Campground

Little Oak Campground

Near Bristol, Tennessee

Little Oak Campground hugs the shores and inlets of beautiful South Holston Lake in Sullivan County, Tennessee. With a view of the Holston Mountain ridgeline and lake islands, Little Oak campsites are a relaxing setting for your vacation. There are 69 universally accessible campsites improved in 2012 including warm showers and a paved access road. Campground hosts are available on site to answer your questions.

Facilities

There are 69 universally accessible campsites for tents or RVs within four loops at Little Oak Campground. Each loop has a pair of vault toilets. In addition, there is an accessible shower house with 8 showers for the campground. There is a boat launch within the campground with an additional single vault toilet. The boat launch is for use by registered campers and their guests only.

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 Little Oak, with a concrete boat launch within the campground. Numerous campsites have easy access to the lake shore for tying off your boat. There are nearby trails for hiking and horseback riding. Children and adults enjoy riding their bikes on the roads between camping loops. There is also a lakeside grassy area popular for swimming and picnicking. There is an array of wildflowers to enjoy throughout the season, resident deer and turkey and other natural wonders for the naturalist in your group.

Recreation Sites

Standard Nonelectric
Overnight

Activities

Biking
Boating
Canoeing
Birding
Fishing
Hiking
Jet Skiing
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Non-Motorized Boating
Scenic Drive
Star Gazing
Swimming
Water Access
Water Skiing
Tubing
Water Activities
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Accessible Boat Ramp
Accessible Campsites
Accessible Drinking Water
Accessible Flush Toilets
Accessible Grills
Accessible Parking
Accessible Picnic Area
Accessible Picnic Shelters
Accessible Showers
Accessible Sites
Accessible Vault Toilets
Accessible Walkways
Beach Access
Boat Dock
Boat Trailer Parking
Drinking Water
Dump Station
Grills
Interpretive Trails
Lake Access
Parking Area
Paved Parking
Paved Pathways
Paved Roads
Paved Sites
Pets Allowed
Picnic Area
Self Pay Station
Shade
Showers
Trailhead Parking
Trailheads
Trash Collection
Vault Toilets
Water Spigot
Waterfront Sites
Grills/Fire Ring
Accessibility
Tent Pad
Picnic Table
Fire Pit
Lantern Pole

Nearby Attractions

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

Getting Here

Latitude

36° 31' 10.3400" N

Longitude

82° 3' 38.9401" W

From Bristol, take US 421 south for 12 miles, and turn right onto paved Camp Tom Howard Road. After 0.5 miles, this road becomes Forest Road #87. Continue on Road #87 for six miles. Turn right on Road #87G for 1.5 miles to Little Oak.

Need to Know

All loops at Little Oak Campground are currently open for the 2025 season.

The showerhouse, flush bathrooms, hydrants and dump station are all operational.

The gates to the campground are closed from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Guests of campers are asked to leave before the gates are closed.

Many of the campsites are on the Reservation system. Campers may camp on unreserved sites for no more than two nights at a time or contact Recreation.gov to reserve the site longer.

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 Little Oak 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 which are posted at the campground.

The boat ramp at Little Oak Campground is for use for registered campers and their guests ONLY. There is a public boat ramp a few miles down the road on Highway 421 for anyone else not camping at Little Oak Campground.

There are four bear-proof dumpsters located in the Boat Ramp parking area for use by Little Oak campers only. Please take your trash to these dumpsters and dispose of all trash responsibly, and make sure the sliding doors are closed.