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Established Camping

Rock Creek Recreation Area

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Rock Creek Recreation Area, near Greeneville, Tennessee, is a charming spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. With spacious, mostly level sites and a serene atmosphere, it’s a great place to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

The campground boasts a natural swimming pool fed by Rock Creek, perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of hiking. Visitors often highlight the clean facilities, especially the bathhouses, which, while a bit dated, are generally well-maintained. As one camper noted, “Sites were level, gravel, nice bathrooms—beautiful area.”

For adventure seekers, the surrounding Cherokee National Forest offers a variety of hiking trails, including the popular Rock Creek Falls Trail, which provides stunning views and a chance to connect with nature. The area is also known for its old-growth forests and opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering.

While the campground is a peaceful retreat, it’s just a short drive from Greeneville, where you can find local dining options and attractions. Whether you’re camping in a tent or an RV, Rock Creek Recreation Area is a solid choice for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, offering a blend of relaxation and adventure.

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Location

Rock Creek Recreation Area is located in Tennessee

Detail location of campground

Directions

From I-26 take exit 34 to Main Street (TN107) in Erwin, take TN 395 east for 3.5 miles to Rock Creek Recreation Area.

Address

4900 Asheville Highway
Greeneville, TN 37743

Coordinates

36.1376833 N
82.347575 W

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Connectivity

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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Last on 8/8/25
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    AT&T
    No Coverage

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Connectivity

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    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Last on 8/8/25
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    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

10 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2025

Tall trees, nice views and cool temps.

We 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.

SiteC31
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2025

Nice family campgroung

Convenient location in the Cherokee National Forest that is close to the Appalachian Trail and the Nolichucky River. Campground is popular with families and busy on weekends. Sites are levelish, semi-private, and wooded. Loop B has power poles at each site (didn't check the other loops) and a nice bathhouse. Host was particularly helpful.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed May. 19, 2024

Quiet and discounted camping

Happy to get a discounted rate with our national parks pass. Stayed 2 nights here - only reason for not 5 stars is that the first bathroom (near the natural pool) was super gross - tons of bugs, sink didn’t work, wasnt clean. The bathroom near B loop was significantly nicer. Not every spot is level but we found an open one that was.

SiteA5
Month of VisitMay
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  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Rachel S., May 19, 2024
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Rachel S., May 19, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2023

Not 5 stars this time

Just spent 3 nights at what had been one of my favorite places to camp.  Sites are big and mostly private, and usually quiet.  Bathhouses are a bit dated, but had been maintained and cleaned.  The natural pool is a nice touch and the hiking is varied.  I was very disappointed this time, as the bathroom wasn’t cleaned since I arrived 3 days ago.  Today there was no hot water in #1, and host told me #2 showers were closed.  Not sure about #3 .  I was impressed by a quick response to an electrical issue at my site.

SiteA3
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2021

Great Semi-primitive Campground

Tight turns, but manageable with our 40' Fifth Wheel. Relatively level parking. Spacious sites. 20-30-50 amp hookups available. No water on sites but available not far away, with plenty of extra hose, for refilling water tank. Serene Campground with plenty of shade. Bathhouses were clean and in good repair. There is a mountain stream running through the campground that has been dammed up to make a swimming hole that is quite large, not sure on depth as we didn't get in, but water is very chilly even in late July. Nice playground just down from camping area and wonderful hiking trails abound.

SiteC-30
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Robert L., August 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Robert L., August 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Robert L., August 10, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2020

Nice, small, quiet, heavily wooded campground

The road in is a little narrow, but well maintained and easily navigable. Sites are heavily wooded, fairly well spaced, and most sites have a level area, but you have to back all the way in to get level on some. We were in site B16, which had no satellite coverage until most of the leaves fell. B Loop sites are 30A only. The website says there is shared water, which there is, but in B Loop, you can’t hook a hose to it to fill your tank, as the spigot is not threaded. C Loop had at least some threaded spigots. OTA TV was limited to 4 channels(PBS) with our omni antenna. There is no WiFi. AT&T had 1 bar and 0.8 MB/s w/o a booster, 2 bars and 2.4 MB/s with it. The bathrooms/showers were fairly clean and well maintained, but showing their age. There is a nice, but fairly strenuous 4 mile up and back trail from the campground to Rock Creek Falls. Campground was mostly empty during the week, maybe 8 or 10 out of 31 sites occupied, but completely full on the weekend.

