Rocky Fork State Park Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations available through Tennessee State Parks. There is currently high bear activity on the Headwaters Trail; free bear spray is available at the Ranger Station.

About

Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park encompasses 2,076 acres of scenic wilderness in Unicoi County's Southern Appalachian Mountains, approximately 30 minutes from Johnson City and Asheville. The park offers three primitive backcountry campsites for experienced campers seeking solitude in one of North America's most biologically diverse regions. Each backcountry site is limited to 4 people and requires hiking 1.4 to 3.2 miles from the main parking lot. Sites include a 6x6-foot tent pad area and fire ring. Campers must be self-sufficient: water must be filtered from Rocky Fork Creek, Blockstand Creek, or Flint Creek, or packed in. No privies exist at the sites; campers must follow Leave No Trace cathole practices at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Firewood can be collected from downed wood near campsites. The park requires advance reservations and printed permits. Hiking after dark is prohibited, so campers should plan arrival times carefully. The park is surrounded by Cherokee National Forest and features meandering streams, mossy rocks, and well-preserved wilderness ideal for backcountry enthusiasts.

Directions

GPS address: 501 Rocky Fork Road, Flag Pond, TN 37604. The park is accessed via a narrow one-lane paved road between Rocky Fork Creek and steep embankments. Backcountry campsites require hiking 1.4 to 3.2 miles from the main parking lot.

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