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The best camping near Cherokee National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Cherokee adventure.

96% (41 reviews)
96% (41 reviews)

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Community favorites near Cherokee National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Stay at a public campground in Cherokee National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Cherokee National Forest

99%
(1241)

Dark Ridge Hide Out (Adults Only)

16 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ Elk Park, NC
"Adults only" doesn't mean anything other than just "no children", so as to preserve the natural peace and quiet, and assurance that there won't be loud and unruly children on the property. Inquiries and booking requests received after 9: pm may not be answered until the next morning. Dark Ridge Hide Out, is a 20 acre parcel in the Blue Ridge Mountain's on the back side of the Beech Mt Ski Resort in a secluded quiet and safe community with less than a dozen homes in a one mile radius. Away from light and sound pollution. Except for an occasional passing vehicle "and often none at all from 10pm to 6am" all you will hear is the sound of the creek which runs through the lower section by the RV sites, cricket's and frogs at the nearby fish pond and only the light from the moon and star's in the clear mountain sky and fire flies. It is my home place with a tobacco barn and a big combination cattle/tobacco barn built almost entirely just by my Mom and Dad in early 1940"s. My parents and grand parents lived off of the land here and raised cash crops like cabbage, corn and tobacco, we also raised sugar cane and made molasses, we had free range chickens, as many as 50 honey bee hives and over 50 head of cattle, two or three hog's and of course a horse. There was four main fields; two for cow pasture, one meadow to grow hay "now Christmas trees" and the main one on my part where all crops were grown is where the camp sites are. I grew up helping with the crops and other farm chores, one was to go to the pasture and bring the milk cows in and do the milking every day before and after school, feed the hogs and chickens, gather the egg's, let the chickens out in the morning and close the chicken house in the evening to protect them from critters like opossums, raccoons and wildcats. This is where I grew up, my dad grew up and, near where my mother and both of my grandparents grew up. My house was built in 1905 the same year my dad was born. The campsites are on my 20 acre section section of the original 82 acres with the house and barns, the remainder went to my brother but now is out of the family. The section of Elk River with the Compression Falls "45 ft high" and Twisting Falls which is part of Pisgah National Forest is less than two miles from here, and an old logging road going around the mountain above the river for about three miles to another Falls "Elk River Falls, 65 ft high" is a great place to hike or mountain bike. You will be free to explore and hike any part of my property except the house and out building's. The pond's are full of Trout and Blue Gill fish that are like pet's they love little pieces of bread. You can feed the fish but no fishing.
from 
$25
 / night
99%
(84)

Blue Bear Mountain Camp

46 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents150 acres ¡ Boone, NC
Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers year-round camping experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Car-accessible tent and RV sites in a natural setting. Hike-in sites for those looking for a little more adventure and privacy. Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals for guests wanting a rustic, mountain getaway while staying in comfort. Located just 8 miles north of Boone, NC on over 150 acres of pristine mountain land, miles of hiking trails, a trout pond, and spacious low-density sites allow the guest to get away from it all in a rustic, remote setting. In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. At 4,000 feet elevation, come enjoy cool mountain breezes and mild temperatures. Blue Bear Mountain is a scenic location for large events such as weddings, corporate events, and family reunions. Come Get away from it all at Blue Bear Mountain! Blue Bear Mountain offers spacious, Low-Density RV camping, spacious, private, rustic car-accessible tent camping, and spacious, private remote tent camping. Blue Bear Mountain also offers luxury Stargazer Domes and Cabin rentals to provide you with more choices of how to experience your mountain getaway. In a beautiful mountain setting with incredible views, the Stargazer Domes are a great way to enjoy the camping experience without really roughing it. Great for a romantic getaway or bringing the family. Furnished with a queen size bed, complete with high-quality linens, a bistro table, and chairs, you will stay in complete comfort. Conveniently located near the bathhouse with private bathrooms, a Laundry room, and a dishwashing station. You can drive right up to the handcrafted stargazer dome. Relax and take in the views while sitting around your stone fire ring. A park grill, picnic table, and free bundle of firewood are also provided to complete your glamping getaway.
from 
$30
 / night
98%
(30)

