Jacobs Creek Campground

About

Jacobs Creek Campground occupies a scenic peninsula on the eastern shore of South Holston Lake within Cherokee National Forest. The 7,580-acre TVA reservoir is surrounded by the forested slopes of Holston Mountain and Iron Mountain, providing habitat for black bear, deer, and turkey. The campground features 27 single-unit sites spread across three loops, with 23 sites available for advance reservation and the remainder first-come, first-served. Fishing is the primary draw, with lake access from several shoreline sites. A boat launch is located a few miles west on US 421. The adjacent day-use area offers a grassy picnic ground and designated swimming beach. Children and adults enjoy biking the paved loop roads, and Jacobs Creek Shooting Range sits about one mile outside the campground. Bristol Motor Speedway is a 30-minute drive, and Backbone Rock Recreation Area and Damascus, Virginia are within easy reach. The campground sustained significant damage from Hurricane Helene in late 2024. The bathroom near site 4 was demolished and the showerhouse near site 19 suffered roof damage. The facility remained closed through the 2025 season with no announced repair timeline. As of May 2026, the campground and day-use area remain closed until further notice.

Directions

From Bristol, take US 421 South for 12 miles. Turn left onto paved Denton Valley Road. After 2 miles, turn left onto Jacobs Creek Road. The road becomes gravel at 0.5 miles at the recreation area entrance.