NF Campground Rating – Rock Creek, Cherokee Forest (Erwin, TN)

October 8, 2010 by libertatemamo 8 Comments

This is where we’re staying right now and is an absolute gem of a find in the northern end of the Smoky Mountains
Link to campground here: Rock Creek, Cherokee National Forest
Link to map here: Rock Creek Recreation Area

1. Site Quality = 5/5
    For a National Forest these are some of the nicest sites we’ve seen. They’re extremely spacious, flat, hard gravel back-ins with picnic table, fire-pit and shelf area (to store wood and such). Sites are well wooded with lots of separation between campers (in fact it’s hard to see anyone except your closest neighbour). The bonus…all sites have 50 AMP hookups.
2. Facilities = 4/5
   Very decent facilities. There’s flush toilets and showers, all clean and well-kept. Central dump-station and potable water several places around the campground, plus picnic area and playground. There’s even a natural stream-fed swimming hole. Only ding, the showers have one of those 15-sec timers so you’ve got to keep pressing to get water.
3. Location = 5/5
   The location just rocks. You’re a few miles from Erwin which will cover all your basic shopping needs, but you’re well and truely immersed in the forest. There’s a natural creek that runs along the campgroung and hiking trails to water-falls and mountain-tops right from your doorstep.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Wonderful place for doggie. There’s plenty of space, hiking trails and streams to play in.

Overall Rating = 4.75
BONUS ALERT = Serene woods, gorgeous creeks and water-falls in the deep midst of the Smoky Mountains

Summary: What a find is really all I can say! We came into the Smokies without any reservations, took a chance on this first-come-first-serve forest campground in the North and are so happy we did. If you want to get away from it all, I can’t imagine a better spot. It’s conveniently located right next to Erwin, TN, but you feel like you’ve submerged yourself into a remote natural wilderness when you get here. It’s densely wooded yet set beautifully next to a natural creek (there’s even a creek-fed swimming hole). Sites are very large, perfectly flat hard gravel back-ins with the suprising bonus of 50 AMP hookup. There’s lots of space between campers and the serenity of being in the woods with hiking trails to mountains and waterfalls right from your doorstep (see some of our pictures from the area HERE). The turns inside the camping loops are a bit tight in places, but are OK if you take your time. Most of the people who come are locals, I guess because they’re the only ones who know the secret. During the week it’s absolutely empty, but fills up in the week-end. We would definitely come back!

 Extra Info:  No connectivity here, but we were able to get internet w/ Verizon using our external amplifier and antenna. All sites first-come-first-serve. 50 AMP hook-ups. Sites are $15/night. Central dump and potable water. Swimming hole.