Best Tent Camping near Allons, TN

Primitive tent camping areas near Allons, Tennessee include options ranging from established sites to dispersed camping along waterways. Tuscarora Glade offers a dedicated tent camping area with a fire ring and toilet facilities, while Holleman's Bend Camping Area provides free riverside camping with multiple primitive tent sites. Both locations are within an hour's drive of Allons and accommodate traditional tent setups without electric hookups or modern amenities.

Most tent campgrounds in this region feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Holleman's Bend includes trash receptacles at each tent site despite its primitive nature, while Tuscarora Glade provides firewood on site for campers. Access to many camping areas requires downloading maps in advance, as cellular service becomes limited about 20 minutes outside populated areas. The Cumberland Plateau region experiences seasonal fluctuations, with spring bringing higher water levels along riverside campsites. The standard stay limit at Holleman's Bend is 14 days, which is monitored by rangers who collect visitor information.

Tent campers visiting Tuscarora Glade enjoy exceptional stargazing opportunities due to Pickett County's Dark Sky rating. The minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for nighttime astronomy, with the natural clearing in the forest canopy providing an unobstructed view of the stars. At Holleman's Bend, tent sites offer varying levels of privacy, with more secluded options available to those who venture past the main camping area. Campers should be prepared for natural sounds throughout the night, particularly along the water. According to one visitor, "The water is beautiful, though you'll hear fish splashing all night." Morning fog rising from the water creates scenic views for early risers at riverside tent sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Allons, Tennessee (28)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Allons, TN

638 Reviews of 28 Allons Campgrounds


  • Rebecca J.
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    Pure gold for such an inexpensive price

    I think lots number 712 and 13 are the best because they are situated right around a beautiful pond with massive lily pads and dragonflies. It is about a 20 minute drive to a local store or a save a lot when we forgot some groceries. The trees are mature so there is plenty of shade and lofty space between each lot. We are on a paved site surrounded by gravel picnic table light post and fire ring also with a food storage bin to keep out the bears! It gets quiet! It gets dark! For $20, it is unbeatable. :-)

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2018

    Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    What are you here for?

    Alum Ford Big South Fork Recreation Area is in my top 10 favorite areas.

    I try to participate in the Yamacraw Trail Run every year because it is just AWESOME, and this area is part of their route due to the excellent scenery of the area.

    If you like trees, hills, streams, falls, historical markers, old cabins and history , plus not much use of modern technology when you camp then you will thoroughly enjoy Big South Bend! If you are a bring the kitchen sink kinda camper you might wanna find a nearby KOA or other type campground.

    The campground has no signal, no electricity, no showers, no host. Just you, a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring. Oh, and there is one pit toilet. Bring 5$ cash for the honor pay station and your hiking shoes and watercraft. There is a Trailhead at the back of the 6 site campground and a boat ramp down the hill.

    The sites are well maintained and old , probably CCC built with wood steps leading up or down to your site. There is no direct access to the boatramp but there is a short trail that connects the sites to the boatramp that runs along the cliff face down to the ramp.

    The trailhead is part of the Sheltowee Trace Trail and connects to the Yamacraw Bridge. You could easily stage a multi day backpacking trip from Alum Ford to take in the local sights.

    Not far up the road is the Yahoo Picnic Area. I think it used to be a campground just by the way it’s set up. Picnic tables on pads and a nice old pavilion for groups with a grill. Past that Yahoo Falls. This is a technical, moderate trail down to the tallest falls in Kentucky. Also a very old area but maintained with newer restroom facilities. The loop trail was approximately 1.5 miles long with a metal staircase on one side and trail on the far side. This is also part of a thru trail. Get you an old fashion paper map before coming cause your fancy electronic gear may or may not work here.

    This is one of many areas through the Kentucky/Tennessee Big South Fork if you are able plan for an extended stay to check the whole place out;)

  • Katrin M.
    Apr. 10, 2022

    Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

    Nice little primitive campground on the river

    We camped here for one night on a Saturday. 

    The campsites have a fire ring, picnic bench, and lantern pole. Each campsite has their little parking space except site 9, 10, and 11. It is one parking spot for 3 cars and you have to walk about 100 feet. The campsites are very close together. We were very lucky with campsite 11 bc nobody around us showed up. Probably due to the bad weather the first day. The campsite was very spacious and was right on the creek. 

    There is no electricity or water at the campground. The vault toilet had no flushing water but was clean and didn't have a smell. The Obed area is very inviting for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing. There are trails that start right from the campground. If you need an escape from the daily grind, that's your place.

  • Davina B.
    May. 9, 2019

    Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

    Great Little Hiking and Fishing Spot

    Rock Creek Campground is the only campground for the Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park. It's a primitive campground with 11 sites for tents only. RVs are not allowed. There is a restroom for campers with pit style toilets. No potable water available, but there is plenty that you can treat.

    Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook, bearproof food locker, fire ring with grill, and a tent pad. Bearproof trashcans are located throughout the campground. A section of the Cumberland Trail begins at the campground. The Emory River runs right alongside the campground with easy access. There is no camp store, but the town of Wartburg is about a mile away if you need anything.

