Cherokee National Forest Camping Articles

Cherokee National Forest Guide: Camping

Cherokee National Forest Highlights

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.

By Travel Expert: Johnny Molloy