The best camping near Panther Creek State Park

Located on the shores of the Cherokee Reservoir, Panther Creek State Park’s rolling hills and valleys are laced with more than 30 miles of trail suitable for hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians, with a terrain that varies from rock gardens to rolling hills and from easy to strenuous. Cherokee Lake invites paddlers and boaters, and provides year-round catches of bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, bream, and rockfish that can weigh up to 20 or 30 pounds. Campers can park their RV or pitch a tent at one of the park’s 50 campsites complete with water and electrical hookups.

1. Booking in advance is recommended and can be easily done online or by phone up to one year in advance.
2. Same-day booking is not available online, so you have to call or look for first-come, first-served availability. 
3. Double-check your dates before booking—a non-refundable booking fee is charged

Panther Creek State Park is open year-round. You can beat the heat and humidity of the summer months by taking a dip in the outdoor swimming pool or paddling on the lake, but if you want to enjoy the trails, it’s a good idea to visit in the cooler spring or fall months instead. A fall visit also offers colorful foliage.

• You can purchase firewood, ice, and other basic supplies at the seasonal camp store (closed November through mid-April).
• Pets are welcome as long as you don’t leave them alone for long periods. Pets are not allowed in park buildings. 
• Only certified heat-treated firewood is allowed to enter the park as outside firewood.