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Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park encompasses more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber, the park beckons those who enjoy nature at her finest. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Other waterfalls within the park include Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30.
In 1937, the federal government began purchasing the badly eroded land around Fall Creek Falls. The following year, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began restoring the forest and constructing park facilities. A few years later in 1944, the National Park Service transferred ownership of the park to the State of Tennessee.
Fall Creek Falls features 30 cabins, 222 campsites, and the 85-room Lodge Fall Creek Falls. Backcountry camping is also available with a permit.
The park is home to a variety of activities suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to the base of Fall Creek Falls. There are two long-distance overnight trails for adventure-seeking visitors while the day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities for all ages. More than 56 miles of trails can be explored.
$8 - $32 / night
$35 - $85 / night
Over 2 million visitors annually come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove and its many historic structures. Popular activities here include hiking, biking, touring the 11-mile Cades Cove loop road and observing wildlife. Whether blanketed in bright wildflowers in the spring or vivid colors in the fall, the scenery at Cades Cove never disappoints.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise and visitors to Cades Cove Campground love the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abram Falls. From Cades Cove Loop Road, follow the signage at the turnoff for directions to the trailhead. Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream. A nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, offering recreational activities for the entire family. Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271.
The park holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from the Cades Cove loop road. Townsend, located about nine miles away, offers full service grocery stores and fuel.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (865) 448-4103 for general information.
If you plan to arrive at a date later than your arrival date you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to avoid a cancellation to your reservation. If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to receive a refund. Rules and reservation policies can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies
$30 / night
Over 2 million visitors annually come to enjoy the scenic beauty of Cades Cove and its many historic structures, popular biking and hiking trails and scenic waterfalls and streams. Tucked in the mountains under a lush, shaded canopy, this group campground offers the best that the Great Smoky Mountains National park has to offer.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a hikers paradise and visitors to Cades Cove Campground love the 5-mile roundtrip hike to Abram Falls. From Cades Cove Loop Road, turnoff at the sign and follow the directions to the trailhead. Although Abrams Falls is only 20 feet high, the large volume of water rushing over falls more than makes up for its lack of height. The long, deep pool at its base is very picturesque. The trail to the falls traverses pine-oak forest on the ridges and hemlock and rhododendron forest along the creek. The waterfall and creek are named for Cherokee Chief Abram or Abraham whose village once stood several miles downstream. A nearby horse stable provides one-hour horseback rides as well as hay rides and carriage rides from March through October, offering recreational activities for the entire family. Campers can also enjoy high-quality backcountry fishing in the cool waters of the countless streams and rivers that snake through the mountains, with trout available in abundance.
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible. For hundreds of years Cherokee Indians hunted in Cades Cove but archeologists have found no evidence of major settlements. The first Europeans settled in the cove sometime between 1818 and 1821. By 1830 the population of the area had already swelled to 271.
The park holds one of the best collections of log buildings in the eastern United States. Over 90 historic structures, including houses, barns, outbuildings, churches, schools and grist mills, have been preserved or rehabilitated in the park, a few of which are easily accessible from the Cades Cove Loop Road. Townsend, located about nine miles away, offers full service grocery stores and fuel.
If you plan to arrive at a date later than your arrival date you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to avoid a cancellation to your reservation. If you wish to cancel your reservation the day of your arrival you MUST contact the campground office 865-448-4103 in order to receive a refund. Rules and reservation policies can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
$50 / night
Toqua Campground has Premium RV sites, Standard RV sites, and Primitive Cabins. All RV sites are full hookup.
