Cherokee Nationwide Forest is the most important tract of public land in Tennessee, with over 650,000 acres of forest. This lovely scenic forest is so massive (stretching from Chattanooga to Bristol, Tennessee) that most individuals don’t even understand they’re inside it!
Preserve studying to be taught every little thing that you must learn about Cherokee Nationwide Forest tenting, together with leisure actions and wildlife you may see.
Historical past
With headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, the forest is contained inside the state borders and adjoins nationwide forest land in surrounding states. The Nice Smokey Mountains Nationwide Park divides the Cherokee Nationwide Forest into northern and southern sections.
The forest was established in 1920 and was named for Indigenous peoples who referred to as the world house and used the world for looking and gathering till 1838.
Earlier than the world was established as public land and have become a nationwide forest, loggers stripped many of the space naked after which deserted their posts, fortunately earlier than all the forest was razed.
The Civilian Conservation Corps got here to the rescue in 1936, planting 1000’s of bushes that grew to become what’s now the Cherokee Nationwide Forest.
In 1960, the A number of-Use Sustained Yield Act was handed and declared that the aim of Cherokee Nationwide Forest must be for wildlife and fish functions, in addition to for timber and out of doors recreation.
The nationwide forest can also be house to the Ocoee River, the location of the Olympic Whitewater occasions in 1996.
Cherokee Nationwide Forest Tenting Information
Cherokee Nationwide Forest options 30 developed campgrounds and plenty of choices for primitive tenting.
The forest additionally incorporates a number of picnicking areas, seven whitewater rivers, two scenic byways to take pleasure in a scenic drive via the mountains and backcountry, and over 700 miles of trails.
Charges and Recreation Necessities
Cherokee Nationwide Forest requires friends to have a each day or annual Nationwide Forest cross to entry boat launches, seashores, and different leisure areas.
A each day cross permits friends entry to all areas of the forest, together with leisure areas, however just for the day specified throughout your buy.
An annual cross might be a greater match for you should you plan to return usually. The annual cross permits friends limitless entry into the forest for a 12 months after buy.
Developed Tenting
Cherokee Nationwide Forest tenting is straightforward with 30 established campgrounds all through the park.
These extremely developed campgrounds characteristic totally different facilities, so be sure you analysis which campground will finest suit your wants.
Safely storing meals and drinks in bear-proof containers or locked automobiles is a requirement when tenting in Cherokee Nationwide Forest.
Primitive Tenting
For those who desire a extra off-the-grid expertise whereas tenting at Cherokee Nationwide Forest, you’re in luck!
Primitive tenting is allowed all through the park until in any other case said. No tenting is allowed inside 100 ft of developed recreation areas, water, or trails.
No facilities, like bathrooms, will likely be close by when tenting in dispersed areas. You’ll additionally want to depart the world the best way it was discovered on the finish of your tenting journey — so no matter you packed in, pack out!
Donley Cabin Tenting
The Donley Cabin is located in Tellico Plains, close to the southern portion of the Cherokee Nationwide Forest.
For an inexpensive price, this primitive cabin will be yours for tenting with not more than six friends for as much as three nights.
How primitive is the cabin? There’s no working water or electrical energy, and there’s an outhouse with a vault bathroom within the again. However should you’re up for the journey, this cabin will take you again to your roots and assist you to join with nature!
The Donley Cabin should be reserved upfront by at the least someday however as much as a 12 months.
RV Tenting
RV tenting in Cherokee Nationwide Forest is out there at a number of campgrounds within the park.
You’ll find massive websites geared up for an RV, however just a few of those campsites have electrical hookups. For those who desire off-the-grid RV tenting within the forest, the websites with out hookups are good for you!
Campgrounds in Cherokee Nationwide Forest with RV hookups are Indian Boundary Recreation Space, Chilhowee Recreation Space, and Parksville Lake Campground.
Cherokee Nationwide Forest Recreation
Pets
Pets are allowed in most areas of the park, however it’s best to verify with the district workplace to ensure nothing has modified earlier than setting out on a tenting journey to Cherokee Nationwide Forest.
For those who take your pet mountain climbing on the paths with you, they’ll should be leashed always.
Pets should not allowed on seashores or in swimming areas.
Climbing
With over 700 miles of trails reduce via the Cherokee Nationwide Forest, there isn’t a scarcity of locations to hike! Most of those trails are non-motorized and devoted to mountain climbing and horseback driving.
Two of the most effective mountain climbing trails discovered within the forest are the Bald Mountain Zone and the Hiwassee River Zone.
The Bald Mountain Zone leads hikers to a breathtakingly lovely 60-foot, fan-shaped waterfall, which is likely one of the finest waterfalls in all the state of Tennessee.
The Hiwassee River Zone is house to components of the Benton Mackaye Path and the John Muir Nationwide Recreation Path.
Fishing
Spend the day fishing within the streams and rivers stocked with trout that reduce their manner via the rugged mountains within the Cherokee Nationwide Forest.
The preferred spots for trout fishing are Beaverdam Creek, Tellico River, Citico Creek, and Paint Creek.
Wade into the water, fish on the shoreline, or launch a ship into the rivers in your likelihood to catch among the finest rainbow trout within the space.
Water Actions
Cherokee Nationwide Forest is house to among the finest whitewater paddling locations within the southeast! The 2 finest rivers for whitewater paddling within the forest are the Ocoee and the Hiwassee Rivers.
These rivers are additionally common locations for kayaking, inside tubing, rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding, with 1000’s of friends flocking to them every summer time for watersports.
Whereas many of the shorelines are undeveloped and rocky, there are a number of boat launches alongside South Holston Lake, Watuaga Lake, and Parksville Lake for motorized boat entry.
There are a number of swimming areas, with sandy seashores good for a dip within the cool waters on a scorching day! Just a few of the most well-liked swimming areas are Watuaga Lake Space, Huge Frog Space, and Ocoee River Space
Picnicking
You’ll discover many picnic areas all through the forest, together with inside the campgrounds and most swimming areas.
Vegetation and Wildlife
With over 650,000 acres of nationwide forest, it’s no shock that the world has a large number of natural world!
There are over 20,000 crops and animals inside the forest grounds, a few of that are thought-about endangered. For this reason it’s the mission of locals to guard and protect the surroundings.
Ample wildlife, together with 43 species of mammal, 154 species of fish, 262 species of birds, and 55 species of amphibians, name the Cherokee Nationwide Forest house.
For those who’re fortunate, you’ll spot one of many uncommon wildlife species, such because the peregrine falcon, the jap hellbender, and the Yonahlossee salamander, whereas Cherokee Nationwide Forest tenting!
Spend your morning chicken watching or immersing your self in nature in different methods, like taking a scenic drive via the mountains to watch the native wildlife.
Watch the sundown or dawn from the mountain climbing trails reduce via the mountains, peacefully co-existing with the resident wildlife.
Plan Your Cherokee Nationwide Forest Tenting Journey!
From whitewater paddling and swimming to mountain climbing alongside miles of trails within the forest, there are actions for everybody to take pleasure in when tenting at Cherokee Nationwide Forest.
For extra concepts in your tenting expeditions, take a look at our different guides on Nationwide Forest Tenting.
