Riverbend Family Campground is a popular place to stay in Caledonia , Ohio . After checking in and paying at the office , you will be directed to drive around the lake and park next to a set of bleachers , if you find a spot . I asked about bathrooms and never received a response , but I believe they are out there . Hey , it's a campground . this is a 9 hole course.
THE EQUIPMENT -- The tee pads are cement . but are smallish at 3 1/2' X 7' . The tee signs are a greenish , on posts and are informative , giving hole # , distance par and flight path . The baskets here are Yellow banded Discatchers , old but still catch okay .
THE LANDSCAPE -- The area was mowed and well taken care of when I played . The course is park style . No woods to speak of , but trees can come into play on most of the holes , besides a wide open hole 2 . Hole #1 starts halfway down a hill and descends about 10-15' down to a level fairway and green . Hole #8 goes part of the way back uphill , not far from Hole 1 , and #9 travels at a bigger angle up to the top of the hill where you parked . That's about all of the elevation you will have , unless you have to climb up on someone's camper to grab an errant drive . Holes 2-7 were so so flat , you could use it for a parking lot for the rest of the campground . The course runs counter clockwise around the perimeter of the lower grounds , occasionally moving in and out of what's close to the center . There is a lake across the road from where you parked , but it never comes into play or even sight.
NO HIGHLIGHTS -- The 9 holes are packed into what is only a couple of acres of campsites . The holes average 225' , and will be a birdie fest for most of the course . #1 has promise , a downhill shot , it follows a path most of the way , breaking left towards the end , where the basket .is tucked in some trees . #9 is an okay finishing hole . Only 216' and uphill , there is a jail of trees that you must avoid in order tohave a good look at a putt . If you have a midrange that bends , you can try a left to right drive away from the trees and hope it comes back . Not a great idea because of the line of parked cars near the top of the hill ( more in cons ) .
DISC RISK -- I didn't know whether to put this as a Pro or a Con - The grounds are clean and the holes are open . If people weren't camping , you would have to try to lose a disc . . However , based on my experience here , a dog ran by out of nowhere and snatched my midrange . The owner returned it with an apology , but I now have the dog's dental records in one of my favorite discs . Also , after throwing uphill on #9 , I only turned for a moment to grab my bag and look at my discs , , and all of the sudden I looked everywhere for my disc that I threw . Finally , some kid was forced by his parents to return it to me , after grabbing it while I wasn't looking .
THE TIME -- This course is finishable solo in 25 minutes or less . A group of 4 can do this in 45-50 .
The course flows well , and after finding hole 1 , it's hard to stray from the course as long as someone isn't blocking the tee sign

#1 Safety , Yours AND Theirs -- This is about the easiest place to pick off a family with a drive . It seems that all of the golf carts in the U S that are not on a golf course , are in this campground . It looked to me like every camper owned or rented one . They are quiet and move quickly in and out of fairways , and the riders are oblivious to disc golf . Add the fact that many campsites are right next to fairways , and lots bring unleashed dogs with them , and you have a WHOLE NEW SET OF OBSTACLES . I can see fights erupting after hitting a kid with an errant drive . Avoid any sites with dogs . Some are territorial . Example : After Rocky the Rottweiler almost chews off your leg ( owners always say to not be afraid , as theirs are people dogs ) , and after a couple of operations , you can sue and receive ,,,,, this campsite , a used golf cart , or Rocky .
#2 Disc Risk -- See the Pro section above . Can be higher than average for a 9 hole course , just because of the camping that is right in your face .
#3 Flood Plain ? There is a creek not far from the tee pad for #4 . Since most of the course is flat , I can see heavy rains saturating the middle part of it .
#4 Challenge -- I told you before that the overall length of the holes are 225' . This is the type of course that you play only if you camp here.
#5 Hole 9 - This hole is crazy . Not only do you have campsites to your right , but on a 216' uphill hole , you have a whole lineup of cars at the top for you to hit . Hope that the one you hit isn't Rocky's owner , or a truck with an empty gun rack .
#6 I Have To Pay ? -- I feel that whether it's $2 or $20 , if you are paying for disc golf you should have some type of favorable experience from playing the course . I was charged $5 at the office . For your $5 , there is no assurance that you will even be able to play all 9 holes because of the camping , the course plays in less than half an hour , and the holes are ho-hum short . Add the fact that the campers really don't want you , and you have a less than fun packed time .

Riverbend Camp Ground has just changed to a new ownership . They told me that the disc golf course was meant for the campers , but since it didn't say that on my DGR sheet , they took my $5 and let me play . You may want to call ahead and see what the current rules are , for allowing outsiders to play . If disc golf at this camp ground is still in the conversation with the new owners , might I suggest moving the course across the street where a lake can come into play , along with what looks like a lot of ground and a generous supply of woods .
MY RECOMMENDATION -- I guess if you camped here overnight , or each summer , the course would be a possible option for a bored player , or a family wanting to do something together . If you are hard up to bag this course , call ahead and try to grab one . Otherwise take your money , buy some ice cream , and
SKIP THIS COURSE !!