Tri Mountain View

14 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents27 acres ¡ Shady Valley, TN
Tri Mountain View Campground is located in the Northeast corner of Tennessee in the town of Shady Valley. With an elevation of 2,800 feet, Shady Valley is the second highest town in Tennessee. It is just 26 miles from the Bristol Raceway and the Bristol Caverns. It is just a 15 minute drive to Backbone rock and a short drive to the Appalachian Trail. The property was a Dairy Farm and went out of business in the late 90’s and since then there has been over 3,000 trees planted. Some of these trees include the rare Butternut and Hazelnut, but mostly White Pine, Walnut and Oaks. The property has approximately 1,000 feet of fishing on Beaver dam creek, so we recommend bringing waders. There is also a shower house, washer and dryer.
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$15
 / night
99%
(215)

TangleWood Creekside Campsites

19 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents170 acres ¡ Marion, NC
A rocky creek winds through the woods at the base of several hikable peaks hidden just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to explore, on foot or mountain-bike, anywhere within our 170 acres (or the adjoining 250 acres owned by the US Forestry Service off our Western border) and are likely to catch glimpses of turkey, beaver, deer, fox, eastern box turtle and the many species of songbird and raptor. The location is convenient to tons of local attractions for sightseeing and outdoor activities as well as shopping, dining, even wine tasting. We would be happy to supply a comprehensive list of the various local attractions upon request but the following are a few of our favorite things to do within a short drive: visit Linville Falls, Caverns, Gorge and/or Winery; drive the Blue Ridge parkway; tube/kayak down the Catawba river; hike beautiful Crabtree Falls; cross Grandfather Mountains mile high bridge and explore the nearby towns of Spruce Pines or Little Switzerland. The scenic drives to Asheville, Blowing Rock or Banner Elk make them each wonderful day-trip destinations.
from 
$40
 / night
98%
(123)

Beech Grove River Spot

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents14 acres ¡ Damascus, VA
In addition to using this land as our camping/fishing get-a-way, it is also used for hay! Our 5th generation farm and home are just a few miles away, where we raise sheep, cattle, goats and chickens. Learn more about this land:Spend the night along the river in a 14 acre field. We have a picnic table, fire pit and grill in place! This site is easily accessible and along a road. The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail are a few miles away in Damascus, Va, where you can bike, hike, shop or eat. Just a 45 minute drive away is Grayson Highlands, where you can hike and see the wild ponies! Abingdon, VA is 20 minutes away. Hang out around a fire, fish (if you have your fishing license), or just relax by the river! We are excited to share our favorite camping spot. We live just a few miles away on our farm and are happy to help in any way we can. Happy Camping!
from 
$35
 / night
99%
(66)

Stormbrew Farm

18 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents18 acres ¡ Abingdon, VA
Nestled in the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia, , hens, ducks, bees, Great Pyrenees, and cats pastorally roam over 18 acres of rolling farmland and forest. Experience our favorite parts of Stormbrew Farm through a primitive camping experience. Learn more about this land:An agrarian dream- a literal field of possibility. With 18 acres to choose from you may find yourself sleeping along the lazy Fifteenmile Creek, atop a hill under Virginia stars, or even set up with pastoral views of hens and Great Pyrenees dogs. The roadfront side of our property offers level terrain for pull-behind trailers, while vehicles (preferably 4WD) and tent campers can travel all the way back to the creek. Feeling froggy? Ford the stream and camp in the large field on the other side. Be sure to mind the animals and fields, as this is a working farm. One mile down the road from the farm is the Virginia Creeper Trail, renowned for biking, but as a multi-use trail, you can also enjoy walking, running, horseback riding, fishing, cross country skiing, and geocaching. South Holston Lake is only minutes away by vehicle, with two public access boating ramps 10 to 20 minutes away. For a drink by the water, head to Abingdon Vineyards- only 10 minutes away. Access to the Appalachian Trail is only 20 minutes away in Damascus. We became caretakers of this lovely property in June of 2021, moving from our existing farm, 45 minutes away. When we got it, it was a blank slate of a hayfield, and we have spent the summer laying infrastructure so that we may grow our cut-flower, honey, and vegetable business.
from 
$30
 / night
97%
(161)

Loafers Joy Meadow

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents6 acres ¡ Zionville, NC
Our site was once part of a much larger farm growing tobacco and raising cattle and other farm animals.  The existing tobacco barn was built in the early 1960's.  The concrete pad used for RV camping was used to store silage for the cows.  The non-potable water source is a mountain spring that has been used on the farm since the 1930's.  While many tobacco barns in the area have been torn down for their rusted tin roofing and rustic siding, we have worked to restore the barn and preserve its history. 
from 
$20
 / night
98%
(44)

