highland park fish camp

I live in Connecticut and have been visiting Highland Park Fish Camp since 1976. I even spent one week of my honeymoon there in 1981 and both of us still remember fondly the memories of our time there. We go to Highland Park at least once a year to go fishing and sightseeing. Each time we are met by professional and knowledgeable employees. They always make sure we have what we need and that we enjoy our time spent there. I highly recommend the camp to get the best fishing experience that can be had and for a pleasant stay.

I've been visiting Highland Park fish camp going on 30 years now. The family that owns Highland Park have become good friends of mine and have always treated me like family. They're always willing to give you advice to help you with your fishing experience. The grounds of the camp are very well kept. I enjoy taking my grandson there to fish in their stocked pond, that's where he caught his first bass and crappie, it's an experience he'll remember for the rest of his life. I enjoy taking friends and family from out of state there to enjoy the Florida wildlife such as the otters, turtles, manatees, bald eagles and alligators. The scenery is unbelievable. I live in Daytona beach near a lot of great salt water fishing, but nothing compares to the certain months out of the year that i enjoy the most that the Specks are running and I can go fishing out of Highland Park fish camp. -Rick Laduca

My family visited HPFC a few weeks ago for our yearly family vacation. We are from the busy city of Miami, and needed a breathe of fresh country air. We rented a cabin for 4 nights. Lots of fishing, boat rides, and campfires. My 3 kids loved the cabin. It was so cozy and clean, gave us a genuine feeling of the country, just like we all wanted. The staff was so friendly, treating everyone so genuinely. Small talk and everything, just perfect and not forced. I will definitely throw this back in our "idea" jar for next years trip! Loved it!!!!

