Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN)
Rock Creek Recreation Area is named for the small creek that runs alongside this recreation site. The facilities, creek-fed concrete pond and bathhouse were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. It is located just outside the town of Erwin, TN at an elevation of 2,300 feet - a welcome respite from the summer heat.
Be Bear Wise: Food storage compliance is strictly enforced. Store all food and trash in hard-sided containers and vehicles while not in use. Never have attractants in your tent. Violations of the food storage order are ticketable offenses and subject to fines. Food and trash left unattended will be impounded by campground staff.
There are 27 fully accessible single and five double campsites in Rock Creek Recreation Area; all with electric hook-ups. In addition, there are five walk-in tent sites without electric hookups, which are available first-come, first served only. Three bathhouses are located within the recreation area; one in Loop A, one in Loop C, and one located by the concrete pond - it is a Civilian Conservation Corps-era bathhouse adapted for modern use. Each bathhouse has flush toilets and shower facilities. A dump station is located on site. An on-site host is located in the campground.
Rock Creek Recreation Area Map
Notifications and Alerts
This location is closed until further notice due to significant impacts from Hurricane Helene. Please continue to monitor this location’s facility page on Recreation.gov for status updates or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee for details. Keep in mind, local personnel may be attending to this urgent situation and not available to provide updates immediately.
Need to Know
It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all specific rules and regulations which are also posted at the campground.
Be Bear Wise: Food storage compliance is strictly enforced. Store all food and trash in hard-sided containers and vehicles while not in use. Never have attractants in your tent. Violations of the food storage order are ticketable offenses and subject to fines. Food and trash left unattended will be impounded by campground staff. A copy of the Food Storage Order can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd574347.pdf
- Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
The following items are expressly prohibited:
o Firearms and fireworks
o Alcohol and illegal drugs
o Public nudity
Gates to the campground are closed from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Guests of campers must leave before 10:00 p.m.
Use designated fire rings for all fires. Do not build additional fire rings. No burning plastic or other non-wood materials except local wood in fire pits and charcoal in grills.
All vehicles must be parked within the driveway or designated parking area of the site and no part of the vehicle may extend onto the road or into the woods.
All users' equipment must be contained within the site. Sites must be kept neat and orderly.
All animals must be crated or on a leash not longer than 6 feet.
- Water spigots are shared between sites.
Check-out time is 12:00PM. Check-in time is 2:00PM. If you arrive earlier, you may have to wait for a campsite.
Single Site: Max of 5 people per site, including infants and children. Max of 2 tents and 1 canopy.
Double Site: Max of 10 people per site, including infants and children. Max of 4 tents and 2 canopies.
Sites 6, 10, 17, 20, and 21 are double sites and do not qualify for interagency pass discounts (Access, Military, Senior, Golden Age).
Natural Features
Campsites are nestled in a cove hardwood forest. Adjacent to the campground is Unaka Mountain Wilderness area, a rugged and undeveloped area.
Nearby Attractions
The Appalachian Trail crosses TN 395 at Indian Grave Gap, 3.1 miles east of Rock Creek. Mountain Balds, Beauty Spot and Unaka Mountain Overlook are located nearby along Forest Service Road #230. Whitewater rafting on the Nolichucky River is provided by private companies located in Erwin, TN.
Recreation
Hike on one (or all) of the trails adjacent to Rock Creek Recreation Area. Visitors can enjoy cooling off in the creek-fed concrete pond. Younger children can enjoy the playground located in the day use area of the recreation area. Campground programs are offered every Friday night in July at the amphitheater.
Contact Information
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4900 Asheville Highway Greeneville TN 37743
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 423-638-4109
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From I-26 take exit 34 to Main Street (TN107) in Erwin, take TN 395 east for 3.5 miles to Rock Creek Recreation Area.
Available Campsites
- Site 03, Loop A Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 010, Loop A Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 019, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 030, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 1, Loop Group, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 029, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 014, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 024, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 09, Loop A Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 07, Loop A Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 04, Loop A Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 027, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 013, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 031, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 017, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 021, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 026, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 018, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 011, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 023, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 033, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 015, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 08, Loop A Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 020, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 05, Loop A Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 028, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 06, Loop A Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 016, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 022, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 032, Loop C Loop, Type Standard Electric
- Site 012, Loop B Loop, Type Standard Electric
