Round Mountain Campground - Cherokee National Forest
Dec 26th, 2007 by Admin 1
Round Mountain Campground is one of the nicer spots to car camp in Cherokee National Forest - North.
This is a great place during the entire open period from the middle of May until mid-December but I recommend doing a quick check to catch it at peak wildflower season! (Usually around the second week in June). The sites are all pretty much private and you are below mature trees that vary from White Pine, Hemlock, to Yellow Birch and Pin Cherry. Below all this are Rhododendron, Fern and just about everything else accept for the rushing stream is covered with moss.
One of the great features of the area that you should see is known as Max Patch which is a 230-acre wildflower field at the crest of a hill top set at 4,629 feet. You have a great panoramic view as far as the eye can see! Surrounding you are the Great Smoky Mountains, Mount Sterling, and Mount Cammerer.
Here are a few photos from the area from a previous trip:
To get to Max Patch by driving:
- Turn left out of campground onto FS 107
- Go 2 miles to Lemon Gap
- Veer right at Lemon Gap on FS 1182 and drive 3.5 miles
- Look for the Max Patch parking lot on left
The other thing I love about this place is that there are some great trails very close to the campsite. The closest we found was just about 30 yards down Forest Rd 107 which made it nice to get right to seeing these trails and what they have to offer.
Campsite Information:
Location: Cherokee National Forest (North)
Address: 124 Austin Street, Suie #3 Greenville, TN 37743
Fee: $10
Sites: 16
Available Activities:
Walnut Mountain Trail
- Distance: 2 miles
- Description:Easy to Moderate - Head one mile up to Rattlesnake Gap and continue on 1 more mile to the Appalachian Trail.
Appalachian Trail
Max Patch Loop Trails
Directions:
- From Newport take US 25/70 10 miles to TN 107 (Del Rio)
- Right on TN 107 and go 5.8 miles
- Left onto FS 107 Round Mountain Rd (gravel)
- Go 6 miles and turn left into campground
One of my favorites to date.