    Pros: Good hiking trails and great fishing. Easy access to the river. Restrooms available.

    Cons: The sites are very close together and it gets quite crowded during the summer months and on weekends. A public road runs right next to the campground so there is traffic at times when people are coming and going from work. No camp store or potable water available. Bathrooms are not kept stocked.

  • Christy E.
    Jun. 14, 2018

    Rock Island State Park Campground

    Beautiful area with many activities

    I stayed in the tent-only loop - a small group of 10 sites. It was quiet and had many trees for hammocks. Thus site offers level tent pads, a grill, fire ring, and picnic table. Clean bathrooms and hot showers available. The nearby swimming beach was great for the kids. Many short hiking options available. Make sure to visit the ranger station for a map and safety rules during water releases.

  • Davina B.
    May. 9, 2019

    Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground

    Great for RVs, Ok for Tents

    This campground is located within the Cumberland Mountain State Park. The sites are set up for RVs and it is very popular.

    Pros: There is no camp store, but there are vending machines available. There are restrooms available. Staff is in the office during business hours. There are 2 short hiking trails (less than 1 mile in length each). There are playgrounds, a lake for fishing, and a golf course. Each site has parking for 1 vehicle, a large gravel pad, water and electric hookup, picnic table, and lantern hook.

    Cons: site are very close together. Tents and RVs do not have separate loops. No camp store. No showers.

    Overall, this campground is set up to cater more toward those with RVs than people camping in tents.

  • Lori H.
    Aug. 4, 2019

    Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful Night Sky, Quiet Camping

    Pickett State Park is a great spot to camp if you like peace and quiet, but don’t want to have to backpack in to a spot. Despite the small campground, it was pretty much empty on the first weekend in August when we stayed. It is near the Big South Fork, and Scott State Forest, so there’s lots of great hiking, horseback riding, river recreation, etc. nearby. From other reviews on The Dyrt, I learned the park is excellent for stargazing, and it is true, you will have amazing views at night, we slept in a tent without a rain fly, just so we could see the stars!

    The campground has several sites with electric and some without. We stayed in B1, which did not have electric. All the sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and the ones on the outside of the loops back up to the woods and trails. All the sites are spacious.

    The restrooms were clean, but they must be pretty old. There were some areas in need of tile repair, but it was just a cosmetic issue, so it didn’t bother me. The showers were nice, and everything was clean.

    The campground also has cabins, and those seemed to have more guests than the campground. They have a set of cabins that were connected, like apartments, and they have some larger, freestanding cabins too. They had a group site as well, but I did not go to it.

    The park has a lake with swimming area, and canoe/kayak/paddle board rentals, a swinging bridge, playground, tennis courts, a gigantic picnic area, and several great trails.

    This was a very pleasant find, and we will definitely return!

  • T
    Aug. 25, 2020

    Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    Very Nice Campground

    We camped two nights last week in Loop A, the tent only, nonelectric section. Being mid-week, there were not many people, meaning it was also nice and quiet. The sites are roomy, with a large tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, lantern hook, and a food storage locker. Yes, this is bear country, but we didn't see any during our visit. The bath houses are as nice as you're likely to find in a national park, with flush toilets, hot showers, and an outside sink for dish washing, etc. There is also a large, wheelchair accessible bathroom with roll-in shower. A water hydrant is available to fill jugs and tanks.

    We drove through the other loops to see what they look like, because Loop A isn't open in winter. Should we decide to camp here in winter, Loop B is the only section open. But, that will let us use an electric heater. 

    Be aware that some things are not open in 2020 due to Covid-19. The park visitors centers are still closed, the swimming pool wasn't open mid-week, and the check-in building was unstaffed when we arrived. There was a sign at the check-in point telling us to reserve and pay for our site using Recreation.gov. We had cell service there, so no problem. It you don't have service, drive across the road to the Camp Store (which is not always open) to use WiFi there. There is a note on the front door with the password. 

    There are so many things to do in Big South Fork and surrounding areas that you really need to just visit the park website and make a list of things to do. Some are easy and roadside, others not so much. For example, to hike the Twin Arches Loop Trail, you'll drive several miles of dirt roads to reach the trailhead and end up hiking about 6 - 6.5 miles. The description says the loop is 4.6 miles, which is true, but you have to add another 1.4 miles for the out-and-back from the parking lot to the start of the loop. The loop trail isn't bad, but the access trail has steep stairs. Anyway, find something you like and enjoy the Cumberland Plateau.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    A Campground with Lots to Do but with Interesting Tent Pads

