Tellico River Vicinity

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Cherokee National Forest
2800 North Ocoee St
Cleveland, TN 37312
(423) 476-9700

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Home » Recreation » Recreation Opportunities-South » Tellico River Vicinity

Tellico River RECREATION ZONE

Bald River Falls - Tellico River

Welcome...

Throughout the seasons, sightseeing, picnicking, fishing, hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting, wildlife viewing and water based activities bring visitors from near and far to the Tellico River vicinity.

Nearly 30,000 acres of remote backcountry surround river corridors in this vicinity. Long-distance Benton MacKaye Trail offers day hiking and backpacking opportunities through the southwestern portion of this vicinity.

The nearest community is Tellico Plains, TN. Major transportation routes are the Cherohala Skyway, TN 165 and the winding Tellico River Road.

Several Civilian Conservation Corps structures remain in this vicinity, including historic Tellico Ranger Station, Pheasant Fields fish rearing pools and the portal at Dam Creek Picnic Area.

Printable Tellico River Recreation Zone Guide (pdf)
Printable Map - Tellico River Recreation Zone (pdf)
Printable Map - Southern Districts CNF Recreation Zones (pdf)

Tellico
Ranger Station

250 Ranger Station Rd
Tellico Plains, TN
37385
(423) 253-8400

Nearby . . .

• Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

• Tennessee Overhill heritage tourism sites

• Fort Loudon State Park

	Go Sightseeing! Drive Cherohala Skyway, TN 165/NC 143, through Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests. This 43-mile national scenic byway climbs over 4,500 feet in elevation between Tellico Plains, TN and Robbinsville, NC. Experience a changing ecosystem ranging from the rugged shores of Tellico River to a typical Southern Appalachian forest to a high elevation mountain forest more typical of the northern United States. Travel along the winding, narrow Tellico River Road, FR 210, for intimate views of the river, including Baby Falls. Stop to admire the area's best known waterfall, 80-foot Bald River Falls, where these two rivers converge. Scenic gravelled North River Road, FR 217, makes a loop to the Cherohala Skyway near the state line at Stratton Meadows.
	Go Fishing! Tellico River is recognized as a premiere trout stream; over 12 miles are stocked with catchable-size trout. Bald River, North River and tributaries are wild trout streams with brown, rainbow and brook trout. For easier assessible fishing, try stocked Green Cove Pond, managed by TWRA with some restictions.
	Follow the Trail! Indian Boundary Recreation Area boasts Trail #129, an easy and popular 3.2 mile hike/bike trail skirting the edge of the lake. For a longer hike, try the six-mile Sycamore Creek Trail #163, a section of the long-distance Benton MacKaye Trail. Access the trail at Pheasant Fields on Tellico River Road, FR 210. There are several creek crossings and small waterfalls, so be prepared to get your feet wet!
	Sleep under the Stars! If you are looking for a base camp to explore the vicinity or a destination campground with modern facilities, try Indian Boundary Recreation Area (IBRA), accessed off Cherohala Skyway. Over 90 campsites are equipped with firerings, picnic tables, lantern posts and electrical hookups, with easy access to drinking water, showers, flush toilet facilities and an on-site dump station. Day use facilities include a 96-acre lake, swim beach, small boat launch, accessible fishing pier and 3.2 mile hike/bike trail around the lake. For a more rustic experience, try one of the primitive campgrounds along Tellico River Road or North River Road. The historic Donley Cabin, a two room, sparsely furnished civil war-era cabin on North River Road, is available for overnight rental by reservation only.

USDA Forest Service - Cherokee National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 20 January 2009 at 13:52:11 EST