Rock Creek Recreation Area
Rock Creek Recreation Area is named for the small creek that runs alongside this recreation site. The facilities, creek-fed concrete pond and bathhouse were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. It is located just outside the town of Erwin, TN at an elevation of 2,300 feet - a welcome respite from the summer heat. Be Bear Wise: Food storage compliance is strictly enforced. Store all food and trash in hard-sided containers and vehicles while not in use. Never have attractants in your tent. Violations of the food storage order are ticketable offenses and subject to fines. Food and trash left unattended will be impounded by campground staff.
More like this: electric hookups in Tennessee · reservable in Tennessee · big rigs in Tennessee · pets allowed in Tennessee · group sites in Tennessee
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 31 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | A Loop | Electric | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |||
| 04 | A Loop | Electric | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |||
| 05 | A Loop | Electric | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |||
| 06 | A Loop | Electric | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 10 / 4 | Yes | Yes | |||
| 07 | A Loop | Electric | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |||
| 08 | A Loop | Electric | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |||
| 09 | A Loop | Electric | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |||
| 010 | A Loop | Electric | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / – | 10 / 4 | Yes | Yes | |||
| 011 | B Loop | Electric | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 5 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard | ||
| 012 | B Loop | Electric | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 5 / 2 | Yes | 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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites 02, 03, 04, 05 and 26 more are listed accessible |
There are 27 fully accessible single and five double campsites in Rock Creek Recreation Area; all with electric hook-ups. In addition, there are five walk-in tent sites without electric hookups, which are available first-come, first served only. Three bathhouses are located within the recreation area; one in Loop A, one in Loop C, and one located by the concrete pond - it is a Civilian Conservation Corps-era bathhouse adapted for modern use. Each bathhouse has flush toilets and shower facilities. A dump station is located on site. An on-site host is located in the campground.
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 | Regular Fees Non-electric, Tent Sites - $12/site/day. Basic Single Site with electric hook-up - $20/site/day. Basic Double Site with electric hook-ups - $40/site/day. Day use area fee is $2/day/car. |
| Rules | Single sites are limited to a single family or not more than 5 people, and 10 people for double sites. Vehicle limits is 2 vehicles per campsite. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the area. Food storage restrictions apply at all areas on the Cherokee National Forest. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From I-26 take exit 34 to Main Street (TN107) in Erwin, take TN 395 east for 3.5 miles to Rock Creek Recreation Area.
| Nearest town | Greeneville, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36.1377° N, 82.3476° 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 | Mahoney's Outfitters ↗ | 13.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World of Marion ↗ | 34.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
The Rock Creek Recreation Area Campground Site by Site and facilities.
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miHemlock Forest Trail0.3 mi trail
- 0.1 miRock Creek Bicycle Trail0.9 mi trail
- 0.2 miTrail of the Hardwoods0.2 mi trail
- 0.3 miRock Creek Falls Trail1.5 mi trail
- 0.3 miRattlesnake Ridge Trail3.6 mi trail
- 1 miDick Creek Horse Trail2.7 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
Unaka Mountain Wilderness begins about 1 mile away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1 miUnaka Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 4,472 acres
- 11.2 miSampson Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 10,895 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
- A.R. Brown HouseBuilding · Erwin · 4 mi
- Clinchfield DepotBuilding · Erwin · 4 mi
- Clarksville Iron FurnaceSite · Erwin · 10.1 mi
Natural features
Campsites are nestled in a cove hardwood forest. Adjacent to the campground is Unaka Mountain Wilderness area, a rugged and undeveloped area.
Recreation
Hike on one (or all) of the trails adjacent to Rock Creek Recreation Area. Visitors can enjoy cooling off in the creek-fed concrete pond. Younger children can enjoy the playground located in the day use area of the recreation area. Campground programs are offered every Friday night in July at the amphitheater.
Nearby
The Appalachian Trail crosses TN 395 at Indian Grave Gap, 3.1 miles east of Rock Creek. Mountain Balds, Beauty Spot and Unaka Mountain Overlook are located nearby along Forest Service Road #230. Whitewater rafting on the Nolichucky River is provided by private companies located in Erwin, TN.
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 Rock Creek Recreation Area?
Sites at Rock Creek Recreation Area 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 Rock Creek Recreation Area?
Regular Fees Non-electric, Tent Sites - $12/site/day. Basic Single Site with electric hook-up - $20/site/day. Basic Double Site with electric hook-ups - $40/site/day.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Rock Creek Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Rock Creek Recreation Area open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Rock Creek Recreation Area have?
34 sites, including 31 standard sites with power and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Rock Creek Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Rock Creek Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Rock Creek Recreation Area?
Each bathhouse has flush toilets and shower facilities.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Rock Creek Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Rock Creek Recreation Area?
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 sites are limited to a single family or not more than 5 people, and 10 people for double sites.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Rock Creek Recreation Area?
Sites 02, 03, 04, and 05 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 30 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
Is there cell service at Rock Creek Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map