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Recreation
Discover an Area by Activity
From Big Frog Mountain to Watauga Lake, fifteen different areas offer unique opportunities, activities and experiences across the Cherokee National Forest.
Select an Activity of interest above or begin exploring the Recreation Map below. Click on the symbols to view recreation opportunities featured throughout the National Forest.
Enjoy your visit to the Cherokee National Forest.
Current Recreation Conditions
| Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Apalachia Powerhouse Launch | None | |
| Appalachian National Scenic Trail | None | |
| Baby Falls Day Use Site | Open | |
| Backbone Rock Recreation Area | Open | Backbone Rock Campground is open for the 2023 season. The Backbone Rock Large Pavilion is open for reservations. The vault toilets at the day use area is open. |
| Big Bend | None | |
| Big Oak Cove Campground | Open | |
| Birch Branch Campground | Open | |
| Bubbling Springs Range | Open | |
| Cardens Bluff Campground | Open | Cardens Bluff Campground is open for the 2023 season. |
| Chestoa Recreation Area | Open | |
| Childers Creek Trailhead | None | Open year-round. |
| Chilhowee Recreation Area | Open | |
| Conasauga River Blue Hole | Open | |
| Dam Creek Walk-In Campground and Picnic Area | Open | |
| Davis Branch Campground | Open | |
| Dennis Cove Recreation Area | Open | Dennis Cove Campground is open for the 2023 season. |
| Donley Cabin | Closed | Closed until further notice, due to damage to the bridge crossing North River, caused by flooding during the Easter Weekend 2020 storms. |
| Dudley Falls | None | |
| East Parksville Boat Launch | Open | |
| Hiwassee River Picnic Area | None | |
| Holder Cove Campground | Open | |
| Holly Flats | Open | |
| Hood Mountain Overlook | None | Open year-round. |
| Horse Creek Recreation Area | Open | |
| Indian Boundary Overflow Campground | Open | 9/22/23 - Indian Boundary beach, picnic area and bath house will be closed due to a water leak. |
| Indian Boundary Recreation Area | Temporarily Closed | 9/22/23 - Indian Boundary beach, picnic area and bath house will be closed due to a water leak. |
| Jacobs Creek Recreation Area | Open | Jacobs Creek Recreation Area is open. You are in Bear Country. Please adhere to the Cherokee National Forest Food and Refuse Storage Requirements. |
| Jacobs Creek Shooting Range | Open | |
| Jake Best Campground | Open | |
| Kings Slough Boat Launch | Open | |
| Limestone Cove Day Use Area | Open | |
| Little Milligan Boat Launch | Open | |
| Little Oak Campground | Open | All loops are open. The showerhouse/flush bathrooms, dump station, and hydrants are all operational. PLEASE NOTE: Little Oak Campground is ONLY accessible via paved Camp Tom Howard Rd off of Hwy 421. The gravel road past Little Oak Campground is closed due to road construction. |
| Lost Corral Horse Camp | Open | |
| Lost Creek Campground | Open | |
| Mac Point Beach | Open | |
| McNabb Group Camp | Open | |
| North River Campground | Open | |
| North River Checking Station | Open | |
| Ocoee Whitewater Center | Open | 03/28/2023 - The upper parking lot and footprint of the Ocoee Whitewater Vistor Center remains closed, but the rest of the day use site and adjoining trails are open. |
| Old Forge Recreation Area | Open | |
| Overlook Picnic Area | None | |
| Paint Creek Campground | Open | |
| Paint Creek Corridor | None | |
| Paint Creek Picnic Area | None | |
| Parksville Boat Launch | Open | |
| Parksville Lake Campground | Open | |
| Pheasant Fields and TWRA Tellico Fish Hatchery | Open | |
| Pinnacle Mountain Lookout | None | Open year-round. |
| Pond Mountain Shooting Range | Open | |
| Quinn Springs Pavilion | Open | |
| Rat Branch Boat Launch | Open | |
| Rock Creek Recreation Area | Open | |
| Rough Ridge Campground | Open | |
| Round Knob Picnic Area | Open | |
| Round Mountain Campground | Open | |
| Shook Branch Beach | Closed | Shook Branch Swim Area has closed for the season. Other picnic areas nearby include Watauga Point and The Laurels. Other swim areas include Jacobs Creek Day Use Area. |
| Sink Mountain Boat Ramp | Closed | Road to boat launch is closed due to storm damage. |
| Spivey Cove Campground | Open | |
| Spring Creek Shooting Range | Open | |
| State Line Campground | Open | |
| The Laurels Picnic Area | Open | The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions is open for the season. |
| Thunder Rock Campground | Open | |
| Towee Creek Launch | None | |
| Tumbling Creek Campground | Open | |
| Walnut Grove Picnic Area | Open | |
| Watauga Point Picnic Area | Open | Watauga Point Recreation Area is now open and the bathrooms and sinks are open for the 2023 season. |
| Young Branch Campground | Open |
Spotlights
Dennis Cove Recreation Area
Dennis Cove Recreation Area is a secluded campground and picnic area alongside Laurel Fork Creek in Carter County. It includes a remote developed campground, popular with those seeking a rustic experience. The altitude, creekside location and lush forest surroundings make Dennis Cove particularly desirable during hot, summer months.
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.
Indian Boundary Recreation Area Map
Indian Boundary Recreation Area Guide
Little Oak Campground
Looking to camp near a large lake? Try Little Oak Recreation Area, located on a peninsula along the eastern shore of South Holston Lake in Sullivan County. In this campground, most of the 68 universally-accessible sites have lake views and many have direct access. Little Oak is a designated Watchable Wildlife Area with two interpretive trails. A concrete boat ramp provides a popular launch site into South Holston Lake, and is for use by registered campers and their guests only. Many of the campsites are reservable by going to Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 for your convenience.
Quick Links
Highlights