$49 - $69 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Young Branch Campground is situated near Citico Creek. It is one of Cherokee National Forest's two horse campgrounds. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, hiking, fishing and rafting. Recreation Young Branch is situated near the Little Citico Horse Trails, a system of more than 15 miles of trails that mostly follow old Forest Service and logging roads, along ridgelines and over creeks. Citico Creek offers plenty of fishing and rafting opportunities. Facilities This primitive campground has seven accessible, equestrian campsites available for reservations. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, grill and lantern post. Vault toilets are provided. No water or electric hookups are available. Horses may drink from Citico Creek. A corral and 25 horse stalls with feeding bins are provided. Horses must be kept in the corral, stalls or in trailers and are not permitted in campsites, tied to trees or in the grass. Manure must be placed in provided manure bins before departure. Natural Features The campground is set in a densely wooded area about 100 yards from Citico Creek, within the Cherokee National Forest in eastern Tennessee. The forest stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol, along the North Carolina border. Cherokee is Tennessee's only national forest. It covers 650,000 acres in the heart of the Southern Appalachians and is home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, as well as many rivers, creeks and lakes. Elevations range from 750 to 5,500 feet. Nearby Attractions Vonore, Tennessee is approximately 20 miles from the campground and makes for an interesting day trip for its rich Native American archeological history. The town contains the nearest telephone, gas and food. ADA Access: N
$15 / night
Cottonwood Patch Campground is a multi-use campground focused primarily on equestrian camping, but welcomes traditional "car" camping. The campground is located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in the Alaculsy Valley of the Cohutta Mountains in north Georgia. Cottonwood Patch Campground is a quaint campground found along the Conasauga River, just above its junction with the Jacks River. Mixed hardwood forest surrounds the campground. The campground is partially shaded most of the summer with planted cottonwoods and sawtooth oaks. Average daytime summer temperatures are in the mid-80s with average daytime winter temperatures in the 50s.__ In the late 1800s into the 1930s, Alaculsy Valley was a thriving community. The valley contained homes, farms, a church, a post office, a grist mill, a school, cemeteries, and possibly a furnace for smelting iron. Across the Jacks River, in Tennessee, were other similar communities, a Civilian Conservation Corps work camp, and the location of the original U.S. Forest Service facility that managed the area. Some of the most development in the area was during the logging boom of the early 1900s. This area was the main hub for logging operations in the Cohutta Mountains. Train tracks followed the Conasauga and Jacks Rivers deep into the mountains. Lumbermen in logging camps far back in the mountains would cut timber and have it loaded onto flat cars. These loaded railroad cars would be pulled by the powerful Shay locomotives owned by the Conasauga River Lumber Company to its mill in Conasauga, Tennessee. Once an area was logged, the camp buildings would be loaded up onto the flat cars by small steam cranes and unloaded at the next area prepared for a camp. The Conasauga Trail in Tennessee follows the old railroad bed downstream and the Jacks River Trail in Georgia follows the old railroad bed upstream into the Cohutta Wilderness.__ Looking at the area today, one would never know such development once existed. The U.S. Forest Service, along with partnerships with other agencies and organizations, work together to manage the National Forest lands.__ Recreation activities around the Cottonwood Patch Campground include camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding (visitors must provide their own horses). Hunting and fishing regulations are set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The Cottonwood Patch Campground not only serves as a place to rest and relax by the campfire, but it serves as a base camp for activities located throughout the National Forest, such as hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and birdwatching.__ Cottonwood Patch Campground is a popular area for equestrian users. The start of the Iron Mountain trail is located in the campground. The trail can be used by both horse riders and hikers. Horses are permitted on numbered Forest Service Roads that are both open to traffic and gated. Please be aware and mindful of vehicular traffic on Forest Service Roads.__ Hunting is also a popular activity near the Cottonwood Patch Campground area. The 96,583 acre Cohutta Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a cooperatively managed area within the boundaries of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service and Georgia Department of Natural Resources work together to provide hunters opportunities to harvest bear, deer, wild hog, and various species of small game. The Georgia DNR maintains the majority of wildlife openings/food plots, conduct wildlife surveys, and set the hunting regulations. The U.S. Forest Service manages the receation facilities, roads, vegetation, fire, vegetation, and general forest. When hiking or riding horses during hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and be aware that hunters are out legally participating in their version of recreational activities.__ Amateur naturalists can have a great time seeking out non-game species, such as birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, along with hundreds of species of plants to check off their life lists.
