Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Birchwood? Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Birchwood, including photos, reviews, and tips. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Birchwood's most popular destinations.
Lost Creek Campground is located along the banks of Big Lost Creek. This primitive campground offers remote camping and is surrounded by dense forest and creeks. Lost Creek Campground is open year round. Sites are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. While staying at Lost Creek, campers can enjoy fishing in Big Lost Creek (note: special regulations are in effect for fishing in Big Lost Creek).
A large grassy field located approximately 1 mile from Lake Conasauga Recreation area. Primitive camping--no amenities. Campers may utilitize Lake Conasauga recreation opportunities by parking in the picnic area parking lot, which has a $5 parking fee, or the boat ramp parking area. Emery Creek trail departs from the Ball Field, and Tearbritches Trailhead is just across the road for those interested in Cohutta Wilderness hiking.
Camping is permitted at the Hunter's Check Station Camping area and the Davis Pond Camping area on a first-come, first-served basis. These primitive campsites have no sanitation facilities. Campers at the Davis Pond Camping area are required to be in the campsite by sunset and must remain in the campsite until sunrise. No in-or-out privileges with the exception of emergency purposes.
For visitors wanting to get away from it all, dispersed camping outside of developed campgrounds is allowed throughout Cherokee National Forest unless posted otherwise. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of water, trails, trailhead parking lots and developed recreation areas. Dispersed camping is free and no permits are required.
Guide
Prentice Cooper is an amazing place and offers two campgrounds and several backcountry camping spots. There is a campground not too far after pulling in the gravel road that has some really nice spots. The other campground requires you to drive down a gravel road for approximately 7 miles and then down some trails that require high clearance. This campground is nice and tooked into the woods with a pond nearby. There are several OHV trails in prentice Cooper and the place can get very crowded on the weekends. Definitely recommend going during the week.
Guide
Land pass required. No alcohol is permitted. This is a wildlife management area. The camp sites are first come, first serve. They are free. Only 2 sites with tables. If you like dispersed camping you'll probably enjoy it. If you prefer a campground, this is not for you.
ScoutIt has a blue hole an caves no electricity or running water but the camp sites are pretty good. An the do have a handicap access area for rvs to do disperse camping also an parking for the bluehole ...no one to bother you!
Legend
This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.
This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon.
This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving.
There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking.
This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.
Ranger
Dispersed camping with a glorious v view. Please pack out what you pack in. Some trash obvious yet cleaner now than past reviews. Camped right on the bank. Fire pits and concrete pads at most sites. Dumpster on site so please use it. Easy to find and private spacious sites available.
GuideMy wife and I are getting into Overlanding and we heard this was a good place for OHV trails and dispersed camping. We came down for just the day to check the Forest out. It was really wet and Sulfur Branch/Braddison was very torn up. We got stuck but was lended a hand. Other than that the place was taken care of and there was plenty of folks out that Saturday. The over looks are beautiful!! If your going to hit the trails either have a winch or wait till it’s dry! Have FUN
Legend
This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.
LegendPrentice Cooper WMA is a great place if you’re looking to be in the wilderness. Keep in mind, this is a wildlife management area, so If you are not hunting, might want to avoid it during hunting season, you can find season dates on TWRA website.
There are only two campground areas in PC, but it looks like you can backcountry camp on the map. Davis Pond and Hunters Check Station Campground and the two campground areas. There aren’t any hookups at either site. Hunters Check is a heavily wooded area, near the big game check building. Davis Pond is more of an open field by the pond, and that’s where we stayed. Only one other then there while we were there! There’s plenty of room for multiple tents and great hammock spots. There’s a trailhead that goes to blowing wind falls from the campground too. My husband caught several large mouth bass in the pond too (catch and release). There a lot of ATV, UTV, dirt bikes, jeeps, etc. riding the area, but there’s no riding after dusk, so at Davis Pond it’s very quiet and peaceful with only the sounds of nature! DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT even think of entering the “restroom” at Davis Pond. They really should demolish it. Completely disgusting. And creepy. So be advised, there is no USABLE restroom, you are truly roughing it! Great area for peace and quiet!
TravelerThis really wasn’t bad! Other than us not being sure where to go. We drove for what felt like 20 miles down a well kept unpaved road from the entrance but I think it reality was only 5.5 miles. There’s a gravel lot next to the pond which is where we set up our rooftop tent on surprisingly 0° incline on all sides so we had a very level set up. There grassy are is fenced off but has multiple fire pits for dispersed camping. Not much for a weekend trip unless you want to hike and the hikes are pretty mediocre. There’s an overlook somewhere but we were just testing our gear so didn’t go searching for it. Would camp again if we had to but won’t go out of our way to stay here.
RangerA secluded spot in a protected forest not far from Chattanooga. You can camp at the ranger station, but your best bet is to drive out to the pond and camp in the middle of the forest
Guide
There is a lake, but it's not all that pretty. There's a boat ramp, but the lake is small and I doubt it's worth the trouble. There are 2 drive in tent spots, with 2 more at the end of a trail. Secluded. The road in can be handled by a sedan.
