Cherokee National Forest is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Cherokee National Forest, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$14 - $32 / night
"Large swimming pool, TONS of historical events around, hiking & river walks. Super clean and new bath houses as well. Honors Tennessee state discounts. If possible make reservations online."
"The drive in follows the TN “Sunnyside Early Country Trail” through picturesque farmland with mountains in the near distance. Do your shopping before arrival, there’s nothing close to the park."
"With mountains in the distance and the constant rush of the French Broad River, the setting is awesome. Even the occasional train whistle gives me a feeling of nostalgia and of simple days."
"The bathhouse (clean private showers and private bathrooms) was a 1/4 mile walk from our spot, but a Porta John was close by. Our particular spot had a lot of shade and easy access to the river."
$10 / night
"Having both RV and tent campgrounds, each with large fire pits and lantern stands, this peaceful creekside setting lies just beyond low mountain farms in the northern part of Greene County Tennessee."
"Nice trails."
"Nolichucky Gorge is right next to USA Raft, same road, same entrance to the left. Veteran owned and well maintained. The staff is friendly and professional. River view sites, other sites and cabins."
"This is a great spot located right next to USA Raft. There are a handful of tent only riverside camping spots with RV sites set back from the river."
"Conveniently located close to highway 81 and town!"
"Even though it's very close to the interstate, it was very quiet. We had a full hook up site, relatively level. It had a picnic table and fire ring."
$7 / night
"Good trails along the rolling hills and creeks. Very simple rustic site with very little facilities. Pros: very wooded and private large campsites, babbling creek, outhouses."
$75 / night
"Very close to many trails. Clean showers and bathrooms. Loved it."
"Came to stay at this campground because we wanted to do some hiking nearby that we haven't done in FOREVER!"
"The road intersects with the Appalachian trail so you might meet up with some thru hikers. I recommend walking all the way up to rich mountain fire tower."
"Good access and hand full of spots scattered around on NFR 31. Please pack in what you pack out."
GuideThis is a great spot along a mountain ridge. The dirt road goes for about 13 miles. Would recommend a 4x4, but I’ve seen all kinds of vehicles travel the entire road from minivans to Honda accords. There are plenty of spots to choose from. Some have great views of the valley and table top mountain and others are just nooks in the woods. The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am). Some sites are right off of the road which could get annoying from all the traffic of people going to the hiking trails nearby. And there are spots tucked away a bit off of the road where you really don’t notice trucks and cars driving by. Awesome place for a weekend getaway! Definitely going to visit again.
P.S. only 4 stars because there are only about 3-5 sites with a great view!
TravelerI had a very cute camp spot up in the woods away from the road it was number 50 it was so cute and quieter than the rest of the spots. It also had two fire pits one up by the tent area and one down by the picnic table
LegendWe are headed from Atlanta to Fredericksburg VA for a wedding. This is a very nice place for an overnight stop, probably one of the nicest for a KOA. Very clean and tidy campground. Mostly level, gravel sites. But some grass between sites! Some shade. Full hookups. Clean bathroom & shower. Pool, playground, driving range, big water slide. The internet is VERY slow. Also lots of road noise from I-81. Gift shop & convenient store in office. We’ve taken our travel trailer to 48 states, and have found KOAs generally convenient, but not much more. This place is definitely above average
ScoutFR 472 is closed at the Golf Course and there are hefty fines if you are caught walking beyond the gate. Black Mountain Campground was destroyed by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The bridge across the S. Toe River was broken and washed out. The water system is also destroyed as well as the road network in the campground. There have been no announcements by the Forest Service about plans to repair the facility and, after a year, my guess is that there never will be.
ScoutIt got only for stars because I can hear traffic from my campsite.
I was next to a brook, under a paw paw tree. It was safe, very friendly. The bath and shower house were clean and very nice for tent camping! Laundry room, firewood delivery.
