Recreation


A waterfall on the Cherokee National Forest

Discover an Area by Activity

Select an activity to find an area to visit.

Aftermath of Hurricane Helene Information/Closure Order for Unaka and Watauga Ranger Districts

The U.S. Forest Service closes access to Cherokee National Forest property in northern districts of Tennessee while first responders and officials continue disaster response.

The forest closure includes National Forest property in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties. Access to the National Forest is prohibited during this closure except for first responders and residents needing access to property. National Forest crews continue to assist search and rescue teams in these areas and are working to clear roads of debris.

All campgrounds and recreation areas on the South Zone of the forest are open at no fee for residents displaced from the hurricane.

Up to date alerts and warnings page.

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.

Be bear aware! Follow 'Food and Refuse Storage Requirements Closure Order' while camping and recreating.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Apalachia Powerhouse Launch None None
Appalachian National Scenic Trail None None
Baby Falls Day Use Site Closed Closed Baby Falls is currently inaccessible due to the construction of the new Bald River Falls Bridge. Tellico River Road is closed from the Tellico Ranger Station to the intersection of North River Road. Please follow detour routes.
Backbone Rock Recreation Area Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed BACKBONE ROCK CAMPGROUND AND PAVILIONS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  Backbone Rock Campground is open for the 2024 season.  The vault toilets at the day use areas are open.  Starting Nov 1, 2023 the Large reservable pavilion and the smaller non-reservable pavilion will be CLOSED due to Historic Preservation Repair. This closure will last until approx Monday, Sept 23, 2024.  Please familiarize yourself with the Food Storage Order.  
Big Bend None None
Big Oak Cove Campground Open Open
Birch Branch Campground Open Open
Bubbling Springs Range Closed Closed
Cardens Bluff Campground Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  Please familiarize yourself with the Food Storage Order.     
Chestoa Recreation Area Closed Closed
Childers Creek Trailhead None None Open year-round.
Chilhowee Recreation Area Open Open All flush bathrooms are now open. 
Conasauga River Blue Hole Open Open
Dam Creek Walk-In Campground and Picnic Area Open Open
Davis Branch Campground Open Open
Dennis Cove Recreation Area Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  Please famialize yourself with the Food Storage Order.     
Donley Cabin Closed 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 None
East Parksville Boat Launch Open Open
Hiwassee River Picnic Area None None
Holder Cove Campground Open Open
Holly Flats Open Open
Hood Mountain Overlook None None Open year-round.
Horse Creek Recreation Area Closed Closed Horse Creek Recreation Area is currently closed for construction. A reopening date for this season has not yet been determined. Horse Creek Pavilion is closed indefinitely due to unsafe structural conditions.
Indian Boundary Overflow Campground Open Open
Indian Boundary Recreation Area Open Open Go to recreation.gov for reservations & availability
Jacobs Creek Recreation Area Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed JACOBS CREEK CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  Jacobs Creek Recreation Area is open for the 2024 season.  You are in Bear Country. Please familiarize yourself and adhere to the Cherokee National Forest Food and Refuse Storage Requirements. 
Jacobs Creek Shooting Range Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed JACOBS CREEK SHOOTING RANGE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.
Jake Best Campground Open Open
Kings Slough Boat Launch Open Open
Limestone Cove Day Use Area Closed Closed
Little Milligan Boat Launch Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed LITTLE MILLIGAN BOAT LAUNCH IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  
Little Oak Campground Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed LITTLE OAK CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  You are in Bear Country.  Please familiarize yourself and adhere to the Food Storage Order.  
Lost Corral Horse Camp Open Open
Lost Creek Campground Open Open
Mac Point Beach Open Open
McNabb Group Camp Closed Closed Temporarily closed
North River Campground Open Open
North River Checking Station Open Open
Ocoee Whitewater Center Open Open The upper parking lot and footprint of the Ocoee Whitewater Visitor Center remains closed, but the rest of the day use site and adjoining trails are open.
Old Forge Recreation Area Closed Closed
Overlook Picnic Area None None
Paint Creek Campground Closed Closed
Paint Creek Corridor None None
Paint Creek Picnic Area None None
Parksville Boat Launch Open Open
Parksville Lake Campground Open Open
Pheasant Fields and TWRA Tellico Fish Hatchery Open Open
Pinnacle Mountain Lookout None None Open year-round.
Pond Mountain Shooting Range Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed POND MOUNTAIN SHOOTING RANGE IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  
Quinn Springs Pavilion Open Open
Rat Branch Boat Launch Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed
Rock Creek Recreation Area Closed Closed
Rough Ridge Campground Open Open
Round Knob Picnic Area Closed Closed
Round Mountain Campground Open Open
Shook Branch Beach Closed Closed Shook Branch Swim Area is closed for the season.  Other picnic areas nearby include The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions and Watauga Point Recreation Area .  Other swim areas include Jacobs Creek Day Use Area. 
Sink Mountain Boat Ramp Closed Closed Road to boat launch is closed due to storm damage.
Spivey Cove Campground Open Open
Spring Creek Shooting Range Open Open
State Line Campground Open Open
The Laurels Picnic Area Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed THE LAURELS PICNIC AREA PAVILIONS IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. 
Thunder Rock Campground Open Open Thunder Rock Campground is currently open. Power and water have been restored.
Towee Creek Launch None None
Tumbling Creek Campground Open Open
Walnut Grove Picnic Area Closed Closed Walnut Grove is currently inaccessible due to the construction of the new Bald River Falls Bridge. Tellico River Road is closed from the Tellico Ranger Station to the intersection of North River Road. Please follow detour routes.
Watauga Point Picnic Area Temporarily Closed Temporarily Closed WATAUGA POINT PICNIC AREA IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  The area is open between dawn and dusk.  Bathrooms and sinks are open for the season, and reservations for the covered pavilion and the Shady Area are active.  
Young Branch Campground Open Open

Spotlights

Dennis Cove Recreation Area

DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. 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

View of Indian Boundary Recreation Area in Cherokee National Forest

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 General Store 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

LITTLE OAK CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE.  CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.  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.  

Little Oak Campground Map

Alerts & Warnings

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