Welcome to the Cherokee National Forest

The Cherokee National Forest is your destination for outdoor recreation.  Enjoy a scenic drive through the mountains, the pursuit of wildlife, the thrill of whitewater, a night under the stars, or solitude on a backcountry trail.

Begin planning your visit by selecting "Recreation" in the left menu.

***CLOSURES: Click here to see a list of facility closures on the
Cherokee National Forest effective 3/23/2020 at noon. 

Bald River Bridge Replacement Fact Sheet

2020 Seasonal Road Opening Schedule

Ocoee Ranger District Sustainable Recreation Information

Cherokee National Forest Vicinity Map

Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of east Tennessee, the Cherokee National Forest is divided into northern and southern sections by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The 650,000-acre forest is the largest tract of public land in Tennessee and adjoins other national forests in Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia.

Features

Prescribed Fire - Why, When and How

Applying Fire to the Forest: Prescribed (RX) fire is a useful tool for man-aging national forest lands. Approximately 20,000 acres are burned annually throughout the 650,000 acre Cherokee National Forest. Spring is the time of year when a significant portion of the prescribed burning is conducted.  More...

Don't Move Firewood

Your Help is Needed:   Here's one simple way to combine your desire to protect the environment with your plans to have a great time outdoors -- don't move firewood from ... see full article

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Spotlights

Cherokee Hotshots

The Cherokee Hotshots are a highly trained Type One Wildland Fire Suppression crew that is hosted by the Cherokee National Forest in East Tennessee.

Motor Vehicle Use Map

The Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Cherokee NF are available free of charge at USDA Forest Service offices in Cleveland, Greeneville, Benton, and Tellico Plains, and Unicoi, TN