Bush Creek Recreational Area

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bush Creek Recreational Area is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in Tennessee.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

Located in the Cherokee National Forest, the area offers a variety of recreational activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, boating, and picnicking.

One of the main attractions of Bush Creek is its beautiful lake, which covers over 75 acres and is stocked with a variety of fish species including bass, catfish, and bluegill. Visitors can rent boats and canoes, or enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the sandy beach.

For hikers, the area features several trails ranging from easy to challenging, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The popular Citico Creek Trail offers a scenic hike along a rushing creek, while the Bald River Falls Trail leads to a picturesque waterfall.

During the fall, the area is particularly stunning as the leaves change colors and the landscape transforms into a colorful tapestry of gold, red, and orange. However, visitors can enjoy the area year-round, with mild temperatures and plenty of recreational opportunities available throughout the seasons.

Overall, Bush Creek Recreational Area offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, with breathtaking scenery, outdoor activities, and a peaceful atmosphere.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks