About the Area

Tennessee’s only National Forest, the Cherokee is located in 10 East Tennessee counties from Chattanooga to Bristol.  The Forest covers approximately 660,000 acres and lies along the state’s border with North Carolina.  The Cherokee is comprised of four ranger districts, two of which lie south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and two are located north of the Park (North Zone & South Zone).  We also have a Job Corp Center located on the north end of the Forest.  The Forest lies entirely within the Southern Appalachian Mountains with elevations ranging from approximately 1200’ to over 5000’.  The Cherokee National Forest employs approximately 155 employees.

The Cherokee National Forest is internationally known for its scenic beauty and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.  The Forest is home to 30 developed campgrounds and as many picnic areas, over 700 miles of trails, seven whitewater rivers, two Forest Service scenic byways, and the Ocoee Whitewater Center (OWC).  The Supervisor’s Office is located in Cleveland, Tennessee.  Cleveland is a community of approximately 40,000 people and lies 35 miles east of Chattanooga, TN.  In 2013 and again in 2015, Outside Magazine readers voted Chattanooga as America’s “Best Town Ever” for an active, outdoor lifestyle.