Recreation


Discover an Area by Activity

Select an activity to find an area to visit.

Discover an Area by Activity

Tellico River

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 Open Open 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 Open Open
Cardens Bluff Campground Open Open Cardens Bluff Campground is open for the 2024 season.  Please familiarize yourself with the Food Storage Order.     
Chestoa Recreation Area Open Open
Childers Creek Trailhead None None Open year-round.
Chilhowee Recreation Area Open Open Benton Falls Trailhead and the Chilhowee Trail System is open, but all flush bathrooms are closed.
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 Open Open Dennis Cove Campground is open for the 2024 season.  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 Open Open 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 Open Open
Jake Best Campground Open Open
Kings Slough Boat Launch Open Open
Limestone Cove Day Use Area Open Open
Little Milligan Boat Launch Open Open
Little Oak Campground Open Open All loops are open for the season.  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 Open Open
Overlook Picnic Area None None
Paint Creek Campground Open Open
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 Open Open
Quinn Springs Pavilion Open Open
Rat Branch Boat Launch Open Open
Rock Creek Recreation Area Open Open
Rough Ridge Campground Open Open
Round Knob Picnic Area Open Open
Round Mountain Campground Open Open
Shook Branch Beach Open Open Shook Branch Swim Area is open for the 2024 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 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 Open Open The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions is open for the 2024 season.      
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 Open Open 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 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

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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Quick Links

Recreation Areas

Highlights

Black bear wandering in the field. USDA photo by William Welch.

Be Bear Wise Link opens in a Pdf Document