Best Campgrounds near Rising Fawn, GA

Camping near Rising Fawn, Georgia encompasses a range of experiences from state park facilities to dispersed sites in the surrounding mountains. Cloudland Canyon State Park serves as the area's premier camping destination, situated on the western edge of Lookout Mountain about 30 minutes south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The park features RV sites, walk-in tent camping, backcountry sites, cabins, and yurts. Nearby, Blue Hole Dispersed camping in Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area provides free primitive camping options for those seeking a more rustic experience. The region's topography creates dramatic canyon views, waterfalls, and hiking trails that connect camping areas to natural features.

Reservations are strongly recommended for Cloudland Canyon, particularly during fall when the changing foliage attracts numerous visitors. The park is open year-round, though higher elevations can experience colder temperatures in winter. Most developed sites in the area offer water and electric hookups, with shower facilities and restrooms available at established campgrounds. Cell service can be limited or non-existent in canyon areas and more remote sites. Fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, and bear activity has been reported in the region, so proper food storage is essential.

Campers seeking different experiences can choose between the East and West Rim campgrounds at Cloudland Canyon. According to reviews, "West Rim Campground offers more privacy with shaded sites, while East Rim is more open with less shade and sites closer together." For those wanting to explore beyond Rising Fawn, DeSoto State Park in nearby Alabama (about 30 minutes away) provides additional camping options at higher elevations, with one visitor noting it offers "beautiful, spacious, and wooded sites with functioning hookups." The Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA in Trenton provides a more developed camping experience with full amenities for those preferring established facilities close to attractions.

Best Camping Sites Near Rising Fawn, Georgia (164)

    1. Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    183 Reviews
    Trenton, GA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 657-4050

    $10 - $290 / night

    "Campground Review:East Rim Campground Pro’s: 1-Handicap Accessible, there is a cabin which is also HDA. 2- If your visiting for a get together your right next to the day use area and there is a picnic"

    "Cloudland Canyon State Park is worth the drive. Located between I75 and I59 in Georgia, outside Trenton and below Chattanooga, Tn.

    The scenery on the way in is breathtaking and varied."

    2. DeSoto State Park Campground

    74 Reviews
    Alpine, AL
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 845-5075

    $38 / night

    "Due to some poor planning on my part, we had a free night in-between Tennessee and Georgia, we found this place here on the Dyrt, and it was absolutely spectacular."

    "Bathhouses are conveniently located and clean. Sites are level and most are back in. Dump station and trash drop off at exit of campground."

    3. Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA

    26 Reviews
    Trenton, GA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 661-7655

    "We went on this trip to see the leaves changing in northern Georgia. The employees were so friendly and helpful, they brought the firewood right to us."

    "Quiet campground tucked away on Lookout Mountain, with super friendly and helpful staff."

    4. Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground

    43 Reviews
    Lookout Mountain, TN
    21 miles
    +1 (423) 821-9403

    $55 - $56 / night

    "Despite this, they were nothing but accommodating every step of the way. We were led to our site, the staff offered to help me back in, and gave us a brief rundown of planned events for the weekend."

    "Again located in close proximity to several beautiful places like Rock City and Ruby Falls ."

    5. Marion County Park

    27 Reviews
    Jasper, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 942-6653

    "Try to get a campsite on the lakeside, because the view is very nice and it makes it easy to get your boat in the water. They advertise a beach but we never found one."

    "Tent camping along the edge of the river. Fire pits or grills, picnic tables, clean bathroom, and hot showers. If you are a light sleeper, the traffic noise from the highway might be disturbing."

    6. Sawmill Lake Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Rising Fawn, GA
    10 miles
    Website

    "It is, however, a free, primitive camping site just a short 5 min drive (or walk) from the Rocktown trailhead. The close proximity to the many wonders of Rocktown is a dream for climbers."

    "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."

