Cherokee Dam Campground

I stayed 4 nights at Cherokee Dam campground in a 26’ travel trailer and enjoyed our stay there. The roads from I-40 exit 417 were easy to travel all the way to the campground entrance with no issues of low branches or narrow windy roads. We arrived about 1:30 on a weekday and parked in the designated check in spot in front of the store. Immediately, the host arrived and unlocked the store to chec... I stayed 4 nights at Cherokee Dam campground in a 26’ travel trailer and enjoyed our stay there. The roads from I-40 exit 417 were easy to travel all the way to the campground entrance with no issues of low branches or narrow windy roads. We arrived about 1:30 on a weekday and parked in the designated check in spot in front of the store. Immediately, the host arrived and unlocked the store to check us in. He gave me a partial refund when I showed my access pass making the daily cost $24. He also went over most of the campground rules with me, gave me a map and explained the easiest way to get to my site. The campground roads were paved, not overly narrow and generally in good shape. Site 44 was on the end of the row and easy to find. The sites are gravel and mine was mostly level. Most of the sites seem to have driveways that slope up or down and then level out. There aren’t that many that have level driveways but at least they are angled and not perpendicular to the road. Our site though not real long, had enough room to put two vehicles side by side. There is plenty of overflow parking available at the campground. Our site had a fire ring and picnic table. Some sites have a separate grill in addition to the fire ring. The fire ring in our site pretty much overlooked the fire ring in site 10 on the middle row which you’d never know by looking at the map. Sites are nearby but not on top of each other. There are several bathrooms which look modern on the outside but I can’t comment on the inside as we never used them. Overall Cherokee Dam seems more modern and cleaner than Douglas Headwater where we stayed the previous week. The host spent the first two days we were there cutting the grass which wasn’t long to begin with and going around with a blower tidying up. The sites were clean and the landscaping was close to what I’d call “manicured”. I’d have been more impressed if he wasn’t cutting the grass and blowing debris everywhere around my site while my wife and I were trying to set up. I have to give him credit though, he did keep the place looking nice. I had three bars of AT&T cell coverage at my site and we received 20+ Over The Air TV channels but many of them were often pixelated. Even though marked as 30 amp on the map our site had 50 amp service. There were no problems with the water or electric. Some say it has very high water pressure but I didn’t bother to check it as we were just filling our tank instead of hooking up. The dump site was nearby and had room for about 3 rigs in the loop, 1 dumping and 2 waiting. Even though I saw a few 5th wheels there I’m not sure I’d call it big rig friendly. The slope of most driveways will probably make leveling front to rear a challenge unless the back of your rig overhangs the site a lot. I’d come here again but only if I could reserve a site that is mostly level.

We have been coming to this campground for awhile now I love this place it is clean and the sites are larger than most...the reason I give it a 2 star is because of some new guy that works there I believe his name is Ernest. The last 2 times we have stayed here has picked at us for small things that really shouldn't matter that much. Like I say we've been here many times and never had any issues e... We have been coming to this campground for awhile now I love this place it is clean and the sites are larger than most...the reason I give it a 2 star is because of some new guy that works there I believe his name is Ernest. The last 2 times we have stayed here has picked at us for small things that really shouldn't matter that much. Like I say we've been here many times and never had any issues except for this guy and I don't want to pay money for a vacation just to be harassed by a guy who works there.

My boyfriend and I recently went to the lake for a small fishing date, just trying to enjoy a peaceful evening together. We were walking around the lake near the lighting docks and the swimming area. We are fully aware that fishing near the swimming area is restricted whether people are swimming or not, so we made sure not to fish anywhere near that section. At one point, my boyfriend went to get... My boyfriend and I recently went to the lake for a small fishing date, just trying to enjoy a peaceful evening together. We were walking around the lake near the lighting docks and the swimming area. We are fully aware that fishing near the swimming area is restricted whether people are swimming or not, so we made sure not to fish anywhere near that section. At one point, my boyfriend went to get the car to pull it closer to the loading dock so we wouldn’t have to carry all of our gear so far. There were plenty of parking spaces nearby. He isn’t familiar with this campground and doesn’t visit often, so he was a little turned around trying to find his way — like anyone would be at a place they don’t know well. While pulling around, he put only his two front tires slightly in the grass just to maneuver the car — nothing excessive, and he wasn’t blocking anyone or causing damage. A woman wearing a gray hoodie/shirt either came out or was already standing there (I’m not sure which), and she immediately started yelling “Whoa, whoa, whoa, you can’t do that.” My boyfriend politely responded, “Okay, I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” He was respectful the entire time. She then told him he needed to leave. And then proceeded to mock him saying in a rude and sarcastic way “I didn’t know”He didn’t argue, didn’t get disrespectful — he simply said okay. When he came to tell me we had to leave, he asked me to grab our fishing rods and tackle box. As I walked up to the car, I saw someone getting into a vehicle and driving off — I’m not sure if it was her or someone else. Overall, the interaction felt extremely rude and unnecessary. We weren’t bothering anyone, we were following the fishing rules, and we were just trying to enjoy our time at the lake. A little kindness or simply explaining the rules calmly would have gone a long way, especially toward visitors who aren’t familiar with the area.

I have to say this was our first visit to the campground. We found it a very friendly place with Catherine and Rocco and Ernest. We ended up staying longer than expected because of vehicle issues. During the stay not sure what happened but new people were in charge. We found overall the place clean; bathrooms were all clean but after the changeover I found the bathrooms cleaner than before.... I have to say this was our first visit to the campground. We found it a very friendly place with Catherine and Rocco and Ernest. We ended up staying longer than expected because of vehicle issues. During the stay not sure what happened but new people were in charge. We found overall the place clean; bathrooms were all clean but after the changeover I found the bathrooms cleaner than before. The shower head in the women's shower was even fixed the last couple of weeks we were there. The new management even decorated the entrance for Halloween. Also, after the change in management the office was always opened from 9-5. Before it was opened maybe by 11am and closed at 3pm. We hope to come back as we loved the place. It was a quiet campground as well. We had no issues with the either set of management. Just need to follow the rules of the park. They are in place for a reason. Some people have abused the situation and that is why rules are in place.

I would like to emphasize just how great of an experience that I had here. Catherine and Rocco were accommodating and welcoming from the day of booking all the way to check out! My original spot I booked on the water wouldn’t fit my 20 foot tent so she moved me to a waterfront RV spot. Great views, kayaking with my dog and super clean property. Oh and I forget to mention they make milkshakes on si... I would like to emphasize just how great of an experience that I had here. Catherine and Rocco were accommodating and welcoming from the day of booking all the way to check out! My original spot I booked on the water wouldn’t fit my 20 foot tent so she moved me to a waterfront RV spot. Great views, kayaking with my dog and super clean property. Oh and I forget to mention they make milkshakes on site! I will definitely be back for more adventures! Thank you guys for a great vacation!