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.
Recreation Conditions Report
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Apalachia Powerhouse Launch | None | |
Appalachian National Scenic Trail | Open | |
Baby Falls Day Use Site | Open | |
Backbone Rock Recreation Area | Open | Backbone Rock Recreation Area is open for the 2022 season. |
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. |
Chestoa Recreation Area | Open | |
Childers Creek Trailhead | None | Open year-round. |
Chilhowee Recreation Area | Open | 5/24/22 - All sites and loops of Chilhowee Campground are now 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 2022 season. |
Donley Cabin | Closed | Closed until further notice, due to damage to the bridge crossing North River, caused by flooding during the Easter Weekend storms. |
Dudley Falls | None | |
East Parksville Boat Launch | None | |
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 | |
Indian Boundary Recreation Area | Open | |
Jacobs Creek Recreation Area | Open | Most of the campsites are now available for advanced reservations. Visit Recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777 to make a campsite reservation. |
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 in Little Oak Campground are open for the 2022 season. |
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 | 5/25/22 - The Cherokee National Forest, along with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), are working on reopening portions of the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Recreation areas, including all trails, and the lower lot will be opened to the public on Friday, May 27. Tennessee Valley Authority’s strobe and siren warning system were damaged during the fire and is no longer functional. TVA is working on restoring the warning system, but it could take several more weeks to complete. TVA has installed signage in the area alerting users of the potential for rapidly rising water. In the absence of the warning system, visitors to the area should exercise extreme caution if entering the river channel. Large amounts of water could be discharged at any time and without any warning. |
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 | None | |
Parksville Lake Campground | Open | 5/27/22 - Parksville RV Campground is open and fully functional. Parksville Group Campground is closed until further notice. |
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 | Open | Shook Branch Swim Area has closed for the 2021 season. It will re-open 5/9/22. |
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 2022 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 open for reservations. The bathrooms are open for the 2022 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. Many of the campsites are reservable by going to Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 for your convenience.