These official camping rules and regulations for Cherokee National Forest were gathered from Orders and documents issued by the Supervisor of Cherokee National Forest, along with information published U.S. Forest Service website, and from the Code of Federal Regulations…
Cherokee National Forest, Camping Rules
Passes and Permits
Purchase of passes or permits is not required for boondocking (dispersed camping) inside Cherokee National Forest.
- Developed campgrounds, however, may require per-night fees, depending on the campground. (Reference, Camping & Cabins, Cherokee National Forest).
- Day-use permits are required for day-use activities in certain areas of the forest. These would include boat launches, shooting ranges, swimming areas, and other designated day-use areas. (Reference, Recreation Passes and Permits, Cherokee National Forest).
Areas Off-Limits to Camping
Cherokee National Forest will often shut down certain areas from camping or entering. You will have to refer to the “Forest Orders” to see what areas are currently in closed…
- You can see the current list of Forest Orders here.
Camping Setbacks
Cherokee National Forest requires that all boondocking (dispersed camping) remain 100 feet away from water, trails, trailhead parking lots and developed recreation areas. (Reference, Dispersed Camping, Cherokee National Forest)
Number of Persons and Vehicles in a Campsite
As of May 23, 2016, there are limits on how many people and vehicles can occupy a campsite (Reference, Cherokee Forest Order 03-04-387)…
- In a developed campground, in a single site, no more than five (5) persons, and no more than two (2) vehicles, per site. Motorcycles and bicycles do not count towards the limit.
- In a developed campground, in a double site, no more than ten (10) persons and four (4) vehicles, per site. Motorcycles and bicycles do not count towards the limit.
- In dispersed areas, there is no limit.
- Note: as of this writing (March 16, 2022) this rule is still in effect.
Maximum Length of Stay
As of May 23, 2016, the maximum length of stay for camping at Cherokee National Forest is 14 days. (Reference, Cherokee Forest Order 03-04-387.)…
- In developed campgrounds, after the 14th day, the camper must not return to the same campground for at least 7 days.
- In dispersed areas, after the 14th day, the camper must move at least 1 mile away, for at least 7 days, before returning to the same area.
- Note: as of this writing (March 16, 2022) this rule is still in effect.
Leaving Your Campsite Unattended
Only applicable to dispersed camping… you may not leave your campsite unattended for more than 24 hours. (Reference, Cherokee National Forest, Rules & Regulations)
Campfire Restrictions
Cherokee National Forest has a couple of rules with respect to campfires (Reference, Cherokee National Forest, Rules & Regulations)…
- In developed campgrounds, campfires are allowed only in fire rings provided by the forest.
- In dispersed areas, campers may light small campfires without restriction, and without permit
- In dispersed areas, a large fire requires a permit.
Gathering Firewood
You’re free to gather dead and down firewood to build a campfire while camping at Cherokee National Forest. (Reference, Cherokee National Forest, Rules & Regulations)…
- You are not allowed to carry dead and down wood outside of Cherokee National Forest.
- You are not allowed to cut down live or dead trees or remove branches without a permit.
Weapons
Weapons are allowed on Cherokee National Forest, but with specific restrictions (Reference, Cherokee National Forest, Rules & Regulations)…
- You are allowed to possess a handgun within Cherokee National Forest as long as you possess a handgun carrying permit.
- You are allowed to possess other firearms if you also hold a valid hunting permit.
- You are not allowed to discharge any firearm or weapon within Cherokee National Forest except at a designated shooting range, or when hunting, or self-defense.
Off-Highway Vehicle Rules
Cherokee National Forest operates only a few specially designated OHV areas. Reference, Cherokee National Forest, OHV Trail Riding, for specific locations.
- Any vehicle that is legally allowed to operate on public roads and highways in the State of Tennessee is allowed to operate on roads inside Cherokee National Forest.
- Any vehicle that is not legally allowed to operate on public roads and highways in the State of Tennessee are restricted to forest roads designated as being open for motorcycles or special vehicles.
- You will have to refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (see below), published by Cherokee National Forest, to see where these designated roads are located.
Motor Vehicle Use Maps
These are the Forest’s official road maps. They indicate which roads are open to street-legal vehicles, and which are open to both street-legal vehicles and non-street legal vehicles. For further discussion on this read, “How to Use Motor Vehicle Maps (MVUM) to Find Free Camping“.
- Cherokee National Forest, Ocoee Ranger District, 2021
- Cherokee National Forest, Tellico Ranger District, 2021
- Cherokee National Forest, Unaka Ranger District, 2021
- Cherokee National Forest, Watauga Ranger District, 2021
Camping Rules that Apply to All National Forests
Disorderly Conduct
The following are prohibited (Reference, CFR Title 36, Chapter II, § 261.4 Disorderly conduct)…
- Inciting others into violence,
- Fighting, and
- Causing public inconvenience, annoyance, or creating alarm by making unreasonably loud noises.
Campfires
The following are prohibited (Reference, CFR Title 36, Chapter II, § 261.5 Fire)…
- Leaving a fire without completely extinguishing it,
- Firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition,
- Building a campfire without removing all flammable material around the campfire, and
- Failing to maintain control of a campfire.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions
The following are prohibited (Reference, CFR Title 36, Chapter II, § 261.10 Occupancy and use)…
- Building your own roads, structures, enclosures, or other improvements on forest lands,
- Using forest lands for permanent residence,
- Shooting a gun within 150 yards of another campsite, campground, residence, or other occupied area,
- Abandoning personal property, including trash,
- Parking a vehicle so that it blocks the flow of traffic,
- Making unreasonably loud noises so that it disturbs nearby campsites, campgrounds, or other persons, and
- Lighting fireworks or firecrackers inside caves.
Sanitation Rules
The following are prohibited (Reference, CFR Title 36, Chapter II, § 261.11 Sanitation)…
- Possessing or leaving behind, trash, litter, debris in an exposed, unsanitary condition,
- Dumping sewage or waste water (gray water) on the ground, and
- Bringing in trash from home to dump into a forest trash container.
Additional Information
- Cherokee National Forest Official Website, U.S. Forest Service
- National Forest Rules for Developed Campgrounds, Boondocker’s Bible Legal Database
- All National Forest Articles, Boondocker’s Bible Knowledgebase
- All Articles About Camping in Tennessee, Boondocker’s Bible Knowledgebase
Phone Numbers
- Cherokee National Forest, main office – (423) 476-9700
- Ocoee Ranger Station – (423) 338-3300
- Tellico Ranger Station – (423) 253-8400
- Unaka Ranger Station – (423) 638-4109
- Watauga Ranger Station – (423) 735-1500
