CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND

For RV enthusiasts planning a visit, CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND accommodates recreational vehicles up to 30 feet in length. This USDA Forest Service is available for advance reservation, making it a reliable choice for planned trips.

Guests at CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND can enjoy essential amenities including Proximity to Water: Lakefront. The site is maintained by USDA Forest Service, ensuring consistent upkeep and facilities management.

Popular activities at this location include Auto touring, Biking, Birding, and Boating. The campground's proximity to Unicoi offers convenient access to additional outdoor recreation opportunities in the Tennessee region.

Located in Unicoi, Tennessee, CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND provides bookable camping options for visitors exploring America's public lands. Contact the site directly for real-time availability and current conditions.

Overview Cardens Bluff Campground has CLOSED for the 2025 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.

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.