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Thunder Rock Campground in Tennessee
Moderate to BookNational Forest

Thunder Rock Campground

Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee

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As of October 2026, Thunder Rock Campground is a campground in Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee with 38 campsites. Thunder Rock Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Thunder Rock Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Thunder Rock Campground is located at 35.0761ยฐ N, 84.4856ยฐ W.
people allowed on 37 of 38 sites
5
people allowed on the largest site
10

Thunder Rock Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Maximum stay: 13 nights

Published by Recreation.gov for Thunder Rock Campground, read on September 30, 2026.

Campsites at Thunder Rock Campground

  • Standard 34
  • Tent 4
  • Hookups 1

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • showers
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain.

Things to do: boating, hiking.

All sites at Thunder Rock Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the THUNDER ROCK CAMPGROUND loop.

SiteTypeSleepsHookups
001Tent5-
002Tent5-
003Tent5-
009Standard5Electric
010Standard5-
011Standard5-
012Standard5-
013Standard5-
014Standard5-
015Standard5-
016Standard5-
017Standard5-
018Standard5-
019Standard5-
020Standard5-
021Standard5-
022Standard5-
023Standard5-
024Standard5-
SiteTypeSleepsHookups
025Standard5-
026Standard5-
027Standard5-
028Standard5-
029Standard5-
030Standard5-
031Standard5-
032Standard5-
033Standard5-
034Standard5-
035Standard5-
036Standard5-
037Standard5-
038Standard5-
039Standard5-
040Standard5-
041Standard5-
042Standard5-
GROUPTent10-

About Thunder Rock Campground

Overview

Thunder Rock Campground is located 1.8 miles northwest of the Ocoee Whitewater Center, just behind TVA Ocoee Powerhouse Number 3. Nestled alongside the Ocoee River, this facility provides 37 regular campsites for popups and RVs less than 20 feet with no elctricity , ONLY site 9 is an electric site for less than 20 feet at 30 amp, and one group campsite. Thunder Rock is a popular destination for both whitewater and trail enthusiasts.

Recreation

Trailhead parking is available for the nearby Tanasi trail system, which includes approximately 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. This system can be reached via Thunder Rock Express, Dry Pond Lead, or the Rhododendron Trail. Thunder Rock also provides access to the Benton-McKaye Trail.

Facilities

Picnic tables, grills, and lantern posts are located at each campsite. Water hydrants are located throughout the campground. Bathhouses provide flush toilets and warm showers. The campground host is located at the campground entrance next to the main bathhouse.

Thunder Rock Campground Map and Guide

Natural Features

The Cherokee National Forest is located in eastern Tennessee and stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border. The 650,000-acre swath of land is Tennessee's only national forest. It lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachians and is home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, as well as many rivers, creeks and lakes.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby Ocoee River put-in and Ocoee Whitewater Center, home of the 1996 Olympic Canoe/Kayak-Slalom Competition, makes this an ideal location for rafters and kayakers alike.

Charges & Cancellations

All sites have a $18.00 cancellation and reservation fee.

Rules and notices at Thunder Rock Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Thunder Rock Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

RV's, trailers, and pop-ups greater than 20 feet in legth are NOT allowed at this faciltiy because of maneuverability restrictions . Only site 9 has electricity.

Campfires are permitted in grills only

Do not leave fires unattended, they will be extinguished

Pets must be on a leash

Discharging firearms and fireworks is prohibited

No swimming allowed

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited

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. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit www.dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.

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 ten feet off the ground. Remember to use the bear resistant trash receptacles provided at this facility.

Thunder Rock Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Thunder Rock Campground?

Thunder Rock Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 38 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Thunder Rock Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Thunder Rock Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Thunder Rock Campground have?

Thunder Rock Campground has 38 campsites.

More campgrounds in Cherokee National Forest

Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.

All 22 Cherokee National Forest campgrounds

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