Can you reserve a site at French Broad River Area?

No. French Broad River Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

French Broad River Area

Facility · Tennessee ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

North Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area (National Forest/Wildlife Management Area) · Restricted Access

1,464 ft
Elevation

This area’s wooded mountainsides and creek gorges are linked by an extensive road and trail system. Activities include fishing, hiking, horseback riding, creek play and camping.

At Paint Creek, camping, fishing, swimming and picnicking are popular activities. Other water-based opportunities include driving along scenic Brush Creek or exploring warm-water Allen Branch or Paint Creek ponds. Enjoy the scenery from horseback on 35 miles of multi-use trails, also open to mountain bikers and hikers. The Appalachian Scenic Trail lies along the eastern edge of this area.

Getting there

35.94303, -82.93587 · 35°56'34.9"N 82°56'9.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 87°F in Jul, down to 48°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	48	52	60	71	78	84	87	86	82	72	60	52
Low °F	29	31	37	44	54	62	65	65	59	47	36	32
Precip in	3.7	3.3	4.0	3.8	4.5	5.2	4.7	4.9	3.4	2.4	2.9	3.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Add a photo

Common questions about French Broad River Area

Can you reserve a site at French Broad River Area?: No. French Broad River Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near French Broad River Area

Houston Valley 1.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Paint Creek Campground 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Round Mountain Campground 7.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Rocky Bluff Campground 7.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Harmon Den Campground 12.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
French Broad River 3.8 mi · Facility
Paint Creek Corridor with Hot Springs Loops 4.1 mi · Facility
Paint Creek Corridor 4.1 mi · Campground
Rocky Bluff Campground 7.5 mi · Facility
Pigeon River Area 10.9 mi · Facility
Dillard Place 11 mi · Facility
Pigeon River 14.5 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.