Campground

Thunder Rock Campground

Cherokee National Forest · Benton · Tennessee — managed by USDA Forest Service

Books out fast — 1 of 4 weekends we sampled are sold out
Thunder Rock Campground campground
Photo: Recreation.gov · US Forest Service

Weekend availability at Thunder Rock Campground

Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 18, 5:25 AM PT

Sold out 2 of the next 6 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.

  • Fri, Sep 18
    Sold out
  • Fri, Sep 25
    Sold out
  • Fri, Oct 2
    Open
    17/38 sites
  • Fri, Oct 9
    Limited
    9/38 sites
  • Fri, Oct 16
    Open
    23/38 sites
  • Fri, Oct 23
    Open
    26/38 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 Thunder Rock Campground?

as of September 18

Weekends book out well ahead here — 1 of the 4 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Nov, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Thunder Rock Campground and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Weekdays still have room — for now.

Weekends (Saturday night)

Sep 26Sold out
Oct 17Open
Nov 7Open
Nov 28Open

Weekdays (Wednesday night)

Sep 23Open
Oct 28Open
Nov 25Open

Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.

Campsites & amenities

Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.

Campsites
38
Electric sites
1
Group Tent Only Area No HookupStandard ElectricStandard No HookupTent Only No Hookup

About this campground

Overview Thunder Rock Campground is located 1.8 miles northwest of the Ocoee Whitewater Center, just behind TVA Ocoee Powerhouse Number 3. Nestled alongside the Ocoee River, this facility provides 37 regular campsites for popups and RVs less than 20 feet with no elctricity , ONLY site 9 is an electric site for less than 20 feet at 30 amp, and one group campsite. Thunder Rock is a popular destination for both whitewater and trail enthusiasts.  Recreation Trailhead parking is available for the nearby Tanasi trail system, which includes approximately 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. This system can be reached via Thunder Rock Express, Dry Pond Lead, or the Rhododendron Trail. Thunder Rock also provides access to the Benton-McKaye Trail.Facilities Picnic tables, grills, and lantern posts are located at each campsite. Water hydrants are located throughout the campground. Bathhouses provide flush toilets and warm showers. The campground host is located at the campground entrance next to the main bathhouse. Thunder Rock Campground Map and Guide  Natural Features The Cherokee National Forest is located in eastern Tennessee and stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border. The 650,000-acre swath of land is Tennessee's only national forest. It lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachians and is home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, as well as many rivers, creeks and lakes. Nearby Attractions The nearby Ocoee River put-in and Ocoee Whitewater Center, home of the 1996 Olympic Canoe/Kayak-Slalom Competition, makes this an ideal location for rafters and kayakers alike. Charges & Cancellations All sites have a $18.00 cancellation and reservation fee.

Getting there

From the Ocoee Ranger Station, turn left onto Highway 64 eastbound and travel 10.9 miles to the TVA Ocoee Powerhouse Number 3. Turn right and cross the bridge to reach the campground on the right.

Elevation
1,127 ft
Contact
423-338-3300

Activities

  • WHITEWATER RAFTING
  • CAMPING
  • MOUNTAIN BIKING
  • BOATING
  • CANOEING
  • FISHING
  • HIKING
  • KAYAKING
  • NON-MOTORIZED BOATING
  • SCENIC DRIVE
  • BACKPACKING
  • RAFTING
  • RIVER TRIPS

Nearby federal campgrounds

Never miss an opening at Thunder Rock Campground

Popular Tennessee campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Thunder Rock Campground 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.