Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights3 sites open for every nightA forested campground near fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Most campsites have no hookups, and RV fit varies by site.
Cardens Bluff is surrounded by backcountry options as well as lake recreation: directly across Watauga Lake lies the undeveloped Big Laurel Branch Wilderness (with the Appalachian Trail running through it), and Pond Mountain and other rugged areas are a short drive away for hikers seeking remote routes. For boaters the Rat Branch Boat Launch and the Shook Branch Swim Area are convenient nearby access points.














Length limits vary by campsite.
Showers on site.
Check dates on Recreation.gov.
| Site | Fr 13 | Sa 14 | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 008 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 012 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 038 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 039 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 040 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 041 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 042 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 002 standard nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 018 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 005 tent only nonelectric |
Hookups (individual campsites): 39 no-hookup individual sites.
4400 Unicoi Drive
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Official facts link to their source; “Listing” facts come from the Recreation.gov listing. Anything we can't source says so.
Verbatim from guest reviews on Recreation.gov ↗ (176 reviews, ★ 4.0). Not written or edited by us.
“Great location and views- main bathhouse was nice with showers. Clean sites. Great location good to some good hikes on the AT”
“Lovely sites, although all up or down stairs as noted. Unfortunately a baby was close by and cried most of our two nights. Some sort of gun range was also near?? Sounded like shooting starting at 6am in a Sunday. S very sleepless and tired time ...”
“the view from the campsite is absolutely beautiful. ”
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights3 sites open for every night
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights8 sites open for every night
Available Nov 13–15 · 2 nights3 sites open for every night| – |
| – |
| $12 |
| 006 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 010 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 013 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 014 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 017 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 019 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 020 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 022 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 024 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 026 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 028 standard nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 030 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 031 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 032 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 034 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 016 standard nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 029 standard nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 001 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 015 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 025 standard nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 003 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 021 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 007 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 009 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 023 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 035 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 027 standard nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 033 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
| 036 tent only nonelectric | – | – | $12 |
✓ available · R reserved · X not available · C closed · W first come, first served · N not yet released
An idea to start from, built from this campground's listing and real tours nearby. Times, openings and prices change, so check each before you go.
Rentals that may deliver here and whose listed length fits sites up to 30 ft. Delivery may be available — confirm fees and dates with the owner before you book.

Travel trailer · 25 ft · sleeps 6 · 13 mi from campground
$105/night listed · Outdoorsy · Delivery may be available
View rental
Travel trailer · 29 ft · sleeps 8 · 20 mi from campground
$159/night listed · Outdoorsy · Delivery may be available
View rental
Travel trailer · 12 ft · sleeps 2 · 119 mi from campground
$75/night listed · RVshare · Delivery may be available
View rentalPaid experiences on Viator. Distances are from this campground when the tour lists its own start point.

Boone area · 2 hr · from $125/person

Boone area · 3 hr · from $120/person

Boone area · 3 hr · from $199/person

Boone area · 2 hr · from $29/person
stays up to 14 nights (Recreation.gov rules).
For August weekends, book about 151 days ahead. Three in four August Friday and Saturday arrivals were booked later than that, and half were booked 48 days or less before arrival. Past timing is guidance, not a guarantee of what is open now.
| Arrival month | Fri/Sat arrivals: half booked at least | A quarter at least | Other days: half booked at least | A quarter at least |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | 56 days ahead | 154 days ahead | 51 days ahead | 113 days ahead |
| May | 54 days ahead | 104 days ahead | 42 days ahead | 96 days ahead |
| June | 44 days ahead | 128 days ahead | 54 days ahead | 134 days ahead |
| July | 53 days ahead | 138 days ahead | 54 days ahead | 143 days ahead |
| August | 48 days ahead | 151 days ahead | 49 days ahead | 162 days ahead |
| September | 42 days ahead | 127 days ahead | 43 days ahead | 130 days ahead |
| October | 41 days ahead | 118 days ahead | 39 days ahead | 105 days ahead |
Months with fewer than 30 reservations of that kind are left blank. Sites where nearly every booking was made the day of arrival (pay on arrival) are left out. Closed seasons, windows not yet released for booking, and currently unavailable nights are separate from this history.
Based on Recreation.gov reservations, FY2015–2025 (7,316 reservations in the years scored). Counts reservations made, not nights actually camped: cancellations aren't in the data, and nights a site was closed count as not booked. FY2020–21 (COVID) are left out of the scores.

Boone area · 45 min · from $10/person
39 individual reservable campsites from Recreation.gov, checked Nov 8. Rates are the listed nightly rates.
Tents only, no power
33 sites · $12/night
Loops: CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND (33)
0 open Nov 13–Nov 15
Tent, van or small RV, no power
6 sites · $12/night
Loops: CARDENS BLUFF CAMPGROUND (6)
0 open Nov 13–Nov 15