Campground

Facilities

There are a total of 29 campsites, 27 of which are available, within three loops. Some sites are right along the water, and some sites are away from the water. The campground has flush toilets and showers. Each site is non-electric, and contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder. Some sites can accommodate a travel trailer, while some sites are tent only. There is a boat launch a few miles down the road along Hwy 421.  

Jacobs Creek Recreation Area Map 

Natural Features

South Holston Lake is a 7,580-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Holston Mountain and nearby Iron Mountain provide habitat for an array of wildlife including a healthy population of black bear.

Recreation

Fishing is a popular activity for campers at Jacobs Creek. There is a boat launch a few miles down the road along Hwy 421. A few campsites have easy access to the lake shore. Children and adults enjoy riding their bikes on the roads between camping loops. There is also a day-use area adjacent to the campground for swimming and picnicking. There is an array of wildflowers to enjoy throughout the season, as well as resident deer and turkey and other natural wonders for the naturalist in your group. Jacobs Creek Shooting Range is about 1 mile outside the campground.  

Recreation Sites

  • Standard Nonelectric
  • Tent Only Nonelectric
  • Management
  • Overnight

Activities

  • Camping
  • Boating
  • Canoeing
  • Day Use Area
  • Kayaking

Amenities

  • Accessible Campsites
  • Accessible Drinking Water
  • Accessible Flush Toilets
  • Accessible Grills
  • Accessible Parking
  • Accessible Pit Toilets
  • Accessible Showers
  • Accessible Vault Toilets
  • Campfire Rings
  • Dump Station
  • Flush Toilets
  • Host
  • Lantern Posts
  • Pets Allowed
  • Picnic Tables
  • Self Pay Station
  • Showers (Seasonal)
  • Water Spigot
  • Waterfront Sites

Nearby Attractions

Jacobs Creek Campground is within 30 minutes of Bristol, Tennessee, and nearby Bristol Motor Speedway. Backbone Rock Recreation Area is approximately 30 minutes away up beautiful Shady Valley, and just five minutes past Backbone Rock is Damascus, Virginia. Little Oak Campground is 25 minutes away for another campground option along South Holston Lake.  

Getting Here

Latitude
36° 33' 40.9644" N
Longitude
82° 0' 0.6948" W

From Bristol, take US 421 South for 12 miles, and turn left onto paved Denton Valley Rd. After 1.5 miles, turn left onto Jacobs Creek Rd. Continue 0.5 miles and you will be at Jacobs Creek Campground.  

Need to Know

  • Jacobs Creek Campground received damage to both bathrooms from Hurrican Helene. The bathroom near site 4 is demolished, and the showerhouse near site 19 has roof damage. Repair work to the roof at the showerhouse is planned, but there is no time frame yet. Until the showerhouse can be repaired, the campground will remain closed. Again, there is no time frame yet. FOR YOUR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A TIMEFRAME YET, JACOBS CREEK CAMPGROUND AND DAY-USE AREA WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL JULY 31, 2025. THIS CLOSURE MAY BE LIFTED EARLY, OR IT MAY BE EXTENDED FURTHER INTO THE YEAR. IT JUST DEPENDS ON HOW QUICKLY REPAIRS CAN GET STARTED AND PROGRESS IS MADE. The closure is such that if you have a reservation made already between 4/28/25 and 7/31/25 the reservations remain in place, but the full duration of stay will be cancelled and refunded IF the closure remains by the reservation start date (even if remaining nights are outside the closure period). This maintains the reservation in case the closure is lifted prior to their reservation start date. If the closure is lifted after the reservation start date, that visitor’s reservation will be cancelled and will need to re-book. Customers are notified of their options through an email. We will support early checkouts for reservations with arrivals ahead of the closure period. If you want to cancel your reservation feel free to and we will refund all fees.  

  • The majority of campsites at Jacobs Creek Campground are now on the Reservation system. Campers may camp on unreserved sites for a recommended two nights maximum at a time, or contact Recreation.gov to reserve a site. 

  • All recreation areas on the Cherokee National Forest are alcohol free to promote family-friendly recreation.

  • Campfires are limited to the burning of wood only. It's state law. Please bring wood from TN only. 

  • Be BearWise: Never leave food out on tables or in the open. Store unattended food in bear-resistant containers, in a vehicle in solid non-pliable material, or suspend food at least 12 feet off the ground. Remember to use the bear resistant trash receptacles provided at this facility. Please adhere to the Cherokee National Forest Food and Refuse Storage Requirements 36 CFR 261.58 (cc) . Visit the Cherokee National Forest website or the Jacobs Creek webpage of the Cherokee National Forest website for more information. 

  • Check-out time is no later than 11 am EST on your departure day. You may check-in to the campground between 2 pm EST and 10 pm EST of your arrival date. If you have not checked-in before 2 pm EST the day after your arrival date, your site will be checked-out and will forfeit all fees. 

  • All pets must be on a 6' leash at all times. Owners must pick up after their pets, and all pet waste disposed of properly. 

  • It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all campground specific rules and regulations.

  • Contact Information

    4400 Unicoi Dr
    Unicoi, TN 37692
    300 Jacob's Creek Rd
    Bristol, TN 37620

    For campground inquiries, please call: 423-735-1500