The Nolichucky River doesn't need a marketing campaign. Ask anyone who grew up in Washington or Greene County and they'll tell you — the Nolichucky is just part of life out here. You fish it, you float it, you camp along it, and if you're the adventurous type, you run it when the water is high and fast in the spring.
We're right down the road from it at Mountaineer Storage in Chuckey — just off Highway 107, which is the same road that takes you straight to the river and everything around it. So we figured it was about time we put together a proper guide. Not a brochure. Not a listicle. Just a genuine look at what the Nolichucky has to offer and how to make the most of your time on it.
Whether you've been coming out here your whole life or you just moved to the area and want to know what's in your backyard — this one's for you.
The River Itself — What You're Working With
The Nolichucky originates in the mountains of western North Carolina and runs northwest through Unicoi County before leveling out through Greene and Washington County on its way toward the Tennessee River. The stretch most people around here know best runs through the Nolichucky River Gorge near Erwin — one of the most dramatic sections of whitewater in the entire Southeast — and then mellows considerably as it moves through the Chuckey and Telford area.
That's what makes the Nolichucky so versatile. Depending on where you access it and what time of year you're out there, you can have a completely different experience. In March and April when snowmelt pushes water levels up, the gorge section near Erwin draws serious whitewater paddlers from across the region. By July it's a different river — slower, warmer, and perfect for tubing and lazy afternoon floats.
The locals know which stretch to use and when. Here's a breakdown of what the river has to offer.
Kayaking & Whitewater
The Nolichucky Gorge near Erwin is the star attraction for paddlers. It runs Class III and IV whitewater through a remote gorge surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest — no roads in, no easy way out, just you and the river. It's one of those paddling experiences that serious kayakers put on their bucket list.
If you're newer to whitewater or bringing kids, the calmer sections between Chuckey and Telford are far more forgiving — flatwater and light riffles that make for a relaxing paddle without the commitment of a full gorge run.
Best time to paddle the gorge: March through May when water levels are highest. Summer is better for the flatwater sections.
Tubing
Tubing on the Nolichucky is a summer tradition out here. When the river drops to its summer levels, the calmer sections are ideal for floating — grab a tube, find a put-in, and let the river do the work. It's the kind of afternoon that turns into a full day before you know it.
River View Campground right here on Highway 107 is a great base for a tubing day — close to the water and close to everything else you need. Best conditions: late June through August when water levels are comfortable and temperatures make getting wet worth it.
Fishing
The Nolichucky is a solid smallmouth bass river — one of the better ones in East Tennessee. You'll also find rock bass, catfish, and depending on the section, some trout. The tributary streams that feed into it, including Horse Creek near the Cherokee National Forest recreation area, hold native trout and are worth exploring if you like stream fishing.
Spring and fall are prime fishing seasons on the Nolichucky. Summer can be good early morning before the tubers and kayakers hit the water. Tennessee fishing license required — pick one up through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before you head out.
Horse Creek Recreation Area at 2415 Horse Creek Park Rd in Chuckey has several native trout streams within and nearby — worth the drive up Horse Creek Road off Highway 107.
Hiking Near the Nolichucky — Trails Worth Your Time
Squibb Creek Falls Trail
This one ends at a 25-foot waterfall and runs almost entirely through the Sampson Mountain Wilderness — meaning no crowds and no hand-holding. Trails are unblazed and stream crossings can be tricky, especially after rain. Worth every step if you're comfortable navigating on your own. Access from Horse Creek Recreation Area off Highway 107 in Chuckey.
Horse Creek Multi-Trail Loop
Horse Creek Recreation Area sits in a hardwood cove in the Cherokee National Forest — and it's officially designated bear sanctuary territory. The multi-trail loop system here winds through some genuinely beautiful deciduous forest alongside Horse Creek. The CCC built this area in the 1930s and you can still feel that history on the trail. Access via Horse Creek Road off TN-107, about 6 miles from Greeneville.
Good to know: Horse Creek Recreation Area is open seasonally May through October. Campground access is walk-in only — park in the first loop near the bathhouse and walk over the pedestrian bridge. First-come, first-served. $10/night for campsites, $7/night at Old Forge Campground. No alcohol allowed on site.
Camping Along the Nolichucky
There's no shortage of places to camp in this part of East Tennessee, but a few spots stand out for their proximity to the river and the overall experience they offer.
River View Campground
Highway 107 · Chuckey, TN
Right down the road from Mountaineer Storage on Highway 107 — about as convenient as it gets for a base camp. Close to the river, close to everything along the 107 corridor, and easy to reach from Telford and Limestone.
Horse Creek Recreation Area
Cherokee National Forest · Chuckey, TN
Walk-in tent camping in the Cherokee National Forest alongside Horse Creek. 15 campsites, CCC-built pavilion, swimming hole, and trails in every direction. Peaceful, wooded, and genuinely off the beaten path. Open May through October.
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park
Limestone, TN
Right on the Nolichucky in Limestone — a state park campground with river access, history, and a solid mix of tent and RV sites. Great option for families.
"The Nolichucky is one of those rivers that makes you realize East Tennessee has everything — you just have to know where to look."
Mountaineer Storage LLC · Chuckey, TN
All That Gear Has to Live Somewhere
Here's the thing about living close to a river like the Nolichucky — you accumulate gear. Kayaks. Fishing rods and tackle boxes. Tubes. Camping gear. Waders. A canoe you bought three summers ago and use twice a year. An RV or camper that makes the whole experience easier but takes up half your driveway when it's not in use.
We built Mountaineer Storage right here on Highway 107 — the same road that takes you to the river — because we knew this community needed a place for all of it. Our 10×20 drive-up units handle the gear that won't fit in the garage. Our outdoor RV and camper storage takes your rig off the driveway and puts it somewhere secure with 24/7 access so you can grab it and go whenever the weather looks right and the river is calling.
No contracts. No deposits. Just a clean, locally owned facility right down the road from the Nolichucky.
RV & Camper Storage
Outdoor spaces up to 42 feet. Secure, gated, AI-monitored. Ready when the river is.
Check Availability10×20 Drive-Up Units
200 sq ft of ground-level storage for all the gear that comes with a life spent outdoors.
View Size GuideReady to Get Out on the Nolichucky?
We're right here on Highway 107 in Chuckey — the same road that takes you to the river. If you need storage for your gear, your RV, or anything else that comes with an outdoor lifestyle in East Tennessee, give us a call or reserve online.
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📍 Mountaineer Storage LLC
2603 TN-107, Chuckey, TN 37641
(423) 948-7724 ·
mountaineerstoragellc.com