CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST

Cherokee NF photos

The Cherokee is Tennessee's only national forest and encompasses 633,000 acres, stretching from Chattanooga to Bristol. It has two section -- north and south -- which are separated by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. About 10% of the forest is designated wilderness in 7 small segments: the adjoining Joyce Kilmer-Sliprock (3881 acres) and Citco Creek (15,891 acres); Gee Creek (2493 acres); Bald River Gorge (3887 acres); Big Laurel Branch (6251 acres); Pond Mountain (6665 acres); Sampson Mountain (8319 acres). The forest has over 105 hiking trails covering over 715 miles, including 2 National Recreation Trails (The John Muir and Warrior's Passage) and a lengthy segment of the Appalachian Trail.

 

Following the multi-use doctrine, there are trails in the forest designated for hiking, mountain biking, motorcycling, or horseback, as well as designated areas for ORV/4WD use. The forest is home to over 70 species of mammals and 262 species of birds. Fishing in the lakes and rivers is said to be exceptional, including trout (rainbow, brook, and brown) as well as bass, bluegill, and crappie.

 

The Cherokee National Forest hosted the 1996 Olympic Slalom Canoe and Kayak events on the Ocoee River. Whitewater canoeing, kayaking, and tubing are also available on 9 whitewater rivers, including the Hiwassee State Scenic River, the Nolichucky, and and French Broad River.

INFO:

 

Supervisor's Office

2800 N. Ocoee Street

P. O. Box 2010

Cleveland, TN 37320

(423) 476-9700

 

 

Wilderness Trails of Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest, written by the Harvey Broome Group of the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, 1992, 323 pages.