A long, winding gravel road cuts through Prentice Cooper State Forest & Wildlife Management Area before depositing campers at Davis Pond, a free, walk-in site about 45 minutes outside Chattanooga. The final half-mile demands a vehicle with real ground clearance. Logging activity in the area means early-morning machinery noise is a possibility, so light sleepers should factor that in.
The camping area itself opens into a large meadow with multiple dirt-and-rock fire pits, two picnic tables with nearby lantern posts, and enough open ground to accommodate a sizable group. The pond draws anglers, though catches appear inconsistent based on reviewer reports. A gravel parking area adjacent to the site includes a trail map and sign-in sheet, with hiking, ATV, and equestrian trails accessible within the WMA. Cell service is listed as available. One detail worth noting before dark: reviewers have flagged active hornet nests in dead trees near the site, so a quick walk-around before pitching a tent is worth the few minutes.
The two-station pit toilet exists but has drawn consistent complaints about trash accumulation and general condition. It is rudimentary at best. Tessa B. called it "very quiet," which holds on the camping side, even if the facilities fall short. Campers who want hookups or maintained restrooms might consider Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground or Tennessee Wall Camp as alternatives with different amenity levels.
Description
Prentice Cooper State Forest is located in southeastern Tennessee, in Marion County. The forest is approximately 10 miles west of Chattanooga and is heavily utilized by the public. It is situated on the scenic Tennessee River Gorge. The property for Prentice Cooper was acquired by simple purchase between 1938 and 1944. The site was proclaimed a State Forest in 1945. Sixty-nine percent of the forest is in multiple-use regulated forests and the remainder is in conservation areas.
Camping is permitted at the Davis Pond Camping area on a first-come, first-served basis. These primitive campsites have no sanitation facilities.
Reservation Info
Campers at the Davis Pond Camping area are required to be in the campsite by sunset and must remain in the campsite until sunrise. No in-or-out privileges with the exception of emergency purposes.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsDavis Pond Campsite is located in Tennessee near Signal Mountain
Public CampgroundCoordinates
35.08151480661929 N
85.43061017025566 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/27/26- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/27/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/27/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/27/26
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Davis Pond Campsite needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 45 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 1 hr 5 min from Cleveland, TN
- 1 hr 50 min from Rome, GA
- 2 hrs from Huntsville, AL
