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Campgrounds near Apison, Tennessee provide camping experiences from RV-friendly parks to more secluded sites, with several options located along the Tennessee River. Harrison Bay State Park Campground, situated about 15 miles north of Apison, features four camping loops including three for RVs and one for tents, many with views of Chickamauga Lake. Other developed facilities in the region include Chester Frost Park, which accommodates tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping setups, and Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground across the Georgia border, offering walk-in tent sites, RV camping, backcountry sites, cabins, and yurts.
Most mixed-use campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though some like Chester Frost Park maintain seasonal schedules from April through October. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites during summer months when locals and travelers alike seek water access. "Harrison Bay is a huge park, with four camping loops located on the Chickamauga Reservoir of the Tennessee River. It is about thirty minutes from downtown Chattanooga, making it a great place to stay for awhile if you want to check out the area's numerous hiking opportunities," noted one visitor. Cell phone coverage varies by location, with better service typically available at developed campgrounds and more limited connectivity in remote areas.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region, with several visitors highlighting the appeal of sites along Chickamauga Lake and other water bodies. Campers report that Loop C at Harrison Bay offers sites "right on the water, almost with their own private beaches," while the tent-only Loop D provides "clear waterfront views" from sites on the northern end. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer commonly spotted in the camping areas. According to one review, "Fall Creek Falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The deer were everywhere, and they are not afraid of humans. They will walk directly through your campsite." Camping areas with both shade and privacy can be found throughout the region, though some developed campgrounds have more open, sunny sites with less separation between neighbors.
"Harrison Bay is a huge park, with four camping loops (3 for RVs, 1 for tents), and a large marina, located on the Chickamauga Reservoir of the Tennessee River."
"This is a great family campground and Tennessee State Park located on Chickamauga Lake of the Tennessee River. Good playground for the Grandkids and bicycle paths."
from $22 - $28 / night
Check Availability"Tons of room to walk and play. Great swimming and fishing. Boating is huge here Bc there are docks all around the campground to pull up to. Playgrounds everywhere."
"They have a frisbee golf course, playgrounds, walking trails, beach, easy access to the water and fields to start up any activity you desire. We read about uneven campsite but ours was pretty flat."
from $21 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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"
"We stopped in for a few hours on our drive home from Tennessee. We drove through the campgrounds to scout out our site."
from $10 - $290 / night
Check Availability"I should have gotten one of their little cabins...they look cozy and they are right next to the primitive camping."
"The long gravel pad easily accommodated our 40-foot fifth wheel and F-450, with well-positioned utilities. Since we were only overnighting, we did not disconnect."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"There were pros and cons, so I’ll start with the cons- the campground is surrounded by what looked to be a mobile home community."
"The gravel site was very level and the utilities were positioned well. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The location is easy to get to from I75/24."
from $36 - $105 / night
Check Availability"This place is Close to everything you’ll want to do in Chattanooga Tennessee"
"My family and I went a few years ago on a trip to Tennessee. It was a decent place to stay. We RV camped on this trip, but the campground had tent sites too."
from $55 - $56 / night
Check Availability"The platform sites are a short walk from a parking area near the lake so you can make multiple trips to the car if necessary, while the backcountry sites are up to a 3 mile hike in, so all gear, food,"
"There are steps leading down to the trail around the lake."
from $14 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Battlefield Campground is an extremely convenient RV park located right of I-75 about 20 minutes south of Chattanooga."
"Convenient access to the winery at the entrance!"
"You cant beat waterfront and being able to step outside your tent and see water. What also loved was that I didn't feel crammed by other people."
"Seemed to be a lot of locals, which were good to talk with about what to do in the other nearby parks. Shady campsites but open and not too private."
from $39 - $47 / night
Check Availability"Close to everything. Racing just down the street. That’s a positive or negative. On the nights they are racing you hear I’m the cars at the track."
