Ringgold camping areas sit at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, just south of Chattanooga with elevations ranging from 700-1,200 feet. Campsites throughout this region experience mild winters and warm summers, with October typically the driest month for camping. Many campgrounds remain open year-round despite occasional flooding in lower-lying areas following heavy rainfall.
What to do
Cavern exploration: 1.5-hour guided tours at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground offer unique underground adventures. "Crystal Cave was right on site and enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.) We also loved the guided tour just down the road at Ruby Falls!" according to camper Jen O.
Battlefield visits: 8 miles north of most Ringgold campgrounds lies Chickamauga Battlefield. Multiple campers note proximity to historical sites, with one stating, "Cloudland Canyon was the first area just left of the guard station is for tents & small campers, the area to the right is for large fifth wheels & motor homes, and finally the third section is across the lake."
Mountain hiking: 4+ miles of trails wind through the nearby parks. At Fort Mountain State Park Campground, a camper notes "The Gahuti is the most known hiking trail here and we never saw another hiker on the trail except each other when our solo hiking excursions crossed paths. The most popular trails here would be the trails to the CCC Tower and overlook."
Swimming and boating: Access to Chickamauga Lake provides water recreation options. "Harrison Bay is a huge park, with four camping loops (3 for RVs, 1 for tents), and a large marina, located on the Chickamauga Reservoir of the Tennessee River," writes one camper about Harrison Bay State Park Campground.
What campers like
Pet-focused campgrounds: Multiple dog parks and walking trails make the Ringgold area welcoming for four-legged campers. "We enjoyed our stay at Raccoon Mountain. Sites were a good size. Not right on top of each other. The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus," notes Jaime W. about dog friendly campgrounds near Ringgold.
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained showers and restrooms rank high on camper satisfaction lists. A Chester Frost Park visitor observed, "Campgrounds are very family friendly and clean. The little lake is a nice adventure too! They have primitive camping sites and a pioneer camp as well."
Privacy at specific sites: West Rim areas provide more seclusion. At Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground, one camper reported, "The West Rim camping loop has a total of 48 tent/RV sites with 30 or 50A hookups, water, gravel tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. This loop is far more wooded and offers a greater variety of site size and privacy."
Varied camping options: Beyond standard RV sites, alternative accommodations receive praise. "We chose Fort Mountain for the variety of camping options they had, specifically the platform sites," notes a visitor, adding "As one of our primary requirements for camping is privacy and a place our kids can run around without bothering anyone else, having a place slightly off the main road sounded perfect--and it was."
What you should know
Highway noise: Interstate proximity affects some campgrounds. At Holiday Travel Park, a camper noted, "Located just barely on the Georgia side of the GA/TN border, Holiday Travel Park has a community feel with its many full hook-up sites, most of which are extremely close together."
Standing water issues: After rainfall, drainage problems affect campsite conditions. According to one visitor, "Would most likely stay again, but would ask for a site with no standing water. Major drainage problem." Another noted seeing "sites that had standing water."
Varied shade coverage: Tree density differs significantly between campgrounds and specific loops. A Fort Mountain camper detailed, "In the winter, you have lost a lot of privacy foliage but still nicely spaced apart." Site selection matters for summer stays when heat becomes a factor.
Booking requirements: Reservation windows vary across campgrounds, with some requiring advance planning. At one park, a camper mentioned, "We booked our site a year in advance - highly recommend." County-run parks often operate on first-come systems while state parks and private campgrounds typically accept advance reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas at Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA provide entertainment for younger campers. A visitor shared, "Nice (but small) lots, most were level. Tents and cabins are available also. Nice staff, we got there after they closed but someone still met us and helped us find our spot. Nice bath house, laundry house, swimming pool, and dog park. Very close to Chattanooga sights."
Swimming options: Both pool and lake swimming create cooling options during summer months. Chester Frost Park offers a unique feature as mentioned by a reviewer: "There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!"
Family-friendly activities: Mini-golf and recreation fields reduce the need to leave campgrounds for entertainment. According to a camper, "The coolest aspect of this campground for me was the massive jumping pad they have, and I had to promise my kids we would take an overnight trip here just so they could use it!"
Wildlife awareness: Black bears and other animals frequent many campgrounds in this region. A Fort Mountain visitor shared, "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Bring additional blocks for some uneven sites. A Chester Frost camper recommended, "Clean well run campground. Quiet and peaceful. Nicely maintained trash cans near each site. Sites near the lake have easy access to the water."
Full hookup availability: 50-amp service is available at most parks, but specific sites may have limitations. At Hawkins Pointe RV Park, a visitor noted, "Close to everything. Racing just down the street. That's a positive or negative. On the nights they are racing you hear the cars at the track. There are no amenities but they do have a fenced dog park."
RV size restrictions: Some campground roads have tight turns requiring careful navigation. One RV owner shared, "Site 212 pull-thru was not long enough to keep our tow vehicle connected to our 27ft trailer." Always confirm site dimensions match your vehicle requirements before booking.
Easy access campgrounds: Highway-adjacent parks simplify travel logistics. According to a Hawkins Pointe visitor, "Pulled in here for the night on our way to middle GA, well laid out park that was easy to get in and out of. Very friendly hosts."
