Rock Creek Recreation Area is one of the most beautiful, serene spots in Erwin, TN 37650. The park is nestled in the Rock Creek Gorge and offers 17+ miles of trails that meander alongside flowing creek, rock formations, and dense forest. The park is located 25 minutes northwest of downtown Erwin in a small town called Rock Creek. It's easily accessible from I-40 or US-41, and it's centrally located making day trips to Civil War sites such as Tennessee Military Parkway or Gatlinburg easy as pie! Rock Creek Recreation Area has something for everyone: disc golfers, horse lovers, nature lovers, bird watchers, photographers, campers, hikers and trail runners. This post features everything you need to know about Rock Creek so that you can explore its nooks and crannies with ease.
Rock Creek is a small park in the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains. The park is a popular destination for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. The park is named for its proximity to the creek and the rocky cliffs that line the banks. The park is a popular spot for bird and wildlife viewing. Rock Creek is a great place to hike, run, mountain bike, and explore the outdoors. Rock Creek Rec Area has over 17 miles of trails and the gorge is a great place for rock climbing. The gorge is also a popular spot for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and tubing. Visitors can enjoy many activities at the park, including hiking, biking, rock climbing, camping, whitewater rafting, swimming, and more. The park is located southwest of Knoxville and northwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The park is easy to get to and close to many places to visit.
During the Ice Age, the region around the Great Smoky Mountains was an inland sea. As the glaciers retreated, they left behind enormous glacial lakes called proglacial lakes. The proglacial lakes carved out the valleys that are now the Great Smoky Mountains. About 14,000 years ago, a large rock layer was pushed up by glacial meltWater from melting glaciers caused the formation of a large lake in what is now the Tennessee Valley. This lake filled with water from the Tennessee River, forming the “Great Lake” that is now the Tennessee River. The lake gradually drained, leaving behind a large, shallow lake bed. It is this lake bed that is now used for fishing and whitewater rafting. The gorge that runs through the park was formed by the Little Tennessee River as it carved a path through the soft, glacial lake bed.
Hiking: The park has over 17 miles of trails for hiking, including the Gorge Trail, which runs through the park and is 1.5 miles long. It is a moderate hike that includes a climb of 400 feet. The trail offers views of the gorge and the river below.Whitewater Rafting/ Kayaking : The Little Tennessee River is a popular whitewater rafting spot and is one of the few places in the country where you can raft the river while surrounded by ancient, intact forest.Rock Climbing : The park has 12 different climbing areas to choose from. Each is marked and has a designated parking area.Cycling : The park has three biking trails for cyclists of all skill levels. All are easy rides that are great for beginners. There are also several designated bike riding areas for more experienced riders.Fishing : Rock Creek is stocked with trout from mid-April until mid-October. The park also offers fishing from the banks of the Little Tennessee River.Swimming : There is a swimming area with a lily pad island and two swim spots with sandy beaches. The swimming areas are open for swimming year-round.
The park is small, and it's easy to drive around and see everything in a single day. If you'd like to stay overnight, there are a few places to choose from:
