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The Meriwether Lewis Campground at milepost 385.9, on the northern end of the Parkway, has 32 sites. All sites are free and available on a first-come, first served basis. They do not offer electricity, showers, or dump stations. Drinkable water and flush toilets are available on site. Enjoy the Meriwether Lewis site which includes hiking trails, a section of Old Trace, exhibits and picnic areas.
Guide
I believe this campground is known as the Wolfpen Hunt Camp on the Bankhead National Forest website. This was basically a forest road with dispersed camping. If there are toilets and water we never saw them. Just off the main road there is a loop and people were camping in the clearing of the loop. We drove further down the forest road and found a clearing near the dead end and set up camp. It was lovely and peaceful but no amenities at all. It is free though and no issues with other people.
GuideSites were level and clear. A little muddy but it had been raining. No utilities or restrooms but thats to be expected with a free site. Sites are spread out and pretty private. Overall a good free camp site.
Ranger
Nice first come free camping location just off the Trace. Grounds seem to be keep up on every time I’ve been there.
GuideBoondocked here for the night.. got way more than expected! It was extremely clean. Flat, paved campsites with firepits, picnic tables, and trash cans. No water or bathrooms but a great little stop over for our trip west.
LegendFor My FULL VIDEO Of My Experience At This Campground CLICK HERE
Following the winding a scenic Natchez Trace you begin to climb higher and higher into the beauty of the mountains. When I was making this trip in late August, I could already see the shifting of the leave in its most early stages and I could only imagine what it would be like only a month later.
As I entered the park and followed the signs toward the campground I was very eager to see what this FREE site had to offer. I had discovered this site when searching youtube for things to do and someone suggested camping here because of the historic landmark in the park. After further research I discovered it was a pretty decently sized campground with semi primitive camping.
I arrived at the camping loops and discovered two loops of camping each with differing sizes of spaces, some designed for pull through style RV parking and some for back in car parking. Spaces were large and while there were several people staying here it did not seem overly crowded.
The first loop was much further from the restroom than the second, which also housed the campground host in his RV just as you entered the loop. He was welcoming with a smile and wave and I just felt like this was going to be a nice place to stay for the night.
You can stay for up to 14 days at this location and I could easily see this being one of those stops you wouldn’t necessarily want to leave in a hurry because it was so peaceful. There were numerous hiking trails and a well landscaped creek area which made for a great place to come for day use as well.
My site was pretty typical in that it had a fire ring and picnic table. The ground was semi level and very rough so camping in a tent I was happy to have brought a little padding. The restrooms were very nice and had both flush toilets and drinking water. They were well lit and for a minute when I walked in I wondered how on earth this was a free site because they were so nice.
All was great until about 8 p.m. when some people pulled in after dark and weren’t quite sure how to set up their tent and were pretty loudly disagreeing with one another in debate of how to do so. But after they finally figured that out about an hour later the night was again left to the sounds of the cicadas and frogs.
TIPS
Guide
I assumed for a long time that you weren't allowed to camp on the TVA trails, because while there are many hikers and birdwatchers who enjoy the trails, you rarely see anyone camping out there. I learned recently, and confirmed through their website, that you can camp for free on TVA land. It just isn't well advertised. This particular trail is a great area, and there are many little side trails to explore. Plenty of places to make a primitive campsite. Many of the side trails lead to the river. There is even a small beach area down the one that leads along the river to the old train bridge. This trail is rich in history, and there are a lot of plaques telling about certain natural and man made features along the trails. The trails are clean, well-kept, and well-marked. At the trail head and parking area, there is a nice well-kept, clean restroom building with flush toilets. Behind that building, they recently put in a very nice playground and a pavilion with picnic tables. There are not really any ready made campsites with tables or firepits or trash cans, but there are plenty of benches and trash cans along the trails. I highly recommend going to the train bridge. There are also small plaques around some of the plants telling what they are and a little about them. If you want a beautiful, primitive camping area, with nice, fairly modern facilities nearby, this is a great place to go. Also, keep in mind there are several trail heads along this road, and you could potentially start out at any of them, but the particular trail head I mentioned has the best restroom facilities and a wonderful playground. Most of the others only have a parking area.
RangerOne of three first come first serve free camps on the Trace. Potable water and flush toilets, fire rings and tables, pull through and back in sites. There’s relative privacy, though that’s largely dependent on seasonal deciduous canopy. The campground sits next to a creek cascade and some hiking trails, including part of the old Trace. The Trace today is a far cry from the early days of interstate travel with sunken roads, mud bogs, and bandits. The two-lane is closed to commercial traffic, making this a fun alternative route for a leisurely paced road trip.