Guide
No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek.
RangerWe came here to camp among the turning trees one September. It is a huge area and I didn't see any camping other than primitive tent sites. Worked for us! I would like to go back when it's swimming season and jump in the sweet little falls. The fall colors were off the hook but might be even better in October. True to its name it is 'dispersed' with no 'main attraction' site- which is actually awesome if you're looking for seclusion, since people are spread out across the area.
GuideAlthough there is a Murray's Lake in TN, as you'll note on the location map, this campsite is in Georgia.
Ranger
There are a few campsites right next to the river. A cool 9ish mile to the falls or go snorkeling in clear creek waters
ScoutVery sketchy park. Vagrants mostly. You wouldn’t be able to leave your site unattended if you want to keep your stuff. Go across to Rhea springs. Nice,safe, free and beautiful.
Legend
This is another large campsite that sits further up the creek and is pretty easy to find from the main trail. It is more open than site A but also a good option. The photos and videos below will give you a good feel for the space. This is also a good option for anyone who has trouble sleeping with loud water sounds since this site is much quieter than some of the others.
Guide
This is a great FREE spot right outside the hunters entrance of prentice cooper state forest. There are about 12 spots and it wasn’t crowded when we came on a Saturday. It is a bit muddy but it is manageable.
GuideGreat group campsite not far from Jack's River Falls. We had a group of 10 that spread out over this little "island" very easily. There were two campfire areas already in place and most sites very level and well covered by trees. Obviously very close to the river to filter water from. We didn't see any wildlife at this site, but we did see a copperhead at another earlier in the trip, so be aware! Fall asleep to the rushing waters of Jack's River!
Legend
This campsite is a backcountry site located along the Goforth Creek trail and is the closest to the parking area. It is also the largest of the sites with room for several tents. The site has really easy access to water for purifying or swimming. There is also a very large established fire pit. The hike up the creek is really beautiful and a much less traveled trail than others in the area. I highly suggest going all the way to the end and taking a little dip. The water feels wonderful on a hot summer day.
Traveler
The GPS coordinates will get you directly to where you want to go there's probably about 10 to 15 campsites there was trash on a few of them. Overall it was a nice place to just go and get away. It is a hunter's Camp first and foremost so there were quite a few people setting up for this week's opening day but the ones I did talk to were all friendly even went and had a couple beers with one of them.
My dog snd I stayed for 2 nights and 2 days. Lots of wildlife sounds at night.
Also a random heard of cattle strols through every now and again.
I'd definitely come back around this time of year!
Traveler
You could pretty much drive by this place without giving it a second thought. I am glad I didn't. We got there late after 1pm. I was afraid that we were out of luck. But we found a nice spot right on the water. It was raining and the temps were threatening to drop but we wanted one last camping trip before winter. I am glad we chose this spot. A little rocky for the tents but we made it work. I did notice some much better spots for tents. Some sites were big, one of them maybe even big enough for a small gathering, but some were really small. It would absolutely NOT ba a good location for a class A motorhome but maybe some of the smaller class C's could get settled in there I saw a small camper trailer sitting comfortable. I would not like to try to get a larger camper or 5th wheel in there, way too tight to turn around. All of the sites had solid packed ground so it would not be hard to level whatever rig you use. Drive right up to the camp site better yet use a truck bed camper or tent. We brought a porta-potty and tent for it and were glad we did. Bathrooms are on the property but are just glorified outhouses the smell was not the most pleasant part of the trip by far. To sum it up we WILL be back but I will be getting there earlier in the day.
TravelerThere is so much traffic at all times day and night. It gets pretty aggregating other than that they clean the Porta John a cpl times a week it's pet friendly and you can hang stuff from trees and lines
ScoutWe arrived on Oct 30 to find several spaces available, many of which are convenient pull-through spaces. All are right at the waters edge with fire rings. There's trash everywhere; we filled a 10 gal trash bag in a matter of 10 minutes. We've been enjoying our stay but sadly we're informed by a man driving around to be out by Nov 3 as they're closing the site for the season. Luckily this timing is fine for our plans but was a surprise as nothing is mentioned on sites or sign at entrance about this. Beautiful place, peaceful this time of year. Husband caught a bass & dogs enjoyed the shallow edge of the lake at our site. Would stay again!
GuideArrived to find it closed. No one to talk to or call. Just closed. Same with Rhea Springs.
ScoutWe went this past summer and had a nice visit. There wasn't too many people but a few weeks later we drove thru and people were packed in like sardines. Just not our style of camping. Seems the locals really come out in droves and packs the place. Have been told that vehicles have been stolen so may want to watch your surroundings depending on the environment at the time. However police did patrol thru the area at night when we were there.
TravelerI've read reviews elsewhere of this camping area getting crowded and rowdy. We went during a relatively chilly weekend in early April and had no trouble finding a spot. It was quiet, private, and beautiful. I can see however how that may be very different during warmer months.
The campground is very easily accessible and has no facilities other than garbage bins.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Birchwood, TN is Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
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