Deer Trail Park & Campground

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests represent one of the largest tracts of publicly managed land in the eastern part of the country, and you can spend some time here when you're camping at Deer Trail Park and Campground. The forests are home to 40 species of trees, 2,000 species of herbaceous plants and shrubs, 400 species of animals, and 53 federally threatened or endangered species. There are also 23 wildernesses and 12 National Recreation Trails, including the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Other recreational opportunities in the forests include beaches and dunes, swimming, water sports, hiking, biking, hunting and fishing, winter sports, rock and mineral collecting, nature viewing and photography, hang gliding, target shooting, and geocaching and letterboxing. Crystal Springs Recreation Area consists of 1,800 acres and is a 30-minute drive from your campsite at Deer Trail Park and Campground. It includes the remnants of an old reservoir and has been preserved as a watershed. The area features three picnic areas and three completed trails. Trails include interpretive signs, observation equipment, identification guides, and self-guided tour brochures. Enjoy the great outdoors and a great sense of community at this city-maintained piece of paradise. Your rental motorhome at Deer Trail Park and Campground can also take you to the Cherokee National Forest to experience some of the best that the great outdoors has to offer. It is in the heart of the southern Appalachians and is home to over 20,000 species of plants and animals. Visitor centers are at the Ocoee Ranger Station, Ocoee Whitewater Center, Tellico Ranger Station, Unaka Ranger Station, and Watauga Ranger Station. Recreational activities at Cherokee National Forest include whitewater rapids, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and water sports. Visitors can also enjoy scenic drives and picnicking, winter sports, nature viewing and photography, rock and mineral collecting, target shooting, and geocaching and letterboxing. Interactive recreation maps and visitor maps are available online, and recreation zone visitor guides are downloadable for various zones, including Bald Mountain, Big Frog, French Broad, Iron Mountain, and Ocoee River, among others.