    Edgar Evins State Park is a large park with lots of activities for young and old. However, if you want to stay in the campground, make sure to take a freestanding tent unless you have creative ways to keep your tent up. Most of the sites have wooden platforms, and the fire pits are beside the road. Perhaps most people like that sense of permanence, but I personally prefer solid ground or even gravel pads. Fortunately, the one I used was a free-standing tent. There is another option, and that is to stay in the primitive camping area. Of course, they are walk-in sites, but they are not far from where you park. I would normally choose the primitive camping area for a couple of reasons. There is a little more privacy, and you have soft ground on which to pitch your tent. Obviously, if you are an RV camper, staying in the primitive area does not apply. Unfortunately, it was better this time to choose a site that you don’t have to walk to. Out of all the state park campgrounds I have visited, the bath rooms in this state park are the best. They are modern with tiled floors, and the showers resemble ones you would find at privately owned campgrounds. There are several different activity options—volleyball, horseshoes, playgrounds, hiking trails, etc. There is also an aviary, a marina, a restaurant, and a couple of boat ramps. For the children, there is the“Storybook Trail.” For other overnight options, there are also cabins that you can rent. In retrospect, the primitive area would have been a better choice. It definitely would have been more quiet. No matter whether you stay in the primitive area or the regular camping area, you will encounter hilly terrain. The camp store is fully stocked with most of your camping needs, and there is also a laundry. Overall, Edgar Evins State Park was a good place to spend time, but again, I have my doubts about the wooden platforms.


Guide to Allons

Tent campsites near Allons, Tennessee range from gravel parking areas to forested sites along creeks and rivers. The Cumberland Plateau region sits at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates where temperatures can be 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. During summer months, campers should prepare for afternoon thunderstorms that form quickly over the plateau's elevated terrain.

What to do

Fishing access points: Campsites at Holleman's Bend Camping Area provide direct river access for fishing. "Cute little peninsula to camp on! The water is BEAUTIFUL," notes camper Simon B., who adds that the area has "decent service when we were expecting none."

Coffee excursions: Take a morning drive to nearby towns for specialty coffee. Campers at Holleman's Bend recommend visiting Gainesboro. "Be sure to stop by the little town of Gainesboro for a cup of coffee at Nostalgic Coffee Cafe. They mixed together one of their favorite concoctions that wasn't on the menu and it was PERFECTION!" writes Devin R.

Art workshops: Reflection Tree Art Farm offers art classes for campers seeking creative activities. "I can't wait to come back and take art classes," mentions Sarah G., who appreciated the property's "solitude and peace that comes with the rural nature of the farm."

What campers like

Wildlife viewing: Tent campers consistently mention the active wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk. "A swarm of bats began to make their way over us out to hunt for the night," reports Tommy S. about his experience at Holleman's Bend Camping Area, adding an unexpected element to riverside camping.

Morning fog displays: Early risers at riverside campsites are rewarded with natural spectacles. "I woke up early enough to see the sunrise and the fog coming off the river. Simply magical," writes Devin R. about Breathtaking Waterfall and Campground, where morning mist creates atmospheric conditions photographers particularly value.

Spacious tent setups: Tuscarora Glade offers generous space for multiple tent configurations. "If you are looking for a great view with plenty of space for tents and hammocks, look no further," states Joseph B., highlighting the practical advantage for groups or families requiring multiple sleeping arrangements.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Download maps and information before arriving. "Download a map on the way as you loose service 20 minutes out," advises Andrew K. about his stay at Holleman's Bend, where connectivity becomes unreliable well before reaching the campsite.

Ranger monitoring: Expect ranger visits at dispersed camping areas to check compliance with regulations. "Someone came and got my name and plate to make sure I followed the 14 day rule but was super nice," reports Andrew K., indicating friendly enforcement of stay limits.

Alternative camping spots: Many camping areas have unofficial sites beyond the main areas. "It seemed there may have been more campsites to the left of the parking area, up a hill that a small car came down, so seems pretty accessible," notes Luka W. about exploring beyond obvious camping locations at Holleman's Bend.

Tips for camping with families

Digital detox opportunities: Use limited connectivity as a feature rather than inconvenience. "No Service (showed me how addicted i am). Other than that as described," writes Simon B. about Down Yonder Campground, highlighting how the disconnection became a positive aspect of the experience.

Host-supported camping: Some privately-run tent sites offer additional support. "The host is amazing, provides great amenities, and takes care of his campground very well," notes Joseph B. about Tuscarora Glade, where attentive management makes camping more accessible for less experienced families.

Sound expectations: Prepare children for natural nighttime sounds, especially at waterside sites. "You'll hear fish splashing all night," reports Luka W., setting realistic expectations for natural sounds that might surprise first-time campers.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Allons lack RV infrastructure. "Currently they have annual sites only, no shade on gravel. They are in the process of creating overnight sites," explains Shelly S. about Down Yonder Campground, noting the $40 nightly rate seemed "a little high" given limited facilities.

Parking surface considerations: Some camping areas amount to glorified parking lots rather than traditional campsites. "It's basically a parking lot, with a small patch of grass and a firepit by a loading dock into the river," describes Tommy S. about Mitchell Creek - Primitive Site, where vehicle-based camping might be more practical than tent setups.

Alternative sleeping arrangements: Several campers report sleeping in vehicles rather than tents at some locations. "It didn't seem like a great place to set up a tent, so we slept in our van. Two smaller cars ended up pulling up after dark... and neither of them set up tents either, everyone staying in their cars," notes Tommy S., suggesting vehicle sleeping might be preferable at certain locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Allons, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Allons, TN is Tuscarora Glade with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Allons, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Allons, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.