USDA Forest Service · Tennessee
Dennis Cove Campground
USDA Forest Service · Tennessee, United States
- Sites
- 14
- Hookups
- 1 with water, 14 no hookups
- Season
- April 27 to October 12
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,654 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- DENNIS COVE REC.AREA (NFSR 50B) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Cherokee National Forest
- Nearest town
- Unicoi
- Address
- 4400 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi, TN, 37692
- Phone
- 423-735-1500
- Activities
- Backpacking, Camping, Emergency Services, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Mountain Biking, Swimming, Water Access, Wildlife Viewing
14 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Dennis Cove Campground is a secluded campground along Laurel Fork Creek at an elevation of 2,650 feet in Carter County. This remote developed campground is popular with those seeking a rustic experience. The altitude, creek side location and lush forest surroundings make Dennis Cove particularly desirable during hot summer months. With 15 campsites, Dennis Cove is a great option for family camping.
Recreation
Along with camping, Laurel Fork Creek is stocked with rainbow trout below the campground. Above the campground, the creek and its tributaries are managed as wild trout streams for brown, rainbow and brook trout. Laurel Fork Trail (#39) follows the creek upstream for 8.0 miles with twenty-six stream crossings. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is accessed one mile west of the campground along Dennis Cove Rd, or at the top of the nearby Coon Den Falls Trail (#37).
Facilities
There are 15 single campsites, including two double sites within Dennis Cove Campground. The campground has flush toilets. Each site contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder.
Natural Features
Dennis Cove Campground is located along the beautiful Laurel Fork Creek nestled in the mountains of the Southern Appalachians.
Nearby Attractions
The trailhead for Coon Den Falls Trail (#37) is next to Dennis Cove Campground, and the trailhead for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (#1) is approximately one mile west of the campground on Dennis Cove Rd. Watauga Lake is approximately 25 minutes away.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39° | 25° | -2° | 61° | 10 of 11 |
| February | 48° | 31° | 9° | 69° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 59° | 36° | 8° | 73° | 7 of 11 |
| April | 66° | 43° | 26° | 79° | 4 of 11 |
| May | 72° | 55° | 37° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 78° | 61° | 49° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 65° | 58° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 80° | 66° | 57° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 77° | 61° | 48° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 63° | 44° | 31° | 80° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 55° | 35° | 17° | 69° | 7 of 10 |
| December | 45° | 30° | 9° | 63° | 10 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
- Cardens Bluff Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 43 sites
- Watauga Dam Campground · Tennessee Valley Authority · 5 mi · 29 sites
- Roan Mountain State Park · Tennessee State Parks · 7 mi · 112 sites
- Low Gap Camp · USDA Forest Service · 13 mi
- Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, TN) · USDA Forest Service · 16 mi · 34 sites
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.