Cherokee National Forest Camping Travel Guide

Cherokee National Forest Camping Travel Guide

Other Guides for Cherokee National Forest

Camping Destinations Near Cherokee National Forest

Travel Guides In Cherokee National Forest

Southeast Camping States/Provinces

Parks and Outdoors Travel Destinations

Rafting the upper Ocoee River, Tennessee
Olympic run of the upper Ocoee River, Tennessee (Ron Roman/courtesy, Nantahala Outdoor Center)

On This Page:

Cherokee National Forest Camping Travel Tips

By Travel Expert: Johnny Molloy

  • This national forest, abutting both ends of the Smokies, offers scenic camping destinations aplenty for tenters and RVers, from more developed facilities such as Indian Boundary Lake to primitive drive-up locales in the primeval forest, like Round Mountain. The settings are varied as well—you can camp by a crashing white-water stream or in the high country.
  • Little Oak offers waterside overnighting. Set on a peninsula, it is literally surrounded by South Holston Lake, from which rise mountains, giving you not only an aquatic perspective but also a backdrop of mountain finery. The campsites themselves are well-maintained and well-kept.
  • It is hard to argue against Watauga Lake being the most beautiful in the Southern Appalachians. Cardens Bluff Campground is situated on million dollar property overlooking this clear trout-filled impoundment, above which the Appalachian Trail travels. A recent facelift has made a good place even better.
  • Rock Creek Campground is an historic destination. Originally developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the deep woods setting offers walk-in campsites for tenters and larger sites for RVers. There's plenty to do nearby, including fishing and swimming in the natural pool, scenic driving, and visiting Rock Creek Falls in the adjoining Unaka Mountain Wilderness.
  • Combine a cool respite with outdoor activities at well-maintained Chilhowee Mountain. Pedal the trail system centered around Benton Falls, or paddle the wild whitewater of the world famous Ocoee River, or simply relax in the still waters of Lake Ocoee. Two nearby wildernesses offer quieter escapes.
  • Indian Boundary is one of the best campgrounds in the entire Southeast. The facilities are top-notch in a natural setting that can't be beat. The large camps are spaced well from one another, yet the campground as a whole is ideally situated to enjoy the Cherohala Skyway with its magnificent views, Citico Creek Wilderness—a mini-Smokies—and the campground lake, which offers boating and fishing.

Cherokee National Forest Overview

The long swath of Cherokee National Forest follows the ancient ridges of the southern Appalachian Mountains along the border of eastern Tennessee, interrupted only by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though the Smokies get the lion's share of attention, the Cherokee's latticework of wicked whitewater, misty waterfalls, and winding footpaths has a charm that makes it arguably an equal of its more famous, national-park neighbor. Read More

Photos

Photo Galleries
Screensavers

Hotels

Holly Flats

Cherokee National Forest
Tellico Plains, TN Map

Distance: 79.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

LeConte Lodge

250 Apple Valley Road
Sevierville, TN 37862 Map

Distance: 32.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
3.0

Abrams Creek Campground

Happy Valley
Maryville, TN Map

Distance: 55.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
All Cherokee National Forest Hotels »
advertisement

compare rates

Attractions

Clingmans Dome

expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
c/o Great Smoky Mountains National Park,107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738

Distance: 31.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Nolichucky River Gorge

expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Cherokee National Forest (TN) and Pisgah National Forest (NC)


Distance: 36.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Nolichucky River Gorge stretches for 110 miles and offers Class I-IV whitewater. ... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Cades Cove

expert favorite attraction Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
c/o Cades Cove Visitor Center, Cades Cove Loop
Townsend, Tennessee 37882

Distance: 50.2 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

Cades Cove is a lush valley surrounded by mountains and IS one of the most popular destinations... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0
All Cherokee National Forest Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Cherokee National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Charlotte Douglas Airport 124.1 map Flight Deals to CLT
Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 171.5 map Flight Deals to ATL
Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport 172.3 map Flight Deals to GSO

Other Smaller Airports near Cherokee National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Asheville Regional/Hendersonville Airport 38.3 map
Knoxville Mc Ghee Tyson Airport 55.2 map
Bristol/Johnson City/Kingsport Tri-Cities Regional Airport 56.1 map

Flight Deals to Cherokee National Forest

Originating From
Nashville (BNA) to Charlotte (CLT) $143
Orlando (ORL) to Charlotte (CLT) $150
Pittsburgh (PIT) to Charlotte (CLT) $160
Baltimore (BWI) to Charlotte (CLT) $164
Rochester, NY (ROC) to Charlotte (CLT) $175

Feature Articles

See All Feature Articles on Cherokee National Forest »

Trip Ideas

Other Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

Paddling: Road and Rail Journeys:
»  All Parks and Outdoors Guides
advertisement
take me fishing
Select a state: