Dennis Cove Campground
Dennis Cove Campground is a secluded campground along Laurel Fork Creek at an elevation of 2,650 feet in Carter County. This remote developed campground is popular with those seeking a rustic experience. The altitude, creek side location and lush forest surroundings make Dennis Cove particularly desirable during hot summer months. With 15 campsites, Dennis Cove is a great option for family camping.
More like this: reservable in Tennessee · pets allowed in Tennessee
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 13 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
Site guide
14 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 10 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard | |
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard | |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 31 | Gravel | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard | |
| 04 | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Riverfront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Riverfront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 07 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Riverfront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 08 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Riverfront | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 09 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard | |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | 5 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites 01, 02, 03, 05 and 2 more are listed accessible |
There are 15 single campsites, including two double sites within Dennis Cove Campground. The campground has flush toilets. Each site contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Cherokee National Forest |
| Fees | Campsites are $10 for single sites and $20 for double site (site #1). |
| Rules | Single campsites are for single families or up to 5 people and 2 vehicles. Double sites are for up to 10 people and 4 vehicles. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the campground. No burning of plastic or other non-wood products except local wood in campfires. Food storage restrictions apply at all areas on the Cherokee National Forest. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take US 321/TN 67 East out of Hampton, TN. Turn right onto Dennis Cove Road and drive approximately 5 miles. Dennis Cove Road is steep with hairpin turns, so plan to drive slowly.
| Nearest town | Unicoi, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36.2572° N, 82.1108° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx - Stone Mountain
8 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Appalachian Outpost ↗ | 7.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 30.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping in a heatwave at Dennis Cove Campground - Hampton Tennessee
Worth a stop
The trailhead for Coon Den Falls Trail (#37) is next to Dennis Cove Campground, and the trailhead for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (#1) is approximately one mile west of the campground on Dennis Cove Rd. Watauga Lake is approximately 25 minutes away.
- 3.3 miRat Branch Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 7.6 miLittle Milligan Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 9.9 miSycamore Shoals State Historic Park Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miLaurel Fork Trail ↗8 mi trail
- 0.1 miCoon Den Falls1.3 mi trail
- 1.1 miPond Mountain Wilderness Trail ↗4.5 mi trail
- 1.6 miHigh Water Alternate Trail0.6 mi trail
- 1.7 miLacy Trap Trail2.7 mi trail
- 2.5 miHampton-Blueline Trail1.4 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Pond Mountain Wilderness begins about 0.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.3 miPond Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 6,937 acres
- 6.1 miBig Laurel Branch Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 10,804 acres
- 11.8 miUnaka Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 4,472 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Simerly–Butler HouseBuilding · Hampton · 3.9 mi
- John T. Wilder HouseBuilding · Roan Mountain · 4.8 mi
- John and Landon Carter HouseBuilding · Elizabethton · 8.5 mi
Natural features
Dennis Cove Campground is located along the beautiful Laurel Fork Creek nestled in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians.
Recreation
Along with camping, Laurel Fork Creek is stocked with rainbow trout below the campground. Above the campground, the creek and its tributaries are managed as wild trout streams for brown, rainbow and brook trout. Laurel Fork Trail (#39) follows the creek upstream for 8.0 miles with twenty-six stream crossings. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is accessed one mile west of the campground along Dennis Cove Rd, or at the top of the nearby Coon Den Falls Trail (#37).
Guidebooks for Cherokee National Forest and Tennessee
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Cherokee National Forest hiking guideWilliam H. Skelton and Lamar Alexander, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
- Campgrounds in and Around the Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGrueen Huffman, 2010Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Dennis Cove Campground?
Sites at Dennis Cove Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Dennis Cove Campground?
Campsites are $10 for single sites and $20 for double site (site #1).
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Dennis Cove Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Dennis Cove Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Dennis Cove Campground have?
14 sites, including 13 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Dennis Cove Campground?
Dennis Cove Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Dennis Cove Campground?
The campground has flush toilets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Dennis Cove Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dennis Cove Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Dennis Cove Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Single campsites are for single families or up to 5 people and 2 vehicles.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Dennis Cove Campground?
Sites 01, 02, 03, and 05 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 6 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Dennis Cove Campground?
Along with camping, Laurel Fork Creek is stocked with rainbow trout below the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Dennis Cove Campground?
Unicoi, Tennessee. The trailhead for Coon Den Falls Trail (#37) is next to Dennis Cove Campground, and the trailhead for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (#1) is approximately one mile west of the campground on Dennis Cove Rd.
Source: Getting there