Cherokee National Forest

Cherokee National Forest

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Cherokee National Forest

South Fork of Citico Creek in the Cherokee National Forest

Cherokee National Forest is a large National Forest operated by the U.S. Forest Service. It contains some 640,000 acres (2,600 km²). The forest is located in eastern Tennessee, along the border with North Carolina, and comprises nearly the entire border area except for the part of it within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Cherokee National Forest has two separate sections: a northern region directly north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a southern section directly south of the Smokies. A very small part of the northern section actually extends into northwestern North Carolina. http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/lar/2007/TABLE_6.htm Forest headquarters are located in Cleveland, Tennessee.

The Cherokee National Forest was created on July 19, 1936, by President Franklin Roosevelt. Most of the land had been logged at some time, and continues its recovery today.

The forest contains such notable sites as the Ocoee River, site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events; 150 miles (240 km) of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail; Citico Creek Wilderness; and Big Frog Mountain within Big Frog Wilderness.

The forest is located in parts of ten counties in Tennessee and one county in North Carolina. In descending order of forestland area they are Polk, Monroe, Carter, Unicoi, Cocke, Johnson, Greene, Sullivan, Washington, McMinn, and Ashe counties. (Ashe County, with the smallest forestland area, is the only county that is in North Carolina; all the rest are in Tennessee.) ^[1]

Recreation

U.S. Highway 421 winds through Cherokee National Forest near Bristol, Tennessee.

Recreation opportunities in the forest are diverse.

The forest's fast-flowing rivers support trout fishing. Rainbow trout are stocked in many Cherokee streams and rivers. Brook trout and brown trout are also present. Bass, bluegill and crappie are found in the forest's lakes, which are also open to wind sailing, water skiing and boating.

Trails criss-cross the Forest. In addition to the Appalachian Trail, these include the John Muir Recreation trail, other hiking trails, and some trails designed for equestrian use. Bicycle trails are being developed.

Camping is available in RV campgrounds and tent-only camping areas.