The Cottonwood Patch Campground not only serves as a place to rest and relax by the campfire, but it serves as a base camp for activities located throughout the National Forest, such as hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and birdwatching.__ Cottonwood Patch Campground is a popular area for equestrian users. The start of the Iron Mountain trail is located in the campground. The trail can be used by both horse riders and hikers. Horses are permitted on numbered Forest Service Roads that are both open to traffic and gated. Please be aware and mindful of vehicular traffic on Forest Service Roads.__ Hunting is also a popular activity near the Cottonwood Patch Campground area. The 96,583 acre Cohutta Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a cooperatively managed area within the boundaries of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service and Georgia Department of Natural Resources work together to provide hunters opportunities to harvest bear, deer, wild hog, and various species of small game. The Georgia DNR maintains the majority of wildlife openings/food plots, conduct wildlife surveys, and set the hunting regulations. The U.S. Forest Service manages the receation facilities, roads, vegetation, fire, vegetation, and general forest. When hiking or riding horses during hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and be aware that hunters are out legally participating in their version of recreational activities.__ Amateur naturalists can have a great time seeking out non-game species, such as birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, along with hundreds of species of plants to check off their life lists.
Cottonwood Patch Campground is located in the Georgia mountains near the Tennessee/Georgia state line. It is surrounded by thousands of acres of national forest, free flowing mountain rivers, and babbling streams. It is located along the Conasauga River and near the border of the the Cohutta Wilderness.__ The Conasauga River watershed is one of the most ecologically diverse watersheds in the United States. This watershed contains 76 species of fish, more than the entire Columbia and Colorado Watersheds combined. Rare crayfish, mollusks, and even the Federally Endangered Blue Shiner are found in the Conasauga River. The U.S. Forest Service along with conservation partners annually place spawning logs in the river to provide habitat for Blue Shiners.__ Adjacent to Cottonwood Patch Campground is the 45,000 acre Cohutta/Big Frog Wilderness (the largest Federally Designated Wilderness Area east of the Mississippi River). The Cohutta Wilderness contains 91 miles of arduous backpacking trails. The 1964 Wilderness Act requires Federally established Wilderness Areas to maintain a wild character about them. Wilderness trails are maintained by volunteers, Forestry Technicians, and partner organizations. Directed by the Wilderness Act, trails are cleared using traditional hand tools, such as crosscut saws and sling blades. The use of gas powered and mechanized equipment is prohibited, even for forest managers in the Cohutta Wilderness. These trails are minimally managed and minimally marked, keeping with Wilderness character. These trails are not meant for simple strolls through the forest. Trails are frequently blocked by trees and undergrowth, making them difficult to follow at times. Orienteering skills using terrain features, map, and compass are extremely important and essential in the Cohutta Wilderness, as GPS is unreliable and not recommended.__ An array of colorful wildflowers can be found throughout spring and summer months. In spring, the beautiful purple/blue flowers of Virginia Bluebells can be found in large colonies along the Conasauga River. Numerous trilliums carpet the forest floor. Wild Geraniums, Blood Root, Mayapple and many other wildflowers provide flashes of color to the the new spring forest. Summer gives way to asters, rhododendron, and other flowers, providing a splash of color until the changing leaves provide the color in fall. Please only look at wildflowers, do not pick them.