Creeping Thyme Forest

7 sites ¡ RVs, Tents75 acres ¡ Abingdon, VA
Early settlers of this area were mainly Scotch-Irish and there are several dominant family names that still populate these areas. Tobacco was grown in the area for many years, but now is rarely seen. This whole valley between two mountain ranges was chosen in the 1970's to be dammed and made into a reservoir for a hydroelectric power plant; however, the residents at the time formed a strong resistance, went to Washington, and eventually blocked the development, preserving its natural beauty. This land is within the Jefferson National Forest. It was owned for many years by Roy Light, owner of a nearby lumber mill, but when he passed away, his children cleared the timber and moved away. Since then, the diverse deciduous forest has regrown quickly. A rustic cabin made from salvaged hand-hewn logs was built on the site in 2014 and an alpaca farm was established; however, the owners had to move away due to employment changes. Currently, we are working on developing a perennial food forest, as well as dairy goats, and chickens. 
from 
$25
 / night
98%
(95)

Waterdog Campground

18 sites ¡ RVs, Tents12 acres ¡ Crumpler, NC
Spend the night under the stars… On our quaint 12 acre river bottom tucked away behind the mountains. The campsite is on the edge of the New River, overlooking its clear waters and abundance of wildlife. Listen to the sounds of nature as you fish right off the bank. Enjoy tubing/kayaking/canoeing 5 miles to Zaloo’s or 4 miles to New River Outfitters or take a 1 mile “kid’s trip” from a secluded access to J E Gentry bridge. Our family-friendly site is an economical way to have fun and get in touch with nature. And yes! we are dog-friendly as well! Please note that cell service is very limited and WiFi is not provided. Prolonged rainy conditions in the river bottom may get muddy, so please be prepared for your stay!
from 
$30
 / night
98%
(95)

Plumtree Campground Tent Loop

15 sites ¡ RVs, Tents78 acres ¡ Newland, NC
Plumtree Campground and Retreat is an off-the-beaten-path property for hikers, bikers (both pedal and motor), campers, adventurers, parkway goers, mountain lovers, fisherman, and skiers/snowboarders.Learn more about this land:Plumtree Campground and Retreat is an off-the-beaten-path property for hikers, bikers (both pedal and motor), campers, adventurers, parkway goers, mountain lovers, fisherman, and skiers/snowboarders.The property is the former Blind Squirrel Campground which included a zip line recreation area. Relics remain, with zip lines and bridges still running through the tree canopy and an old climbing wall. These aren’t currently in use, and cannot be explored, but they add a wonderland-like quality to the land. Other features also remain that can be used: a sliding rock waterfall which is a short hike within the campground property, moderate trails for hiking, and mountain biking running from the waterfall through the back of the property (these trails are mountainous, so please enter at your own risk), fruit trees, blueberry bushes, small trout pond, a playground, an open meadow for star gazing, and our friendly neighborhood duck, Howard. (He hangs by the pond and accepts treats!) You are welcome to explore all these features, but please be mindful and respectful of residents and guests, do not enter or explore the greenhouses or gardens, and remain aware that this is mountainous terrain with inherent risks.This is a rustic property in the forest, centrally located to all the area has to offer. Privately run, we offer a variety of lodging options:- Seasonal and daily camping with full hook up RV sites- Popup sites, tent sites with water and electric- Group tent site with pavilion- Primitive tent sites- Primitive cabins (no electricity/water)- Lodge with four bedrooms/bath- Cabin with a two-bedroom/bath among the trees- Cabin with a one-bedroom/bath pond side- Studio apartments. Four available. Includes one bedroom/bath Campsites include a fire pit, picnic table, and electric/water/sewer depending on the site. There are 5 tent sites boasting elevated tent platforms nestled against the mountain. Sites are generally mossy, treed (think hammocks!), and have gravel parking. There are 3 his and her bathhouses on the property with the largest within walking distance of the tent loop, with 2 toilets and 3 stall showers each.This corner of the world has so much to offer and we are close, but just far away enough from it all. The scenic drives alone are worth venturing out:- Blue Ridge Parkway- Linville Falls- Linville Caverns- Grandfather Mountain- Beech Mt Ski Slope/Rec area- Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park- Sugar Mt Ski Slope/Rec area- Roan Mt State Park- Appalachian Trail- Yellow Mountain Gap Trail Head- North Toe River- Banner Elk- Little Switzerland- Mayland Dark Sky Observatory- Brown Mountain OHV Trail SystemAll these adventures within a 20-40-minute drive. Boone is only 50 minutes away, and Asheville 1 hr. 20 minutes.Off HWY 19-E is Spears Country Store, about 5 minutes from here, where you can get basic supplies, propane, and gas. We can also provide firewood for a fee. Ingles grocery stores in both Newland and Spruce Pine are just 20 minutes away. In Spruce Pine you will also find a Walmart, historic downtown with many shops and restaurants. Be aware cell service can be spotty in the area depending on your carrier. WIFI is offered, but not guaranteed due to the mountainous terrain. One of the joys of being deep in the mountains, true disconnection from the everyday!3 night minimum required for holiday weekends.Plumtree Campground & Retreat913 Big Plumtree Creek RoadNewland, NC 28657
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$20
 / night
100%
(27)

