Top Free Dispersed Camping near Ringgold, GA

Looking for the best Ringgold dispersed camping? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Ringgold, GA (23)

Showing results 1-10 of 23 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Ringgold

39 Reviews of 23 Ringgold Campgrounds


  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA
    August 24, 2024

    Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    Blue Hole is neat

    Land pass required. No alcohol is permitted. This is a wildlife management area. The camp sites are first come, first serve. They are free. Only 2 sites with tables. If you like dispersed camping you'll probably enjoy it. If you prefer a campground, this is not for you.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Creek Campground
    June 1, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Very Decent Primitive Spot

    Overall we enjoyed this stay! GPS wants to take you to where the road dead ends but the actual turn off is before the end of the road on the right where the big wood sign is. The first road is pretty nice but then the road forks. We went right which goes up, passed an open gate followed the road LOTS OF DEEP POTHOLES. The road then opens up to a four way, we kept going straight, followed the road down and then came to three sites all empty. It was quiet and we were alone so overall we enjoyed other than the deep potholes. Our truck is pretty high and 4x4 so wasn’t too bad for us but a low car may not fair as well. We were there on a Friday

  • Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Creek Campground
    May 4, 2024

    Hidden Creek Campground

    Pretty Decent Place to Stay

    A little farther off the highway than I wanted to go, but definitely a solid free campsite. There are a few substantial pot holes, so wouldn’t recommend for someone driving a super low vehicle. Also GPS isn’t perfect. It will take u to someone’s private property next door. Look for the big wooden sign that indicates that it is for public use.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA
    August 14, 2023

    Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    Awesome!

    I loved it there. So peaceful! A couple of other people there and a little bit of trash, but I picked it up. Leave it better than you found it right? It rained, so no bugs, but that’s prob not true for the dry days…

  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA
    June 4, 2023

    Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    Cool hole, not worth the trip

    The campground was beyond capacity. Went to the Ada site and it looked like it was a cruel joke? Unsure. But there's no way. The spring looked amazing but couldn't camp. Can't add pics atm. Also, stepped out just to see the clearance on a turn and got in with 4 ticks on me.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
    May 18, 2023

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Moto Camping

    Review from the perspective of a motorcycle traveler tent camping. Tent sites are near a frog pond. Access was a bit rough. Easy on a motorcycle but could be difficult for a car. Saw a copperhead while strolling around pond.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Prentice Cooper State Forest Camp
    May 13, 2023

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Camp

    Quiet but muddy

    This is a great FREE spot right outside the hunters entrance of prentice cooper state forest. There are about 12 spots and it wasn’t crowded when we came on a Saturday. It is a bit muddy but it is manageable.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA
    May 13, 2023

    Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    Great FREE spot!

    We stayed 3 days 2 nights here in our 21’ pop up camper with our generator. Road is pretty well maintained, spots are good size, some only large enough for tent/car camping. We were never bothered and it’s right down the road from blue hole and Ellison Cave trail.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    October 16, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Group camping

    First location was Hickey Gap, we got there around 1 on a Friday and it was full so we headed to the primitive group camping site. Gravel road, lots of rocks included, and dust but if your not worried about your car do it! We had an suv but I saw a handful of sedans that made it up. We got to the group site at 1:20 or so and there was only one person at first but slowly people start trickling in. We stayed 2 nights but a lot of people stayed for 1. The look out driving up is awesome and the lake it gorgeous. Watch out for bears.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground G
    September 30, 2022

    Goforth Creek Campground G

    Backup option

    This is an ok option if there are no other sites available. It is just a cleared-out area near the trail but doesn’t have an established fire pit. The only nice feature is that it is further up the trail and more private as well as has easy access to water.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA
    August 13, 2022

    Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    Good dispersed camping at the blue hole

    It has a blue hole an caves no electricity or running water but the camp sites are pretty good. An the do have a handicap access area for rvs to do disperse camping also an parking for the bluehole ...no one to bother you!

  • Camper-submitted photo from Big Creek Primitive Camping Area
    June 1, 2022

    Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    Remote Primitive Camping

    This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.

    This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon. 

    This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving. 

    There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking. 

    This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    April 19, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Large Dispersed Camping Field

    This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    November 6, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Grassy Field in forested mountainous area.

    This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) 

    The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River. The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area. There are some fire pits in the open field. 

    The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar(or no cell). 

    This area is fairly remote and the rough gravel forest service roads are best traveled by a higher clearance vehicle. 2x2 usually works ok though. (It takes patience and a while to get here.) This is a popular mountain bike area and the cyclists can easily hit speeds of 30MPH on the sketchy downhills.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area
    October 13, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Remote. Field.

    34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321

    Stayed here a number of times during each of the four seasons. Fairly remote for eastern U.S, (but I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas, and it is a little depressing).  Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food. (A fed bear is a dead bear-please don't leave any food out and scare them away if they come around.)

    No amenities. Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River. One can look for butterflies, other insects, birds, flowers, etc. There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north.

