The Cherokee National Forest, which starts at Townsend, TN, is a large forest area that covers much of eastern Tennessee and parts of North Carolina. It extends from the northern border of Tennessee at Kentucky, and then down to Georgia. One county of North Carolina (Ashe) also contains a few acres.
The Forest is divided into two sections, and each section comes up to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One is called Cherokee National Forest South, and the other is called Cherokee National Forest North. Although the Cherokee is much larger, it is not as well known as the Park. Both, however, offer many opportunities for family fun in the great outdoors.
The Cherokee National Forest was designated such by President Roosevelt in 1939. Large sections of the land had been stripped of minerals and trees through logging and mining, but it was Roosevelt's goal to restore the land to its natural beauty. The Cherokee Indians had lived in the area previously.
The Forest, which is the only one in Tennessee, and which is also the largest tract of land in the state, consists of over 640,000 acres. Most of the forest has been recovered, and it now flows with wildlife and much rich vegetation and trees, making it the perfect place for many different activities.
When it comes to fun in the Forest, there is a wide range of things you can do - either by yourself, with friends, or as a family. For one thing, there is a lot of beautiful scenery that can be seen by going on the various trails. Altogether, there are more than 600 trails that are for non-motorists, and this includes the Appalachian Trail and the John Muir Recreation trail. These allow you to go on bike, horse, or on foot, and generally they are for each. Other designated trails can be used for motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and ATV's.
Plenty of other activities are available, too. One of the region's most famous activities is whitewater rafting or canoeing. There are rapids through the area, and plenty of places to put in a kayak, too. Possibly the best in the east is the Ocoee Whitewater Center where the 1996 Olympics whitewater events were held. You can also go swimming and boating on the rivers and lakes in the region. Fishing and hunting are also allowed.
Other activities that are a favorite of many are rock rappelling at Tennessee Overhill, llama trekking, several shooting ranges, and more. Some ranches in the area also provide opportunities for outings that can help your business or group build better teams through their adventure packages.
If you just want to view some of the wildlife, this is the place. There are more diverse forms of wildlife than any where else in North America. Altogether, in the Cherokee National Forest, there are more than 260 species of birds, 140 species of fish, 70 mammal species, and plenty more when it comes to the reptiles and amphibians. Some of the most beautiful sights in eastern Tennessee can be seen around the Tennessee Valley Authority Watauga Reservoir and the Wilbur Reservoir.
RV camping and tent camping spots are also available at different places throughout the Cherokee National Forest near Townsend, TN. Also, there are some traces here and there throughout the Forest where there is still evidence of the mining and logging that took place more than 70 years earlier.
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