Weekend availability at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 17, 11:06 PM PTSold out 3 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.
- Fri, Sep 18Sold out
- Fri, Sep 25Sold out
- Fri, Oct 2Sold out
- Fri, Oct 9Limited2/32 sites
- Fri, Oct 16Limited3/32 sites
- Fri, Oct 23Limited5/32 sites
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)?
as of September 18Weekends book out well ahead here — 2 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Oct, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 34
- Electric sites
- 33
- Water hookups
- 1
- Max rig length
- 50 ft
About this campground
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.
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.
Activities
- SWIMMING
- FISH HATCHERY
- WILDLIFE VIEWING
- EMERGENCY SERVICES
- HIKING
- FISHING
- CAMPING
- MUSEUM
- CANOEING
- HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE
- DAY USE AREA
- PICNICKING
- RECREATION PROGRAMS
- PLAYGROUND PARK SPECIALIZED SPORT SITE
- RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
- WILDERNESS
- LOOKOUT TOWER
- MOUNTAIN BIKING
- BACKPACKING
- BIKING
- EVENING PROGRAMS
- RAFTING
- RIVER TRIPS
- SCENIC DRIVE
- STAR GAZING
- WHITEWATER RAFTING
Nearby federal campgrounds
Never miss an opening at Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)
Popular Tennessee campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.