Campgrounds near Altamont, Tennessee sit at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet along the Cumberland Plateau. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. RV parks in the area often require advance booking during October's peak fall color season when overnight temperatures can drop into the 40s.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 0.5 miles from camping. At Greeter Falls Campground, visitors can access multiple waterfall trails directly from their site. "We stayed at primitive site 1. Flat area for your tent, then a slight slope towards the walkway. A fire pit is provided... just notice the size before booking," notes Karlie, highlighting the convenient trail access.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds. Bigfoot Adventure RV Park offers catch-and-release fishing ponds that don't require permits. "Had a blast fishing in the ponds. Didn't get a chance to zip line but looks like a blast. They seem to be adding things… disc golf maybe," shares Frank A., who enjoyed the growing recreational options.
Disc golf courses: Free play with camping. Several campgrounds have added disc golf courses that campers can use without additional fees. "They have a fenced in dog park area centrally located in area c, seemed of good size with lots of trees. They have a little sand pit area for kids to play in," reports Thomas H. about the recreational spaces available at Greeter Falls.
What campers like
Privacy between primitive sites. Camp Chet offers secluded camping spaces with greater separation than most commercial campgrounds. "My family and I regularly come to Camp Chet for several reasons: the scenery, accommodations and not to mention we love the hosts! Ruth and Robert make every effort to make sure your stay is comfortable," notes Kristen B.
Dog-friendly accommodations. Many Altamont area RV parks feature dedicated pet spaces. "We reserved one of the spots with a fenced in area for our pups that connected to the camper. They loved having a place to stretch their legs and running around in the grass after 2 days on the road," shares DeLuvPups D. about their stay at the Manchester location.
Supply sheds for forgotten items. Several campgrounds maintain community storage areas with camping supplies. "There was a gas heater we didn't end up using, but good to know for future colder visits. They also had a shed filled with tools, extra paper products, fire starting equipment, various kitchen supplies, and so much more," writes Alycia J. about Camp Chet's amenities.
What you should know
Cell service varies by carrier. While Verizon generally performs well in the area, other carriers have spotty coverage. "I have Verizon and had 3 bars and LTE and the data signal was strong for me. Was able to stream, FaceTime, pretty much whatever I wanted," notes Thomas H. about connectivity at Greeter Falls.
Highway noise affects some locations. Rvino - The Broken Banjo (formerly Manchester KOA) sits near I-24 with noticeable traffic sound. "The main downfall is that the campground is close to interstate (noise). But, it is a close distance to any store/food if you need to make a run," explains Kayla L. about the tradeoff between convenience and quiet.
Reservation policies vary widely. Some campgrounds don't accept advance bookings. "Make sure you call the morning of to make sure there is a spot open before driving down. They don't do reservations, which I really wish they did. But they will put a cone in your site if you call that morning," advises Haley B. about Shellmound's first-come system.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options for non-RV campers. Shellmound RV Resort & Campground provides water access with family-friendly amenities. "This has got to be the cutest RV park we've stayed at yet! The playground for the kids was awesome! You're next to a dock on the TN River, so water activities were easy & fun!" shares Adam A.
Campground entertainment options. Several locations offer organized activities during summer weekends. "They have an activity room, saw a projector screen in there and a table, they had an area behind the activity room, kind of like an outdoor hangout, lights, fire pit, chairs," notes Thomas H. about the communal spaces at Greeter Falls.
Swimming areas for hot days. When temperatures climb into the 90s, water access becomes essential. "They have a swimming area that you can walk to which is nice," mentions Haley B. about Shellmound's facilities that allow families to cool off without leaving the campground.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements. Hawkins Pointe RV Park offers sites that require minimal adjustment. "Very nice camp ground right beside the interstate. On the TN/GA border. Easy to get to anything. Chattanooga, TN is right there so much to see and do," explains Kimberly Z. about the practical benefits of the well-maintained sites.
Hookup configurations. Electric boxes at some campgrounds are positioned on the left side of sites. "Electric and water hookups are on left side of campsite," notes Gary about Twin Creeks RV Resort, an important detail for RVers planning their setup.
Pull-through accessibility. Many Altamont area RV parks have been designed for larger vehicles. "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," shares Russ G. about his experience at Hawkins Pointe.
