2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The Cherokee National Forest offers several tent camping options near Athens, Tennessee, with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Lost Creek Campground, located 7 miles down a gravel forest road, provides free primitive tent sites with concrete picnic tables and fire rings in a secluded forest setting. Starr Mountain Area offers more remote tent camping opportunities with hiking access, while Hiwassee River Area provides tent sites with river views and basic amenities like water spigots and fire rings throughout the campground.
Most tent sites in the region feature fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between established and dispersed camping areas. Lost Creek Campground includes vault toilets and bear-proof trash receptacles but no potable water or electric hookups. According to one visitor, "This campground is incredibly clean and quiet—and completely free." Sites at Hiwassee River Area have picnic tables and fire rings on level dirt or grass ground, with water available from spigots throughout the campground rather than at individual sites. During hunting season, campers should be aware of increased activity, as one camper noted that "dogs running around and barking throughout the night" affected their otherwise peaceful stay.
Tent campers seeking solitude will find the Big Frog Area offers primitive backcountry sites along hiking trails, with limited water sources nearby. The sites provide opportunities for hammocking and tent camping with established fire rings. Areas farther from town typically offer deeper seclusion and less noise pollution. Campsites near creeks and rivers are particularly popular, providing both scenic views and convenient water access for filtering. A camper described Lost Creek as "a great spot on the river. Picnic tables, fire ring, pit toilet and all you hear is the river at night." Many tent sites throughout the region accommodate multiple tents, making them suitable for small group camping, while still maintaining a natural forest setting.
"The state park/campground adjoins the Cherokee National Forest and sits on the north bank of the Hiwassee River outside of Benton, TN."
"Very nice campground with large tent sites with fairly level ground capable of sitting 2 or 3 tents. Most have mature trees to hang hammocks. Very quiet during weekdays."
Available this weekend
"We stayed in the Tent camping area recently."
"There are picnic tables and fire rings at every site but they recently removed the trash cans due to a racoon problem. There is a large central dumpster available though."
Available this weekend
"It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest, with easy creek access (some sites are right beside the creek), and the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside"
"We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."
"The trail isn’t really a trail but it’s so worth it. if you enter through gee creek rd it’s only about half a mile to the top. It is an off beat path and there are no markings."
"Hammock camping is ideal here, unsure of tent camping possibilities. Come prepared to hike hard and to experience unexpected weather if it occurs"
"I found this awesome campground close to the beginning of the Cherohala skyway in Tellico Plains."
from $20 / night
"A ranger drove by while I was having coffee the next morning and was very laid back and completely unbothered that I had arrived after hours."
"Our site was clean, shaded and level."
"Mountaintop campground with exceptional views, mountain lake/beach, waterfall, and hiking trails. We went in the spring for a work retreat."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 / night
"Our first time here at the Hiwassee Outfitter camping area in Reliance, Tennessee. Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup."
"This is a popular location for the regional university students so expect a bit of a hootenanny to surround and welcome you."
"One being very close to a waterfall. Definitely would recommend to a friend"
"One being very close to a waterfall. Definitely would recommend to a friend. I haven't camped on the eagles bluff, but given the topo map, I'd imagine it would be fabulous"
ScoutI camped here with a friend last weekend and absolutely loved this place! It's a cute little site with a great host, clean bathrooms, free firewood, and super friendly dogs, goats, and people. I would for sure stay here again and recommend.
GuideParksville Lake RV Campground is an absolute gem! I had a fantastic stay here. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the sites are nice, spacious, and wonderfully shaded by the trees. We loved the layout of the RV loop, especially the outer section where a peaceful creek flows right past the sites—the sound of the water at night was perfect. The restrooms and showers were exceptionally clean and well-kept. I had Starlink connectivity at my site and my WeBoost cell signal booster gave me up to three bars on AT&T. The campground host was incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. It's a wonderful, relaxing spot, and I will definitely be back!
GuideThis is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
TravelerThis was a last minute stay, the camp was full but accommodations were made for us by the host to park in his front yard and connect to house power. We were invited to join the host and other guests at the massive fire pit that was warming the cool mountain evening. Very pretty here…was a long and winding road up the mountain from our travel direction. Excited to see what it looks like in daylight. I have 3 bars on my T-Mobile but also have StarLink.
ScoutCalled the day of to ask if we could camp and set up after hours for that day and the next the lady told me yes i could pay in the morning i got here set up that night woke up around 8 am to go pay and reserve my campsite for the day and she told me they were booked even though she had told me the day before she had plenty of campsites. Then tried to tell me the only one she had was a $75 site for 4 people which is absolutely insane. She made snarky remarks and was overall incompetent in making sure the guests receive the right information the first time. Absolutely zero care that we set up not even 12 hours before to make us take it down and leave.
ScoutFort Mountain SP offers some great adventures for the outdoorsman. Hiking and Biking are the mainstays. The overlooks are absolutely astounding from the Cool Springs Overlook, which is easily accessible to anyone even the disabled. The overlook on the trail to the wall and tower is equally amazing. The campground is electric and water only, no fhu. All spots are gravel and fairly level. The bathhouses are older and could use updating . We have zero T-Mobile service at the campground, but it works well in other areas of the park. We have Starlink for our 5th Wheel but the heavy tree canopy in our site made it sketchy. The staff is very friendly.