"Does have very nice place to walk, dog park/wash,corn hole, fire pit with two chairs to use. We loved it there. Check the price. Pull thru sites with picnic table."
from $60 - $63 / night
Check Availability
GuideThe campsites are great - most appear to be very level and in good shape. Our site is noisy at times, as it backs up to a primary road in the park and there is a good bit of vehicle and foot traffic. There is zero reception for T-Mobile users at this campsite.
ScoutSasquatch Farms is a great place to camp or RV. There’s good space between campers. Full hookups, friendly staff. Camp store has a good selection and propane. There is a small lake that’s fun to swim or float. Occasionally live music and seasonal events.
TravelerFirst time staying at this State Park. The West Rim CG is great! Our site is level and spacious. Nice shade too. The facilities are very clean and the grounds well taken care of. Love the grey water drains located throughout the CG. Easy walk to the West Rim trail via a connector trail. We’ll definitely come back!
TravelerWe had an awesome stay! Our family used a mix of a cabin and a tent, which worked out perfectly—it gave us a great option to get some AC while still letting the kids get the real tent-camping experience. We absolutely loved the French toast, and the bathroom and shower facilities were convenient. We really enjoyed our time and all the amenities. Thanks for a great stay!
LegendReally nice newer RV park located in the mountains. They originally were a motorhome only resort, but since opened it up to towable units (still no tents). Many sites have great mountain views and the website has pictures of each site so you can decide what you want and how much you want to pay. They accept Passport America and give a 50% discount for up to a two-week stay which is why we stayed for two weeks. That discount made it a great place for a full hook-up RV resort with nice amenities. We loved the campground and the owners are super nice and helpful. Upon check-in, you get a nice welcome packet full of information about the local area and a loaf of homemade sourdough bread (which was delicious!!!!). Sites are basically a double site so where you park your camper and patio are both paved. They have “Solo” type firepits so you can move them wherever you want and not destroy the grass or pavement. Our site had two comfortable patio chairs and a picnic table. Everything is paved so no dusty roads or dirty sites. They allow you to wash your RV and car which was a big plus for us since they both needed it. The utilities worked well. There is a really nice swimming pool with lounge chairs and tables. The clubhouse is large and a great gathering place that offers free Nespresso coffee, snacks, and information. There are a couple of hiking trails on the property and they offer guided walks with staff. The nearby town of Talking Rock is really cute with restaurants, a brewery, shops, and a general store that sells a variety of items including firewood and pantry staples. We would definitely stay here again.
LegendWe followed the confirmation email directions, which took us right to the campground. Check-in was quick, efficient, and exceptionally friendly. We were escorted to back-in Site 55, which was an easy back-in and one of the more spacious sites in the campground. We were glad we chose this site over one of the pull-throughs, which appeared much closer together. The long gravel pad easily accommodated our 40-foot fifth wheel and F-450, with well-positioned utilities. Since we were only overnighting, we did not disconnect. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. The campground Wi-Fi was adequate for checking email and general browsing but not streaming. There are plenty of mature trees throughout the campground, so Starlink availability will vary by site. We chose not to deploy ours but believe Site 55 would have provided a usable view of the sky. The campground also features a fenced dog park that is large enough to actually throw a ball and let your dog run. Overall, this is a clean, well-maintained KOA with friendly staff, spacious back-in sites, and a convenient location, and it will definitely remain on our list of campgrounds for future visits to the Chattanooga area.
TravelerAmazing view, right on the lake. Quiet and pleasant, with great people supporting the park. Will come back again soon!
GuideAbsolutely amazing, there were beautiful trails/hikes right down the road and it was very clean and the set up itself was just so impressive.
ScoutVisiting family in Chattanooga who love this campground for their lakeside spots which we were sure to reserve early. Fun to swim directly at your campsite at the Smokemont loop. We like to run and bike, but there wasn’t much for options other than a VERY hilly loop of Gold Circle which still required a short time on the busy Hixon Pike. Beach area looked nice but didn’t use it as we swam at the campground and also from family’s boat. Bathrooms are as expected for a campground, I think the Windy Hills loop has a nicer bathroom and also would be closer to the playground.
