Hillman Ferry Campground

We're not sure why it was so problematic making our reservation here and finding the actual campground, but it set a really bad tone! The address we were thought was for the campground took us on a 15 mile road to nowhere. It was all just so confusing. I called and spoke to a ranger and he sort of helped us - he couldn't really figure out where we were. So by the time we finally checked in, we were not really greeted like we were welcome, that we were more of an inconvenience. Maybe whoever was checking us in was having a bad day. We just found the people running the check in were less than helpful. Even when I tried to get info on hikes, we were mislead!
This is a HUGE campground and it seems it is more for locals. If you know where you are going, it probably is great. So suggestion for a better experience, treat your campers like a valuable customer.
We loved all the area had to offer, but we discovered it all when we stayed up the road at the Canal Campground. We did get in two great hikes, but we stumbled on them ourselves.
Normally, your neighbors are very friendly or at least nice. When it was time for us to pull out of our site, a truck was blocking our access on the road. I pulled up in the car and asked when they would be moving. He said in a few minutes. Husband pulled behind me and we still had to wait about 7 minutes. I think he wanted to finish his cigarette. He was just downright rude.

This campground itself was huge! There were so many beautiful sites right on the water. Also there were amazing hiking trails right off the campground. The bath house and bathroom were older and a bit dirty but otherwise it was a great place to stay! We were lucky enough to see a Bald Eagle every morning! Also Len one of the volunteers was so kind and helpful!

We were just passing through and I found this place on Google Maps. Called the day of (on a Friday) and they still had 9 full hookup sites available. When you're coming into the area, I had mixed feelings, but smiling faces greeted us at the main gate.

This place is amazing. We're likely extending our stay by a day because it's quiet, clean, the sites are level, and there are lots of activities for the kids.

Site #96 is a host spot, but this year it's not in use. No neighbors to one side, and because this spot is up on a hill, it's neat because the rest of the layout is terraced downhill away from you. Such a great spot!

Our site was up on a hill overlooking boat trailer parking and a dumpster. There were some beautiful sites on the shoreline but we weren’t in one. Lots of golf carts roaming the roads. If you enjoy quiet solitude, this isn’t the campground to pick. Go to Energy Lake Campground a little further into Land Between the Lakes National Forest.

Great area! we were there July 15th...
older campground small narrow drive in campground and very crowded, lots of extended Families in multiple sites, they were not loud but lots of people everywhere.
great area close to the lake
we won't be back, just to crowded, not our thing

The primitive sites are great by the lake in the B loop. Bath houses can be far so pick site carefully.

My wife and I showed up here on a Saturday night there were not many sites left but the primitive sites hade 6 or 8 spots open. so we stayed here Saturday night and Sunday night then we planed to move to a different site Monday. The site was rather tight to back in to be of the angle of the pad and the slope of the hill and a big tree on the edge of the pad on the passenger side.., this all being said it was almost perfectly level I had to raise the passenger side3/4 of and inch... This site is locate about 50 yds from the shower house and was a good spot for a 2 night stay... the there was some garbage in the fire pit but was not much. The dump station is in the middle of the camp ground is not level, the not potable water spigot was broken and would spray water from the top of it but it still did its job if you only used it cleaning your drain hose and did not bend it to use the black flush tank. the NFS staff were very nice and help full, according to the park staff 90% of the park is FCFS.

we showed up on a Monday to this site and stayed till Friday. site 61 is right on the lake and with the beach very close and even beach in your site. This is a very popular site, when we went to leave Friday morning i was asked my 3 or 4 people looking for a site when I was leaving or if was staying the weekend. the site was level and required no leveling. the power box was very close and if my slide out was any bigger I would of had move to more of the middle of the pad. the pad was chip and it tracked inside. my dogs got to experience eaten box turtle and a male fence lizard in this site they the love it. Monday to Thursday the park was very quite and a fantastic place to spend the week. On Friday morning when we pulled out over 50% was filled by noon. cell signal was minimal... if you need TV there was 2 channels and both were very hit on miss for signal.
the camp ground has basic sites, electric sites, water and electric and full hook up site all are a different price

Average campground. Little to no space between sites. Water did not work while we were there requiring us to use the showers in another loop. Scenery was nice with dense forest and a low-water lake. People were friendly. Our biggest gripe was the amount of litter found at the site and in the campground in general. We usually spend five to ten minutes when we arrive at a site picking up litter but this time it took an hour and filled an eight gallon trash bag! Sickening.

The beautiful setting is marred by the trash—at campsite, around dumpsters, and along shoreline. As a full-timer, I have never been to a camp with so much graffiti. Washer and dryers that are not “Out of Order” are rusty. Trails have been neglected for many years. Many sites are close together without shrubbery for privacy. Coarse gravel on paved roads make bike riding hazardous on the hilly terrain. Lots of gold carts. There is a resident chaplain and USFS campground amphitheater has a crucifix on podium. 1-2 bars Verizon. Some OTA tv—ABC and Public Television plus some other rerun-type stations.
It’s not a good value. Senior Access pass is not 50% discount; only $8.