Cherokee National Forest - Tennessee

Tel: (423) 476-9700

Located 50 miles southeast of Knoxville, the vast 640,000-acre Cherokee National Forest is rich in natural beauty and boasts millions of visitors each year. With majestic mountains, tumbling streams, and diverse vegetation, Cherokee National Forest provides visitors with diverse and plentiful recreation opportunities.

Stretching from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border, Cherokee National Forest is the largest tract of public land in Tennessee and a true hiker's paradise, with more than 105 trails leading to incredible vistas. There are also over 600 miles of non-motorized trails which traverse the Forest including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and 4 other nationally designated trails, most of which are good for those traveling by foot, bike or horseback. The mountains in the Cherokee National Forest are home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, and provide both wildlife and fish habitat. With hundreds of miles of cold water streams, seven whitewater rivers, and an abundance of wildlife, lovers of nature are sure to enjoy the majestic beauty of this forest.

Places to camp at Cherokee National Forest include primitive sites as well as 30 developed campgrounds with electricity and bathhouses. And since 10 percent of the Forest is designated wilderness, Cherokee offers solitude in natural surroundings for those in need of a retreat.