Cherry Hill Campground

The sites this time of year are amazing in the smokies.  Hiking the entire trail is a definite must do.

The first time I went, I did not have reservations, but there is a camp host. I went to the camp host site to get a site, but s/he was not there. I looked around the campground and there were only three or four campsites taken. After driving and sightseeing, I came back about an hour later. Nobody was still at the host site. I did some more sightseeing and came back about another hour later. No success. The only way I was able to get a site was by reservation. Eventually, I got a site, but the process of having to reserve online ahead of time is frustrating, especially since I was told by a park ranger at another South Carolina State Park that even if you don’t have reservations you can show up if sites are available. 

The campsite I was at had a level tent pad, which was gravel. There was a picnic table and a freeze hydrant for water. I checked the hydrant before deciding since the freeze hydrant on my last camping trip did not work. Parking was about fifty feet away since I stayed at the tent site area. Another option would have been to stay at one of the regular tent/RV sites closer to the bath room. The tent/RV sites are level and have fire pits, but I wanted a little more scenic view than having to see the bath house from my campsite. 

There were very few campers this time, so it was quiet at the campground. However, I did hear some road noise until late evening since the tent sites are closer to the road. Since it is pretty far from any major town or city, it got really dark at night, so this was really nice for watching stars. '

The bath house had the basic needs—toilet, wash basin, and shower. The floor was concrete, and the toilet was stainless steel with no removable lid. I thought that was strange for a men’s bathroom. 

Overall, it was a pleasant stay once I was able to actually get a site.

Fairly nice campsite set up with nice concrete table and tent pad. Some sites more spacious and laid out better then others. (We had three families camping in sites 17 & 18... would have been better in 16 & 17 or for the price book all 3, 16-18) 1 bath house centrally located with 4 rooms each having toilet, sink, hand dryer and small camp shower with seat and hand held shower head. (Prison style toilets, lol) Water spigots places through out campsites (1 for sites 15-19 in loop). With them opening late this season was surprised of condition of campground. Very clean however could have used a little TLC, small landscaping in sites and several fire pits not level and full of old ashes and whatnot (causing nice wet layer for fire starting) just figured with this being the first weekend open this season due to COVID-19 that they would have taken down time to spruce up area. Camp Host and camp ranger on site were super friendly and helpful though (Camped June 26-28, 2020)