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Cherokee/Little Oak Campground
Overview
Cherokee/Little Oak Campground is a sprawling retreat managed by the Forest Service, situated deep within the Cherokee National Forest. Unlike modern commercial resorts, this destination emphasizes a quiet connection with nature along the pristine shores of South Holston Lake. It is widely recognized for its peaceful atmosphere and scenic vistas, offering travelers a chance to unplug and enjoy the rugged beauty of East Tennessee. The park provides a serene escape for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors without the distractions of a commercialized park.
Location & Surroundings
The campground is uniquely positioned on a large peninsula, almost entirely surrounded by the deep blue waters of South Holston Lake. This location provides stunning waterfront views and immediate access to the diverse ecosystems of the Appalachian Mountains. Visitors will find themselves enveloped by mature hardwoods and rolling hills, creating a secluded environment that feels worlds away from the city. The surrounding forest provides a lush canopy that keeps the sites shaded and private, enhancing the natural mountain aesthetic of the region.
Amenities & Park Features
As a National Forest facility, the amenities focus on the essentials for a comfortable dry-camping experience. The park features paved camping pads suitable for various RV sizes, though it is important to note that most sites do not offer electric or water hookups. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, a lantern post, and a picnic table for outdoor living. On-site facilities include accessible bathhouses with flushing toilets and hot showers, as well as a boat launch, making it easy for guests to spend their days on the water.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for recreation, particularly trophy trout fishing and boating on the expansive lake. The surrounding forest is home to numerous hiking trails that wind through the mountains, offering birdwatching and wildlife viewing opportunities. For a change of pace, the Bristol Motor Speedway and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum are a short drive away, offering a unique mix of high-energy racing and rich cultural history for those willing to venture outside the forest.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for nature lovers and dry-campers who prefer scenic landscapes and solitude over luxury resort amenities. It is a perfect fit for families looking to enjoy water sports and anglers seeking some of the best fishing in the region. If you value privacy and a rustic setting where the sound of the wind through the trees and the lap of water against the shore replaces highway noise, this is the destination for your next RV trip.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Michael Salyer
Been visiting this campground for 35 years. The family loves it here. While on the lake we encountered 4 eagles. Love to see this bird.
Shadowfax
This is now our favorite campground. Great place for a weekend camping trip. Campground is located right along the South Holston lake which makes it a great place for swimming. No hookups for campers which is unfortunate, but the campground is well-shaded. Definitely worth the visit.
Jeremy Upham
We spent 4 days here mid-July 2025 in site 68. Lake water was very warm but so were the outdoor temps. If you rely on solar for power, bring a backup option. You’ll only get marbled sunlight during the day due to heavy tree canopy in every site we saw. AT&T service was ok but somewhat slow. Sites are large and fairly level but we needed to block one side of the trailer to level. It’s a beautiful campground but with that being said, we were quite surprised at how much trash there was around the campground/campsite with each loop having a dedicated campground host. Maybe it’s not their responsibility to clean sites when folks leave but if it is, they are slacking big time. We attempted to contact a camp host in each loop to possibly purchase firewood but were unable to locate any during our 4 day stay. The check-in station at the entrance was also unmanned. Gates reportedly are locked overnight but can’t confirm this actually happened. Saw one ranger drive through once. Other campers were very respectful and quiet. We left the campsite in better condition than we found it. We would stay again.
Sandi Bird Aldridge
We camp here several times a year with a group of friends. There are no hookups, but there is potable water available at spigots around each loop. Hemlock Loop has flush toilets and running water in the bathroom. Some loops have pit toilets. The campground hosts have always been friendly and helpful. There is a dump station near the exit. There is a boat ramp and several other loops. We really enjoy our stays here. You can make reservations online, but they reserve a few sites on each loop for first come, first serve. Rates are very reasonable. There are handicapped accessible sites and bathrooms. Those are marked on the online reservation site.
Shawn Prasatek
I don't have many complaints. It was secluded the drive up the mountain was scenic and had a couple nice little waterfalls we got pics of. One road in. I think there was technically 2 but the dirt road had a fallen tree we couldn't get past pretty good ways down and not far from it there was a car halfway over the hill with a 2x4 through the windshield and what looked like a homeless camp over the hill with a big pile of trash and cloths next to the car... so don't go down the dirt road that goes right from the entrance, who knows what goes on down there lol. Not the campgrounds fault but still a little unsettling.... As for the campground I stayed at lot #58 Everything was done online through recreation.gov and I printed all my stuff off thinking I'd need to check in. I showed up and didn't know what to do. Luckily some people came by on a golf cart and they were nice and said I could just show up and set up. I had good access to the water for my kayak. No designated swimming area but we walked the trail and found a good place to swim and the water was really clear. Everything looked pretty clean. I didn't see any trash. Bathrooms were fairly clean. The shower areas had no place to put your stuff down anywhere though. A shelf higher up would have been great. I turned the shower on and it seemed to spray every square inch of the room with water. I was trying to keep my dry cloths and towels from getting wet. But the water was hot and it was pretty clean. Overall was a pretty good stay. I'd recommend it to friends and would probably stay again.