ScoutThis was a very nice campground! The tent areas are partially gravel so it helped the area be less muddy after rain. Beautiful view of the river and would be a great place to fish! Bathrooms are very nice! Comes with a nice fire pit and didn’t have to use own grate! Pet friendly! Staff was very nice and helpful!
Only complaint was some of their quiet hours were confusing. The quiet hours on the email said 10pm to 7am but then sign posted at bathroom was 11pm-7am for quiet hours.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground but is unfortunately permanently closed. It's sad.
GuideThis is our number one favorite place to camp. We are from Knoxville, TN and if we are wanting to camp for the weekend but avoid the drive, this is where we come! Area 1 site 25 is our favorite and we are super excited to stay at 108 and 109 in the future. The campground is beautiful. Area 1 is shaded with plenty of trees around making it feel like you're in a little forest, and of course fall is wonderful. Some sites have sewer. I have T-mobile cell phone and I have 3 bars at 5g and my husband has xfinity and has 2 bars at 4G.
Love this campground!
Cherokee National Forest encompasses over 650,000 acres of wilderness near Athens, Tennessee, with elevation ranges from 750 to over 5,000 feet. The forest offers diverse tent camping opportunities within an hour's drive of Athens, with sites along rivers, mountain ridges, and within hiking distance of waterfalls. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer nights remain mild at 60-70°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 90s.
Whitewater adventures: The Ocoee River offers thrilling rafting opportunities for tent campers at Ocoee River Area. As one visitor shared, "The Occoee river is an absolute blast. I've gone with my family 4 times down the river and once with a group of friends. It is a thrill when you get to go down some of the drops and class 5 rapids."
Tubing calm waters: For a more relaxed water experience, pack inner tubes when camping at Outdoor Adventure Rafting Campground. A camper noted, "This is a great spot if you either want to go rafting for a weekend or spend the day tubing the lower Ocoee and have a campground all ready for you."
Multi-day hiking: The Benton MacKaye trail passes directly beside several tent camping areas near Athens, Tennessee. A camper at Lost Creek described, "Nice but super crowded on the weekend," suggesting weekday visits for more solitude on popular trails.
Remote wilderness access: The Big Frog Area provides primitive backcountry sites along multiple trails. A hiker reported, "On Big Frog trail, just south of intersection with Yellow Stand trail there is a primitive pine campsite with fire ring. Not the most smooth but could probably fit 2 small tents or a few hammocks."
Creek-side camping: Multiple tent sites in the region offer creek access for cooling off during summer months. At Laurel Snow — Cumberland Trail, a visitor mentioned, "There are a couple if scattered campsites within this wilderness. One being very close to a waterfall."
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive, many campgrounds maintain good standards. One camper at Lost Creek noted, "Love it here! It's a free campsite so it's first come first serve and everyone we've met so far there have been the friendest of people. There's a drop toilet which are pretty still smell though."
Hunting season awareness: During hunting seasons, some campgrounds experience increased activity and noise. At Lost Creek, one camper reported they "chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived."
Navigation challenges: Some trail systems can be difficult to follow. At Starr Mountain Area, a camper advised, "The trail isn't really a trail but it's so worth it. if you enter through gee creek rd it's only about half a mile to the top. It is an off beat path and there are no markings. The key is to keep going up."
Varying water availability: Water sources differ significantly between campgrounds. A visitor to Laurel Snow noted, "The campsite is nice, but it's somewhat difficult to get at the water. The trails can also be hard to follow at a couple of points, I'd recommend bringing an offline map of the trail."
Choose established campgrounds: For families, Cherokee National Forest Chilhowee Campground offers convenient amenities. A visitor shared, "We visited this campground in July 2022. We arrived on Monday evening and stayed 3 nights. I wish we could have stayed longer. We stayed in A loop, site 7. Our site was clean, shaded and level."
Plan for electronics-free time: Cell service is limited throughout tent camping areas near Athens. One camper at Hiwassee River Area reported, "No phone signal which is ok with us because we like to unplug. There is free WiFi available at the rafting Outfitter store."
Consider bathroom facilities: While some sites have no facilities, others maintain basic options. A visitor to Lost Creek described, "Each campsite has a concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform. Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt."
Access challenges: Many forest roads leading to tent sites have limitations. A visitor to Lost Creek described, "The lost cove campground can be found deep in the wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest outside of Benton, TN. Once leaving the pavement of the main road and traversing a well maintained gravel road for 7 miles you will reach the Lost Cove Campground."
Limited hookups: Most tent camping areas near Athens lack traditional RV amenities. At Hiwassee River Area, a camper explained, "No electric hookup. Water spigots throughout the campground but not directly at each site. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring."
Winter road conditions: Gravel access roads may deteriorate in wet weather. One Lost Creek visitor noted, "Super remote area, ride were in decent shape, I could see them being bad after a heavy storm. Gravel 7 miles to here."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Athens, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Athens, TN is Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Athens, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 64 tent camping locations near Athens, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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