U.S. Forest Service - Cherokee National Forest

05/21/2026

Little Milligan Boat Launch will temporarily reopen Friday for the Memorial Day Weekend while timber salvage is temporarily suspended. Little Milligan Boat Launch will close again at 9p.m. May 25 and salvage timber operations are scheduled to resume Tuesday.

05/18/2026

Cherokee National Forest Partners with Collaborative Stakeholder Group to Restore Native Forest Communities

This spring, the Cherokee National Forest will implement the Stonepile Project, a restoration initiative developed with the assistance and enthusiastic support of the Cherokee National Forest South Zone Collaborative Group (SZCG).

05/18/2026

05/12/2026

Fire restrictions on the Cherokee National Forest are now lifted effective May 12, 2026. Recent rain and higher humidity improved wildfire hazard across the forest. Visitors should continue to be careful with campfires but moisture has returned to the forest relieving the extreme threat of wildfire. Find more Smokey Bear fire prevention information at: https://smokeybear.com/campfire-safety.

04/28/2026

Kids fishing days is coming up on May 2nd.

04/23/2026

CLEVELAND, Tenn., April 23, 2026 — USDA Forest Service officials initiate Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Cherokee National Forest beginning Friday in response to extreme fire danger due to prolonged drought. The restrictions will prohibit fires outside of developed recreation sites.

Drought conditions persist across the entire Cherokee National Forest according to the US Drought Monitor. Fire threat remains extreme with dry conditions suitable for rapid wildfire spread.

Effective April 24, 2026, the following fire restrictions are in place for the entire Cherokee National Forest until terminated by the Forest Service:
• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire outside of developed recreation sites. 36CFR § 261.52 (a).

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following activities are allowed:
• Commercially available fuel stoves (portable gas camp stoves or grills) are permitted.
• Fire or campfire in a Forest Service provided metal fire pit, metal fire ring, or pole mounted grill at a developed recreation area or campground.
Cherokee National Forest visitors are asked to be very careful with fire and to obey all state and federal fire related laws and regulations.

04/22/2026

Final Update for Appalachia Fire. The Appalachia Fire is now 100% contained. Trails associated with Turtletown Falls remain closed. Updates for trail access will be posted when available.

04/21/2026

Firefighters on the Cherokee National Forest now contain 60% of the 650-acre Appalachia Fire burning in remote National Forest property in Polk County.

Aided by two brief periods of wet weather, approximately 50 firefighters are now prepared to return public access to portions of the Cherokee National Forest temporarily closed. On Wednesday, Forest Service Road 23 will reopen along with the Smith Mountain Trail. Trails associated with Turtle Town Falls will remain closed due to ongoing fire suppression work. The public will continue to observe smoke from the fire area while crews work towards full containment in the coming days.

04/19/2026

The Appalachia Fire received about a half an inch of rain overnight which is assisting with containment. However, gusty winds are hampering efforts in some areas. Plans are to continue securing containment lines today. A map of the fire is attached as is a map of closed roads and trails.

• Current Acreage- 650

• Containment- 25%

• Road and trail closures are in effect and are as follows:
• McFarland Road (NFSR 23) at the intersection of White Oak Road (NFSR 103) to the intersection of Ditney Mountain Road (NFSR 66)
• Turtletown Creek Road (NFSR 11651)
• Apalachia Tunnel Road (NFSR 1166)
• Turtletown Falls Trail 185 and parking area
• Smith Mountain Trail 81

04/18/2026

The Appalachia Fire is now estimated to be about 634 acres. Approximately 100 resources are assigned to the fire including engines, water tenders, hand crews, bulldozers, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, and fixed wing aircraft.

Firefighters conducted strategic operations on April 17th to secure containment lines on the Southeast and East sides of the fire.
Cody Daniels, south zone assistant fire management officer, said “We would like to thank all agencies involved in continued suppression efforts including firefighters from the US Forest Service, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Englewood Fire Department, and contract resources. The fire is currently 20% contained and the forecasted rainfall tonight should further help aid containment efforts”.

Road and trail closures are in effect and are as follows:
• McFarland Road (NFSR 23) at the intersection of White Oak Road (NFSR 103) to the intersection of Ditney Mountain Road (NFSR 66)
• Turtletown Creek Road (NFSR 11651)
• Apalachia Tunnel Road (NFSR 1166)
• Turtletown Falls Trail 185 and parking area
• Smith Mountain Trail 81