FRUIT HEIGHTS — Cherry Hill's roots as a camping mecca date back 38 years. However, it is much more than a campers haven — it's also a water park resort and entertainment center.
Visitors can swim in an Olympic-size pool; splash in the Pirates Cove Activity Pool and fountains; slide down the Cardiac Canyon River Run; float in Grant's Gulch Lazy River; try 18 holes of mini golf; bat in one of six batting cages; climb the 30-foot-tall "Rock" wall; play aeroball; frolic in "Hamster Haven"; eat cherry pie in the Pie Pantry Restaurant or relax under one of nearly 200 trees.
Bruce Lloyd, co-owner of the 20-acre resort with his brother, Keith, said visitors don't have to camp at Cherry Hill in order to use its water park and other facilities.
In fact, camping has decreased in recent years as Cherry Hill has added more attractions. In 2004, 65 camping sites were removed to allow expansion of the water park and parking lot. There are now 180 campsites.
"It's a water park, but it's also a camping resort to get away for the weekend," Lloyd said. "Our mission statement is to provide the finest wholesome atmosphere in Utah."
Cherry Hill prides itself on being a "family fun center" instead of a "teen hangout" like most water parks. Teens come, but gang activity and related problems are almost non-existent.
"We're a family business," he said, explaining family outings, family reunions and church group gatherings are very popular.
Except for the full-service camping area, the other facilities at Cherry Hill are closed every Sunday.
"It's always been that way," Lloyd said, though mini golf was open on Sundays for a while.
With a peak season of June, July and August, it's rare for any water park to close each Sunday. However, Lloyd said that works well for Cherry Hill, its employees and patrons.
Lloyd's parents, Grant S. and Mary Lloyd, started Cherry Hill as a camping resort in 1967. It is part of the original farm used by the Lloyd family since 1924. Of the farm's 700 trees, some cherry trees are left, but shade trees dominate the resort.
Today about half of Cherry Hill's summer guests are campers, while the rest come just for the day. Lloyd estimates that half of the campers are from Utah. With high gasoline prices, some campers travel only a few miles to relax at Cherry Hill.
The resort's "Season Splash Passes" are mostly sold to Davis County residents with some sold to Salt Lake and Weber county residents. About 150,000 people splashed in the water park last year..
Located only a few miles northwest of Lagoon, Cherry Hill is thriving with 150 seasonal employees and six year-round workers.
Grant's Lazy River, named after Grant S. Lloyd, is probably Cherry Hill's most popular activity. All ages can enjoy this mellow stream.
Pirates Cove is also a hit with the youngest crowd. At only 18 inches deep, it is great for toddlers.
Despite all these water attractions, Cherry Hill is fairly quiet. Lloyd said the landscaping lessens noise for campers, and activities close up each night at 9.
Lloyd's grandfather tried to sell the cherry tree farm in the 1920s. Because it was located almost 20 miles from both Salt Lake and Ogden, many thought the camping resort would never make it. Today, Cherry Hill is bordered by some subdivisions. Future expansion could include more water slides.
Cherry Hill has always ranked high nationally on quality camping lists, such as a "best destination campground," (and it also excels at wireless access for campers), but Lloyd said his father has been very surprised at the water park's success.
Although Cherry Hill is located near the Kaysville border, it is in Fruit Heights. Lloyd said more people know how to find Kaysville than Fruit Heights, and so even the resort has, at times, identified itself as being in Kaysville.
Cherry Hill is busy in April and May with its batting cages and mini golf. The water park usually opens Memorial Day weekend. Full-service camping is April 1-Nov. 1. Limited winter camping is also available.
Cherry Hill is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., through the summer. All but camping is closed Sundays.
It is located at 1325 S. Main, Fruit Heights, just off Highway 89 at the Cherry Hill interchange and is assessable via Kaysville's Main Street (U-273) from the north side.
Camping fees range from $26-$32 a night. Mini golf is $6 for adults and $5 for ages 5-11; the cost is $14 for an all-day splash pass ($63.80 for season splash passes); $3 for all-day use of the Hamster Playport.
For more information and for a complete price list for all Cherry Hill camping and activities, as well as discount coupons, go to the resort's Web site, www.cherry-hill.com.
For more information, also call 1-801-451-5379.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com