Cardens Bluff Campground
Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee
Sold out? We check Cardens Bluff Campground for cancellations and email you the moment a site opens.
Cancellation alerts
Sold out for your dates?
Free to start. Email alerts included.
As of September 2026, Cardens Bluff Campground is a campground in Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee with 37 campsites. Cardens Bluff Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Cardens Bluff Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Cardens Bluff Campground is located at 36.3097° N, 82.1153° W.
- people allowed on each site
- 5
Cardens Bluff Campground reservations and next available dates
September 2026
Campsites at Cardens Bluff Campground
- Tent 31
- Standard 6
- Accessible 7
- Hookups 3
What an RV fits
- 20 ft1 site
- 30 ft1 site
Amenities
- restrooms
- showers
- potable water
- boat ramp
At a glance: Setting: Mountain.
Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, photography, stargazing.
All sites at Cardens Bluff Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Max RV | Hookups | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 002 | Standard | 5 | - | - | - |
| 003 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 005 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 006 | Tent | 5 | - | - | Accessible |
| 007 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 009 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 010 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 013 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 014 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 015 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 016 | Standard | 5 | 20 ft | Electric, Water | - |
| 017 | Tent | 5 | - | - | Accessible |
| 018 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 019 | Tent | 5 | - | - | Accessible |
| 020 | Tent | 5 | - | - | Accessible |
| 021 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 022 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 023 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Max RV | Hookups | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 024 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 025 | Standard | 5 | - | Electric, Water | Accessible |
| 026 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 027 | Standard | 5 | - | - | - |
| 028 | Standard | 5 | - | - | Accessible |
| 029 | Standard | 5 | 30 ft | - | Accessible |
| 030 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 031 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 032 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 033 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 034 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 035 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 036 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 038 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 039 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 040 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 041 | Tent | 5 | - | - | - |
| 042 | Tent | 5 | - | Electric, Water | - |
About Cardens Bluff Campground
Overview
Cardens Bluff Campground is now re-opened as of Thursday 9/3/26. If you have reservations starting Thursday 9/3/26, or after, your reservations are still active and good to go. At nearly 2,000 feet elevation, Cardens Bluff Campground is located on a peninsula overlooking the 6,430-acre Watauga Lake in Carter County, TN. There are 43 sites, primarily for tent camping. There is a bathhouse with showers and flush toilets. No electrical hookups are provided. Day use areas are located nearby for those wanting to take advantage of swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. Campground Hosts are on site to answer questions and assist with your visit.
Recreation
Boating is popular for visitors to Cardens Bluff. Numerous campsites provide easy water access for kayaks, canoes and motorized boats. Swimming and fishing are also very popular activities at Cardens Bluff. Watauga Lake provides notably clean water for recreating.
Facilities
There are 43 campsites within Cardens Bluff Campground. Each section of the campground has flush toilets. In addition, there is an accessible shower house with eight showers for use by registered campers only.
Natural Features
Watauga Lake is a 6,430-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Directly across the lake from the campground is the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness area, a rugged, undeveloped mountain range with only the Appalachian National Scenic Trail within its boundaries.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby Rat Branch Boat Launch is an easy quick drive from the campground for campers with motor boats. Shook Branch Swim Area is also nearby on the shores of Watauga Lake. Big Laurel Branch and Pond Mountain Wilderness areas are located north and south of the campground for more rugged, backcountry hiking.
Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →
Cardens Bluff Campground FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Cardens Bluff Campground?
Cardens Bluff Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 37 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.
How do I find last-minute availability at Cardens Bluff Campground?
Cancellations happen frequently at Cardens Bluff Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Cardens Bluff Campground have?
Cardens Bluff Campground has 37 campsites.
More campgrounds in Cherokee National Forest
Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.
- Parksville Lake RV Campground availability16 sites
- Backbone Rock Campground reservations11 sites
- is Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions campground open1 site
- Dennis Cove Campground availability14 sites
- Donley Cabin reservations1 site
- is Houston Valley campground open1 site
Campgrounds
Browse Campsites
Monitor campsite availability across federal and state parks. Get alerts when sites open up at sold-out campgrounds.
Tennessee
8 popular campgrounds
- Abram's Creek Campground
- Rock Creek Campground (Tn)
- Parksville Lake RV Campground
- Station Camp Campground
- Backbone Rock Campground
- Bandy Creek Campground
- Bumpus Mills Campground
- Cades Cove Campground
California
8 popular campgrounds
- Atwell Mill Campground
- Buckeye Flat Campground
- Canyon View Group Sites
- Cold Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground (Ca)
- Crystal Springs Campground Mid-Sized Group Sites
- Death Valley Backcountry Roadside Camping
- Indian Cove Group Campground
Oregon
8 popular campgrounds
- Little Crater Lake Campground
- Cave Creek Campground
- Acorn Woman Lakes Campground
- Big Lake West Campground
- Bolan Lake Campground
- Cavitt Creek Falls Recreation Site
- Clearwater Falls Campground
- Cultus Lake Boat In - West Campground
Utah
8 popular campgrounds
- Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
- Devils Garden Campground
- Natural Bridges Campground
- North Campground (Ut)
- South Campground (Ut)
- Sunset Campground (Ut)
- Watchman Campground
- Anderson Meadow Campground (Fishlake NF, Ut)
Ohio
8 popular campgrounds
- Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Grand Lake West Bank Marina
- Kiser Lake State Park Kiser Lake Grandview Area Tie Ups Campground
- Lake Logan State Park Lake Logan Marina Beach 1-18 Campground
- Lake Loramie State Park Earls Island Dock Back Campground
- Pike Lake State Park Pike Lake Cabins and Day Use Shelters
- Scioto Trail State Park Stewart Lake Campground
- Buck Creek State Park G Dock Campground
- Buckeye Lake State Park Fairfield Beach a Docks Campground
Minnesota
8 popular campgrounds
- Cass Lake Loop Campground
- Fenske Lake Campground
- Glacial Lakes State Park Lower Campground
- Jeanette Lake Campground
- Lake Bronson State Park Lakeside Extension Campground
- Lake Maria State Park Backpack Campsites
- Lake Shetek State Park Prairie Campground
- Maplewood State Park Grass Lake Campground: Hollow Loop
One tick helps us more than you’d think
Google lets you pick the sites it highlights for you. Add PermitSnag and our campground pages get marked as one of yours in AI Overviews and AI Mode.
Takes less than a minute.