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Cardens Bluff Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Unicoi · North Carolina · Cherokee National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Cherokee National Forest |
| Location | Unicoi · North Carolina · Cherokee National Forest · 36.30972, -82.11528 · Map |
| Sites | 42 public sites counted from the federal listing — 36 tent only nonelectric; 6 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 42 sites Water hookups at 0 of 42 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 42 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 42 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 30 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 1 sites · 30 ft: 1 sites · 35 ft: 0 sites · 40 ft: 0 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 11:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 43 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 7 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 423-735-1500 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-10-14.
From the official listing
Overview Cardens Bluff Campground is closed for the season. At nearly 2,000 feet elevation, Cardens Bluff Campground is located on a peninsula overlooking the 6,430-acre Watauga Lake in Carter County, TN. There are 43 sites, primarily for tent camping. There is a bathhouse with showers and flush toilets. No electrical hookups are provided. Day use areas are located nearby for those wanting to take advantage of swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. Campground Hosts are on site to answer questions and assist with your visit.
Recreation Boating is popular for visitors to Cardens Bluff. Numerous campsites provide easy water access for kayaks, canoes and motorized boats. Swimming and fishing are also very popular activities at Cardens Bluff. Watauga Lake provides notably clean water for recreating.
Facilities There are 43 campsites within Cardens Bluff Campground. Each section of the campground has flush toilets. In addition, there is an accessible shower house with eight showers for use by registered campers only.
Natural Features Watauga Lake is a 6,430-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Directly across the lake from the campground is the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness area, a rugged, undeveloped mountain range with only the Appalachian National Scenic Trail within its boundaries. Nearby Attractions The nearby Rat Branch Boat Launch is an easy quick drive from the campground for campers with motor boats. Shook Branch Swim Area is also nearby on the shores of Watauga Lake. Big Laurel Branch and Pond Mountain Wilderness areas are located north and south of the campground for more rugged, backcountry hiking.
Directions, from the listing
From Elizabethton, TN take US 19E/321 south 5 miles to Hampton. Turn left on 321/67 travel approx. 4 miles to the campground entrance on the left.
Nearest federal campgrounds
2 mi straight-line · Unicoi North CarolinaNPSNational Park ServiceJohns River Road Backcountry Camping
24 mi straight-line · ASHEVILLE North CarolinaNPSNational Park ServiceJulian Price Campground
24 mi straight-line · Asheville North CarolinaFSU.S. Forest ServiceKaty Branch
25 mi straight-line · Greeneville North CarolinaNPSNational Park ServiceLinville Falls Campground
26 mi straight-line · Asheville North Carolina
Trip Card — Cardens Bluff Campground
Unicoi · North Carolina · Cherokee National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Unicoi · North Carolina · Cherokee National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 30 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 42 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/122390 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.