By:
Submission
Cherryvale Park is located on the crystal clear Big Hill Lake in southeast Kansas.
The lake boasts three campgrounds, three equestrian trails and four day-use areas for the public to enjoy.
Camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, fishing and other outdoor activities abound.
Campers can venture onto several hiking and equestrian trails including Big Hill Lake Horse Trail, a 17-mile trail with a variety of terrain for all ages to explore. The trail winds along a scenic hardwood ridge that offers gorgeous views all along the way.
Big Hill Lake is known as a trophy lake for fishing. Principal species of sport fish include largemouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye and smallmouth bass. The lake is also popular for fishing tournaments.
Almost all of the land around the lake is open to public hunting, except for parks and areas around the dam and control structures. Principal species hunted are whitetail deer, turkey and squirrel.
Families with kids will enjoy visiting the sand-covered beach nearby for cooling off from the summer heat and enjoying a picnic.
In addition to 23 individual campsites, the campground has one group camping area with a picnic shelter and seven campsites.
Other amenities include drinking water, restrooms, showers, a playground and a dump station.
The park is nestled in the rolling, wooded countryside that is referred to as the Little Ozarks.
With thick oak-hickory forests surrounded by prairie and farmland, the lake shore supplies a variety of habitats for birds and mammals.
Cherryvale Park offers a relaxing atmosphere with plenty of trees for shade, and the lake is only a short walk away from the campsites.
From Highway 169 in Cherryvale, Kansas, turn east onto Main Street. Continue through the town and turn right onto Olive Street. After half a block turn left onto County Route 5000. Continue 4.5 miles to the lake and follow signs to the park.
Usually this is a five star place, but not this time. Bathrooms never cleaned even before we arrived - same dead bugs in bathroom and shower all four days. Firepit never cleaned out , nor the little grill. Both were full. I guess they are experiencing same work shorter. We never seen a ranger drive by or a camp host. According to the sign on the camp host spot they were on duty. Hopefully next time we go the bathrooms will be clean. We blew a path of leaves out of our way to the fireplace and around the area. It is copperhead baby season and we wanted to make sure we did not step on them.
Pretty park! Beautiful sunrise! Snobby neighbors though. And camp host was very nosy and kind of annoying how she was constantly driving around in her side by side all day long. If you want privacy don't go here. As far as price, great deal for what you get! Paved all the way through which is nice!
For reasons beyond my understanding this park is invisible to my Garmin GPS. Even after I entered the coordinates manually I was being routed to some inaccessible point some 10 miles away. Apple Maps found the campground OK, and we really enjoyed it. Quiet (possibly due to GPS problem?) and shady. Great place to relax.
Concerning navigation, I should add that if you follow the recommended route and turn at the town of Cherryvale you’ll be traveling down a good bit of dirt road. It is better to approach from the southern passage (near the boat ramp) and proceed north to the campground. Also… there are TWO campgrounds here. Cherryvale Park is on the WEST side of the lake.
Very nice park/lake, caper spots were nice and level with some outdoor tables and grill, the park has a small pond off to the side for kids fishing only! Kids loved it! Also a nice swimming beach. A few different parks, will most likely go again!
