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.

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.

Recent News

• Ocoee Whitewater Center pass sale day: Cherokee National Forest–Ocoee Whitewater Center

  Release Date: May 7, 2021  

• Jacobs Creek Campground going on reservation system

  Release Date: May 4, 2021  

• Mill Creek Fire increases to 90% containment

  Release Date: May 1, 2021  

• Cherokee National Forest wildfire updates

  Release Date: Apr 29, 2021  

• Cherokee National Forest wildfire updates

  Release Date: Apr 28, 2021  

• Fire crews continue to make progress on Mill Creek and Long Branch Fires Firefighters are responding to a new wildfire start in the south zone of the Cherokee National Forest

  Release Date: Apr 27, 2021  

• Wildfire Updates on the Cherokee National Forest - Fire crews continue to fight Mill Creek and Long Branch Fires

  Release Date: Apr 26, 2021  

• Burnout operations planned for Mill Creek Fire on April 27 - Public should be aware for the potential of smoke in the area

  Release Date: Apr 26, 2021  Mill Creek Fire Contact

• Wildfire Updates on the Cherokee National Forest - Fire crews continue to fight Mill Creek and Long Branch Fires

  Release Date: Apr 25, 2021  Long Branch Fire Contact

• Wildfires on the Cherokee National Forest - Fire Crews continue to fight Mill Creek, Meadow Creek and Long Branch Fires

  Release Date: Apr 25, 2021  Long Branch Fire Contact

Features

Spring Wild Turkey Season - Cherokee National Forest

To many outdoor enthusiasts spring is their favor-ite time of year. Not just because it is a beautiful time of year, but because that is when wild turkey season begins in the 659,000 acre Cherokee National Forest in east Tennessee.

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