SiteB-16
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Ray & Terri F., October 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Ray & Terri F., October 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Ray & Terri F., October 31, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2018

great place

The rock creek falls trail is great! this is a nice campground overall but the swimming area is a little rough and often crowded with a lot of locals. But the trails are beautiful and the campground is nice.

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2017

Great access to whitewater and nature

Our friends who are avid whitewater paddlers took us here. It’s a small campground with simple amenities, amazing old growth forest. There are so many great hiking trails here, plus some rock climbing/bouldering. Note that there are some areas with similar names further east near the Appalachian Trail.

Yay: Simple and beautiful camping here! Rangers check in periodically and had great recommendations.

Nay: no potable water but plenty nearby to treat.

Surprise: Make sure to visit Lone Mountain State Forest as well. There are rafting tour companies nearby

  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Lynn G., September 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Lynn G., September 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Recreation Area by Lynn G., September 30, 2017
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2016

Simple little campground

Nice and simple site that feels like it’s really in nature, but isn’t overly rustic. Pros: water, showers, flushing toilets, RV hookups, campsite, swimming, hiking, wooded & shady sites, clean. There isn’t too much of any one activity in/near the campground but lots more in the greater area. Cons: just plan to drive to another area if you’re staying for a few days (not really a con though). Not far from the Appalachian Trail, the TN/NC border, and highway 26. Asheville is about an hour away and is very charming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos available of Rock Creek Recreation Area?

Yes, photos of Rock Creek Recreation Area are available on The Dyrt's website. These images showcase the campground's heavily wooded sites, natural swimming area, hiking trails, and facilities. Photos help illustrate the shaded camping spots, the natural beauty of the old-growth forest setting, and the overall layout of the campground. Viewing photos before your visit can help you get a better sense of the campground's ambiance and what to expect from the facilities and surrounding natural environment.

Where can I find a map of Rock Creek Recreation Area campground?

Maps of Rock Creek Recreation Area are available through several sources. You can find official campground maps on the Cherokee National Forest website or at Recreation.gov when making reservations. Physical maps are typically available at the campground entrance or from park rangers on-site. The map will show the layout of the different camping loops, including Loop B which offers electrical hookups, the location of bathhouses, the natural swimming area, and nearby hiking trails.

How do I make reservations for Rock Creek Campground in Erwin, TN?

Reservations for Rock Creek Recreation Area in Erwin, TN can be made through the Recreation.gov website or by calling their reservation line. The campground is part of Cherokee National Forest and offers both advance reservations and potentially some first-come, first-served sites. National Parks Pass holders may receive a discounted rate. For the most current reservation information and availability, contact the Cherokee National Forest office or visit Recreation.gov directly.

What activities can I do at Rock Creek Park in Erwin, Tennessee?

Rock Creek Recreation Area offers numerous outdoor activities for visitors. Hiking is a highlight with several beautiful trails, including the popular Rock Creek Falls Trail. The natural swimming area provides cooling relief during warmer months, though it can get crowded with locals. The area also supports rock climbing and bouldering opportunities. Beyond the immediate campground, visitors can access the nearby Appalachian Trail and enjoy whitewater paddling on the Nolichucky River. The location in Cherokee National Forest means abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and enjoying the peaceful old-growth forest environment.

What amenities are available at Rock Creek Recreation Area?

Rock Creek Recreation Area offers a nice balance of amenities while maintaining a natural setting. The campground provides electrical hookups (particularly in Loop B with 20-30-50 amp options), clean bathhouses with showers and flush toilets, and drinking water access points (though not at individual sites). Sites are spacious, mostly level, and gravel-surfaced with good shade coverage. Additional amenities include a natural swimming pool area and multiple hiking trails. The campground is well-maintained with a good mix of modern conveniences while still preserving a rustic, natural atmosphere.