Hopkins Park

If you're coming in from the north side of the park, that entrance hill is no joke — steep enough to make you pucker with a loaded trailer. Use the south entrance instead; it's a much more manageable grade, especially with a heavier rig.

Low-hanging tree branches along the entrance will scrape anything over about 11 feet tall. If you're running a tall center console on the trailer or a big pontoon with a bimini up, you'll want to fold things down or risk some scratches.

Eight trailer spots is basically nothing. On a summer weekend morning, you're racing the campers who are already staying in the park. Get there early or you'll be circling. There's limited overflow room, so plan accordingly.

This is primarily a campground that happens to have a launch, not a dedicated boating facility. The ramp works fine for smaller boats, kayaks, and jet skis, but don't expect a wide staging area or any real turnaround room. It's a solid option for campers who want to drop a boat in, but if you're just looking to launch and go, it can feel cramped with the campground traffic all around you.

Don't leave gear in your boat overnight here. Rods, tackle boxes, electronics — anything visible has a way of walking off. If you're camping and keeping your boat on the water or on the trailer, strip it down before you turn in for the night.