Best Campgrounds near Birchwood, TN

Camping options surround Birchwood, Tennessee with multiple established campgrounds situated along lakeshores and forested areas. Harrison Bay State Park Campground and Skull Island provide waterfront access with full hookup options for RVs, while tent camping is accommodated throughout the region at locations like Chester Frost Park and Possum Creek RV Park. Several locations in the area feature water recreation access, particularly along Chickamauga Lake, where boating and fishing are primary activities. Most established campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and restroom facilities, with some offering cabins and glamping options.

Seasonal availability varies across campgrounds, with some facilities operating year-round while others like Chester Frost Park maintaining a limited season from April through October. "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," noted one visitor to the Laurel Snow area along the Cumberland Trail. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. Cell service can be inconsistent in more remote areas, especially at smaller campgrounds like Eads Bluff Farm where primitive camping is the main option. Many campgrounds in the area feature concrete pads for RVs with 30 and 50-amp electrical service.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings throughout the Birchwood area, with several reviewers specifically mentioning the quality of water access. A visitor described Skull Island as having "wonderful" camping: "Nothing like waking up to see the beautiful water all around you." Mixed-use campgrounds supporting both RV and tent camping are common, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Quieter camping experiences can be found at smaller properties like Eads Bluff Farm, which one camper described as "the perfect place to enjoy time away from civilization and just relax and watch the stars at night." Campgrounds closer to marinas and boat ramps may experience more traffic noise, particularly during peak fishing and boating seasons, as mentioned by several reviewers of Bluewater Resort & RV Campground.

Best Camping Sites Near Birchwood, Tennessee (297)

    1. Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Harrison, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 344-6214

    $22 - $28 / night

    "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."

    2. Chester Frost Park

    35 Reviews
    Harrison, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 842-0177

    $21 - $30 / night

    "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."

    3. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    145 Reviews
    Spencer, TN
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 881-5298

    $8 - $32 / night

    "Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."

    "Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks."

    4. Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA

    16 Reviews
    Mcdonald, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 472-8928

    $55 / night

    "I should have gotten one of their little cabins...they look cozy and they are right next to the primitive camping."

    "The sites are very close together so there is not much room to move around or have pets outside. The rates are higher than I would like to pay but you more amenities for the price."

    5. Skull Island

    6 Reviews
    Soddy-Daisy, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 350-6053

    $39 - $47 / night

    "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."

    6. Bluewater Resort & RV Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dayton, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 775-3265

    "We live on the lake at home and don't take a boat camping, but if we did this would be a great location for the fisherman or boater."

    "The only reason for 4 stars is because the lake sites are so high up it’s difficult to actually get to the lake. They do have nice amenities! Would certainly recommend!"

    7. Possum Creek RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Sale Creek, TN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 332-8468

    "Quick drive from Chattanooga. Water/power. Bathhouse. Water side sites. Swiming area. Close to boat ramp."

    8. Eads Bluff Farm

    2 Reviews
    Birchwood, TN
    8 miles
    +1 (423) 421-4954

    $25 / night

    "I stayed here only for a night and came when it was very dark outside! It's the perfect place to enjoy time away from civilization and just relax and watch the stars at night."

    "Since we live just around the corner, we will be back soon. Thanks again and happy new year"

    9. Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    183 Reviews
    Trenton, GA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 657-4050

    $10 - $270 / night

    "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."

    10. Chilhowee Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Benton, TN
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 338-3300

    $12 - $30 / night

    "My partner and I headed to nearby Chilhowie Campground in the Cherokee National Forest last year to try out our new teardrop camper.  We chose site 1 in the A Loop as it had shore power."

    "It has clean bathrooms with showers, fire rings with grill grates, lots of hiking, hike to a beautiful waterfall, huge lake to swim or float on a raft, and the lightning bugs were breath taking!!"

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Recent Reviews near Birchwood, TN

1408 Reviews of 297 Birchwood Campgrounds


  • Katrin M.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    Campground on the lake

    We camped here over the weekend, bc we participated in a dog event near by. At first we booked site B31. The tent pad was super small, there was no way for 2 bigger tents to fit. It's definitely better, if you have a camper. We changed to site A9 and that was much better. We had to set up the tents on concrete, which was awesome, because it rained all Saturday. The bathhouses were kinda outdated, but always clean. The park itself is ok. It's nothing spectacular there. The campsites directly on the water were very nice. All the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I don't think, I would camp here again. The park was very clean, it has just not really anything nature wise that would catch my interest.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    Beautiful park, great hiking

    Cloudland Canyon is one of Georgia’s prettiest parks. There are 2 campgrounds. West Rim campground has more privacy, with the sites in the trees. Sites in The East Rim campground are closer together, and is noisier.. There are also backcountry campsites. The West Rim Loop Trail, considered one of the top 10 hikes in the United States, according to Backpacker Magazine starts in the West Rim Campground. There is also a strenuous waterfall trail into the canyon. The campground was water and electric sites. There are no full hookup sites, but there is a dump station. Modern showers and bathrooms.

