National Scenic Trail, National Forest · TN, NC

Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Spanning through the diverse landscapes of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Appalachian Trail within the Cherokee National Forest offers stunning vistas, rich biodiversity, and a challenging terrain that attracts hikers from all over the world.

National Scenic Trail, National Forest650,0004+ Trails

1936NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL, NATIONAL FOREST

Designation

National Scenic Trail, National Forest

Total Wilderness Area

650,000

Elevation / Terrain

Diverse Wilderness

Field Editorial Guide

About Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail passes through Cherokee National Forest, weaving through the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains. This section of the trail is renowned for its rich biodiversity, encompassing a range of ecosystems from hardwood forests to alpine meadows. The Cherokee National Forest itself is a treasure trove of natural beauty, covering over 650,000 acres of pristine woodland. The trail's history is closely linked to America's hiking culture, as it forms part of the greater 2,190-mile trail stretching from Georgia to Maine. This area provides ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, from hiking and camping to wildlife watching. Notable landmarks include Watauga Lake and the Roan Highlands, offering breathtaking panoramic views. The Cherokee National Forest section of the Appalachian Trail is not just a path but an experience, drawing thousands of visitors who seek adventure and tranquility in the great outdoors.

Field Guide · National Scenic Trail, National Forest

Adventure Destinations

Notable Destinations Near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Scenic viewpoints, outdoor landmarks, and notable points of interest within 60 miles.

Key Wilderness Highlights

✦ Watauga Lake, a scenic spot along the trail offering serene waterside views.✦ Roan Highlands, known for its breathtaking views and unique grassy balds.✦ Unaka Mountain, a favorite for its panoramic vistas and bird-watching opportunities.✦ Tellico Plains, a lesser-traveled area providing solitude and scenic beauty.

Signature Wilderness Experience

“Watauga Lake, a scenic spot along the trail offering serene waterside views.”

AdvCollective Field Record · National Scenic Trail, National Forest

Geographic Location

Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

State / Region:TN, NC

Coordinates:36.3104° N, -82.1250° W

Public Land Status:National Scenic Trail, National Forest

Ranger Field Tips

Carry plenty of water, as sources can be scarce in some sections.

Spring and fall offer the best weather, but check for black bear activity in summer.

Campground reservations in popular areas like Watauga Lake are highly recommended.

Consider trekking poles for rougher sections to aid with elevation changes.

Park Specifications

Acres Protected650,000

Miles of Trails150+

Annual Visitors35,000+

Year Established1936

Wilderness Visuals & Gallery

Visual Guide to Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Wilderness Recreation

Outdoor Adventures in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Explore curated guides for top outdoor sports, trail networks, and wilderness activities.

Park Recreation

Hiking

Available in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Park Recreation

Camping

Available in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Park Recreation

Wildlife Viewing

Available in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Park Recreation

Photography

Available in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Park Recreation

Fishing

Available in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Park Recreation

Scenic Drives

Available in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

The Ranger Station

Visitor Logistics & Essential Planning

Everything you need to know about entrance passes, seasons, visitor centers, road transit, and wildlife safety in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest.

Passes & Fees

Entrance Requirements & Interagency Passes

Free access with various parking areas along the trailheads.

Wilderness Checklist

Carry paper topographic map & compass in remote zones.

Store all food and scented items in approved bear canisters.

Check wildfire / smoke advisories before backcountry departure.

Pack out everything you pack in (Leave No Trace).

Wilderness Stays

Camping & Overnight Stays in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Frontcountry developed campgrounds, backcountry wilderness permit guidelines, and starry-night camping advice.

Watauga Lake Campsite

Situated near Watauga Lake, providing easy access to the water and trail.

Reserve on Recreation.gov

Roan Mountain State Park Campground

A popular base camp for exploring the Roan Highlands.

Reserve on Recreation.gov

Adventure Basecamps

Gateway Towns Near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Stay, dine, and gear up in these mountain towns and scenic basecamps surrounding the park.

⌖ 3.21 miles

Gateway Basecamp

Hampton, Tennessee

Hampton, TN is an adventure seeker's haven with access to hiking, biking, paddling, and more in a breathtaking mountain setting. Enjoy a peaceful retreat in nature's lap.

Spring and Fall

Explore Town

⌖ 5.63 miles

Gateway Basecamp

Elizabethton, Tennessee

Elizabethton offers outdoor lovers a gateway to the Appalachians with hiking, fishing, and kayaking adventures. Embrace history and natural beauty in this quaint Tennessee town.

Spring and Fall

Explore Town

⌖ 5.99 miles

Gateway Basecamp

Butler, Tennessee

Butler, TN, is a serene retreat in the Cherokee National Forest with adventures on Watauga Lake. Perfect for paddling, hiking, and wildlife watching, it's an outdoor lover's paradise.

Late Spring to Early Fall

Explore Town

⌖ 12.73 miles

Gateway Basecamp

Johnson City, Tennessee

Johnson City is an adventure lover's destination with hiking, biking, paddling, and fishing. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, it offers diverse trails, scenic waters, and vibrant festivals.

Spring and Fall

Explore Town

⌖ 13.24 miles

Gateway Basecamp

Elk Park, North Carolina

Elk Park is a serene town ideal for outdoor lovers seeking peaceful trails, diverse wildlife, and a chance to experience the simpler side of mountain life. From hiking the Appalachian Trail to exploring local waterfalls, there's something for every adventurer.

