Cardens Bluff Campground
CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND
Part of Cherokee National Forest
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.
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.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.
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.
Important Notices
Cardens Bluff Campground has CLOSED for the 2025 season. This campground does not have any Long-Term Camping programs.
Please note the lower bathroom near site 36 is damaged from Hurricane Helene and will remain closed. The bathroom near site 29 and the bathroom/showerhouse near site 19 will be the available bathrooms in the campground.
An RV counts as one of the two vehicles allowed at a site. All equipment must fit on the site pad. Vehicles park in developed areas only.
There is no electricity/water/sewer site hook-ups at this facility. There is potable water within the campground at hydrants.
You are in Bear Country. Please adhere to the Cherokee National Forest Food and Refuse Storage Requirements. All food (unless actively being prepared and/or eaten), trash, and other scented items (hygiene products, pet food, etc) must be stored in a bear-resistant container (closed hard top vehicle or travel trailer) or suspended at least 12 ft. off the ground and 6 ft. from limbs. Please read the entire Food Storage Order located under the Facility Information tab and Additional Information section or by reading the Food Storage Order posted at the campground. Any campsites not in compliance will receive a ticket.
Check-out time is no later than 11 am EST on your departure day. You may check-in to the campground between 2 pm EST and 10 pm EST of your arrival date. If you have not checked-in before 2 pm EST the day after your arrival date, your site will be checked-out and will forfeit all fees.
Established quiet hours are between 10 pm EST and 7 am EST.
The gate is closed at 10:00 p.m. and reopens at 7:00 a.m. The gate is only opened at night for emergencies.
All pets must be on a 6' leash at all times. Owners must pick up after their pets, and all pet waste disposed of properly.
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Use designated fire rings for all fires. Do not build additional fire rings. No burning plastic or other non-wood materials except local wood in fire pits and charcoal in grills.
Please note that most sites will only accommodate a tent. Sites #16, 28 and 29 can accommodate up to a 30 foot RV or trailer.
This facility does not allow alcohol.
It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all campground specific rules and regulations which are posted at the campground.
Available Activities
- Auto Touring - Auto Touring
- Biking - Biking
- Boating - Boating
- Canoeing - Canoeing
- Birding - Birding
- Fishing - Fishing
- Hiking - Hiking
- Kayaking - Kayaking
- Mountain Biking - Mountain Biking
- Non-Motorized Boating - Non-Motorized Boating
- Scenic Drive - Scenic Drive
- Swimming - Swimming
Directions
<p>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. </p>
Contact Information
Phone: 423-735-1500
4400 Unicoi DriveUnicoi, Tennessee 37692
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 024, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 011 - Host, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 004 - HOST, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
