Tent camping near Ringgold, Georgia offers primitive options within the Cumberland Plateau region, characterized by sandstone bluffs and mixed hardwood forests at elevations between 700-1,500 feet. Winter temperatures typically drop to the mid-30s at night, requiring proper cold-weather gear for off-season camping. Most dispersed sites in this area require high-clearance vehicles to access the rugged forest service roads.
What to do
Spelunking opportunities: Near Sawmill Lake Campsite, visitors can explore Petty John Cave just a 2-minute walk from camp. "This is a nice primitive camp site just a 2 min walk from Petty John Cave and a 5 min drive to Rock Town Trailhead. Come here to try your hand at rock climbing and spelunking," notes camper Lisa.
Rock climbing access: The Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA area provides tent campers with proximity to Ellison Cave Trail. "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," reports Ava R.
Waterfall hiking: The tent camping areas near Hickey Gap Campground connect to waterfall trails. "My girls group and I wanted to do a quick weekend glamping trip. One long rocky road and an active bear warning later we were rocking it by the creek. Bring a bathing suit and some good hiking shoes. There's a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek," shares Julia B.
What campers like
Creek-side sleeping: Hickey Gap offers tent sites with natural sound barriers. "This was a beautiful little spot next to a creek. There are 5 sites in all. It was a Monday in August, and there were two spots available," explains Mike H.
Free camping options: Several tent camping areas near Ringgold charge no fees. At Davis Pond Campsite, "This is what camping should be!! Free, first come first serve, with some fire pits and picnic tables and plenty of room to pitch a tent," according to Tessa B.
Seclusion from crowds: Weekday camping provides more isolation. "We were there on weeknights so there were very few other campers," notes one visitor to Foster Falls. At Sawmill Lake, campers can find "more secluded camp sites more suitable for the seclusion I seek when camping," according to Brandon M.
What you should know
Bear awareness required: Multiple campgrounds report active bears. "There was a pit toilet with plenty of toilet paper and it was quite clean. There's also a bear box and signs clearly indicating there are bears around and that you should keep all food in your vehicle or use the box," warns a camper about Hickey Gap.
Land passes needed: Most Wildlife Management Areas charge fees. "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," explains Sarah H. about Blue Hole Dispersed camping.
Road conditions vary: Access to many tent sites requires appropriate vehicles. "The road up there is all rock/dirt with a several hundred foot drop-off on the right side and no guardrail. There were a few hairpin turns. And then the driveway to and from the camp area is quite steep. Our 2WD (front wheel drive) Honda Passport struggled to get back up it on our way out," reports Mike H. about Hickey Gap.
Bathroom facilities limited: Most sites have minimal or no facilities. "The bathroom looks like an actual third world country, covered in trash and bugs and who knows what else. I didn't stay long to look at it in detail. It was very rudimentary and disgusting," reports Tessa B. about Davis Pond.
Tips for camping with families
Check campground noise levels: Some areas are quieter than others. "There is a farm nearby with a rooster that spent the better part of the day crowing, which can be distracting when you have a toddler you are trying to get to sleep," notes a camper about Foster Falls Campground.
Choose spots with swimming access: Creek-side camping offers natural recreation. "This area is easily accessible but can be packed during prime camping season! There is a beautiful waterfall about a mile down trail from camp and tons of great swimming areas!" reports John B. about Hickey Gap.
Pack extra water: Most tent camping sites near Ringgold have no water sources. "There is no water access because the stream was dry," reports Aaron S. about backcountry sites. At Blue Hole, campers should bring all needed water as no sources exist on-site.
Consider wildlife encounters: Snake activity occurs in summer months. "I saw 3 copper heads at the creek," warns Bob P. about Hickey Gap. At Davis Pond, the area around the water attracts insects: "The little pond is a breeding ground for lots of bugs, but it's peaceful and pretty to look at."
Tips from RVers
Generator requirements: Some dispersed sites permit generator use. "We stayed 3 days 2 nights here in our 21' pop up camper with our generator," reports Ava R. about Blue Hole Dispersed camping, showing this area permits generator use for power.
Site size limitations: Many tent camping spots near Ringgold can't accommodate larger RVs. At Hunter's Check Station Campground, "Most of the camp spots are littered with peoples leftovers (clothes and trash). Not a quiet camping area lots of road noise and traffic," notes Everest C.
Approach direction matters: Mountain roads can be challenging. "If you have a trailer or rv I recommend coming in from the west direction, if you can tell from maps. The east way had 180 degree sharp turns up the mountain, so may be difficult," advises Mitchell M. about Sawmill Lake.
