USDA Forest Service · Tennessee

Jacobs Creek Campground (TN)

USDA Forest Service · Tennessee, United States

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Sites
29
Hookups
27 no hookups
Season
April 27 to October 12
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Showers
Yes
Dump station
Yes
Elevation
1,795 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 4
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
JACOBS CR.REC.LOOP C (NFSR 337C) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
Lake
Cherokee National Forest
Nearest town
Unicoi
Address
4400 Unicoi Dr, Unicoi, TN, 37692
Phone
423-735-1500
Activities
Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Kayaking

About

Overview

PLEASE NOTE: AS THE HURRICANE BANNER DESCRIBES, JACOBS CREEK CAMPGROUND AND DAY-USE AREA IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. READ THE NEED TO KNOW SECTION (LOCATED UNDER FACILITY INFORMATION TAB) FOR FURTHER DETAILS. PLEASE READ IT BEFORE MAKING ANY RESERVATIONS. Jacobs Creek Campground is situated along the shores of beautiful South Holston Lake in Sullivan County, Tennessee, at an elevation of 1,730 ft. With a view of miles of undeveloped shoreline and the water, the campsites at Jacobs Creek Campground are a relaxing way to spend your vacation. There are 27 available campsites, 23 of which are reservable, including warm showers in the campground. Campground hosts are available on site to answer your questions. There is a Day-Use area adjacent to the Campground with a designated beach area.

Recreation

Fishing is a popular activity for campers at Jacobs Creek. There is a boat launch a few miles down the road along Hwy 421. A few campsites have easy access to the lake shore. Children and adults enjoy riding their bikes on the roads between camping loops. There is also a day-use area adjacent to the campground for swimming and picnicking. There is an array of wildflowers to enjoy throughout the season, as well as resident deer and turkey and other natural wonders for the naturalist in your group. Jacobs Creek Shooting Range is about 1 mile outside the campground.

Facilities

There are a total of 29 campsites, 27 of which are available, within three loops. Some sites are right along the water, and some sites are away from the water. The campground has flush toilets and showers. Each site is non-electric, and contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder. Some sites can accommodate a travel trailer, while some sites are tent only. There is a boat launch a few miles down the road along Hwy 421.

Natural Features

South Holston Lake is a 7,580-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Holston Mountain and nearby Iron Mountain provide habitat for an array of wildlife including a healthy population of black bear.

Nearby Attractions

Jacobs Creek Campground is within 30 minutes of Bristol, Tennessee, and nearby Bristol Motor Speedway. Backbone Rock Recreation Area is approximately 30 minutes away up beautiful Shady Valley, and just five minutes past Backbone Rock is Damascus, Virginia. Little Oak Campground is 25 minutes away for another campground option along South Holston Lake.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January41°26°-1°63°10 of 11
February50°32°12°69°10 of 11
March61°39°14°74°7 of 11
April68°45°27°79°3 of 11
May76°57°40°88°0 of 11
June80°62°50°90°0 of 11
July84°67°59°90°0 of 11
August82°68°57°91°0 of 11
September80°62°50°91°0 of 11
October66°46°33°81°0 of 10
November57°37°20°73°5 of 10
December48°31°8°66°9 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Tennessee · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.