    7. Woodybrooke Farm

    2 Reviews
    Rising Fawn, GA
    7 miles
    Website

    "Small outhouse and far away from everyone. Long gravel road you can drive or walk to three separate ponds to fish(they keep them stocked) and you can also kayak or canoe on the ponds."

    8. Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA

    5 Reviews
    Rising Fawn, GA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 210-2914

    "We were never bothered and it’s right down the road from blue hole and Ellison Cave trail."

    9. Tranquility Campground

    7 Reviews
    Mentone, AL
    15 miles
    Website

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Lots of hiking and off roading for 4 wheels drives. WiFi/ Cell not great, but could text out. Shower/ bathroom clean. If you want to get away this is your place."

    "A lake front campsite with water & power hookup was $30 per night and that was on Memorial Day Weekend. The campsite was a nice size and it’s pet friendly."

    10. 1776 RV And Campground

    5 Reviews
    Mentone, AL
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 619-1776

    "Nice quiet small campground just outside downtown Mentone. Friendly helpful camp host, clean bathhouse, full hook ups and great wifi access so husband could work from camper."

    "It's located right off the main highway, and has pull-through spots with full hookups. But the best part is the screaming fast internet!"

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Recent Reviews near Rising Fawn, GA

1097 Reviews of 164 Rising Fawn Campgrounds


  • Bobbi Jo P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Hickory Gap

    One of our favorite places!

    Nice small campground with 5 sites. Fills up during hunting season. Can't beat the peaceful sounds of the creek and nature at its finest!

  • K
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Campville LLC

    Close to Interstate 75

    This camp ground is amazing. Especially if you have kids. Indoor pool. Pickleball courts. Amazing game room. The host is very hospitable!!

  • William  Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Marion county park Tennessee

    Hospitable spot to overnight with great fishing

    Spent the evening of the 9th Sept at Marion County Park near Chattanooga, right on the water, along Hwy 41. Fantastic hosts…Lots of fishing going on all around us. Good camping spot…level, water and electricity for $38.00. Bathhouse was older but clean with lots of hot water. Downside, only one shower stall had a bench for changing and there was no counter at the bathroom sink. The other downside was the traffic noise across the beautiful water from I-24. Very welcoming spot just off of I-24

  • Katrin M.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    Campground on the lake

    We camped here over the weekend, bc we participated in a dog event near by. At first we booked site B31. The tent pad was super small, there was no way for 2 bigger tents to fit. It's definitely better, if you have a camper. We changed to site A9 and that was much better. We had to set up the tents on concrete, which was awesome, because it rained all Saturday. The bathhouses were kinda outdated, but always clean. The park itself is ok. It's nothing spectacular there. The campsites directly on the water were very nice. All the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I don't think, I would camp here again. The park was very clean, it has just not really anything nature wise that would catch my interest.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    Beautiful park, great hiking

    Cloudland Canyon is one of Georgia’s prettiest parks. There are 2 campgrounds. West Rim campground has more privacy, with the sites in the trees. Sites in The East Rim campground are closer together, and is noisier.. There are also backcountry campsites. The West Rim Loop Trail, considered one of the top 10 hikes in the United States, according to Backpacker Magazine starts in the West Rim Campground. There is also a strenuous waterfall trail into the canyon. The campground was water and electric sites. There are no full hookup sites, but there is a dump station. Modern showers and bathrooms.

  • b
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Campville LLC

    Great stay

    Super clean campground with great amenities!! Only a mile from 75 but doesn't feel like it's located by the interstate. Highly recommend checking the place out!

  • dolphmike The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    Quite

    Quite at night, but the primitive camping area is overgrown, and I have seen a lot of trash in the woods. Stayed one night just to hike the trail the next morning.


Guide to Rising Fawn

Camping near Rising Fawn, Georgia offers diverse terrain options from mountainside retreats to lakeside escapes. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with Lookout Mountain rising to over 2,100 feet, creating distinct microclimates between valley and ridge camping experiences. Fall temperatures typically range from 40-70°F, while summer camping can see daytime highs reaching 90°F with cooler mountain evenings.

