Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Parks and Outdoors Destinations In or Near Cherokee National Forest

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Rafting the upper Ocoee River, Tennessee
Olympic run of the upper Ocoee River, Tennessee (Ron Roman/courtesy, Nantahala Outdoor Center)
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Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Tips

By 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.

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

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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
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
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
3.0

The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa

290 Macon Avenue
Asheville, NC 28804 Map

Distance: 29.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
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Attractions

Chattooga River

expert favorite attraction
160A Zillico Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

Distance: 28.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Chattooga River forms the boundary between South Carolina and Georgia and is the main tributary... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0

Unto These Hills

expert favorite attraction
Mountainside Theater on Drama Rd; US Highway 441 N., Cherokee Indian Reservation
Cherokee, North Carolina 28719

Distance: 25.7 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Unto these Hills is an outdoor drama that depicts the history of the Cherokee tribe from the... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

expert favorite attraction
Nantahala National Forest
c/o Cheoah Ranger District, Route 1, Box 16A, Massey Branch Road
Robbinsville, North Carolina 28771

Distance: 57.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is a 3800-acre virgin forest that is part of the 17,000-acre Joyce... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Cherokee National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Charlotte Douglas Airport 124.1 map
Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport 171.5 map
Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport 172.3 map

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
Baltimore (BWI) to Charlotte (CLT) $104
Orlando (ORL) to Charlotte (CLT) $143
New York City (NYC) to Charlotte (CLT) $144
Philadelphia (PHL) to Charlotte (CLT) $157
Buffalo (BUF) to Charlotte (CLT) $158

Feature Articles

More Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (2) »
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Trip Ideas

Cherokee National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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