Best Dispersed Camping near Blountville, TN
Several dispersed camping options exist near Blountville, Tennessee, primarily within the Cherokee National Forest and Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area provides tent-only camping access to Watauga Lake, while nearby forest roads offer primitive sites with no amenities. Most locations require campers to follow Leave No Trace principles as these areas lack developed facilities. The Virginia side features additional dispersed camping in Hidden Valley WMA and along forest service roads in Washington & Jefferson National Forest.
Access to most dispersed sites requires driving on unpaved forest roads that may become challenging during wet weather. Many locations have no designated parking areas, with campers needing to pull off along wider sections of road. Most sites lack drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring complete self-sufficiency. Hidden Valley WMA provides more facilities than most dispersed areas, including portable toilets and trash receptacles, though a Virginia Wildlife Access permit is required. Camping duration is typically limited to 14 days in most areas.
These primitive camping areas feature varying landscapes from lakeside settings to mountain forests. Little Stony Creek provides direct water access, though reviews note road noise can be significant: "The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground." Washington & Jefferson National Forest sites offer creek-side camping with good fire rings and natural water sources. Some dispersed areas lack cell service entirely, with one visitor noting "Absolutely no verizon service at the site." Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with some higher elevation sites providing mountain views.
