Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-122390
When Cardens Bluff Campground reopens
Cardens Bluff Campground's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
3
Openings · last 90 days
61
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dNo strong weekday pattern is evident in the openings Campsite Sniper has detected: 61 openings spread across the week.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 10:00 and 20:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 24 of 61 detected openings (39.3%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Eastern Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 8 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 5–12 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 016 | 7 | 11.5% |
| 001 | 6 | 9.8% |
| 036 | 6 | 9.8% |
| 041 | 5 | 8.2% |
| 002 | 4 | 6.6% |
Site 016 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 7. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · Apr 26 – May 4, 2027 · of 42 monitored sites
Of the 351 tracked site-nights (Apr 26 – May 4, 2027): 327 open for online reservation · 6 reserved · 18 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). Of the facility's 42 monitored sites, 37 can be reserved online and 2 are first-come, first-served (3 closed).
Where the open windows are
6.8% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 327 of 351 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Apr 26 – May 4, 2027Not open online6.8%
Open site-nights327 / 351
Reserved (of online inventory)6 / 333
Weekday openings218
Weekend openings109
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 218 fall on weekdays and 109 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Apr 2027 – May 2027April holds the most room. 180 of 195 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 37 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 001 | 9 |
| 002 | 9 |
| 003 | 9 |
| 005 | 9 |
| 006 | 9 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Tracked window
CoverageCampsite Sniper's data for this facility starts Apr 26, 2027. That is about 174 days after the current snapshot was taken, so dates before Apr 26, 2027 are not covered by what Campsite Sniper tracks here — they are not known to be unavailable. The site-nights shown on this page describe Apr 26, 2027 onwards only. Check Recreation.gov for earlier dates.
Stays and site detail
327 open site-nights across 37 sites at Cardens Bluff Campground, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 37 2-night, 37 3-night, 36 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Apr 26, 2027 at site 001.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 57 ft. 7 sites take 25 ft, 5 sites take 35 ft, 4 sites take 40 ft. 30 sites of 37 have no recorded maximum and are not counted.
All 37 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 002 | 57 ft | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 003 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 005 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 006 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 007 | 50 ft | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 009 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 010 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 013 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 014 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 015 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 016 | 30 ft | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 017 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 018 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 019 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 020 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 021 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 022 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 023 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 024 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 025 | 40 ft | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 026 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 027 | 40 ft | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 028 | 35 ft | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 029 | 30 ft | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 030 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 031 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 032 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 033 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 034 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 035 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 036 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 038 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 039 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 040 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 042 | Not recorded | None | 9 | 9 nights | Apr 26, 2027, Apr 27, 2027, Apr 28, 2027, Apr 29, 2027, Apr 30, 2027, May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
| 041 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027, May 4, 2027 |
About Cardens Bluff Campground
Overview
Cardens Bluff Campground is closed for the season. At nearly 2,000 feet elevation, Cardens Bluff Campground is located on a peninsula overlooking the 6,430-acre Watauga Lake in Carter County, TN. There are 43 sites, primarily for tent camping. There is a bathhouse with showers and flush toilets. No electrical hookups are provided. Day use areas are located nearby for those wanting to take advantage of swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. Campground Hosts are on site to answer questions and assist with your visit.
Recreation
Boating is popular for visitors to Cardens Bluff. Numerous campsites provide easy water access for kayaks, canoes and motorized boats. Swimming and fishing are also very popular activities at Cardens Bluff. Watauga Lake provides notably clean water for recreating.
Facilities
There are 43 campsites within Cardens Bluff Campground. Each section of the campground has flush toilets. In addition, there is an accessible shower house with eight showers for use by registered campers only.
Natural Features
Watauga Lake is a 6,430-acre hydroelectric reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Directly across the lake from the campground is the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness area, a rugged, undeveloped mountain range with only the Appalachian National Scenic Trail within its boundaries.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby Rat Branch Boat Launch is an easy quick drive from the campground for campers with motor boats. Shook Branch Swim Area is also nearby on the shores of Watauga Lake. Big Laurel Branch and Pond Mountain Wilderness areas are located north and south of the campground for more rugged, backcountry hiking.
42 monitored sites2 FCFS sitesRVs up to 57 ftNo hookups12 shadedWaterfrontLakefrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 5
Getting there
From Elizabethton, TN take US 19E/321 south 5 miles to Hampton. Turn left on 321/67 travel approx. 4 miles to the campground entrance on the left.
4400 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi, TENNESSEE 37692423-735-1500
Auto TouringBikingBirdingBoatingCanoeingFishingHikingKayakingMountain BikingNon-Motorized BoatingScenic DriveSwimming
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-122390 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-122390 · Cardens Bluff Campground · Unicoi TENNESSEE12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Cardens Bluff Campground?
Reservations for Cardens Bluff Campground are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 327 of 351 tracked site-nights are open (93.2%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 61 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 3, 2026 00:18 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Cardens Bluff Campground?
Campsite Sniper detected 61 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Cardens Bluff Campground?
37 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Apr 26, 2027 at site 001. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Cardens Bluff Campground fit a 35-foot RV?
5 of the 37 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 57 ft. 7 of those 37 sites have a recorded maximum length and 30 do not; they are not counted as fitting.
Which month has the most availability at Cardens Bluff Campground?
April 2027, with 180 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 195.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Cardens Bluff Campground?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 8 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 5-12 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
When is the next open date at Cardens Bluff Campground?
Campsite Sniper cannot answer that from the current snapshot. The availability data held for Cardens Bluff Campground begins Apr 26, 2027 — about 174 days after this snapshot was taken, so any earlier dates are outside what Campsite Sniper is tracking here rather than known to be unavailable. Check Recreation.gov for dates before Apr 26, 2027.
Stop refreshing. Let the app watch it.
Filter
Lakefront, hookups, your RV length, weekends only - set it as picky as you want.
Watch
We run paced availability checks for Cardens Bluff Campground. One watch covers every matching online-reservable site.
Get the ping
When a match opens, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.
Alerts monitor online-reservable inventory only; first-come, first-served sites are not included.