New host assists Mozingo campers

STEVE HARTMAN/DAILY FORUM
Ravenwood resident Loren Underwood is the new RV campground host at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park. Underwood assists campers with questions or problems they may have while staying at the lake.

Loren Underwood of Ravenwood has been named the new host at the Mozingo Lake Recreation Park RV campground. Underwood, who lives in his own RV on-site, is available virtually any time to assist campers and answer questions.

“I actually have some time off each week, but even when I’m off the clock I’m usually here,” Underwood said. “So if campers have any questions or concerns, or just need to know where the fish are biting best, I’m here to give them an answer.

“If they have a question I can’t answer off the top of my head, I will get back to them with an answer once I talk to Erick (Auxier, the park’s operations manager) or Brandon (Cartwright, Mozingo recreation coordinator).”

Mozingo Lake Recreation Park has spaces to accommodate 108 RVs — short for “recreational vehicle.” While some of the slots must be reserved in advance, especially during holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day, many are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Unless it’s a holiday and we’re full,” Underwood said, “I will have campers come look at the available sites when they arrive and allow them to choose the spot that works best for them.”

Underwood has been on the job for three weeks, and he’s a man who likes his work.

“I get to meet a lot of nice people,” Underwood said. “And my primary focus is to assist them in any way possible to make sure they have a good camping experience.

“I try to do some fishing whenever I can — just so I know where the best fishing is and can refer folks to those areas when they ask.”

In addition to RV sites, Mozingo offers five rental cabins of various sizes. Two more cabins, constructed by building trades students from Northwest Technical School, will be available as of July 1.

Auxier said the cabins tend to be rented several weeks, and sometimes months, in advance. The park’s peak season runs from April to October, but both campground and cabin rentals are available year round.

“We have several folks rent the cabins throughout the winter,” Auxier said. “We even have some hunters who will bring in their campers in the winter and stay at the campground.”

For more information about camping at Mozingo, or to make a reservation, call the park office at (660) 562-2323 or go to www.mozingolake.com. Information is also available on the Mozingo Lake Recreation Park Facebook page.