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.

2021 Fish Art Contest

USDA Launches AskUSDA to Improve and Streamline Customer Experience

Opening and Closing Dates for Dev Rec Sites Schedule 11/04

Digital Site Passes Now Available for Day Use Areas

Bald River Bridge Replacement Fact Sheet

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

• 2021 Fish Art Contest.

  Release Date: Dec 2, 2020  

• USDA Launches AskUSDA to Improve and Streamline Customer Experience

  Release Date: Nov 30, 2020  

• USDA Forest Service Invites Public Feedback by Nov. 30th

  Release Date: Nov 20, 2020  

Features

AT Trailheads & Access Points Reopen

Cleveland, TN, May 21, 2020 ––The USDA Forest Service will open a series of trailheads and access points to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail on May 22. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia, Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina, Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee and George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia will participate in the coordinated reopening. 

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