Free Camping Collection
Established Camping
Hunter’s Check Station Campground - Prentice Cooper State Forest
Hunter’s Check Station Campground is located in Prentice Cooper State Forest near Chattanooga, Tennessee. The area features forested terrain with trails and natural landscapes. Temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer, and nearby attractions include the Tennessee River and Signal Mountain.
Description
Camping is permitted at the Hunter's Check Station Camping area on a first-come, first-served basis. These primitive campsites have no sanitation facilities.
Prentice Cooper State Forest is located in southeastern Tennessee, in Marion County. The forest is approximately 10 miles west of Chattanooga and is heavily utilized by the public. It is situated on the scenic Tennessee River Gorge. The property for Prentice Cooper was acquired by simple purchase between 1938 and 1944. The site was proclaimed a State Forest in 1945. Sixty-nine percent of the forest is in multiple-use regulated forests and the remainder is in conservation areas. Approximately 6,939 acres are designated as unregulated scenic zones that protect this view shed and other scenic areas of the forest. Hicks Gap Natural Area (350 acres) also occurs in the forest and was developed to protect the federally endangered Large-flowered Skullcap. The forest also includes several in-holdings owned by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and 3 cemeteries. Management activities of the forest focus primarily on sustainable timber management, forest management demonstration and wildlife habitat improvement while maintaining recreational opportunities for the public. There are 35 miles of hiking trails, including the south end of the Cumberland Trail State Park. There also are two designated camping areas. Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division has provided labor and portions of the forest for various types of research in collaboration with the University of Tennessee. Hunting has been a traditional use of the forest. Other recreational activities include OHV use in designated areas, rock climbing, hiking, Mountain biking, horseback riding, bird watching, and camping.
Location
Hunter’s Check Station Campground - Prentice Cooper State Forest is located in Tennessee
Coordinates
35.1649620244607 N
85.41881399237124 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 3 users
Drive Time
- 23 min from Chattanooga
- 44 min from Cleveland
- 1 hr 29 min from Rome
- 1 hr 40 min from Huntsville
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 user
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 3 users
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
