2 hour stay limit. Overnight parking and camping not permitted at rest areas.
Cherokee National Forest (South):
Camping Areas:
Boat Launches:
Trailheads:
Cherokee National Forest (North):
Camping Areas:
Hampton, Cherokee National Forest, Cardens Bluff $10
Rating: Campgrounds: Good Noise: Fair (Poor on weekends)
No showers. Some nighttime power boat noise during week. Too much on weekend nights. Occasional truck noise, airplane noise and barking dogs. Crows in the morning.
Bristol, Cherokee National Forest, Little Oak $12
Rating: Campgrounds: Good Noise: Fair
Showers. Nighttime power boat noise, select a campsite well back from the water.
Hampton, Cherokee National Forest, Dennis Cove $10
Erwin, Cherokee National Forest, Rock Creek
Erwin, Cherokee National Forest, Limestone Cove
Roan Mountain, Roan Mountain State Resort Park
Bristol, Cherokee National Forest, Jacobs Creek $12
Boat Launches:
Hampton, Watauga Lake (Rat Branch), From the junction of US 19E (north) in Hampton, turn right onto TN 321/67 and follow it 3.6 miles to the Cherokee National Forest Rat Branch Boat Ramp on the left.
Little Milligan, Watauga Lake From the junction of US 19E (north) in Hampton, turn right onto TN 321/67 and follow it 9.5 miles till 321 and 67 split and turn right on TN 321. After 3.0 miles turn left on Moody Road. Follow it .7 miles and turn right at the boat ramp sign. Boat ramp .4 miles farther.
Hampton, Watauga River, (above Wilbur Dam), From the junction of US 19E and TN 321/67 in Hampton, continue north 1.8 miles north and turn right onto Siam Road. Follow it 4.7 miles and turn right onto Wilbur Dam Road. After .6 miles turn right again, still on Wilbur Dam Road and continue 2.9 to the put in. Note: a put in for the lower Watauga River is right below the Wilbur Dam.
Bristol, South Holston Lake, Cherokee National Forest, Little Oak Campgrounds
Bristol, South Holston Lake, Highway 421 put in just east of the 421 bridge over South Holston Lake
Bristol, South Holston Lake, Cherokee National Forest, Jacobs Creek Campgrounds
Trailheads:
Hampton, Laurel Falls Trail, From the junction of US 19E (north) in Hampton, turn right onto TN 321/67 and follow it 1.3 miles to the Cherokee National Forest Laurel Falls Trailhead on the right.