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 (298)

    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 - $290 / 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!!"

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 298 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Birchwood, TN

1414 Reviews of 298 Birchwood Campgrounds


  • B
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    beautiful and peaceful

    It was perfect weekend getaway, the camp ground wasn’t full, bathrooms clean, the camp ground was clean. The sites along the water were amazing, and the sites were level.

  • Jessi B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Soaring Eagle Campground

    Huge disappointment

    !Infested with termites! They price gouge. The lots are basically right on top of each other(some spots are not big enough for slide outs). The check-in lady is very condescending and will rob you blind while wearing the biggest smile. There's cornhole, a basketball hoop, and a volleyball net, but they are all falling apart or are inaccessible. No fire rings at your site. There's a huge hive of ground nesting bees by the picnic tables that are set up next to the pool. The pool area is also the only area in which you can access a fire ring. The lake is beautiful and is accessible to boats. Low riding cars beware of double speed bump and sinking concrete. There is no bathroom for the pool area. The maintenance man seems a bit unfriendly. They do not honor their online rates. 😒 We also had to move from a spot that we were already paying for bc she reserved it out from under us. I-40 echoes through the campsite. We were constantly woken up by j braking semis and emergency service vehicles. We will definitely not be visiting again.

  • Bobbi Jo P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Hickory Gap

    One of our favorite places!

    Nice small campground with 5 sites. Fills up during hunting season. Can't beat the peaceful sounds of the creek and nature at its finest!

  • K
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Campville LLC

    Close to Interstate 75

    This camp ground is amazing. Especially if you have kids. Indoor pool. Pickleball courts. Amazing game room. The host is very hospitable!!

  • William  Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Marion county park Tennessee

    Hospitable spot to overnight with great fishing

    Spent the evening of the 9th Sept at Marion County Park near Chattanooga, right on the water, along Hwy 41. Fantastic hosts…Lots of fishing going on all around us. Good camping spot…level, water and electricity for $38.00. Bathhouse was older but clean with lots of hot water. Downside, only one shower stall had a bench for changing and there was no counter at the bathroom sink. The other downside was the traffic noise across the beautiful water from I-24. Very welcoming spot just off of I-24

  • 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!


Guide to Birchwood

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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."

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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.