PARKS
Whether you are looking for a day’s adventure or an hour of relaxation to enjoy a picnic, Unicoi County is your playground.
Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
Breathtaking…that’s what comes to mind when you think of Rocky Fork State Park. Rocky Fork State Park is 2,076-acres of scenic wilderness, surrounded on three sides by the Cherokee National Forest. The steep, rugged terrain is fed by numerous cool mountain streams. With large moss covered boulders and deep pools in Rocky Fork Creek is noted for miles of excellent native trout
fishing. There are nearly 14-miles of marked hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous. The trails offer stunning views of the Cherokee National Forest, waterfalls, and direct access to the Appalachian Trail. Nearly 10-miles of marked mountain biking trails inside the state park connect to 8000-acres of remote, unmarked and unsigned logging roads in the Cherokee National Forest. These trails provide for scenic and challenging rides for the ambitious mountain biker.
Rock Creek Recreation Area
Rock Creek Recreation Area is a welcome respite from the summer heat in the valley, cooled by air flowing down from Unaka Mountain and protected from the hot sun by large trees. Situated among tall oaks, maples, hemlocks and rhododendron, camping sites give the feel of deep woods privacy while offering electric hookups, RV sites, double sites, walk-in tent sites, and multiple bathhouses. A creek-fed swimming hole, seasonal campfire programs, a rugged hiking trail into Unaka Mountain Wilderness, an easy bicycle trail and short nature trails are among the activities you can enjoy during your visit to Rock Creek Park.
Chestoa Recreation Area
Chestoa Recreation Area, located along the banks of the Nolichucky River, has picnic tables, grills, changing rooms and restrooms. There are two short foot trails and a sandy area for wading along the river. Shoals just upstream and downstream are popular fishing spots. Chestoa Recreation Area is a take-out for whitewater rafters who ride the river from Poplar, NC through the scenic Nolichucky Gorge. Canoeists also put-in here for a more relaxed float downriver or to fish for trout or smallmouth bass. Picnicking at Chestoa Recreation Area is also popular.
Limestone Cove Campground and Park
Limestone Cove Campground and Park is located alongside North Indian Creek in beautiful Limestone Cove. Many people take advantage of the cool shade near the creek to picnic. The cool swift waters of North Indian Creek provide an excellent habitat for trout. A portion of a rail line that once traveled between Unicoi and Limestone Cove is still visible in the picnic area. Limestone
Cove Campground and Park features 18 campsites with tent pads, lantern posts, picnic tables and grills.
Fishery Park
Fishery Park, surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Unaka Mountains, features hiking trails, a pond and restored wetland, basketball and tennis courts, covered pavilions, picnic tables, playground facilities, swimming pool and the most recent extension of Erwin’s award-winning Linear Trail. Families can gather for a simple picnic or even an extended family reunion at Erwin Fishery Park.
Unaka Bike Park
The Unaka Bike Park is located less than a mile from downtown Erwin and features over ten miles of mountain biking trails with a wide variety of difficulty levels, with some reaching more than 700 feet in elevation change. The Peddlers Rest, a local bike rental shop, is conveniently located at the entrance to the park.
Bogart-Bowman Log Cabin and Buffalo Creek Park
The historic Bogart-Bowman Cabin is a two-story log cabin, originally built around 1790, features a detached kitchen and dogtrot. Buffalo Creek Park features a quarter-mile walking path.
Gathering Place Park
The Gathering Place Park is located on South Main Avenue and contains umbrella-covered tables and chairs, a large natural gas firepit, and large stage for performances and events. The Gathering Place Park is perfect for a small picnic lunch or community-wide evening concert.
Veteran’s Memorial Park
The Veteran’s Memorial Park features a covered pavilion with picnic tables perfect for family gatherings. The park also displays monuments honoring Unicoi County’s soldiers.