Jacobs Creek Campground
Currently closed for the remainder of the 2025 season due to Hurricane Helene damage. Both bathhouses sustained significant damage and require repair before reopening. The campground typically operates seasonally from mid-May through mid-September.
Campsite limitations
Specific Camping prohibitions1. Camping for more than 14 days in developed and dispersed areas. Camping in anylocation is limited to 14 consecutive days. On the 14th consecutive day, the camper andparty must leave that area/campground for a minimum of seven days before returning foranother stay. If…
Camping not permitted within 300 feet of the Cherohala Skyway
Camping restricted along Skyway to beyond 300 yards.
motorboats restricted on Forest Service Lakes
Possession or operating a vessel powered by an internal combustion engine of any size or propelled by any other machinery rated greater than 5 horsepower is prohibited on McKamy Lake, Indian Boundary Lake, and Allen Branch Pond.
Cherokee National Forest enters Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
USDA Forest Service officials initiate Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Cherokee National Forest beginning Friday in response to extreme fire danger due to prolonged drought. The restrictions will prohibit fires outside of developed recreation sites. Drought conditions persist across the…
Little Sylco Project closes portion of FS 221
The US Forest Service plans to disrupt access to portions of FS 221 beginning Nov. 10 south of Parksville Lake while permanent water crossing repairs are completed to improve access across the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County. This Emergency Repair is in response to flood damage that…
Access disrupted to Chilhowee Recreation Area and Forest Service Road #77
UPDATE: Construction crews closed access to Chilhowee Recreation Area for road construction and paving. This is a phased project with adjustments to Chilhowee access throughout the phases. The long-term improvement project includes installation of dumpster pads for bear-proof dumpsters and…
Little Milligan Boat Ramp Temporary Closure Planned
The Little Milligan Boat Ramp Recreation Area is temporary unavailable to the public for visitor health and safety during Hurricane Helene salvage logging operations.
Closure order prohibiting protected areas pertaining to Paint Rock
Going into or being upon or in the area of closure (this includes all forms ofpresence, including as a pedestrian or by any and all other means)
Wilderness Closure Orders
This Forest Order is associated with Wilderness Areas limitations concerning stay duration, group size limits, mechanized equipment, camping and camping equipment.
Donley Cabin Camping Limitations
Limits to Donley Cabin exist to preserve small group opportunities in a remote setting. No overnight occupancy by more than 6 persons. No stays in the area except for 6 person limit authorized between sundown and sunrise. No discharge of firearm, air rifle, or gas gun within 500 feet of Donley…
Equestrian animals prohibited around Citico Creek
Equestrian animals are prohibited from going into or being upon the critical habitat portion of Citico Creek for the protection of threatened and endanger species.
About
Jacobs Creek Campground is situated on a peninsula along the eastern shore of South Holston Lake in Sullivan County, Tennessee, within Cherokee National Forest at an elevation of 1,730 feet. The campground offers 27 single-unit campsites, with 23 sites available for reservation through Recreation.gov. Campers enjoy miles of undeveloped shoreline views and direct lake access from select sites. The facility includes flush toilets, warm showers, drinking water, a trailer dump station, and a lakeside trail. An adjacent day-use area features a large grassy area with picnic facilities and a designated swim beach. Fishing is popular at Jacobs Creek, and a boat launch operated by TWRA is located just a few miles west on US 421. Children and adults enjoy biking on the roads between camping loops, and the area is home to an array of wildflowers, deer, turkey, and other wildlife. Jacobs Creek Shooting Range is located approximately one mile from the campground. South Holston Lake is a 7,580-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by Cherokee National Forest. The campground is within 30 minutes of Bristol, Tennessee, and Bristol Motor Speedway. Backbone Rock Recreation Area is approximately 30 minutes away, and Damascus, Virginia, is about 35 minutes from the campground.
Directions
From Bristol, take US 421 South for 12 miles, turn left on paved Denton Valley Road. Travel 2 miles, turn left on paved Jacobs Creek Road. The road becomes gravel in 0.5 miles at the entrance to the recreation area.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $12 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (423) 735-1547 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!