Jacobs Creek Campground (TN)
Campground · Tennessee · 27 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
North Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area (National Forest/Wildlife Management Area) · Restricted Access
- 27
- Bookable sites
- up to 5
- People per site
- 1,731 ft
- Elevation
Overview
PLEASE NOTE: AS THE HURRICANE BANNER DESCRIBES, JACOBS CREEK CAMPGROUND AND DAY-USE AREA IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. READ THE NEED TO KNOW SECTION (LOCATED UNDER FACILITY INFORMATION TAB) FOR FURTHER DETAILS. PLEASE READ IT BEFORE MAKING ANY RESERVATIONS. Jacobs Creek Campground is situated along the shores of beautiful South Holston Lake in Sullivan County, Tennessee, at an elevation of 1,730 ft. With a view of miles of undeveloped shoreline and the water, the campsites at Jacobs Creek Campground are a relaxing way to spend your vacation. There are 27 available campsites, 23 of which are reservable, including warm showers in the campground. Campground hosts are available on site to answer your questions. There is a Day-Use area adjacent to the Campground with a designated beach area.
Recreation
Fishing is a popular activity for campers at Jacobs Creek. There is a boat launch a few miles down the road along Hwy 421. A few campsites have easy access to the lake shore. Children and adults enjoy riding their bikes on the roads between camping loops. There is also a day-use area adjacent to the campground for swimming and picnicking. There is an array of wildflowers to enjoy throughout the season, as well as resident deer and turkey and other natural wonders for the naturalist in your group. Jacobs Creek Shooting Range is about 1 mile outside the campground.
Facilities
There are a total of 29 campsites, 27 of which are available, within three loops. Some sites are right along the water, and some sites are away from the water. The campground has flush toilets and showers. Each site is non-electric, and contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder. Some sites can accommodate a travel trailer, while some sites are tent only. There is a boat launch a few miles down the road along Hwy 421.
Natural Features
South Holston Lake is a 7,580-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Holston Mountain and nearby Iron Mountain provide habitat for an array of wildlife including a healthy population of black bear.
Nearby Attractions
Jacobs Creek Campground is within 30 minutes of Bristol, Tennessee, and nearby Bristol Motor Speedway. Backbone Rock Recreation Area is approximately 30 minutes away up beautiful Shady Valley, and just five minutes past Backbone Rock is Damascus, Virginia. Little Oak Campground is 25 minutes away for another campground option along South Holston Lake.
The facts
- Season: 4/29/2024 – 10/15/2024 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 27 bookable sites
- 29 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Up to 5 people per site
- Loops: A, B, C
Site types
- 18 Standard Nonelectric
- 9 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 2 Management
29 campsites at Jacobs Creek Campground (TN)
Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 2 | A | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 3 | A | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 4 | A | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 5 | A | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 6 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 7 | A | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 8 | A | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 9 | A | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 10 | B | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 11 | B | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 12 | B | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 13 | B | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 14 | B | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 15 | B | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 16 | B | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 17 | B | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 18 | B | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| 19 | C | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 20 | C | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 21 | C | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 22 | C | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 23 | C | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 24 | C | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 25 | C | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 26 | C | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 27 | C | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 28 | C | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 | |
| 29 | C | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 5 |
Getting there
From Bristol, take US 421 South for 12 miles, and turn left onto paved Denton Valley Rd. After 1.5 miles, turn left onto Jacobs Creek Rd. Continue 0.5 miles and you will be at Jacobs Creek Campground.
36.56138, -82.00019 · 36°33'41.0"N 82°0'0.7"W
Typical weather
Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 45°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 45 | 48 | 57 | 68 | 75 | 82 | 85 | 84 | 79 | 69 | 57 | 48 |
| Low °F | 24 | 27 | 33 | 41 | 50 | 59 | 62 | 61 | 55 | 43 | 33 | 27 |
| Precip in | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 4.2 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Jacobs Creek Campground (TN)
- Can you reserve a site at Jacobs Creek Campground (TN)?
- Yes, Jacobs Creek Campground (TN) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Jacobs Creek Campground (TN) have?
- 29 sites in total, of which 27 can be booked.
Also listed by
Jacobs Creek Campground (TN) also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Jacobs Creek Campground (TN)'s operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Camping is $12 per site. Day use fees are $2 per vehicle per day or a Cherokee National Forest Pass for $30 per year. Contact the Watauga Ranger District for more information at 423-735-1500. The day-use permit can also be purchased online. See info below in Passes.
Restrictions:
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the area.
- No burning plastic or other non-wood products except local wood in campfires and charcoal in grills.
- Food storage restrictions apply at all areas on the Cherokee National Forest. All food and beverages must be stored in an approved bear-proof container , your locked vehicle or hard-sided camper at all times unless being eaten, prepared, or transported.
- Maximum of 5 people and 2 vehicles at each camp site.
- Pets must be on a maximum 6 ft. leash at all times, and pick up after them. For safety and sanitary reasons, pets are not allowed on the beach and not allowed within the designated swimming area.
- It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all specific rules and regulations which are also posted at the campground and day-use area.
Camping near Jacobs Creek Campground (TN)
- Little Oak Campground 4.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions 10.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Backbone Rock Campground 10.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Holston Lake 2.8 mi · Facility
- Little Oak Campground 3.9 mi · Campground
- Holston Mountain Area 6.1 mi · Facility
- TN 91 Scenic Drive 6.6 mi · Facility
- Iron Mountains 8 mi · Facility
- Keller Interpretive Center, Abingdon Muster Ground 9.9 mi · Visitor Center
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy - Damascus Trail Center 12.7 mi · Visitor Center
- Watauga Lake 16.2 mi · Facility
- Watauga Lake Area 16.7 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 423-735-1500
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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