Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Vacations

Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Other Guides for Cherokee National Forest

Parks and Outdoors Destinations In or Near Cherokee National Forest

Travel Guides In Cherokee National Forest

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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)

Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Highlights

By Travel Expert: Johnny Molloy
  • The 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's arguably the equal of its national-park neighbor.
  • Cherokee 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.
  • 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.
  • Though off-road driving experiences are limited in the Cherokee, just beyond the North Carolina border beside the Tellico River, is the Upper Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle area. This is most easily accessed from the Tennessee side of the mountains and thus is a primary destination.

Hotels

expert favorite hotel
Holly Flats
Cherokee National Forest
Tellico Plains, TN
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 79.8 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel
expert favorite hotel
LeConte Lodge
250 Apple Valley Road
Sevierville, TN 37862
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 32.4 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite hotel
Abrams Creek Campground
Happy Valley
Maryville, TN
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 55.8 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel
All Cherokee National Forest Hotels
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Clingmans Dome
c/o Great Smoky Mountains National Park,107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738 Map
Distance: 31.4 Miles (from destination center)
Description:

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest... Read More

Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite attraction
Nolichucky River Gorge
Cherokee National Forest (TN) and Pisgah National Forest (NC)
Map
Distance: 36.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description: The Nolichucky River Gorge stretches for 110 miles and offers Class I-IV whitewater. ... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel Active and Adventure travel
expert favorite attraction
Trout Streams
Distance: 27.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Literally hundreds of miles of trout streams... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
Traveler Rating
Not Yet Rated
Recommended for:
Parks and Outdoors travel
All Cherokee National Forest Attractions

Feature Articles

More Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (31)
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Trip Ideas

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Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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