What to do

Caving adventures: Located near DeSoto State Park, Desoto Falls provides waterfall hiking while Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground offers underground exploration. "Crystal Cave was right on site and we enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.) We also loved the guided tour just down the road at Ruby Falls!" notes a camper.

Rock climbing: The Blue Hole Dispersed- Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA area serves as a launching point for climbing enthusiasts. "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," explains a reviewer. A land pass is required for access.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and ponds are available for anglers. "We stayed the night after Thanksgiving, so we had almost all of the dispersed spots to ourselves. Super quiet right by the lake. Take spot 40 or 41," recommends a visitor to Tranquility Campground, noting the peaceful lakeside camping experience.

What campers like

West Rim privacy: At Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground, campers appreciate the secluded feel of certain areas. "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," notes one reviewer.

Walk-in site serenity: For those seeking solitude, tent-only areas provide the quietest experience. "Love the tent-only serenity of the walk-in sites. There is a separate parking lot at the back of the park for the walk-in sites, which are a short distance away. The sites have a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring, and lots of privacy as the sites are very far from each other," reports one tent camper.

Reliable connectivity: While most mountain campgrounds have limited service, 1776 RV And Campground stands out for digital nomads. "The best part is the screaming fast internet! We work from home and the internet was so fast, people were amazed when I told them I was at a campground. We didn't even try to use our 5G system," shares a camper who needed to stay connected.

What you should know

Road access challenges: Mountain approaches require careful navigation. When heading to DeSoto State Park Campground, "be careful to take Desoto Parkway up. Google tried to send us on an alternate road that had a big sign saying ABSOLUTELY no trucks - and from other reviews we gather that's the more treacherous one."

Winter hiking conditions: In colder months, trails remain accessible but require preparation. "Each season offers something different. Summertime you can swim, Spring has full waterfalls and beautiful flowers, Fall has colorful leaves, and the winter gives just enough bare trees and icicles for great pictures," explains a frequent visitor.

Permit requirements: Many natural areas require passes. At Sawmill Lake Campsite, "You do need a land pass to be here, the website is on the sign coming in and it was around $60." Crockford-Pigeon Mountain similarly requires visitors to obtain proper permits before camping.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play spaces. The Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA has "a pool, huge sand box, jumping pillow. Fun area for the kids," according to visitors with children. The jumping pad is restricted to ages 16 and under.

Junior Ranger programs: Educational opportunities abound for young campers. "If you're looking for a spot to carry your kids on one of their first trips, this would be the perfect place. They have scout activities, a Junior Ranger program, playgrounds, swimming pools, and plenty of trails to hike," explains a long-time resident.

Weather planning: Storms can move quickly through the mountains. Some campground hosts provide weather monitoring services - "They looked after us and even stayed up all night to help everyone watch the weather during a tornado watch," shared a grateful camper at Tranquility Campground.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategy: Choose campsites based on your vehicle size and privacy needs. "Sites 4-9 are well spaced from each other and great for tent campers and families who want their kids to have room to play," notes a Cloudland Canyon visitor regarding the West Rim area.

Mountain driving preparation: Large rigs should approach with caution. "This route wasn't bad but for someone who hates windy mountain roads without a camper attached, it did give me a few stomach drops riding with the 5th wheel behind us," shared an RV owner about the approach to DeSoto State Park.

Check-in timing: Marion County Park offers late arrival convenience. "We called at 6:30pm and were told there would be a list of available spots and a drop box for fees. We got in the spot pretty easily and woke up to the most gorgeous view over the water!"

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Rising Fawn, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Rising Fawn, GA offers a wide range of camping options, with 164 campgrounds and RV parks near Rising Fawn, GA and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Rising Fawn, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rising Fawn, GA is Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 183 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rising Fawn, GA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Rising Fawn, GA.