Dennis Cove Campground
DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE. CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. Dennis Cove Campground is a secluded campground along Laurel Fork Creek at an elevation of 2,650 feet in Carter County. This remote developed campground is popular with those seeking a rustic experience. The altitude, creek side location and lush forest surroundings make Dennis Cove particularly desirable during hot summer months. With 15 campsites, Dennis Cove is a great option for family camping.
There are 15 single campsites, including two double sites within Dennis Cove Campground. The campground has flush toilets. Each site contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder.
Notifications and Alerts
CLOSURE ALERT: This site is closed for the foreseeable future due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.
- Services and transportation in the area are extremely limited.
- We have cancelled and refunded reservations through 10/07/2024, and it is likely that we will be closed for the remainder of the 2024 season.
- Reservations update: If you have reservations at this site past 10/07, please wait before contacting Recreation.gov. We will cancel your reservation and refund you as soon as an official decision has been reached about the remainder of the 2024 season.
The area has been severely and negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene--many roads, bridges, municipal services, and supply chains are heavily damaged and disrupted.
This location is closed until further notice due to significant impacts from Hurricane Helene. Please continue to monitor this location’s facility page on Recreation.gov for status updates or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee for details. Keep in mind, local personnel may be attending to this urgent situation and not available to provide updates immediately.
Need to Know
DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO IMPENDING WEATHER FROM HELENE. CLOSURE IS ANTICIPATED THRU MONDAY, SEPT 30, BUT COULD BE LATER DEPENDING ON DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.
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.
An RV counts as one of the two vehicles allowed at a site.
Alcohol prohibited.
All equipment must fit on the site pad. Vehicles park in developed areas only.
Be Bear Wise: Never leave food out on tables or in the open. Store unattended food in bear-resistant containers, in a vehicle in solid non-pliable material, or suspend food at least 12 feet off the ground. Remember to use the bear resistant trash receptacles provided at this facility. Please adhere to the Cherokee National Forest Food and Refuse Storage Requirements 36 CFR 261.58 (cc) . Visit the Cherokee National Forest website and the Dennis Cove webpage of the Cherokee National Forest website for more information.
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.
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.
It is your responsibility to read, know, understand, and follow all campground specific rules and regulations which are posted at the campground.
Natural Features
Dennis Cove Campground is located along the beautiful Laurel Fork Creek nestled in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians.
Nearby Attractions
The trailhead for Coon Den Falls Trail (#37) is next to Dennis Cove Campground, and the trailhead for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (#1) is approximately one mile west of the campground on Dennis Cove Rd. Watauga Lake is approximately 25 minutes away.
Recreation
Along with camping, Laurel Fork Creek is stocked with rainbow trout below the campground. Above the campground, the creek and its tributaries are managed as wild trout streams for brown, rainbow and brook trout. Laurel Fork Trail (#39) follows the creek upstream for 8.0 miles with twenty-six stream crossings. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is accessed one mile west of the campground along Dennis Cove Rd, or at the top of the nearby Coon Den Falls Trail (#37).
Contact Information
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4400 Unicoi Drive Unicoi TN 37692
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 423-735-1500
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Take US 321/TN 67 East out of Hampton, TN. Turn right onto Dennis Cove Road and drive approximately 5 miles. Dennis Cove Road is steep with hairpin turns, so plan to drive slowly.
Available Campsites
- Site 11, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 02, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 07, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 06, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 09, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 08, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 04, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 01, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 03, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 05, Loop DENNIS COVE CAMPGROUND, Type Standard Nonelectric
