Cherokee National Forest park
Cherokee National Forest
There are many reasons to visit Cherokee National Forest, including its beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and recreational opportunities. The forest has over 900 miles of hiking trails, including part of the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the forest for over 70 miles. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, camping, and water activities on the many lakes and rivers within the forest.
Some notable points of interest in Cherokee National Forest include the Tellico River, which is known for its excellent trout fishing, and the Ocoee River, which hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics whitewater events. The forest also contains several scenic drives, including the Cherohala Skyway, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Interesting facts about Cherokee National Forest include that it is one of the largest tracts of public land in Tennessee and that it was named after the Cherokee Indians who once lived in the area. The forest also contains several historic sites, including the Ocoee Ranger Station, which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
The best time to visit Cherokee National Forest depends on the activities visitors are interested in. Spring and summer are popular times for hiking and water activities, while fall offers beautiful foliage and hunting opportunities. Winter brings snow and opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Cherokee National Forest offers a unique and diverse outdoor experience for visitors of all ages and interests.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Cherokee National Forest, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skull Island - Chickamauga Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Harrison Bay State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Chilhowee Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Chilhowee Recreation Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Chilhowee Rec Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Possum Creek Rv - Chickamauga Lake | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Cherokee National Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Cherokee National Forest
What can I do at Cherokee National Forest?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Cherokee National Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Cherokee National Forest.