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Indian Boundary Recreation Area
If you are looking for a base camp to explore the vicinity or a destination campground with modern facilities and a family atmosphere, try Indian Boundary Recreation Area (IBRA), accessed off Cherohala Skyway.
Over 87 campsites are equipped with firerings, picnic tables, lantern posts and electrical hookups, with easy access to drinking water, showers, flush toilet facilities and an on-site dump station.
Day use facilities include a 96-acre lake, swim beach, small boat launch, accessible fishing pier and 3.6 mile hike/bike trail around the lake. Did you forget something? Don't sweat it! The Indian Boundary Outpost can meet your camping supply needs ranging from bread to firewood, as well as a souvenir for you to remember your trip to IBRA.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | 9/22/23 - Indian Boundary beach, picnic area and bath house will be closed due to a water leak. |
|---|---|
| Reservations: |  |
| Area Amenities: | Accessible, Boat ramp, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Fee charged for some activities, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water, Parking |
| Fees: | $20 with Electric (87 sites). Day use fees for beach, picnic area, and picnicking in the Overflow Campground are $3 per vehicle. If camping at IBRA, there is no additional day use fee. Senior Pass and Access Pass (formally Golden Age and Golden Access passes) receive half off camping fee - this does not include electric and water hook ups. Thus, total fee for Indian Boundary Campsites are $15 with these passes per night. |
| Open Season: | 4/19/2023 - 11/1/2023 |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Busiest Season: | June - October |
| Restrictions: |
|
| Closest Towns: | Tellico Plains, TN. Visit the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce HERE. |
| Water: | Drinking Water |
| Restroom: | Flush and Vault Toilets, showers, and Dump Station |
| Passes: |  |
| Operated By: | Forest Service Volunteer Campground Hosts help manage the area and can provide visitor information. |
| Information Center: | Campground hosts greet visitors as they arrive, inform them of the campground regulations and assist them with their campsite. |
General Information
Directions: From Interstate 75 - take Exit 60, turn south on TN 68 for approximately 30 miles. In Tellico Plains, turn left on TN 165 (Cherohala Skyway) for approximately 17 miles. Turn left onto FR 345. Follow signs in to Indian Boundary Recreation Area.Activities
Mountain Biking
Recreation areas with activity Mountain Biking:Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping: IBRA offers camping opportunities for tents and RVs.| No. of Sites | 87 |
| Reservation Info | All sites are reservable and can be reserved 5-180 days in advance. For reservations, call Reserve America at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov |
| Fire Information | There is a grill/fire ring at each campsite. |
| No. of Accessible sites | 85 |
RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:| No. of Sites | 87 |
| Pavement Type for Parking | Main road is asphalt, Campsites are graveled. |
| Reservation Info | All sites are reservable and can be reserved 5-180 days in advance. For reservations, call Reserve America at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov |
| Hookup - Water | No |
| Hookup - Sewer | No |
| Size Restrictions | Maximum camper size <26 feet. |
| Dump Stations | Yes |
| Fire Information | There are accessible fire rings at each campsite. |
| Hookups - Electric | Yes. Sites 1-71 are 20/30 amp breakers; Sites 73-91 are 50 amp breakers. |
| No. of Accessible sites | 85 (Sites #69 and 75 are not accessible) |
Group Camping
Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking: Picnickers can use the grill and picnic tables at the IBRA Picnic Area, or stay cool under the Picnic Pavilion at the Swim Beach..Group Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:Swimming
Recreation areas with activity Swimming: Want to take a break from the heat? You can wade or swim into 8 feet of water at IBRA's swim beach! Please note that there is no life guard at the beach.Amenities
| Camping trailer: | |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables: | |
| Tent camping: | |
| Parking: | |
| Toilets: | |
| Fee charged for some activities: | |
| Accessible: | |
| Boat ramp: | |
| Drinking water: |
Alerts & Warnings
- FIRE RESTRICTIONS ON THE FOREST
- Road to Beauty Spot Scenic Overlook (aka Indian Grave Gap) closed
- Watauga Ranger District Office closed for renovations
- Closure Map for Bald River Falls Bridge replacement project
- Food and Refuse Food Requirements to Protect Bears
- Closures for Black Bear Fire are now open
- Tweed Springs Fire Roads and Trails Reopen
- Fireworks illegal on Cherokee National Forest
- Temporary road closure of Flatwoods Road