A tale of two campgrounds | Good Sam Community

bgum
Explorer
Oct 05, 2021
Could it be because of heavier use in one than the other?
F-TROUP
Explorer
Oct 06, 2021
The budget runs everything in government, hence the income from the parks determines the budget.....
K_Charles
Explorer
Oct 06, 2021
One was a forest, are you upset because there was too many trees in the forest or it wasn't all paved.
bucky
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2021
May your wife rest in peace and your heart heal as best it can.
wanderingaimles
Explorer
Oct 06, 2021
Shelby forest was fully booked both weekends and around 40-50% during the week. For September usage, that seems pretty active. Natchez Trace on a Sunday was no more active, but I was only there the one night.
What was a little odd it seemed to me was the number of car campers each night. Singles or couples who came in, unloaded their cars onto the picnic tables, covered them with a tarp or plastic, slept in the car and packed up the next morning. Even saw a couple of car/suv's pulling u-haul trailers do it. Guess some folks are still shy on the idea of motel rooms with coronacrud.
RetiredRealtorR
Explorer
Oct 06, 2021
K Charles wrote:
One was a forest, are you upset because there was too many trees in the forest or it wasn't all paved.

Ouch, kind of a snarky response.

He indicated the trees weren't trimmed, but wasn't complaining about the existence of the trees.

Also, he wasn't expecting pavement, but just better maintenance of the existing property.
magnusfide
Explorer II
Oct 06, 2021
Brother: you have our condolences and our prayers in the loss of your wife.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Oct 06, 2021
Sometimes it's more about the clientele they attract or want to attract.

Natchez may cater to a more "RV crowd" - those wanting a more groomed atmosphere, while Shelby may cater to a more "basic crowd".

It could also simply be that in order to widen the roads, and repair the campground erosion, etc, at Shelby, they would need to cut away some forest growth and they don't want to do that.
dedmiston
Moderator
Oct 06, 2021
K Charles wrote:
One was a forest, are you upset because there was too many trees in the forest or it wasn't all paved.

Ouch.
Mayor30
Explorer
Oct 07, 2021
On our trip to Texas, we stayed at Natchez Trace and Warriors Path both Tennesse State parks. Natchez Trace was much nicer but that seemed to be because of the location of the park.Warriors Path was ok but not as scenic.