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Cherokee National Forest Overview
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Cherokee National Forest
Contact Details
Cherokee National Forest
2800 North Ocoee St
Cleveland, TN 37312
Phone: 423-476-9700
Cherokee National Forest
2800 North Ocoee St
Cleveland, TN 37312
Phone: 423-476-9700
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- A 150-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail meanders through the Cherokee National Forest, carving its way through thickets of rhododendron, grassy balds, and lush forest. In total, there are some 650 miles of footpaths to explore in the forest.
- Paddle the Ocoee River, a once-lazy stream that has been carefully modified into a channel to enhance its rapids. The Ocoee Whitewater Center burst onto the international scene during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when it hosted the slalom canoe and kayak events. Better still, it's not the only whitewater action in the forest—slip into the drink on the Nolichucky, French Broad, Tellico, Conasauga, and Hiwassee Rivers. Whitewater outfitters abound.
- Snorkel in the Conasauga, a slow-moving, silt-free river that provides snorkelers with a unique window into a freshwater world. Keep your eyes open for turtles, redeye bass, sunfish, the federally listed blue shiner, the amber darter, and the Conasauga logperch. Also scan the shallows for Alabama hogsuckers, stonerollers, and male darters. The Conasauga Fish Viewing Trail is located in the Ocoee Ranger District.
- Every year, officials stock the Hiwassee River with rainbow, brown, and brook trout in a 19-mile stretch downstream from the Appalachia Powerhouse. Anglers, spinners, and bait fishermen line up along the riverbanks in hopes of landing a 12-pound lunker. Although technique varies, expect to find big browns wallowing in the shoals and pools while prizefighting rainbows prefer the riffles and rapids.
- Mountain bike the 2.4-mile Old Copper Road Historic Trail, a route once used to haul copper ore from historic Ducktown to the trailhead in Cleveland, Tenn. The trail snakes its way along the Ocoee River, so expect to hear the roar of rapids as you pedal. Mountain bikes are also permitted on the gravel portions of the Red Leaf Trail (#144), Azalea Trail (#141), and Benton Falls Trail (#131), but check with each ranger district for current conditions and regulations.
- Cruise the Cherohala Skyway, a 40-mile scenic drive with the dubious distinction of being North Carolina's most expensive road. This two-laner traverses the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests—hence the name—and provides access to several trailheads along the way.
- 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.
Published: 6 Oct 2008 | Last Updated: 31 Oct 2012
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
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