Jake Best Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens March 3 and closes November 17 annually. Sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations.

About

Jake Best Campground is one of two developed campgrounds located along Citico Creek in the Cherokee National Forest. The campground is particularly popular with trout fishermen and hunters who use it as a base camp for exploring the surrounding Citico Creek Recreation Region. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table, grill/fire ring, and lantern post. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis only, with no advance reservations available. Sites can be paid for on-site using cash, check, or by scanning a QR code with the Recreation.gov mobile app. A campground host is present during peak season. The campground is accessible via gravel roads along Citico Creek, either from Highway 360 in Vonore or from the Cherohala Skyway near Tellico Plains. Campers should be prepared to bring their own water, as no potable water is available at the campground. Vault toilets are provided. Food storage restrictions apply throughout the Cherokee National Forest, requiring all food and beverages to be stored in bear-proof containers, locked vehicles, or hard-sided campers when not in use. Sites accommodate a maximum of 5 people and 2 vehicles.

Directions

From Highway 411 turn on Highway 360 in Vonore. When the road splits stay straight which becomes Citico Road. Stay on this road until you reach Jake Best. The road will turn to gravel along the creek. You may also access it from the Cherohala Skyway (Highway 165) in Tellico Plains by following directions to Indian Boundary Campground. Instead of turning into Indian Boundary, turn right onto the gravel road which will drop you down to Citico Creek. Follow the creek downstream and Jake Best Campground will be on your left. You will pass several dispersed campsites along the way.

Nearby Campgrounds