Spring and Fall

Explore Town

⌖ 14.84 miles

Gateway Basecamp

Unicoi, Tennessee

Unicoi, TN is a gateway to the Appalachian adventure, offering great hiking, biking, and fly fishing. With scenic campsites and waterfalls, it's perfect for nature lovers.

Spring and Fall

Explore Town

Expert-Led Wilderness Expeditions

Guided Experiences in Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Cherokee National Forest

Explore scenic backcountry routes and epic wilderness adventures with certified local mountain guides, naturalists, and outfitters.

Verified Outdoor Outfitters

Wading the Watauga: Trout-Rich Tailwater Between Cliffs and Farmland

ADVEXPEDITION

Bluff City, Tennessee

FishingADV Bookable

Wading the Watauga: Trout-Rich Tailwater Between Cliffs and Farmland

A focused guide to Trophy Water Guide Service's Watauga River Wade—what to expect on an 18-mile tailwater famed for extremely high trout densities and an epic spring black caddis hatch.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Watauga Tailwater: A 20‑Mile Float for Trout on the Edge of Bluff City

ADVEXPEDITION

Bluff City, Tennessee

FishingADV Bookable

Watauga Tailwater: A 20‑Mile Float for Trout on the Edge of Bluff City

A compact guide to float and wade fishing the Watauga tailwater with Trophy Water Guide Service — what you’ll fish for, where the river runs, and what to bring.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Wading the South Holston: Chasing Giant Browns on a 17‑Mile Tailwater

ADVEXPEDITION

Bluff City, Tennessee

FishingADV Bookable

Wading the South Holston: Chasing Giant Browns on a 17‑Mile Tailwater

A day on the South Holston River out of Bluff City, TN, guides anglers through a 17‑mile tailwater renowned for trophy brown trout and dense fish counts.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

A Tailwater Trophy: Floating the Watauga’s High-Density Trout Water from Bluff City

ADVEXPEDITION

Bluff City, Tennessee

FishingADV Bookable

A Tailwater Trophy: Floating the Watauga’s High-Density Trout Water from Bluff City

A focused angling float run operated out of Bluff City that guides anglers through 18 miles of high-quality tailwater trout habitat and varied fishing situations.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Headwater Angling in the S. Appalachians: Tight Lines on Bluff City’s Small Streams

ADVEXPEDITION

Bluff City, Tennessee

FishingADV Bookable

Headwater Angling in the S. Appalachians: Tight Lines on Bluff City’s Small Streams

A concise field guide to year‑round wade trips for brook, rainbow, brown trout and smallmouth bass in Bluff City’s high‑elevation headwaters.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Fly Lines and Big Bites: Fishing the Nolichucky’s Freestone Currents

ADVEXPEDITION

Bluff City, Tennessee

FishingADV Bookable

Fly Lines and Big Bites: Fishing the Nolichucky’s Freestone Currents

A guided float on the Nolichucky River out of Bluff City/Erwin that targets smallmouth bass in warm months and rainbow trout in winter; this guide explains what to expect on a 4–8 hour outing and what to bring.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Holston Proper Float: Tailrace Smallmouth and Giant Carp Below Fork Patrick Henry

ADVEXPEDITION

Bluff City, Tennessee

FishingADV Bookable

Holston Proper Float: Tailrace Smallmouth and Giant Carp Below Fork Patrick Henry

A guided float on the Holston tailrace in Bluff City that targets prolific smallmouth—15–18-inch fish and frequent 20+ inch giants—and outlines the fishery, tactics, and what to bring.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Boone Lake: Hunting Stripers and Trout Where River Bottoms Meet Open Water

ADVEXPEDITION

Bluff City, Tennessee

FishingADV Bookable

Boone Lake: Hunting Stripers and Trout Where River Bottoms Meet Open Water

A focused guide to Boone Lake fishing outings — species, timing, logistics and what to pack for 4–8 hour guided trips out of Johnson City, TN.

FishingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Zen Tubing on the Watauga: Three Hours of Slow Drift in Elizabethton

ADVEXPEDITION

Elizabethton, Tennessee

River TubeADV Bookable

Zen Tubing on the Watauga: Three Hours of Slow Drift in Elizabethton

A three-hour, family-friendly float down scenic stretches of the Watauga River—this guide explains what to expect, what to bring and who can join.

River TubePT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Two Hours of Foothills Flow: Family Rafting on the Watauga

ADVEXPEDITION

Elizabethton, Tennessee

RaftingADV Bookable

Two Hours of Foothills Flow: Family Rafting on the Watauga

A scenic, two-hour float through Tennessee’s foothills with gentle class I–II rapids and a single class‑III challenge—this guide orients family groups to what to expect and how to prepare.

RaftingPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Drift and Chill on the Watauga: Laid‑Back Tubing Minutes from Downtown Elizabethton

ADVEXPEDITION

Elizabethton, Tennessee

Water ActivitiesADV Bookable

Drift and Chill on the Watauga: Laid‑Back Tubing Minutes from Downtown Elizabethton

A summer float on the Watauga River with Wahoo’s Adventures — this guide explains what to bring, where to meet, and who can go so you can plan a relaxed river escape.

Water ActivitiesPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip

Haunting on the Mount 2025: Rocky Mount's Night of Story and Shadow

ADVEXPEDITION

Johnson City, Tennessee

History TourADV Bookable

Haunting on the Mount 2025: Rocky Mount's Night of Story and Shadow

A guided October evening at Rocky Mount State Historic Site that pairs 18th‑century interpretation with chilling local lore—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.

History TourPT2HCertified Outfitter

Bookable OnlineBook Trip