We just endured our first and last miserable visit to a Highland Park cabin. Our cabin was disgustingly dirty, filthy, and grungy with layers of caked on dust, dirt and pet hair. The cabin is frozen in past time and appears to not have been updated or deep cleaned since the place opened in 1962. Read below for more of the grisly details. In all of our years of travel and staying in places, this was absolutely the # 1 filthiest disgusting place we have EVER stayed!!In summary, this cabin screamed a loud message to us about the owners: We take no pride in our property or the comfort our guests. We love taking your $, but we will not spend one penny on cleaning or maintaining or updating our cabins.The cabin conditions reflected the lifestyle choice of the owners as reflected in the condition of their office/store– everything including wall and ceiling trophies coated with dust, spider webs and dust bunnies and not “maintained”. We give the owners an A for hospitality and an FF on cleanliness or concern for comfort of their guests who may not want to live they way they do. We are shocked and appalled at the reality after reading all the “great” reviews that led us to book this dump. And to think that we paid $100 plus per night……never again!Our recommendation to the owners: hire a maid/maintenance person who values and lives in the bell curve of normal decent cleanliness.Our recommendations to all others reading this review: If you are a die-hard fisherman, care only about a place to lay your head at night, having running water and the word “reasonably clean” does not exist in your personal dictionary, then this cabin is the place for you. Otherwise, avoid these cabins like the plague unless you have a chance to look at them in person before plunking down $. Otherwise, tuck tail and run to a decently clean motel in town.We were “stuck” there for several nights as the place is the only access we could find to fish Lake Woodruff and we are from out of the area. We had planned to cook but the kitchen area was so grimy we scratched the idea. In fact after seeing the condition of the cabin, we did not want to touch anything or sit on any furniture, the kitchen chairs or anywhere except for the bed sheets (not on the comforter). We stayed away and came to the cabin only to shower and sleep. Because of the nasty condition of the cabin, we couldn’t sleep for the nights we were stuck there.And the fish camp and fishing? Natural area is beautiful but the business facilities brought definition of “rustic” to a whole new lower level….with nothing maintained or repaired much less updated…boat slips in bad disrepair and roofs long since falling down. Junky trailers around. And when all said and done…after 2 days of fishing we didn’t catch a single fish! So much for a nightmare vacation.Here are some examples of the disgusting filth we encountered in our cabin:1. The floors and 2 small throw rugs were filthy dirty, gritty and appeared to not have been swept or shaken out , much less vacuumed or mopped in ages. We would not let our bare feet touch rugs or the floor.2. Black box TV was coated with layers of white caked on dust and dirt on the top, sides and front. We had mercy on it and cleaned it so we could view the picture.3. Bedroom – we dropped a small travel size shampoo which rolled under the bed. Upon retrieving it with a broom, the shampoo was enveloped in a wad of dust the size of a well fed large rat. Disgusting!! And to think we were sleeping on top of all of that!!4. Sitting area furniture – was dingy with stains. We did not sit on it.5. Kitchen table – was grimy and greasy. We wiped it off with a Clorox wipe – result – brown and black gunk. Where the railings connect to the bottom of the chairs, caked on dust, crumbs, etc. A dirty washcloth was behind the table, making us thing the “cleaning person” takes the last guests dirty towels, washcloths and throws on top of the table until ready to leave. Yuk! And people (other than us) eat on that table.6. Refrig handles were black with dirt from previous dirty hands. Wiped with Clorox wipe – result black dirt. The refrig had large spots of rust and old food clinging to the side next to the counter.7. All bathroom and kitchen hardware is old, corroded, metal pealing and disgusting, with gunk in the groves of the handles and knobs. We would only touch with paper towel in hand.8. Kitchen – greasy cabinet knobs, mysterious aged food stains, rust and grease on side of refrig. Due to odd smell upon entering, went to open kitchen window to air the place out. Window coated with aged collection of food, grease and other mysterious splatters. Gave up on opening windows.9. Lamp shade in bedroom – coated with visible 1/8 in thick dust, grime, pet hair and a large brown stain.10. Bedside table had sticky goo from glass rings of a prior guest.11. Table on porch had food crumbs and cigarette ashes from a prior guest.12. Small table in nook at front door – behind and around it was loaded with what appeared to be large buildup of dust, dirt and droppings from unknown vermin. 13. Conveniences – girls, there is not one single nail or wall hangar to hang your cosmetic bag, bathrobe or anything! The closet rod is so thick that modern hooks on cosmetic bags, etc won’t fit to hang on it.14. Etc. Etc. ad nauseum!!

Family Have been coming here for several year's. ever time i leave I'm ready to come back love this place ,people and the fishing of course The Criswell family

We decided to take a guided bass fishing tour on the coldest nastiest day in Feb. Our guide was James Hillman, he made sure we were dressed warm and had jackets. We took about a 15 minute very cold trip out to some of his favorite fishing holes. It really wasn't so bad when were where not moving. Even though the weather did not cooperate nor did the fish the St Johns river and Lake Woodruff are just breathtaking. We got to enjoy a beautiful sunrise, saw several alligators and bald eagles and osprey all day. Unfortunately the fish were just not biting there was a front coming in the fishing was just not good. We are going back on a better day and when its a little warmer. Butour guide made it a wonderful day. Every stop he baited out lines and threw them out into the perfect spot. We did have several bites and I caught one small bass. We also lost a few not knowing how to set the hook just right. But the whole experience and beautiful surroundings was so worth the day. We will be back to this great little hideaway on the St Johns. Ask for JAMES HILLMAN as your guide. Super nice guy great fishing captain.

Highland Park Fish Camp is one of the best kept secrets in Florida! I haven't been to a fish camp as good as this one. The staff, fishing, facilities and owners are all great! We rented a cabin with some friends and I couldn't imagine a better place to relax, especially after a long day of fishing. The camp guides are more than willing to point out the best spots to fish and that's if you decide not to have them take you out. We ended up getting a pontoon boat, bait and tackle then headed toward the St. Johns River. The map we got from the staff was very easy to follow and we stayed out on the water all day. We fished the stocked pond at the end of the day before having a bonfire outside the cabin. They also have rocking chairs on the front porch of every cabin! Awesome people! Awesome place!

