In recognition of National Public Lands Day and the This Land is Your Land initiative; all day-use fees will be waived at Cherokee National Forest recreation sites on Saturday September 27, and Sunday September 28, 2008.  This does not include overnight fees at campgrounds.

Cherokee National Forest Supervisor, Tom Speaks explained that, “Our national forests provide healthful, outdoor recreation opportunities for millions of people each year.  To encourage visitation and enjoyment of our national forests and to honor new U.S. citizens, the Forest Service, USDA is offering free day-use at all recreation fee sites across Cherokee National Forest on September 27  and 28.  We hope visitors will enjoy their day in the Cherokee National Forest.”

The Cherokee National Forest covers 640,000 acres in ten East Tennessee counties from Chattanooga to Bristol.  The Cherokee NF is divided into north and south sections by Great Smoky Mountains National Park and organized into four ranger districts.  The Forest is the largest single tract of public land in the State.  Approximately 2.8 million people visited recreation sites in the Forest last year to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, bike riding, boating, swimming, camping, fishing and picnicking.  

For Cherokee NF recreation information contact any of the following offices: Forest Supervisor's Office:  2800 N. Ocoee St., Cleveland, TN 37312 - Phone: (423) - 476-9700; Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District:  3171 HWY 64 Benton, TN 37307-5823 - Phone (423) 338-3300; Tellico Ranger District:  250 Ranger Station Road, Tellico Plains, TN  37385 - Phone (423) 253-8400; Nolichucky/Unaka Ranger District:  4900 Asheville HWY SR 70, Greeneville, TN  37743 - Phone: (423) 638-4109; Watauga Ranger District:  4400 Unicoi Dr, Unicoi, TN  37692 - Phone (423) 735-1500.  Forest website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/cherokee/.

Day-use fees at the following recreation sites on Cherokee National Forest will be waived September 27 & 28, 2008:

Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District - Chilhowee Recreation Area Day-Use, Parksville Launch, East Parksville Launch, Kings Slough Launch, Mac Point Beach, Parksville Beach, Ocoee Whitewater Center, Towee Creek Launch, Power House Launch, Spring Creek Shooting Range

Tellico Ranger District  - Indian Boundary Day-Use