Woodsmoke Campground
Campground
4.9 mi
4.3 (122)
215 Woodsmoke Dr, Unicoi, TN 37692
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Creek-Fed Concrete Swimming Pond And Recreation AreaTN
Rock Creek
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Rock Creek near Erwin with pond photos, $2 day-use fees, campsite options and a drinking-water warning. Confirm current swimming conditions before travel.
Swimming restriction
Use only the swimming area currently allowed by signs and staff. Do not jump or dive or treat creek cascades and water-control structures as swimming entries. Alcohol is prohibited; secure food and refuse as required by forest guidance.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Creek-Fed Concrete Swimming Pond And Recreation Area
Access
Informal
Fee
Forest Service lists $2 per vehicle per day for day use; $12 for a non-electric tent site, $20 for a single electric site and $40 for a double electric site per night. Confirm current booking charges and pass eligibility rather than assuming a discount on electricity or double sites.
Best season
Check current pond operation, weather and road access before departure. Earlier May-September ideal-water and predictable-safety promises are unsupported
Nearby towns
Bristol, Johnson City, Erwin
Water body
Rock Creek
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Bristol, Johnson City, Erwin
Access location not verified
36.13694, -82.3525
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Rock Creek
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Rock Creek: a developed pond in a wooded recreation area
Rock Creek near Erwin has a creek-fed concrete swimming pond, rather than a graded natural beach. The Forest Service and Recreation.gov identify swimming as an activity. Confirm the pond is currently available and obey local signs; we have not verified today's depth, lifeguard coverage or water quality.
Choose the right fee and campsite
Published Forest Service rates are $2 per vehicle for day use, $12 per night for a non-electric tent site, $20 for a single electric site and $40 for a double electric site. Walk-in tent camping is distinct from electric sites. Check the specific booking and equipment requirements, including arrival before the campground gate closes at 10 PM.
Bring drinking water
Sources do not agree on water availability: Recreation.gov describes shared spigots, while the Forest Service says potable water is unavailable. Bring your own drinking water and confirm services before travel. Toilets, showers and camping amenities are listed, but a facility description is not a live service report.
Check the approach without inventing certainty
Both sources direct visitors along TN 395 east from Erwin but give different I-26 exits. Confirm your route and check forest alerts, particularly if traveling through Indian Gap. That mountain-access notice is not proof the recreation area is closed. The campground opening date is not a verified swimming-season date, and accessible campsite descriptions do not establish a step-free water entry.
See the pond and creek as different features
The gallery shows the developed pond, wooded creek scenery, an autumn low cascade and a constructed weir. These are historical photos, not instructions to swim at every pictured feature. Do not climb or enter water-control structures, jump or dive, or assume creek-fed water has the conditions of a treated municipal pool.
Getting There
Use TN 395 east from Erwin for about 3.5 miles to the signed recreation area. USFS and Recreation.gov give conflicting I-26 exit numbers, so confirm the current route rather than relying on our old step-by-step directions. Check road alerts before travel, especially for routes through Indian Gap. Within the site follow current parking and swimming signs; the retained historical pin is not a verified entry and ample parking is not guaranteed.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Official sources identify the developed pond, not a graded natural beach. No exact step-free swimming entry verified. Check forest alerts and road access; the HWY395/IndianGap notice concerns UnakaMountain access and is not proof that RockCreek itself is closed.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Use only the swimming area currently allowed by signs and staff. Do not jump or dive or treat creek cascades and water-control structures as swimming entries. Alcohol is prohibited; secure food and refuse as required by forest guidance. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Lone Oak Trailhead
Hiking area
8.7 mi
4.8 (43)
Dry Creek Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604
White Rock Trail Loop Trailhead
Hiking area
9.8 mi
4.8 (53)
Johnson City, TN 37604
Parking Garage
Parking garage
11.8 mi
4.6 (10)
Bradford Pear Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604
Public Parking Lot - Founders Park
Free parking lot
12.2 mi
4.6 (24)
324 S Commerce St, Johnson City, TN 37604
Cherry Street Public Parking
Parking lot
12.3 mi
3 (2)
110 Cherry St, Johnson City, TN 37604
JC VISITOR CENTER
Visitor services
12.3 mi
4.3 (3)
302 Buffalo St, Johnson City, TN 37604
Rocky Fork State Park Ranger Station & Gift Shop
Tourist information center
13.1 mi
4.7 (10)
280 Jennie Moore Rd, Flag Pond, TN 37657
Restroom
Live Conditions Nearby
Checking nearby USGS water conditions…
Frequently Asked Questions About Rock Creek
Is Rock Creek a natural beach?
No. Official sources describe a creek-fed concrete swimming pond in the recreation area. Confirm current pond operation and obey posted rules.
What are the published fees?
The Forest Service lists $2 per vehicle for day use, and nightly camping rates of $12 for non-electric tent sites, $20 for single electric sites and $40 for double electric sites. Confirm booking charges and pass eligibility.
Should I bring drinking water?
Yes. The Forest Service says potable water is unavailable, while Recreation.gov describes shared spigots. Do not rely on those spigots as confirmed drinking-water supplies.
Are all campsites walk-in?
No. Electric single and double sites are listed separately from non-electric walk-in tent sites. Check the specific site for access, equipment and booking requirements.
Does the campground opening date establish swimming season?
No. The May 5, 2026 opening listed by the Forest Service applies to the campground. Exact pond opening and closing dates are not independently confirmed here.
Do the photos establish today's conditions?
No. They are reviewed historical collection images. Creek cascades and the constructed weir are not identified as swimming entries, and the pond photo is not a current operation report.
Highlights
Reviewed developed-pond photo
Current fee distinctions
Drinking-water conflict flagged
Electric and walk-in camping clarified
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not equate creek-fed water with treated municipal-pool water or guaranteed safety for children
- Current depth, lifeguard coverage and water quality are not confirmed
- Follow staff guidance and signs, avoid jumping or diving, and stay away from slippery cascades or water-control infrastructure
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Official sources attribute early picnic, pond and bathhouse facilities to the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Camping development was added later by the Forest Service.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Reviewed images show the developed pond beside a bridge, mossy woodland creek, autumn low cascade and a small constructed weir with a pipe. These are historical collection images, not current opening evidence or swimming-entry instructions.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Secure food and refuse according to forest guidance, use authorized trails and designated campsites, obey signs and keep litter out of the creek.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check current pond operation, weather and road access before departure. Earlier May-September ideal-water and predictable-safety promises are unsupported.
Difficulty Level
The developed pond and campground routes are separate from rugged Unaka Mountain Wilderness hiking. Accessible campsites do not establish that every route or water entry is accessible.
Fee
Forest Service lists $2 per vehicle per day for day use; $12 for a non-electric tent site, $20 for a single electric site and $40 for a double electric site per night. Confirm current booking charges and pass eligibility rather than assuming a discount on electricity or double sites.
Facilities
Recreation.gov lists bathhouses in Loops A and C and beside the pond, with toilets and showers, plus a dump station. Availability must be checked before travel. Water spigots in a facility inventory are not proof of potable water or campsite water hookups.
Activities
Swimming in the designated pond when permitted, picnicking, authorized camping and hiking suited to the chosen route.
Phone
423-638-4109
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Electric single and double campsites and separate non-electric walk-in tent sites are described. Recreation.gov says walk-in tent sites are first-come, first-served; use its specific campsite pages for other booking and equipment requirements. Campground gates close 10 PM to 7 AM, so plan arrival accordingly.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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