Camping sites near Apison, Tennessee sit at elevations ranging from 750 to 1,200 feet above sea level, creating varied camping microclimates throughout the region. Located in the eastern part of Hamilton County, the area experiences temperate weather with average summer highs around 90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 30°F. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round with electrical hookups available at developed sites.
Explore limestone caves: At Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground, visitors can tour Crystal Cave with its impressive formations. "The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus," notes one camper who appreciated the combination of underground exploration and pet-friendly amenities.
Boat at Chickamauga Lake: Harrison Bay State Park Campground offers direct lake access with multiple fishing spots. "I saw some campers in fishing kayaks come right up to the shore and hop out at their campsite," reports one visitor who enjoyed the seamless transition from water to campsite.
Hike to waterfalls: Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground features multiple waterfall trails with varying difficulty levels. "The Cave tour is a must, but prepare to get dirty," advises one experienced camper who recommends waterproof footwear during rainy seasons.
Private camping platforms: Fort Mountain State Park offers unique raised camping platforms for a different overnight experience. "The site itself was in a beautiful location, had a hand pump on site, and also had a shared bear proof storage box," explains a first-time platform camper who encountered active wildlife during their stay.
Individual bathrooms: Harrison Bay State Park features air-conditioned private bathroom/shower combos in camping loop D. "Spacious sites in D. AC bath houses!" exclaims one camper who appreciated the comfort during hot summer months.
Dog-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer designated dog parks and pet-friendly policies. "We loved that Raccoon Mountain had a dog park. The staff are so attentive, they are very accessible and are present all day into the evening without being intrusive," notes a camper who traveled with pets.
Site privacy varies significantly: At Fort Mountain State Park Campground, the West Rim campground offers better separation between sites. "The West Rim campground is VASTLY superior with tons of privacy, tree cover, great terraces at most sites, with the ones outside ones being the best," advises a camper who has explored multiple Georgia state parks.
Seasonal pest issues: Some waterfront sites experience insect activity, particularly during warm months. "Sites 9, 18, 22, and 25 are next to an area with poor drainage so bugs may be an issue here in the summer," warns a Harrison Bay visitor who recommends bringing insect repellent.
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have spotty coverage depending on carrier and location. "We had inconsistent cell coverage even with a Winegard booster with AT&T and Verizon. Mornings were best reception and evening were not so good," reports a Fort Mountain camper who found signal strength varied throughout the day.
Look for dedicated swimming areas: Chester Frost Park offers a man-made beach with adjacent playground. "This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!" recommends a parent who found the setup ideal for children.
Consider cabin options: Several campgrounds offer furnished cabins as alternatives to tent camping. "The cabins are ok. They have three beds. One double and a set of bunk beds. They have ac as well. They are small but do the job," explains a Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA visitor who found cabin camping more comfortable with children.
Book waterfront sites early: Prime lakefront sites fill quickly, especially during summer months. "We love staying on the lake front and watching the sun set," shares a Chester Frost Park camper who recommends reserving sites 46-50 at Harrison Bay for the best water views.
Check site leveling before booking: Some campgrounds have significant grading issues. "The site had about a 5 inch difference sloping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," cautions a Fort Mountain camper who struggled with an uneven site.
Consider campground road layouts: Chilhowee Recreation Area has challenging access for larger rigs. "The roads in the campground are narrow and again, some of the turns are sharp when pulling a trailer. There is only one dump station and it's on the other side of the campground. From the B loop, you have to traverse about a 120 degree switchback to get to it," warns an RV owner who navigated the tight turns with a 25-foot travel trailer.
Research hookup availability: Not all sites offer full hookups. "Coming up the mountain has some steep grades and a few switch backs that you can't see around. There are no water hookups at the sites, only power (30A). You'll need to fill your fresh water tanks before you set up," advises a Chilhowee camper who planned accordingly for limited utilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Apison, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Apison, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 419 campgrounds and RV parks near Apison, TN and 26 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Apison, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Apison, TN is Harrison Bay State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 60 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Apison, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Apison, TN.
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