TravelerWas a pretty nice camp site compared to a lot you just have to be aware of the people around you. Across from our campground there was another camper who seemed out of it who came up to us at 11:00pm and asked for tape for his tent. Also garbage bag and garbage on the ground at front of campsite. PEOPLE MAY NOT BE THE BEST AROUND YOU BUT THE SITES ARE GREAT!
TravelerStayed for one night as a stop over on our trip home. Easiest check in we have ever had. Pulled up to the staging area near the office and didn’t even have to get out of the truck. Guy came up on a golf cart and confirmed my name. Took us right to our spot which was a full hook up pull through. Site was gravel and completely level. A lot of full time campers here but that doesn’t bother us at all. Nice little pond to walk the dogs around or just sit and relax. There is no store or pool but we never use those anyway. There is a laundry on site and a good size area with grills and picnic tables to use if you want. Sure it’s not a KOA with all the amenities but for a stop over or even a few day stay it’s fine. And ONLY $39 a night ! Btw KOA right down the road wouldn’t accept our reservation because they require a 2 night minimum.
RangerThis campground was decent
Fishing pond has a lot of ducks and seaweed
Laundry room was nice and large - easy and quick to get 3 loads done
Waterfront site was fairly level and loved being able to walk down stairs to lake area
Pool was clean
Bathrooms had a gross smell to them
During our walk there was definitely a strong chemical smell around park - it was strange
There is a lot of airplane noise as it is close to airport
Overall it was clean and friendly staff
ScoutWe stayed in campsite #31. It's more than partially shaded. Cellular reception is fair. The sight is level. It was hard for me to back into with a 21' bumper pull. There is a campsite marker directly in front of the driveway that obstructs the backing angle. The temperature is cooler than in Erwin. Water hookups are scarce, there are three per loop. The camp host and rangers were very helpful and nice.
Camping near Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax in nature, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, there's something for everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Cherokee National Forest?
Cherokee National Forest offers several outstanding campgrounds for various preferences. Rock Creek Recreation Area stands out with its convenient location near the Appalachian Trail and Nolichucky River. It features levelish, semi-private wooded sites with electrical hookups in Loop B, making it popular with families. For a more secluded experience, Little Oak Campground provides stunning views from its hemlock loop and serves as an excellent waypoint between Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks. The 7-mile trek off the main road leads to one of East Tennessee's loveliest camping destinations. Other notable options include Horse Creek Recreation Area near Greeneville and Old Forge Recreation Area, both offering drive-in access and basic amenities.
Is dispersed camping allowed in Cherokee National Forest?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in Cherokee National Forest outside of developed recreation areas. This primitive camping option requires following Leave No Trace principles and forest regulations. Most dispersed camping is permitted along Forest Service roads at least 100 feet from water sources and 300 feet from developed recreation areas. No facilities are provided at dispersed sites, so campers must pack in water and pack out all waste. Rocky Fork State Park, which connects to Cherokee National Forest, offers access to more remote areas suitable for dispersed camping. The forest surrounding Horse Creek Recreation Area also provides dispersed camping opportunities. During fire season, restrictions may apply, and a free dispersed camping permit might be required in some areas. Always check with the nearest Ranger District office for current regulations before setting up camp.
What amenities are available at Cherokee National Forest camping areas?
Cherokee National Forest camping areas offer varying levels of amenities. Nolichucky Gorge Campground provides gravel pads suitable for vehicles up to 35 feet and basic restroom facilities, situated right on the Nolichucky River. For more developed options, Hot Springs Campground features reservable sites with water hookups, toilets, and accommodations for larger RVs. Most established campgrounds in the forest offer potable water, vault or flush toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Some sites have electrical hookups, while others remain more rustic. Shower facilities are limited to the more developed campgrounds. Cell service varies significantly throughout the forest, often being limited or non-existent in more remote areas. Most campgrounds provide access to hiking trails and water features like streams, rivers, or lakes.
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