The Doe River Primitive Campground, approximately 20 miles from Elizabethton, is located in Roan Mountain. The mountain after which the area is named is the second highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. The campground is right next to Doe River and has a number of different camping areas available. There are open campsites (less private but with a great view of the mountains) and campsites in the middle of the forest (more private but with less of a view). Activities include fishing in the Doe River, hiking, nature walks, rock collecting and bird watching.
The campground, which tries to preserve and protect the environment of the area, offers limited facilities and has no electricity; recreational vehicles, large motor homes and hunting are not permitted. The campground has on-site portable toilets that are clean and well-maintained.
Doe River Primitive Campground
151 Bob Ray Road
Roan Mountain, TN 37687
(423) 772-3137
campatdoeriver.com
Cardens Bluff Campground is located in Hampton, a city in east Tennessee about five miles from Elizabethton. The campground is on top of a bluff, and some of the campsites overlook Watauga Lake. There are 42 tent sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site has tables, a grill, toilets and water spigots. For those who want to go boating, a boat ramp is located one-half mile from the campground.
Cardens Bluff Campground
Highway 321
Hampton, TN 37658
(423) 547-3850
Cherokee Trails is located in Bluff City, about 10 miles from Elizabethton. Situated in the middle of the Cherokee National Forest, Cherokee Trails provides a family-friendly atmosphere and offers horseback riding, hunting, fishing, boating and hiking. The campground is at the bottom of Holston Mountain, which has an abundance of hiking trails, and overlooks South Holston Lake. Visitors to the campground can pitch tents, bring their campers or stay in one of the three cabins. For those with campers, Cherokee Trails offers full hook-ups, water and dump stations. The campground also features horse stables, boat rentals, a cookhouse, a bathhouse and a picnic shelter.
Cherokee Trails Campground & Stables
901 Morrell Creek Lane
Bluff City, TN 37618
(423) 391-0118
cherokeetrailscampground.com
