Cherokee National Forest

Cherokee National Forest is located in the state of Tennessee and covers a total area of about 655,000 acres of land. The park was established on June 14, 1920, and is today comprised of eleven official wilderness areas, three of which extend outside the bounds of the Cherokee National Forest into neighboring National Forests. The national forest is also located in ten counties in Tennessee, and one county in North Carolina.

Some of the cities with close proximity to the park include Ducktown, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Etowah, Knoxville, Newport, Greeneville, Elizabethton, Johnson City, and Benton. The national forest can easily be accessed using US 11, US 64, US 165, US 321/11E, US 411, US 421, TN 68, TN 70, TN 81, I-40, I-75, and I-181.

When you get to the park, there are a lot of features that you will find unique and attractive. Some of the more prominent features include seven whitewater rivers, the Ocoee Whitewater Center, (the site of the 1996 Olympic Games competitions), John Muir and Warrior's Passage national recreation trails, and the 170 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. 

You will also find plenty of interesting and attractive flora and fauna. All these features make Cherokee National Forest a great place to also enjoy recreational activities including camping, fishing, boating, swimming, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and hunting. 

You can bring dogs to the park at no extra cost, but you will need to ensure that you follow the managements strict rules to avoid any inconvenience to you or to other visitors to the protected area. Some of the basic rules to be aware of include ensuring that your dog is always in a secure enclosure or on a leash. Your dog's leash should have a maximum length of six feet. 

In addition, you should always respect the environment around you, and this includes controlling your dog’s behavior around other visitors, wildlife, and even plants. You should also be sure to clean up after your dog, and you should be aware of areas of the park that you are prohibited from visiting with your dog.