Facilities
The Laurels includes two picnic pavilions, numerous tables, grills, a bear-proof dumpster, and connected by foot paths. There is a vault toilet on site. There is no potable water.
Recreation.govTN
The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions
Cherokee National Forest
Upcoming Availability
9 of 14 days currently show available sites.
Sun, Jul 26
None
available
Mon, Jul 27
None
available
Tue, Jul 28
None
available
Wed, Jul 29
2
sites
Thu, Jul 30
2
sites
Fri, Jul 31
2
sites
Sat, Aug 1
None
available
Sun, Aug 2
None
available
Mon, Aug 3
2
sites
Tue, Aug 4
2
sites
Wed, Aug 5
2
sites
Thu, Aug 6
2
sites
Fri, Aug 7
2
sites
Sat, Aug 8
1
site
Campground guide
What to know before booking
The Laurels has been a popular area since the early days in East Tennessee. The Laurels includes two picnic pavilions, numerous tables, grills, a bear-proof dumpster, and connected by foot paths. Honeycomb Creek flows through the picnic area and is enjoyed by kids of all ages on warm summer days.
max Stay
13 nights
Official campground details, summarized
Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.
Natural Features
Honeycomb Creek flows through the picnic area and is enjoyed by kids of all ages on warm summer days.
Recreation
The Laurels has two pavilions, each with picnic tables and grills. An old foot path meanders through the nearby woods.
Campsite map
Site markers come from Recreation.gov campsite coordinates.
Campsites
A sample of official campsite metadata for scanning equipment fit before booking.
Site The Laurels Picnic Area - Pavilion #1
THE LAURELS PICNIC AREA PAVILIONS
—
vehicle
—
people
Yes
shade
Site The Laurels Picnic Area - Pavilion #2
THE LAURELS PICNIC AREA PAVILIONS
—
vehicle
—
people
Yes
shade
Important notices
The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions is open for the 2026 season.
You are in Bear Country. Please adhere to the Cherokee National Forest Food and Refuse Storage Requirements. All food (unless actively being prepared and/or eaten), trash, and other scented items (hygiene products, pet food, etc) must be stored in a bear-resistant container (closed hard top vehicle or travel trailer) or suspended at least 12 ft. off the ground and 6 ft. from limbs. Please read the entire Food Storage Order located under the Facility Information tab and Additional Information section or by reading the Food Storage Order posted at the day-use area. Anyone not in compliance will receive a ticket.
Pavilion #1 is adjacent to the parking area. Pavilion #2 is accessed by an uneven path and bridge that crosses the creek.
There is little cell phone coverage in the area.
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Surrounding campgrounds
Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.
Little Oak Campground
Cherokee National Forest
Horse Creek Recreation Area
Cherokee National Forest
Jacobs Creek Campground (Tn)
Cherokee National Forest
Johns River Road Backcountry Camping
Blue Ridge Parkway
Mortimer Campground
National Forests in North Carolina
Backbone Rock Campground
Cherokee National Forest
Common questions
Is The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions available right now?
Kestrel's most recent scan found openings on 9 of the next 14 days, starting Wed, Jul 29. Availability changes constantly — check the calendar above, then confirm on Recreation.gov.
How do I book The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions?
Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.
How quickly will I hear about a cancellation?
Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.