Conasauga River Blue Hole: The Conasauga River has an array of colorful and unique fish species. The best way to see them is to get in the water with them. The Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee maintains a small picnic area and snorkeling area located 1.5 miles north of Cottonwood Patch Campground in Tennessee. Visitors can either snorkel on their own (provide your own equipment) or take a guided tour with the Cherokee National Forest. For guided tours and more infomation visit the Cherokee National Forest at the following link. Conasauga River Blue Hole__ Directions: Turn left out of the campground onto Forest Service Road 16. Follow FSR 16 for 3/4 mile. Cross the metal Jacks River Bridge and turn left onto Sheeds Creek Road. Follow Sheeds Creek road 3/4 mile until reaching the entrance to the Conasauga River Blue Hole parking lot on the left.__ Sumac Creek Shooting Range (Digital Fee Area, see Recreation.gov page): A U.S. Forest Service shooting range provided to hone your shooting skills. You must provide your own firearm, ammunition, and targets. For more information visit: Sumac Creek Shooting Range__ Directions: Leaving the campground, turn right onto Forest Road 16. Follow this road for approximately 7 miles. The entrance to the shooting range is on the left where gravel road turns back into pavement.
$8 / night
$10 - $25 / night
Ranger
Approx 20 miles from main visitor center. The scenic drive increases congestion and traffic. Camp store is near campsites. Also a ranger station. Several hiking trails are accessible from campground. All driveways shaded, paved, and level. Very pleasant place. Only negative is the requirement to check in between 9-10:00 am the following day if one arrived later than check in time, which caused me to change hiking plans.
Scout
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Ranger
We arrived and we got to pick out our own campsite. Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff. Bathrooms were clean and the showers were warm water beautiful tall trees provided shade. Scenic Drive was stunning.
Scout
Visiting in 2 weeks
TravelerIf you're looking for peace and quiet, then this is the place to be. Had numerous sightings of wildlife even in the campground. Note... Do not forget to remove the drip pan on the Blackstone!!!! Doing so just erritates the bears.
RangerReally enjoyed our one night stay at Cades Cove. Make sure to check the campsite descriptions if you need a level site. Some are a bit close together. Heated bathrooms!
Guide
Very nice CG with picnic tables, pit toilet and trash can. I saw 3 copper heads at the creek.
Guide
Level spots with picnic tables. Not directly on the river but is accessible. A lot of equestrians stay here but anyone can. It does have a pit toilet that was maintained.
TravelerWe have spent only one night here and we enjoyed every bit of it. It was so quiet and dark in the late evening really what we needed to have a family campfire getaway.
GuideOur spot was near bathroom and the area was clean. Good hikes nearby. I had good cell reception as well with Verizon so was able to watch a little college football on Saturday.m
GuideWonderful place, hot water, clean sites. They have a daily trash service and several stores to visit
TravelerThis is a very clean, gated campground located right on the lake with available boat slips to rent during your stay. This is a very open campground with very few trees. The sites are concrete and gravel.
LegendCades Cove:
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer)
Overall Rating: 3
Price 2023: $15 w America The Beautiful
Usage during visit: Packed.
Site Privacy: Tightly packed.
Site Spacing: Most sites are close
Site surface: Blacktop
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Low
Road Noise: None. Not near main road
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: At toilet facilities.
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Yes. Flush toilets
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: some
Cell Service (AT&T):
Setting: Open with some woods. Not pretty in my opinion. Nearby driving loop w trails is well worth the stay over.
Weather: 70s and low 80s
Bugs: Not bad
Solar: There are enough trees to interfere w fixed roof panels.
Host: Around. They do no regulate offenses as tightly as I’d expected.
Sites: B+ (door side more private w thick shrubbery & pretty private back: 68, 80, 83, 43, 45,46 47,48,50 , 16. 4, 5, 21
B- (door points to corner but shrubbery is open, and private in back) 70 , 18, 42,1. - still better than most sites .
C. Back of site a bit more private: 72,81, 84, 85, 44, 60,62,
Most others are at least semi private to rear only
GuideBeautiful park with lots of activities for kids. The hiking trails were well maintained but vary in difficulty (easy to moderate; side trails to overlooks steep and rocky). Over 200 rv sites, most are close to each other; plan ahead to get a good site. We reserved a year in advanced and at that time no full hook ups were available. The park is a top visited park in TN - it’s crowded.