  • b
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Campville LLC

    Great stay

    Super clean campground with great amenities!! Only a mile from 75 but doesn't feel like it's located by the interstate. Highly recommend checking the place out!

  • Doug S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Persimmon Creek RV Park

    Beautiful Little Camp Ground

    Persimmon Creek is a beautiful and peaceful place. The owner is very friendly and helpful. It is centrally located to some great attractions.

  • Peyton P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    A few pull offs

    You can stay at either Hunter’s check campground or Davis Pond. If you want to stay at davis pond you have to get there before dark, and there is not access for vehicles to get into the campground so it’s just tents (no overlanding, unless you’re comfortable in the parking lot). I pulled off just off one of the trails and set up. It was quiet and private. Not buggy

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    Amazing site! See note on hook-ups

    This campground is great. The hosts/camp store workers are so nice. This site is big and has easy walk-in access to water for swimming or fishing. **Only weird thing is the hookups are on the opposite side of the site. Take a 50 ft water hose and a 30 amp extension - ours was 50 ft but I think a 30 ft would work. **

  • Tucker K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Not as quiet as I thought

    There’s some good spots in the backcountry if you can find them, but be prepared to search quite a bit. The roads are pretty dense not many places to pull off. Night time is great but gunshots started at 6:30 at a nearby gun range and dirt bikes started hitting the roads not much later.

  • A
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Chilhowee

    Clean areas

    Bathrooms always clean. It’s pretty family friendly with adult supervision. Great views and scenery. Swimming lake.


Guide to Birchwood

Camping near Birchwood, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the campfire, there’s something for every outdoor enthusiast.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Good hikes nearby," making it a great spot for those who love to hit the trails.
  • Fishing: Head to Harrison Bay State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor shared, "Enjoyed the area and the fishing very much," highlighting the campground's appeal for anglers.
  • Cavern Tours: Check out Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground for a unique experience. One reviewer said, "The tour of the caverns was well worth the money spent," making it a must-see for families.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate cleanliness. At Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "Bathrooms and showers were amazing for a campsite," which is a big plus for many.
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families enjoy the activities available. A reviewer at Gee Creek Campground said, "The kids loved the playground, and the fairytale story walk," making it a great choice for those with children.
  • Beautiful Views: Campers rave about the scenery. One camper at Chester Frost Park mentioned, "Great views of Lake Chickamauga," which adds to the overall experience.

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some spots can get busy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Harrison Bay State Park Campground mentioned, "This campground is a very busy place though," so plan your trip accordingly.
  • Site Proximity: Sites can be close together. A camper at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground noted, "The sites are tight. You're right on top of each other," which might not be ideal for everyone.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A reviewer at Gee Creek Campground pointed out, "The campground itself is kind of lame," indicating that while the area is beautiful, the facilities might not meet everyone's expectations.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to check for family-friendly activities. One camper at Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "They also had a bunch of activities, parks, and a restaurant inside the camp site," which can keep the kids entertained.
  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites that offer privacy. A visitor at Chester Frost Park said, "We were at the end of the island and had very quiet neighbors," which can make a big difference for families.
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring along items that make camping easier for kids. One camper at Thunder Rock Campground noted, "I did wear every piece of clothing I packed," so be prepared for changing weather.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to research site sizes before booking. A reviewer at Holiday Travel Park mentioned, "Spaces are a little too close," which is something to consider for larger RVs.
  • Book Early: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA advised, "Make reservations online as it fills up on the weekends," to secure your spot.
  • Utilize Amenities: Take advantage of the amenities offered. One camper at Thunder Rock Campground mentioned, "The shower house is always clean," which can enhance your camping experience.

Camping near Birchwood, Tennessee, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the camping options on Birchwood Lakes?

The lakes around Birchwood offer diverse camping experiences. Citico Creek Area provides dispersed camping with sites positioned right next to the creek, perfect for those seeking water access. Many sites are free, making them accessible options for budget-conscious campers. For a more developed lakeside experience, Thunder Rock Campground offers campsites near the water that provide a pleasant setting, though they can be relatively close to one another. For waterfront RV camping, Bluewater Resort & RV Campground provides full hookups with direct water access.

Where can I find the best camping spots in Birchwood, Wisconsin?

Birchwood, Wisconsin offers several excellent camping options. Harrison Bay State Park Campground provides spacious sites with four camping loops - three for RVs and one dedicated to tent camping. Located on the Chickamauga Reservoir, it features good playgrounds, bicycle paths, and easy access to the marina. For a more secluded experience, Persimmon Creek RV Park offers beautiful sites in a well-maintained setting with amenities for both RV and tent campers, including lovely grassy areas that provide private spaces for tent camping.

When is the best time of year to camp in Birchwood?

Late spring through early fall offers the best camping conditions in Birchwood. Rock Island State Park Campground is particularly enjoyable during summer months when visitors can take advantage of the beautiful waterfalls and easy hiking trails through the surrounding forests. For a less crowded experience, Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground is ideal in early fall when temperatures moderate and the foliage begins to change. If kayaking is part of your plans, weekdays during summer at locations like Harrison Bay are preferable, as there are fewer boats on the water, creating a more peaceful experience.