USFS Campsites on Cherry Mountain Road

[ImYourHuckleberry]

Hiked Cherry/Martha (not sure which is correct) and Owlshead about a month back, and meant to ask about the USFS campsites on Cherry Mountain Road. They look to have been there for some time, yet they are not published on my 2022 AMC digital maps.

Anybody know why these are not on the AMC maps? And are there also other camping spots like this that seem to be kept "low key"? (Sadly I read a bit about these sites on Cherry Mountain Road, and people report shit - as in actual feces - left all over...)

 

[skiguy]

This is managed by the Forest Service and is considered "Dispersed Camping". Also I believe it is first come first serve and are meant to be an alternative to improved camping where sites can be reserved, fire pits are available along with outhouses. Probably not on AMC Maps as they don't want you camping for free and would rather have you pay and arm and a leg to stay at their sites. Ok that was a joke before anyone gets their panties up their crack.

 

[CaptCaper]

Hiked Cherry/Martha (not sure which is correct) and Owlshead about a month back, and meant to ask about the USFS campsites on Cherry Mountain Road. They look to have been there for some time, yet they are not published on my 2022 AMC digital maps.

Anybody know why these are not on the AMC maps? And are there also other camping spots like this that seem to be kept "low key"? (Sadly I read a bit about these sites on Cherry Mountain Road, and people report shit - as in actual feces - left all over...)

There is more dispersed camping along Gale River Road area. These as sites along Cherry Mt rd are used alot. And many people are basically pigs. One has to check out how bad before setting up camp.

 

[sierra]

I never cared for them because they are not cared for like a real campground. Not to mention any yahoo can show up and you are on your own. A few years back, tents and gear were stolen from the Gale river road sites while people were off hiking.

 

[JoshandBaron]

I've stayed at a few sites on Cherry Mtn Rd this time of year and had a fine enough experience. Certainly more privacy than a developed campground. There are dispersed sites all over the whites that FS doesn't put much effort into publicizing. They are often tied up by folks looking to stay every bit of the 14 days and look like it. There are some hidden gems out there, though.

 

[Ken MacGray]

WMG co-editor here ... None of the dispersed camping areas on Tripoli Rd., Cherry Mtn. Rd., Gale River Rd., etc., are on the AMC maps. I can't speak to the previous reasoning why.

But as others have said, you kinda have to try your luck at these sites. Because they are free and first-come, first served, many times they are party spots and trash/vandalism is a problem. One time I had stuff stolen from a site on Gale River Rd.

(The Cherry Mtn. thing ... The entire mass of the mountain is called Cherry Mtn. The two named summits of the mountain are called Mt. Martha and Owl's Head.)