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.
$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."
$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."
$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."
$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."
$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."
"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!"
"Quick drive from Chattanooga. Water/power. Bathhouse. Water side sites. Swiming area. Close to boat ramp."
$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."
$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"
$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!!"
GuideI drove quite a ways to get here. I’ll need to find a locked gate and assigned saying that the area was closed for hog hunting. Despite it being the last day of February and the sign dating to December, it did seem to be inaccessible.
ScoutI Come here at least twice a year stay is 14 days free the crew that keeps this campsite up are wonderful people its always clean when i am there has a nice stream and waterfall which is a small hike. U get phone service at the waterfall u sit on the rock the 1st spot is my favorite spot. I travel the state and this is one of my favorite sports to rest up. My stay is about a week M-Th
TravelerGiven that our visit was out of season, campground options in the area were limited, so we decided to stick to state parks. The night before, we were in Southern Illinois and only saw one other camper in the entire park, so we expected very few other campers in this park as well, but there were a surprising number of campers around us. However, there were few enough to have five or six spaces between us and our neighbors.
The pads are gravel, well maintained, and perfectly flat. Our site had an awesome layout with plenty of room for parking, a large pad, and a fire ring with a grill in the corner furthest away from the road. A previous camper was nice enough to leave us dry wood, but there is tons of dry wood laying around within the surrounding woods.
The best part of the campground was the shower house. I would assume from the immaculate condition that the building is not that old or went through a recent remodel. The bathroom/shower stalls are family style, with each locking room containing a flushing toilet and an ADA compliant shower with a high and low nozzle, and shower chair. The best part is that the rooms are heated! On the cold morning when we were there, this was a welcome gift for a long overdue shower.
GuideWe went through the area on our tour of the southeastern and southern coast. Due to technical issues we arrived well after dark. The owners were available and gave us choices on sites. The bathrooms/shower areas were convenient and clean. We left early the next morning so didn’t get a chance to really check out the campground, but what we saw was nice. Easy to find in a really beautiful area of the country. Wish we could have stayed longer!
GuideWe stayed at the first campsite of your entering with west. Creek close by and river on the other side with additional campgrounds. Large open sites, fire pit and this site has a tree down next to it that’s multi purposed into a table/bench. And of course, the stars ⭐️
TravelerThe camping spots at the premium sites where they have hook up and water are nice. They are flat and seem to be well maintained. The public bathroom area is clean. I did not try the showers, but I was visiting in early February and it was pretty cold inside the bathrooms so I don’t know how well the hot water works.
GuideThe sites are not very level. This is an old Campground and it doesn't look like it's been upgraded for a very long time. The bathrooms were clean but old. The first sight they gave me was extremely unlevel, so they moved me to a different site that still wasn't level but better than the first.
GuideWe booked this as a last minute camp when the hurricane came through and knocked out our NC camping trip. The guys loved the water access and we all had a great time fishing. We had a huge rate snake come into camp, but it didnt bother us. We also saw bald eagles and lots of wildlife even though this is a small island. We tent camped and did have to turn out beds so that we were not leaning but it was a great time overall.
TravelerAwesome trails and amenities! Even a laundry room! If you have kids spot 47 at west rim would be perfect the playground is right there and the restrooms !
Primitive camping opportunities near Birchwood, Tennessee include sites along Chickamauga Lake and within surrounding forest areas. Most primitive sites lack electrical hookups but often feature fire rings and basic tent pads. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while winter overnight temperatures can drop below freezing, particularly at higher elevation sites.
Hiking water-accessible trails: At Chilhowee Recreation Area, campers can access over 25 miles of hiking and biking trails directly from campsites. "We did the Benton Falls hike and it was lovely! 3 miles RT. Fall color was just peaking," reports one visitor who enjoyed the autumn scenery.
Fishing along shorelines: Multiple lakeside campgrounds offer direct fishing access without needing a boat. "Great place to camp or just go hang out or hike for the day. Great photo opts in Jan," notes a visitor to Harrison Bay State Park Campground, highlighting the winter fishing photography opportunities.
Swimming in designated areas: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas separate from boat traffic. A camper at Chester Frost Park describes it as "Kids wonderland! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!"
Birdwatching: The forested areas and lake shores attract diverse bird species year-round. Nature viewing platforms are available at several parks, with Harrison Bay State Park featuring a dedicated wildlife observation area where early morning visitors often spot deer.
Secluded water views: The isolation of some waterfront sites provides peaceful settings. At Skull Island, a camper notes, "This is my second time camping at Skull Island and it has been wonderful. Nothing like waking up to see the beautiful water all around you."
Clean facilities: Many campers specifically mention bathroom cleanliness as a deciding factor. "Bathhouse was clean and well lit," reports a visitor to Chilhowee Recreation Area, while others appreciate the air-conditioned individual bathroom/shower combinations at specific campgrounds.
Dark sky viewing: Some less-developed areas offer excellent stargazing opportunities. An Eads Bluff Farm visitor described it as "the perfect place to enjoy time away from civilization and just relax and watch the stars at night," noting the minimal light pollution.
Concrete pads: RV campers consistently rate the level concrete pads at Bluewater Resort & RV Campground highly. "Power sources 30 and 50 Amp are available. Restrooms are clean. The store is well stocked with liquid refreshments, bait, clothing, and great pizza," reports a frequent visitor.
Boat ramp noise: Campgrounds with public boat access may experience early morning and late evening traffic. At Bluewater Resort, one camper noted: "The public boat ramp makes for a noisy time. Trucks and boats at all hours screaming through the park make it pretty miserable."
Limited season operations: Several campgrounds close during winter months. Chester Frost Park operates only from April through October, requiring advance planning for shoulder season visits.
Reservation systems vary: While most established campgrounds accept advance reservations, some work on a first-come basis. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground allows advance reservations, but as one camper advises: "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out."
Variable cell service: Coverage differs significantly between campgrounds and even between sites within the same facility. At Chilhowee Recreation Area, one visitor reports: "In the B loop there is NO AT&T. You may get a weak signal on the other side, but it's spotty at best. There appeared to be a Verizon tower on the mountain, so that will probably work."
Playgrounds and beaches: Several campgrounds feature kid-friendly amenities. At Chester Frost Park, one visitor noted, "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!"
Wildlife encounters: Managed wildlife viewing opportunities impress younger campers. "Kids loved camping here. Deer will come up to your camp just keep an eye on your food coolers. Raccoons will get them," advised one Harrison Bay State Park visitor.
Site selection: Choose sites closer to bathhouses when camping with children. At Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground, sites 4-9 are noted as "well spaced from each other and great for tent campers and families who want their kids to have room to play."
Swimming options: In addition to lake swimming, some campgrounds offer pool facilities. "Not only is it a campground they also have shelters you can rent for parties or family gatherings," notes a Chester Frost Park camper about the additional amenities available for larger family groups.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. As one Chilhowee camper warns: "Coming up the mountain has some steep grades and a few switch backs that you can't see around. There are often oncoming vehicles who are often driving too fast and not considering those of us in large vehicles."
Water fill procedures: Many sites offer electric hookups only. "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 visitor, emphasizing the need to plan water usage.
Dump station availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "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," reports an RV camper at Chilhowee Recreation Area.
Site sizing: RV length limitations affect campground selection. At Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA, a visitor notes, "Although it is a 'Journey' Park, meaning usually it's meant for short stays and traveling through, it is a park many would want to stay longer. RV Sites are mostly level, there were a few that were not as level."
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.
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