    I will post some photos of nearby Bald Mountain and the trail head for Tearbritches Trail. Other photos of the area here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/albums/72157634085883873

    (N34 51.670 W84 38.120) This leads over the highest western-most mountain in the eastern U.S., and then down to Bray Field at the junction of Tearbritches Creek and the Conasauga River(N34 53.897 W84 37.296)- It is a long steep grade down to the Conasauga(1-way distance is 3.4 miles)| 30 August 2013

    Here are some notes I took about the vegetation in the area:

    The north-northeasterly facing slope of Bald Mountain within a half-mile of the summit, elevation 4005'. Mostly New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis) here, but also saw Hay-scented(Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Cinnamon(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), and Interrupted Ferns(Osmunda claytoniana) in this immediate area. New York Ferns are common throughout the widerness| Tearbritches Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, N. Georgia Mountains| 30 August 2013

  • Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground D
    August 1, 2021

    Goforth Creek Campground D

    Keep going

    This was the smallest and worst site in my opinion along this trail. I would continue on to the next site. However, if you are concerned about crowds this spot will most likely be available. Check out my video below to get a better idea of the space.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground C
    August 1, 2021

    Goforth Creek Campground C

    Small site

    This is a much smaller site along the trail with enough space for a single tent or a couple of hammocks. My suggestion would be to keep heading further up the trail if the first 2 sites are occupied. This one does have a nice firepit and easy access to water but so do all the other sites along the trail.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground B
    August 1, 2021

    Goforth Creek Campground B

    Across the creek

    This is another large campsite that sits further up the creek and is pretty easy to find from the main trail. It is more open than site A but also a good option. The photos and videos below will give you a good feel for the space. This is also a good option for anyone who has trouble sleeping with loud water sounds since this site is much quieter than some of the others.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Goforth Creek Campground A
    August 1, 2021

    Goforth Creek Campground A

    Closest to parking

    This campsite is a backcountry site located along the Goforth Creek trail and is the closest to the parking area. It is also the largest of the sites with room for several tents. The site has really easy access to water for purifying or swimming. There is also a very large established fire pit. The hike up the creek is really beautiful and a much less traveled trail than others in the area. I highly suggest going all the way to the end and taking a little dip. The water feels wonderful on a hot summer day.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Murrays Lake Primitive
    June 5, 2021

    Murrays Lake Primitive

    It's in Georgia, not Tennesse!

    Although there is a Murray's Lake in TN, as you'll note on the location map, this campsite is in Georgia.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Murrays Lake Primitive
    June 5, 2021

    Murrays Lake Primitive

    It's Primitive

    There is a lake, but it's not all that pretty. There's a boat ramp, but the lake is small and I doubt it's worth the trouble. There are 2 drive in tent spots, with 2 more at the end of a trail. Secluded. The road in can be handled by a sedan.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
    May 14, 2021

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Great

    Prentice Cooper is an amazing place and offers two campgrounds and several backcountry camping spots. There is a campground not too far after pulling in the gravel road that has some really nice spots. The other campground requires you to drive down a gravel road for approximately 7 miles and then down some trails that require high clearance. This campground is nice and tooked into the woods with a pond nearby. There are several OHV trails in prentice Cooper and the place can get very crowded on the weekends. Definitely recommend going during the week.

  • Camper-submitted photo from Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
    January 26, 2021

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Pond Camping - Long drive

    This really wasn’t bad! Other than us not being sure where to go. We drove for what felt like 20 miles down a well kept unpaved road from the entrance but I think it reality was only 5.5 miles. There’s a gravel lot next to the pond which is where we set up our rooftop tent on surprisingly 0° incline on all sides so we had a very level set up. There grassy are is fenced off but has multiple fire pits for dispersed camping. Not much for a weekend trip unless you want to hike and the hikes are pretty mediocre. There’s an overlook somewhere but we were just testing our gear so didn’t go searching for it. Would camp again if we had to but won’t go out of our way to stay here.



Guide to Ringgold

Camping near Ringgold, Georgia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The park is beautiful with a nice modern campground. The views of the canyon below are breathtaking." There are trails for all skill levels, making it a great spot for families.
  • Water Activities: At Harrison Bay State Park Campground, you can enjoy swimming and kayaking. A camper shared, "We enjoy this campground. There is plenty of lake access for boating, kayaking, and swimming."
  • Cavern Tours: Check out the caves at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground. One reviewer said, "The tour of the caverns was well worth the money spent and in much more of a natural state in comparison to Ruby Falls."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the sites. A visitor at DeSoto State Park Campground noted, "Clean place with very friendly staff. Lots of hiking trails."
  • Privacy: Many campers enjoy the spacious sites at Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The campsites offer good privacy with clean facilities."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families love the variety of activities available. A camper at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground said, "Beautiful park with lots of activities for kids."

What you should know

  • Busy Campgrounds: Some campgrounds can get crowded, especially on weekends. A visitor at Chester Frost Park mentioned, "This campground is a very busy place though. Sites are pretty close together."
  • Check-in Times: Be aware of check-in times. One camper at Harrison Bay State Park Campground noted, "I do think it could be a better park if they updated the bathroom by the graveyard and made a few other improvements."
  • Limited Cell Service: Some areas have poor cell reception. A camper at Fort Mountain State Park Campground said, "The downside... was zero service at our site."

Tips for camping with families

Tips from RVers

Camping near Ringgold, Georgia, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ringgold, GA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ringgold, GA is Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ringgold, GA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 23 dispersed camping locations near Ringgold, GA, with real photos and reviews from campers.