Hohenwald, the “High Forest”, holds an Oktoberfest heritage festival and craft fair highlighting the Swiss-German Community that was established here, which is an excellent opportunity to get a feel for the local culture. It was in nearby Grinder House on the night of October 11,1809 that the tragic last chapter in the life of Meriwether Lewis unfolded. Following the Corps of Discovery Expedition, Lewis had been appointed second governor of the Louisiana Territory, and turned his hand to expanding the road networks, negotiating treaties between Native American nations and managing the encroaching settlers moving west. In response to political infighting over his policies, including an expedition to return a Mandan chief to his people, the War Department refused to reimburse him for debts incurred in office, threatening personal financial ruin. The state of the mail led Washington to believe him incommunicado and, on the brink of insolvency, he set out to the Capitol with receipts to make his case. Rather than continuing by boat via New Orleans, Lewis elected to travel the Trace. After finishing a meal at the roadhouse and retiring to his room, shots rang out, and Lewis was discovered by the innkeeper’s family shortly before he passed away. Over a century of dispute followed, with competing narratives of suicide, robbery, and even assassination. His gravesite was lost among the final resting places of the pioneer cemetery, and a monument to one of the great explorers was later erected in his honor.
TravelerI have tent camped here twice, once in 2013 and just last week. Both times I was traveling the Trace by motorcycle and stopped for the night. Camping spots are easy accessible and first come first served. Both times I’ve been here has been during 4th of July week/weekend and the campground has only had a few campers, never packed. The grounds are nice and well maintained. If you’re tent camping or wondering about be sure to spray down with bug spay, red bugs and ticks are present as with an natural camping woods.
LegendThis is one of three free campgrounds that can be found along the Natchez Trace. After visiting all three, this one is by far the nicest. Located at the site of Meriwether Lewis’s death, this campground is steeped in history. There are many great hiking trails around this campground and there are amazing views. Be sure to drive down to the creek and check it out. There were 31 campsites. They are pretty close together and some of them are pretty far from the bathroom. Everything is in good condition and there are trash cans scattered throughout the campsites.
RangerCame in on a Tuesday in late October and found about 10 campsites occupied, so lots to choose from. The campsite has two adjoining loop roads. The lower loop has a bathroom with flush toilets and sinks.
The campground appears to be very well maintained. There is not much privacy between campsites as there are only a few trees and no shubbery between campsites.
We met two other camping groups that were simply delightful Americans.
TravelerIt's Free! It's opened up now and it's free! And nicer than I expected. All the sites are paved with large fire rings and picnic tables. Trash cans are pretty much everywhere. There are back in and pull through sites. Most of the sites aren't very level so plan for that. There are bathrooms down the road but only open from sunrise to sunset. Oh and did I mention it's free?!
GuideGreat sites for free! Plentiful, clean & convenient on the Natchez Trace.
GuideAmazing Clean Safe Free Family friendly Plenty of trails and nature to explore
GuideNice location just off the Trace! Nice free getaway spot with plenty to do around.
GuideGreat place and it’s FREE! Bathrooms and trash cans. This is dry camping - no electric/dump. Water at bathrooms
RangerIt is a first come site but well worth checking out. The couple that stays at and maintain the camping area are nice and do an amazing job. Trails to hike that are challenging but not too hard for kids of multiple ages. Pretty water falls not far from the camp site. History and adventure!
Travelerif you can get there quick enough there are some pretty good spots to camp and it's free not to mention right down the road from some of the best hiking trails I have ever seen open year round
TravelerWalk down the Natchez Trace, visit the grave of Meriwether Lewis, all around a good visit. No electric, first come first served free campground, show up early and you're good to go. Beautiful park to stay
GuideFree on a FCFS basis. Roomy. Clean. Well maintained. Beautiful falls to go see. Careful on the hiking trails though, many cross paths with no directions on how to get back to camp. We wondered around for a few hours before making it out. Loved it there though and can’t wait to go back!
