Big Laurel Branch Wilderness
Big Laurel Branch Wilderness is a 10,804-acre wilderness area in Carter County, Tennessee. It rises from about 1,643 to 4,094 ft. The nearest town is Butler, 0.6 miles away in a straight line.
Big Laurel Branch Wilderness map
Big Laurel Branch Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Agency fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.
Common questions
- Butler, TN is the nearest town, 0.6 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Big Laurel Branch Wilderness is about 4,094 ft, and its lowest about 1,643 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Big Laurel Branch Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 10,804 | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | Watauga Ranger District, 423-735-1500 |
Getting to Big Laurel Branch Wilderness
- Butler, TN is the nearest town, 0.6 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-30)
Campgrounds in and around Big Laurel Branch Wilderness
- Watauga Point Recreation Area camping (0.7 miles outside the boundary): its sites, fees, and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.
- Cardens Bluff Campground (0.8 miles outside the boundary): its sites, fees, and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.
Public lands next to Big Laurel Branch Wilderness
- National forestBig Laurel Branch Wilderness lies inside Cherokee National Forest.
- Wilderness areaPond Mountain Wilderness is 0.9 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Tennessee
- wilderness.net (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com (accessed 2026-09-30)
- www2.census.gov (accessed 2026-09-30)
The sentences on this page are generated by software from the sourced records above, not written by hand. How this content is made.