R C.
3/5
Sparta is Beautiful!!! The city, the bike and walking trails.... all beautiful!
One experience tainted the trip.... Justin Trails Resort...
$$$ BEWARE
We originally planned and made arrangements with the host to stay 5 nights because of our son’s wedding was taking place at the resort. Before arriving we changed it to 2 nights since we decided to a camp closer to Ft. McCoy where our son is stationed.
The venue is absolutely BEAUTIFUL, breath taking really. The host and family however left a bad taste. Our stay was not what we had hoped, and we will not return to this location.
First, Donna, the host was not very welcoming or friendly when we arrived. Anytime we went into the giftshop, no one was around if we wanted to purchase anything. There were signs inside about prices for everything… Be prepared, they charge for everything, even independent (unguided) hikes on their trails.
After the wedding Dawn, and I mean right after… like during the reception, the host’s adult daughter approached our son, an NCO in the US Army, and asked if he were some kind of general or something due to all the ribbons and medals on his dress uniform. My son told her these medals and ribbons are earned in service, many were combat related. Her response was along the lines that she wanted to make sure she was giving him proper respect IF he were a general or something. We have family both enlisted and commissioned that made great sacrifices to serve our country. I don’t know about you, but if you have served … you deserve respect. If you’ve been deployed and risked your life… you deserve respect and gratitude.
The host was not very accommodating to the day of event coordinator who was managing the ceremony location and the reception in the barn. Immediately after the wedding ceremony, WHILE PICTURES WERE BEING TAKEN, Donna started removing chairs. I was horrified that she even started removing chairs and décor while pictures were being taken. She didn’t even give the coordinator a chance to get the guest settled in the barn and return to take care of this….THEN CHARGED my son and is bride over $250 for having to remove the chairs. This was only one of the additional charges. As the reception was ending, Donna asked my son if they wanted to park their Harley’s (his and his bride each have one) in the barn to protect them from the storm cell that was approaching. I thought… “hmmm, this is very kind and thoughtful”. She moved rubber mats inside the door to park each bike on. Meanwhile, no mention of fee or charges…. yup, there was a charge the next day for parking the bikes in the barn.
They have cabins and rustic camping available. Most of the grounds are well taken care of but more attention around the cabins is needed. The entry walkway for the cabin my son and his bride stayed in had a very unsafe pathway. What looked like carpeting was put down over uneven ground and the vegetation was growing over the path. Unfortunately, my new daughter-in-law’s mother fell, nearly hitting her head on the doorstep immediately after the wedding as we retreated to allow guest to vacate to allow for after wedding photos to be taken. There was a back patio on this particular cabin that we couldn’t use due to the wasp and nest there.
So here’s the low-down, if you’re staying for one night, the farm is beautiful. They have a large gravel parking area and pretty much allow you to park in any direction you desire. If you decide to enjoy the farm… they charge for everything.
If you’re looking for a venue to host an event like our son and his bride did. Get EVERYTHING in writing first, they were charged HUNDREDS of dollars in additional fees on top of the contracted agreed upon charges.