Ranger“Let’s go camping where one of the most remembered American explorers died a tragic death.” That’s probably not something I would have said before visiting the Meriwether Lewis Campground near Hohenwald, Tennessee. This campground is amazing. First, its setting couldn’t be anymore beautiful being nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of central Tennessee. The campground is filled with tall, stately oak trees that provide great, all day shade and shelter from the sun. It was hypnotizing listening to the wind from a summer storm swoosh through them. The sites are tent, car camper, and RV friendly though if you are staying in a tent you might have to be selective about which site you choose. Some are rocky and have quite a slant. Site 16, the one we chose to call home for the night, would not have made a good tent site at all even though it offered a breath-taking view of a cool, green hollow. Each site has a fire ring with an attached grill. The rings are about three feet wide and around 18 inches deep. They rest on a concrete slab. Camp parking is asphalt as are all the roads that wind through the park. All sites are within walking distance of a fully functional and positively clean bathroom that is cleaned regularly. You will need to bring your own soap to the bathroom though. The park doesn’t supply it or paper towels. Each campsite also has a secure trash can that is emptied daily(late in the evening during our stay). The campground is full of wildlife so it's nice to know they won’t be feasting on full trash cans. We shared our campsite with a pleasant and oddly curious Tennessee Rough Green Snake or Vine Snake. He enjoyed hunting bugs in the leaf litter at our campsite, and for about an hour, my son Oz and I enjoyed watching him on the hunt. We also saw a box turtle speeding down one of the many trails located within walking distance of the campground. The campground had three rounds of campers arrive on Friday night, July 5. The early campers who arrived between 2PM and 6PM, the after-work campers arriving just before sunset, and the evening crowd that arrived after sunset. The after-sunset crowd made a quick camp and went right to sleep. The camp has fresh water sources scattered throughout the campground including water fountains and spigots. Park staff were welcoming and hard working as you can instantly tell by the overall tidiness of the entire park. You may want to grab supplies before you head into camp since the two nearest towns are a few miles from the camp: Hohenwald (8 miles) and Summertown (11 miles). There is no store in the park or vending machines. You will also need to purchase firewood or be willing to walk to get it. The campground is well used so most sites only have twigs available. We lucked out and found some charred wood in unused campsites that supplemented our kindling we found while hiking. Overall, this is a great family campground. Access to the park isn’t restricted at night so you may want to make sure you carry a light with you as you walk around the campground in the dark. There is a lot of after dark traffic and you want to make sure you can be seen by other campers driving to the bathroom or the occasional guest who might just be driving through. I look forward to going back again soon. This is a five star park.
LegendThis is a free hunters campground located in Sipsey wilderness. The hiking in this area is incredible and makes you feel like you are in another world. We have taken several trips to this area and it is well worth it. The camping is rustic but the sights are worth it. This site is not heavily traveled but has restrooms and water which is nice. Be cautious though to check the hunting seasons if you are planning on hiking though since you want to make sure you can be seen. I would also come prepared with essentials in case the campground itself is closed down for the season and the amenities are not accessible.
Guide
Easy drive on paved road until you reach the GPS coordinates (I wouldn’t have seen the little gravel road if I hadn’t been looking for it). Take the little road for a mile or so until you reach the circle at the end. We loved it because there was no chance of hearing any cars and the animal noises were fantastic. We were glad to have a bug net — probably a necessity for this site!
GuideGreat spot, close to stores and a lot of trails and such. Nice level clear spot, able to accommodate an overland or few tents setup. Close to the main road. There’s 3 individual sites along this roadway. The first site is located approximately 1/10 mile down on the right and the second site is further at approximately 3/10 miles. The road follows a slow gradual decline leading another 2-300 yards where the graveling leads to the 3rd and final site which is nestled in a nice culdesac area.
TravelerWe camped here for one night on a road trip in December. We stayed in the second "middle" spot. It had been raining so the last spot at the end was all muddy. We missed the first spot. The second was perfect. We had to improve the fire ring a bit. Plenty of kindling around. Closest stores are in Moulton. Heard some foxes at night.
ScoutHeel leuk, zonder stroom, geen voorzieningen; terug naar de basic natuur
TravelerGood bathhouse with flush toilets and cold water sink. No Shower. Great for tent camping.
Guide20 minutes from town. Cell phone service. Regular bathrooms with running water. There are water fountains and water pumps. Fire pits and tables at each site.
Watch out for poision ivy and posion oak!
Plenty to do. Trails to walk and some waterfalls. As much as it rained here we were disappointed with the springs and waterfalls. Place stayed very wet. Take a drive down Natchez parkway things to do both directions.
Town is 13 miles away ( easiest route is not taking the left to the parkway but go straight and you will see the sign saying turn right to Hohenwald. Town includes walmart, fast food, gas and dollar general, one laundromat, library. There is a brand new dollar general. We also discovered an elephant 🐘 sanctuary but it is not open to the public. Watch out for snakes.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Rogersville, Alabama, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers several spots for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Rogersville, AL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Rogersville, AL is Meriwether Lewis Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 28 reviews.
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