Land for Sale in Tennessee

Land for Sale in Cocke County, Tennessee

AGRICULTURE, TIMBER & TROUT STREAMS

Mountain ridges cut by trout streams shape this part of East Tennessee. Farms average just under 100 acres, producing hay, cattle, and poultry. The county moves over $80 million in agricultural goods, driven by a blend of crop and livestock operations. Buyers come here for good hunting land, access to Cherokee National Forest, and small-town culture tied to farming and foraging. From timber tracts to productive pasture, this is working land with long-term value.

We currently do not have any listings in this area. Partner with Tutt Land to unleash the full potential of your land sale, as our expert team guides you through a streamlined process, customized marketing strategies, and an extensive buyer network. So sell your land today.

Why Cocke County Tennessee Land Attracts Buyers

Buyers looking for rural acreage in East Tennessee find value in Cocke County for its blend of income-producing farms and outdoor access. Agriculture drives over $81 million in annual sales, with strong returns from poultry, hay, and beef cattle. Land here supports working farms but also offers recreational benefits that many buyers prioritize—streams, timbered ridges, and access to public forestland. Cocke County borders the Cherokee National Forest, opening opportunities for personal hunting, seasonal leases, or guided outfitting. Waterways like Paint Creek and the French Broad River add fishing appeal, especially for trout and smallmouth bass. Whether you're investing in pastureland, diversifying into timber, or looking for a place to build a homestead, the land here holds steady long-term value. Unlike many regions, Cocke County retains its agricultural identity. Festivals like the Rankin Bottoms Ramp Festival reflect a place where rural culture is still active. At the same time, proximity to I‑40 and the Smoky Mountains keeps property accessible to Knoxville and Asheville buyers seeking land just beyond the suburban fringe.

Mountain Land, Trout Streams, and Forest Habitat in Cocke County

Natural features shape both the economy and appeal of Cocke County. Elevation changes across ridges, valleys, and bottomlands create a variety of microhabitats that support strong wildlife populations and diverse land uses. The county includes part of the Cherokee National Forest, where private land borders hardwood stands, trout streams, and wildlife corridors.
Cherokee National Forest Edge

Cocke County includes access to thousands of acres of national forest, with adjacent private lands offering high recreational value. These borderlands are sought after by hunters, timber managers, and those looking to develop secluded retreats.

Paint Creek Watershed

Paint Creek flows through national forest and private lands, offering stocked and wild trout fisheries. Its surrounding terrain includes rhododendron thickets, mature hardwoods, and remote access roads ideal for backcountry property buyers.

Appalachian Hardwood Slopes

Mixed oak, poplar, and hickory forests cover hillsides and transitions. These stands support turkey and deer populations and provide value for selective harvest or wildlife leases. Many tracts maintain natural springs and trails.

Poultry, Hay, and Timber Investment Land in East Tennessee

Cocke County supports diversified land use with strong returns from poultry production and hay-based cattle operations. Buyers also invest in timberland and upland forest parcels for long-term appreciation and seasonal leases. The landscape supports both production and recreation, making it attractive for investors who want flexibility with use and income.
Cocke County poultry farm
Poultry Operations

Cocke County farms brought in over $27 million from poultry and egg sales in 2022. Several operations raise broilers or layers under contract, supported by regional processors. Flat land with utility access is often used for new builds or grower expansion. Some parcels include existing barns, fencing, or water systems, making them move-in ready for new operators.

Hay and pasture land in Cocke County
Hay and Cattle Ground

Hay and forage crops cover over 13,000 acres in Cocke County. Pastures support beef cattle, with most farms maintaining less than 100 head. Cross-fencing, waterlines, and loafing sheds can add value. Many buyers combine pasture use with hunting or timber harvests, depending on parcel size and terrain.

Cocke County timber tract
Hardwood Timberland

Timber acreage includes upland hardwoods like oak, hickory, and poplar. These tracts are often used for hunting leases or passive growth. Some parcels border the Cherokee National Forest, creating natural corridors for wildlife and offering long-term conservation potential.

Hunting and Fishing Land in Cocke County, TN

Wildlife habitat in Cocke County is shaped by a mix of forest, stream corridors, and public land buffers. Hunters and anglers find access to game-rich hardwoods, stocked creeks, and managed lands with high productivity. Whether you hunt turkey on forest slopes or fish bass in French Broad backwaters, there’s a wide range of opportunities here.
Black bear in Cocke County forest
Black Bear

Cocke County is part of Tennessee’s black bear range, with consistent populations along the Cherokee Forest edge. Seasonal hunting is managed by TWRA and draws out-of-county interest.

Wild turkey in field
Turkey

Mature forests and clearings provide quality turkey habitat. Both spring and fall seasons are open in this unit. Many private tracts are leased for weekend hunts.

Trout stream in Cocke County
Trout

Paint Creek and other coldwater streams hold rainbow, brown, and brook trout. TWRA stocks sections through delayed harvest programs and seasonal access is strong.