Highland Park Fish Camp is a fantastic place to get away from it all (yet close enough to shopping so that it’s not a big deal if you forget something). It only takes a few minutes by boat to get out into nature, and there is plenty of river so you can fish all day without seeing another boat and you’ll never run out of places to try. Even if you’re not interested in fishing there is all kinds of wildlife to see…watch out for manatees.The cabins have everything you need but groceries. But if you’re spending a lot of time in the cabins you missing the whole point of the place.One of the things I really like about Highland Park is the people who run it. Everyone who works there is very friendly and helpful and, since its family run, you get see the same folks each time you visit and get to know them and they get to know you. And as an added bonus you get to play fetch with Ranger, the camp mascot.We just got back for Highland park and we’re already talking about next years visit.

This is the cleanest fish camp I have ever had the pleasure of staying. The cabins are spacious and great for single, couple or family trips. Cabins have a kitchen area, bedroom, restroom with shower and living room area! There is a bass pond to practice your fishing and also guided tours where you are sure to catch fish. You can also rent your own boat and the office staff with give you a map and point you in the right direction. The scenery is also amazing. Taking a boat from the camp to the river is absolutely beautiful. It looks like untouched Old Florida and is very serene. Definitely a great place to do some glamorous camping at a reasonable price! I would recommend Highland Park Fish Camp to anyone!

This is the second time we've had the brother reunion at the camp and I came away wondering why the heck I don't spend allot more time there. The fishing for big bass and specks is as close to a sure thing as I've experienced. Top notch bait and reliable boats available. Even tackle rental. Take time to appreciate the scenery when on the water. It's like going back in time and it's hard to believe there is civilization anywhere close. We rent the cabins and I could spend a month and be very comfortable. As others have stated, the folks that run the camp are there to make your stay, not just enjoyable but great, and they do so with a smile and enthusiasm. My one warning is if Ranger, the Yellow Lab that makes sure is all is well, brings you a rock to throw, don't plan on doing it just once.

This place is great.It is a family owned camp and will not find nicer people anywhere,if you need anything just ask,you will be taken care of with a big smile.The cabins are very nice and were very clean,we rented three of them.If you want some good fishing,this is the place,the bass fishing is oustanding.If you want to see what Florida looked like a thousand years ago,rent a pontoon boat and cruise the the river and lakes ,the wildlife and beauty is unbelievable.I would rate this place a 10 if i could.Call and ask for Bryn ,you will be very pleased. Ken Reagh

Wonderful weekend! Such nice people-especially Mr. James! We had a great time, fishing, renting a pontoon boat-wonderful weather helped too! They were kind to our boys, instructing them how to handle fish after caught. The two dogs, Ranger and Rooger, were a great hit! Had campfires everynight, enjoyed the rustic cabin. Thanks so much for a memorable weekend!

Spent a few days here a few years ago catching the fish I'm still bragging about. You will not find a better place to fish bass, and I have not found nicer people! Capt. Rick is an excellent guide, and I am catching more fish wherever I go because he took the time to teach me a thing or two. This is the true Florida that few people get a chance to see. Don't miss it!

Outstanding trip.My girlfriend and I were there for a week in one of their quaint ceader cabins. Fished 4 of the 7 days we were there. Fished only artifficial baits caught close to 150 large mouth bass. Best 4 weighing a little over 10 lbs each. Lost a couple monsters that were in the 15 lbs range. Family owned and operated. All were very friendly, and helpfull at putting you on the fish.

We promise our grandson a we would take him somewhere where he could fish all weekend!! Well he got what he wanted and some. Very peaceful and quiet place! The people there are super nice. We hired a guide James and he was amazing and very patient with our 5 year old grandson! Kaden caught a 10.9lbs, 7.5lbs and 6.7lbs and some!! also caught some nice one in the pond!! More than we expected!! We will be going again in the near future!