Hidden River Experience

6 sites ¡ Tents250 acres ¡ West Jefferson, NC
Welcome to the secluded campsite nestled on the banks of the New River! This primitive haven offers a tranquil retreat, allowing you to disconnect from the modern world and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. Surrounded by untouched wilderness, this campsite provides the perfect escape for outdoor enthusiasts. As you settle into this serene paradise, you'll find yourself captivated by the abundance of activities available. Begin your day with a peaceful morning of fishing, casting your line into the pristine waters of the New River in pursuit of the perfect catch. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, this river teems with various species, promising an exciting and rewarding experience. Embark on scenic hikes that lead you through dense forests, revealing stunning vistas and hidden waterfalls. The well-marked trails cater to all skill levels, ensuring everyone can partake in the joys of exploration. You'll have ample opportunities to capture breathtaking photos and make lasting memories along the way. For the more adventurous, hop on a bike and pedal along the winding paths that meander through the wilderness. Feel the rush of wind against your face as you navigate the undulating terrain, taking in the natural beauty that surrounds you. With each turn, new discoveries await, making every bike ride an exhilarating adventure. To fully immerse yourself in the river's splendor, embark on a kayaking journey. Glide along the gentle currents, as the river guides you through stunning landscapes and quiet coves. The New River's calm waters provide an ideal setting for both beginners and experienced paddlers alike. As you explore this campsite's pristine environment, keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife that calls this area home. From graceful deer grazing in the distance to vibrant birds soaring overhead, nature enthusiasts will delight in the opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close. Safety is of utmost importance in this secluded sanctuary. The campsite is well-maintained and offers designated areas for camping, ensuring a comfortable and secure experience. Whether you're setting up your tent or gathering around a crackling campfire, you can rest assured knowing that you are surrounded by a tranquil and safe environment. Prepare to unwind, reconnect with nature, and embrace the simple pleasures of outdoor life at this primitive, secluded campsite on the New River. It's a haven for fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife enthusiasts, providing an unforgettable retreat into the heart of nature.
from 
$47.50
 / night
100%
(24)

Camp faith

22 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents81 acres ¡ Butler, TN
Camp Faith is a new Faith-based campground located in Northeast Tennessee, in a small town called Butler. There are 81 acres to explore during your stay. So far, there are 5 primitive cabins as well as a 2 bedroom 1-1/2 bath cottage. We plan on building more as the campground grows. There will be 11 rv sites with full hook-ups very soon. There are several primitive tent sites thru out, most of which are creek side. Only 5 minutes from Sugar Hollow Retreat. Amenities include: Outdoor- Axe throwing, disc golf, tetherball, horseshoes, cornhole, darts, ring & hook games, board games, firepits (firewood included), walking trails, kayaks, and more... Bathhouse- Full-size bathrooms, fully stocked common kitchen, indoor/outdoor seating, coin operated laundry, ping pong, board games, stocked bookshelf, tv's w/dvd's, free ice (ice machine on bathhouse deck), event-sized grill, pizza oven, gas fireplace, and more... Free Starlink high speed internet
from 
$35
 / night

The best camping near Cherokee National Forest guide

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Follow us to Tennessee and dive into the grandeur of the Cherokee National Forest! It’s filled to the brim with scenic forested trails, rushing rivers, and rainbow trout. During the day you can go rafting, and at night you can bask yourself in moonshine (of various sorts) and brush up on your constellations. If you are in pursuit of some Appalachian Mountain bliss, this is the right place to start. Don’t forget your camera, you're going to want to show these vistas off!

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