Sandhill cranes in Rankin Bottoms WMA
Sandhill Cranes

Rankin Bottoms hosts migrating sandhill cranes, tundra swans, and other wetland birds. While not hunted here, the area is popular with birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Heritage Farming and Cultural Roots in Cocke County

Cocke County ties agriculture closely to cultural identity. The Rankin Bottoms Ramp Festival celebrates native wild leeks, once foraged by settlers and now a seasonal delicacy. Visitors and locals come together each spring to honor Appalachian foodways, including music, pickling, and seed-saving. Many small farms here are still family-run, passing through generations. That legacy helps maintain field borders, creeks, and barns that shape the land's current value. Buyers investing in land often tap into this regional continuity—whether restoring an old pasture, planting a vineyard, or setting up a heritage poultry operation. It’s not just acreage—it’s part of the mountain’s working story.

Browse Land in Nearby East Tennessee Counties

Buyers exploring Cocke County land often look at neighboring areas with similar terrain, access to forest, and ag value. These counties offer a range of price points and parcel sizes.
Sevier County

Known for tourism and Smokies access, but still has pockets of productive farm and hunting land east of I‑40. Value in backroad tracts and homestead properties.

Land for Sale in Sevier County, TN
Greene County

Larger farms and better tillable land options. Strong ag infrastructure and proximity to markets in Johnson City and Knoxville.

Land for Sale in Greene County, TN
Jefferson County

Rolling pasture and lakefront tracts with growth pressure from I‑40. Good for buyers wanting access to Knoxville within 40 minutes.

Land for Sale in Jefferson County, TN

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the fishing opportunities in Cocke County?

Anglers have access to high-quality trout streams like Paint Creek and Hiwassee River. Both are stocked and managed for brown, rainbow, and brook trout. The French Broad River also offers strong smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing. Public access is available through TWRA-managed zones and the Cherokee National Forest.

What crops grow well in Cocke County?

Hay and forage dominate row crop acreage, with over 13,000 acres reported. Corn and soybeans are also grown, though in smaller amounts. The land is best suited for pasture and hay, with rolling topography and mixed forest boundaries that support diversified operations.

Is poultry farming common in Cocke County?

Yes. Poultry and egg sales topped $27 million in 2022. The region supports multiple contract growers and broiler operations. It's one of the county’s biggest sources of farm income, ahead of cattle and calves.

Are there any native festivals or events that attract visitors?

The Rankin Bottoms Ramp Festival is one of Tennessee’s oldest heritage food events, celebrating wild mountain leeks. The county also draws visitors for rafting on the Pigeon River and backroad tours of distilleries and farms.

What is the forest composition like?

Most woodlands in Cocke County are Appalachian hardwoods—oak, hickory, poplar, and beech. These forests are common on hill slopes and transition zones near pasture, ideal for deer and turkey habitat or sustainable harvest.

Is this a good location for someone seeking self-sufficiency or homesteading?

Definitely. Many properties have well water, timber, and soil that supports gardens or small livestock. The culture leans rural and independent. Buyers looking to establish a farmstead, cabin, or retreat find strong value in this region.

Explore Land Opportunities in Nearby Counties

Tutt Land Company offers a wide range of properties in neighboring counties. Whether you're interested in hunting land, timber tracts, or rural homesites, our extensive portfolio has something to suit your needs. Explore our current listings in nearby counties to find the perfect property for you.

Sell Your Land in Tennessee? Let Tutt Land Do the Heavy Lifting

Whether you're selling pastureland in Bedford County, timber acreage in Wayne, a poultry farm in Giles, or hunting property in Hardeman—Tutt Land Company has you covered. With 80+ years of experience buying, managing, and marketing rural land across Tennessee, we specialize in turning local properties into statewide opportunities.

We showcase your land across high-traffic platforms—from YouTube and social media to print advertising and top national land listing networks. Our marketing strategy targets qualified buyers searching for everything from mini farms and investment tracts to equestrian estates and raw acreage.

List your Tennessee land with Tutt Land and get the exposure, expertise, and energy your property deserves.

Launch Your Career in Tennessee Turn Your Passion for Land into a Life-Changing Opportunity

Step into a career where wide-open spaces mean wide-open potential. As a land professional with Tutt Land Company, you’ll join a team that’s been buying and selling rural property across the Southeast for over 80+ years—specializing in timber tracts, hunting land, farms, and large acreage parcels.

Whether you're helping a landowner sell a legacy farm in Giles County or guiding a buyer to their first hunting property in Hardeman, you’ll have the backing of an experienced team, industry-best marketing, and a trusted name in land sales.

So whether you're shouting Go Vols!, singing Rocky Top, chanting Let’s Go Tigers! in Memphis, yelling Go Mocs!, backing the Govs Up!, echoing Go Bucs Go! in Johnson City, or cheering on Maryville Rebels and Oakland Patriots under the Friday night lights—if Tennessee land is in your blood, Tutt Land is where you belong.

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