GuideCades coves was a good campground for our first visit to the smoky mountains. The sites were pretty close to each other but the store was convenient and awesome proximity when we biked the loop. Far drive from all of the other hikes and adventures we did.
RangerMy dog and I enjoyed 4 nights here. The sites are well spaced and the tent pad is even. The bathrooms could use an update but I was just happy they’re flush toilets! There are no showers. There is no cell service with T-Mobile. The rangers are friendly and the campground is clean. Cades Cove loop is within a short distance and I saw bears every day as well as turkey and deer.
RangerMy dog and I enjoyed 4 nights here! The sites are well spaced and the tent pad is nice and even. The bathroom could use an update but I’m happy they were flush toilets because that means no smell! There is no cell service with T-Mobile, so have a good book, downloaded shows, crossword book, or what have you. Cades Cove Loop is very close and I saw turkeys and bears every day on the loop- I heard a turkey in the campground but never saw him; also heard coyotes every night.
ScoutClean, quiet campground with bike rentals available. The loop is extremely close by and offers lots of wildlife and nature to take in.
Absolutely no service with Verizon so be prepared with a good book or downloaded shows if you need.
RangerAbsolutely loved this park! Our site was an ADA and it was excellent. Lots of trails, waterfalls, and a great nature center.
GuideBeautiful drive in. Clean campground, flush toilets and friendly people around, lots of smiles as people pass by.
TravelerThere are a lot of very different camp sites. It’s good to do your research to see for the site is laid out. Some are drive through and others are back in. It is very close to excellent hiking. Bring your bikes to discover more of the park.
ScoutEnjoyed our visit. Beautiful views
TravelerThis was a beautiful little spot next to a creek. There are 5 sites in all. It was a Monday in August, and there were two spots available.
There was a pit toilet with plenty of toilet paper and it was quite clean.
There's also a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box.
Lastly, the road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns. And then the driveway to and from the camp area is quite steep. Our 2WD (front wheel drive) Honda Passport struggled to get back up it on our way out, and we had to hit the steepest part with some speed to make it out.
We saw a van/bus dweller there, but just know what you're getting into.
GuideThere is so much to do as soon as you get there. Plenty of hikes and water activities. The falls are beautiful with so many risky lookout points. Will definitely be back!
GuideCades Cove is awesome. The loop can be hiked, biked, or driven by car. The loop is the real attraction and it's a really great experience with the history and things to see.
The gift shop is the best I've been in for a campground. There is a restruant that sells food inside, and the part I loved was that It sold ice cream. It closed at 5pm, so I only got it once.
The pavilion has good WIFI.
The bathroom in our area must have had something wrong as it looked clean but smelled horrible. Other bathrooms didn't have this issue.
Our site C55 was so close to the neighbors I would not recommend that site. Some sites did not have this issue, but that campground really packs people in pretty close.
I really loved the trip there, and would recommend it, especially if you don't stay in c55, and they somehow figure out how to clear up that horrible smell in the bathroom near c55. haha.
Lots and lots of fireflies each night. My son loved it.
LegendLoved our site that backed up to a large field with playground!!! Perfect for families with kids that want to play while still having access to your rig. AMAZING hiking and views of the falls! Well worth the hike to the floor of the falls.
RangerThey have gravel lots that are somewhat level. We stayed at site 104. People before us absolutely left a mess. But with that being said the lake is beautiful. We didn't see the beach till the last day we were there unfortunately. But it look like an awesome area. There is a Beach area with volleyball. We didn't have much luck fishing but we tried anyway. Always relaxing. Awesome place we're going to stay in 114 next time if we can get it
Tennessee offers fantastic opportunities for horse camping, allowing equestrians to explore beautiful trails while enjoying the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Athens, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Athens, TN is Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 144 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Athens, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Athens, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
