Recreation

From Big Frog Mountain to Watauga Lake, fifteen different areas offer unique opportunities, activities and experiences across the Cherokee National Forest.

Choose an activity of interest in the left menu under “Recreation” 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 Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Recreation Conditions Report

Area Name	Status	Area Conditions
Apalachia Powerhouse Launch		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Baby Falls Day Use Site		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Backbone Rock Recreation Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Big Bend		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Big Oak Cove Campground		This location is scheduled to re-open on June 4, 2020. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Birch Branch Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Bubbling Springs Range		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Cardens Bluff Campground		This location has re-opened on June 1, 2020.  Local managers are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Chestoa Recreation Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Childers Creek Trailhead		Open year-round.
Chilhowee Recreation Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Conasauga River Blue Hole		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Dam Creek Walk-In Campground and Picnic Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Davis Branch Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Dennis Cove Recreation Area		This location has re-opened on June 1, 2020.  Local managers are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Donley Cabin		Closed until further notice, due to damage to the bridge crossing North River, caused by flooding during the Easter Weekend storms.
East Parksville Boat Launch		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Hiwassee River Picnic Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Holder Cove Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Holly Flats		This location is scheduled to re-open on June 4, 2020. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Hood Mountain Overlook		Open year-round.
Horse Creek Recreation Area		Restroom and drinking water facilities are currently being repaired. These repairs are expected to be completed by June 29th.
Indian Boundary Overflow Campground		We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19.
Indian Boundary Recreation Area		This location is scheduled to re-open on June 4, 2020. Affected reservations from May 15 to June 3, 2020 have been cancelled and refunds have been issued. Local managers are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Jacobs Creek Recreation Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Jacobs Creek Shooting Range		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Jake Best Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Kings Slough Boat Launch		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Limestone Cove Day Use Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Little Milligan Boat Launch		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Little Oak Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Lost Corral Horse Camp		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Lost Creek Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Mac Point Beach		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
McNabb Group Camp		This location is scheduled to re-open on June 4, 2020. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
North River Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
North River Checking Station		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Ocoee Whitewater Center		Closed until further notice to safeguard the health of employees and the public. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19.
Old Forge Recreation Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Paint Creek Campground		Beginning July 17, 2020, all campsites at Paint Creek will be available for reservation on Recreation.gov.
Parksville Boat Launch		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Parksville Lake Campground		Parksville Group Campground will be open July 1 - Oct. 31, 2020. RV campground is open. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Pinnacle Mountain Lookout		Open year-round.
Pond Mountain Shooting Range		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Quinn Springs Pavilion		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Rat Branch Boat Launch		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Rock Creek Recreation Area		This location is scheduled to re-open on June 1, 2020. Affected reservations from May 15 to May 31, 2020 have been cancelled and refunds have been issued. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Rough Ridge Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Round Knob Picnic Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Round Mountain Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Sink Mountain Boat Ramp		Road to boat launch is closed due to storm damage.
Spivey Cove Campground		This location is scheduled to re-open on June 4, 2020. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
State Line Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Sylco Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
The Laurels Picnic Area		This location is open.  We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Thunder Rock Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Towee Creek Launch		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Tumbling Creek Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Walnut Grove Picnic Area		This location is scheduled to re-open on June 4, 2020. We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Watauga Point Picnic Area		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Young Branch Campground		We are changing our operations to follow guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates.

Spotlights

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. Most of the campsites are reservable by going to Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 for your convenience.

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.