The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions
Cherokee National Forest — hiking
Location: Unicoi, TN, TN
Price: From $30 per night
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Laurels has been a popular area since the early days in East Tennessee. It was a common evening stopover for farmers from North Carolina taking produce to markets in Johnson City, TN. The site is named for the native Rhododendron that thrives in the area, locally called "laurel." The Civilian Conservation Corps helped construct the current facilities in the early 1930’s.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/the-laurels-picnic-area-pavilions to be notified when sites open up.
The Laurels is a peaceful, well-maintained picnic area with a beautiful old forest, lush landscape, and creek access that campers consistently praise for its cleanliness and serene atmosphere in Carter County.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Timber Rattlesnake, and Eastern Milksnake present in the area — exercise standard wildlife precautions.
Insider tips for The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 2 tent sites and high demand. Each site has its own fire ring and picnic table with good spacing for privacy. Creek access available for wading and wildlife viewing, popular with families.
Skip The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions if: You need hookups — no hookups available at sites.. You're visiting outside May through October — campground is seasonal.. You require more than 2 available tent sites..
Best time to visit The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions: May-October — Official operating season; reviewers noted pleasant temperatures during July weekend visits with creek access for recreation..
Nearby campgrounds: Dennis Cove Campground (Unicoi, TN), Rock Creek Recreation Area (Cherokee National Forest, Tn) (Greeneville, TN), Cardens Bluff Campground (Unicoi, TN), Watauga Point Recreation Area (Unicoi, TN).
Cell Phone Coverage at The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions
Cell signal at The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions (Unicoi, TN): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The Laurels has been a popular area since the early days in East Tennessee. It was a common evening stopover for farmers from North Carolina taking produce to markets in Johnson City, TN. The site is named for the native Rhododendron that thrives in the area, locally called "laurel." The Civilian Conservation Corps helped construct the current facilities in the early 1930’s.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 2 tent sites and high demand.
Each site has its own fire ring and picnic table with good spacing for privacy.
Creek access available for wading and wildlife viewing, popular with families.
Official operating season; reviewers noted pleasant temperatures during July weekend visits with creek access for recreation.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
The Laurels is located on TN Hwy 361 near Sciota Road in Carter County. From Johnson City, take I-26 E to Okalona exit. Turn left, drive under I-26 to TN 359. Turn right onto TN 359. Travel 1.4 miles, then turn right onto TN 361 for 3.7 miles to The Laurels.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Cherokee National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Cherokee National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions cost per night?+
What season is The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions open?+
Does The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions?+
How do I make reservations at The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions?+
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What season is The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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