Can you reserve a site at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?

Yes, Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) have?

34 sites in total, of which 32 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?

50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN).

Are campfires allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?

Campfires are allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN), Tennessee — 32 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Rock Creek Recreation Area is named for the small creek that runs alongside this recreation site. The facilities, creek-fed concrete pond and bathhouse were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. It is located just outside the town of Erwin, TN at an elevation of 2,300 feet - a welcome respite from the summer heat.

Be Bear Wise: Food storage compliance is strictly enforced. Store all food and trash in hard-sided containers and vehicles while not in use. Never have attractants in your tent. Violations of the food storage order are ticketable offenses and subject to fines. Food and trash left unattended will be impounded by campground staff.

Recreation

Hike on one (or all) of the trails adjacent to Rock Creek Recreation Area. Visitors can enjoy cooling off in the creek-fed concrete pond. Younger children can enjoy the playground located in the day use area of the recreation area. Campground programs are offered every Friday night in July at the amphitheater.

Facilities

There are 27 fully accessible single and five double campsites in Rock Creek Recreation Area; all with electric hook-ups. In addition, there are five walk-in tent sites without electric hookups, which are available first-come, first served only. Three bathhouses are located within the recreation area; one in Loop A, one in Loop C, and one located by the concrete pond - it is a Civilian Conservation Corps-era bathhouse adapted for modern use. Each bathhouse has flush toilets and shower facilities. A dump station is located on site. An on-site host is located in the campground.

Natural Features

Campsites are nestled in a cove hardwood forest. Adjacent to the campground is Unaka Mountain Wilderness area, a rugged and undeveloped area.

Nearby Attractions

The Appalachian Trail crosses TN 395 at Indian Grave Gap, 3.1 miles east of Rock Creek. Mountain Balds, Beauty Spot and Unaka Mountain Overlook are located nearby along Forest Service Road #230. Whitewater rafting on the Nolichucky River is provided by private companies located in Erwin, TN.

The facts

Season: 5/1/2024 – 10/24/2024 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
32 bookable sites
34 sites in total, including non-bookable
30 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 50 ft
Up to 40 people per site
Loops: A Loop, B Loop, C Loop, Group

Site types

31 Standard Electric
2 Management
1 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

34 campsites at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
01	A Loop	Management	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	5	🐾
010	A Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	10	♿ 🐾
02	A Loop	Management	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	5	♿ 🐾
03	A Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	5	♿ 🐾
04	A Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	5	♿ 🐾
05	A Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	5	♿ 🐾
06	A Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	10	♿ 🐾
07	A Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	5	♿ 🐾
08	A Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	5	♿ 🐾
09	A Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	5	♿ 🐾
011	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	48 ft	5	♿ 🐾
012	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	38 ft	5	♿ 🐾
013	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	5	♿ 🐾
014	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	48 ft	5	♿ 🐾
015	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	38 ft	5	♿ 🐾
016	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	5	♿ 🐾
017	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	32 ft	10	♿ 🐾
018	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Moderate	—	26 ft	5	♿ 🐾
019	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	42 ft	5	♿ 🐾
020	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	Moderate	—	40 ft	10	♿ 🐾
021	B Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	42 ft	10	♿ 🐾
022	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	36 ft	5	♿ 🐾
023	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Severe	—	44 ft	5	🐾
024	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	42 ft	5	♿ 🐾
025	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	Severe	—	30 ft	5	🐾
026	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	5	♿ 🐾
027	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	36 ft	5	♿ 🐾
028	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	36 ft	5	♿ 🐾
029	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	5	♿ 🐾
030	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	44 ft	5	♿ 🐾
031	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	5	♿ 🐾
032	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	44 ft	5	♿ 🐾
033	C Loop	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	36 ft	5	♿ 🐾
1	Group	Group Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	25 ft	40	🐾

Getting there

From I-26 take exit 34 to Main Street (TN107) in Erwin, take TN 395 east for 3.5 miles to Rock Creek Recreation Area.

36.13768, -82.34758 · 36°8'15.7"N 82°20'51.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 47°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	47	51	59	68	76	83	85	85	80	70	59	50
Low °F	25	27	33	41	50	58	62	61	55	43	33	28
Precip in	3.5	3.3	3.8	4.0	4.8	5.1	5.5	4.8	3.3	2.5	2.8	3.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)

Can you reserve a site at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?: Yes, Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) have?: 34 sites in total, of which 32 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?: 50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN).
Does Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) have hookups?: Electric, Water.
Are campfires allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?: Campfires are allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)'s operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Non-electric, Tent Sites - $12/site/day.
Basic Single Site with electric hook-up - $20/site/day.
Basic Double Site with electric hook-ups - $40/site/day.
Day use area fee is $2/day/car.
Non-electric, Tent sites - $6/night
Basic Single Electric Hookup - $15/night
NOTE : The America the Beautiful Pass can not be used on group/double sites.

Restrictions:

Single sites are limited to a single family or not more than 5 people, and 10 people for double sites. Vehicle limits is 2 vehicles per campsite.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the area.
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.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)

The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions 8.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Katy Branch 10.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Unaka Mountain Scenic Drive 1.8 mi · Facility
Unaka Mountains 2.7 mi · Facility
Erwin National Fish Hatchery 2.8 mi · Facility
Pinnacle Tower Hike 5 mi · Facility
Nolichucky River 5.7 mi · Facility
Katy Branch 10.2 mi · Facility
Roan Highlands 12.4 mi · Facility
International Storytelling Center 12.9 mi · Facility
Carver's Gap 13.4 mi · Facility
Bald Mountains 14.5 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 423-638-4109
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)