Best Dispersed Camping near Bumpus Mills, TN

Several dispersed camping areas surround Bumpus Mills, Tennessee, primarily within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Neville Bay offers primitive camping with vault toilets and trash collection but no hookups. Land between The Lakes Bards Lake Tharp Road provides dispersed camping opportunities along Forest Service roads. Additional sites include Forest Service Rd 343, LBL FS154, and LBL FS-326, most requiring permits obtained from visitor centers before arrival. Demumber's Bay, while technically dispersed, provides basic amenities including vault toilets, trash disposal, and picnic tables.

Road conditions vary throughout the dispersed camping areas. Forest Service roads are typically gravel with some sections described as rutted or washed out. Multiple reviewers note that Forest Service Rd 343 has rough, rutted terrain that may require high-clearance vehicles or 4WD, especially after rain. Most sites lack potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supply or filter lake water. Fire rings are available at some locations, with fires permitted at most sites. Camping permits are required for many areas and must be obtained before arrival, with a small fee ($5-10) for dispersed camping, sometimes discounted with a National Park pass.

These primitive sites feature lakeside locations that provide opportunities for swimming, fishing, and launching small watercraft. According to one visitor, "This is one of the best spots I've found on this app... Beautiful view with a nice fire pit, I was able to swim and had a great night to myself!" Many sites offer flat ground suitable for tent camping, though some areas may be unlevel. Another camper noted, "The road is gravel and bumpy so you might not want to take a smaller car on it but just fine for any awd, truck, van, etc." Sites are generally quiet and secluded, though some visitors report occasional traffic from others exploring the area. Bug activity can be significant in late summer months, as one camper experienced in August at Demumber's Bay.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bumpus Mills, Tennessee (7)

    1. Neville Bay

    5 Reviews
    Bumpus Mills, TN
    4 miles
    Website

    "There is no hook ups . Can run generator until 11pm"

    "Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp. We really enjoyed our spot in the shade on a hot summer weekend."

    3. Forest Service Rd 343

    8 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY
    17 miles

    "A secluded lakeside spot with a fire pit. We saw three other spots on the way in which looked nice as well. The road coming in is a little washed out but not too pitted."

    "There is dispersed and standard. The standard has a fee but the dispersed is free"

    4. LBL FS154 - Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, KY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 525-7077

    "This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served."

    "You might need 4wd; it had rained all day before I got here and there were some rough/sloppy patches in the road. The pit toilt at the entrance is about a 10-12 minute drive away."

    5. LBL FS-326

    1 Review
    Cadiz, KY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 525-7077

    "This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time."

    6. Demumber's Bay

    5 Reviews
    Grand Rivers, KY
    31 miles

    "Denumbers is considered a back country campground in Land Between the Lakes. The road going back into the campground is paved, and the roads in the campground are compacted gravel."

    "There are multiple dispersed camping spots available along the way (closer to the bay mostly). There are a couple on the water and some in the woods close by."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bumpus Mills, TN

15 Reviews of 7 Bumpus Mills Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 7, 2024

    LBL FS-326

    Lovely, quiet spot!

    This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time. Occasionally heard some obnoxious people across the lake where I believe a campground is located. Also heard a sound during the night, possibly coyotes. Otherwise, I felt safe and had a great time here!! The ground was flat and there was a lot of room. We were just passing through and needed somewhere quiet to sleep after two days of driving. There is a lot to do in this area! I hope I got the location right… it wouldn’t let me add the exact coordinates I saved when I was there.

  • Staci R.
    Sep. 19, 2022

    LBL FS154 - Dispersed

    5 Star Dispersed? Planning ahead will make the difference

    This site is quite remote feeling, but for a dispersed site, it is absolutely the BEST, which is why it is sometimes difficult to secure it, being it is first come first served. Be sure to have your dispersed camping permit before coming out! They are available online, and at any of the Visitor's centers. The roads coming out to this site are graded graveled roads, and do not require 4WD, however some of the roads are still blocked by trees felled (probably during December 2021 tornados), so you won't want to be dragging a trailer behind you when you turn a curve to see a fallen oak.  I traveled in on FS-154 and turned left onto the road that runs next to the site. When leaving, I attempted to continue traveling down the unnumbered road toward FS-134, but both directions in the fork were blocked by trees. This campsite is very popular, even though there are ZERO AMENITIES, which means you need to know and understand sanitation ("cat holes") as there are no port-a-johns or vault toilets, there is also NO POTABLE water, so you either pack it in or bring your filter and drink lake water. 

    The campsite itself is on a small peninsula, just big enough for a large two room tent, a makeshift fire ring, and a vehicle. I was there during the lake's winter pool, so the water was very low, leaving a lot of easy walkable entry areas into the bay or inlet area.  Forrest service checks in with dispersed campers often, so staying longer than the time allowed is usually not an option, but there are also other really nice dispersed areas near by to move to,

  • Ai-Ai T.
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Demumber's Bay

    Extreme bug activity - late August

    Pulled in around dusk and there was a deserted camper there, about 4 pull in sites for rooftop campers. The bugs were insane and 40 must’ve flown into my car when i opened the door for a split second. Other than that, good stop for dispersed campers. Bathrooms were vault.

  • M
    Jan. 11, 2021

    Neville Bay

    Great little camp ground

    Nice little are to camp at . Well suited for tents . Most of the area isn’t very level . The road going back there is gravel . We went with our 30 ft travel trailer . There is no hook ups . Can run generator until 11pm

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2017

    Barge Island Public Use Area at Birmingham Point

    Functionality

    Barge Island is boat-ramp and that is all. At the end of Barge Island Rd, to the left, next to Birmingham Point Campground (privately owned) it is functional, has a porta pot, parking and a small dock.

    The sign on the way in has a tent camping symbol but I saw no evidence that anyone has ever camped in the thin strip of grass on each side of the road. It is feasible that you could though.

    If you continue straight on Barge Island Rd it turns to gravel and you end up on a small gravel beach area, good for fishing.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2021

    Neville Bay

    Nice quite primitive camping

    Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp. We really enjoyed our spot in the shade on a hot summer weekend.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2024

    LBL FS154 - Dispersed

    Several Nice Spots

    I stayed at two difderent spots in March 2024. You might need 4wd; it had rained all day before I got here and there were some rough/sloppy patches in the road. The pit toilt at the entrance is about a 10-12 minute drive away. Both spots had fire pits

  • Staci R.
    Sep. 2, 2022

    Demumber's Bay

    Basic Campground - Pack in all you need (except toilet!)

    Denumbers is considered a back country campground in Land Between the Lakes. The road going back into the campground is paved, and the roads in the campground are compacted gravel. This is a well maintained campground whose only amenity is a vault toilet, and trash dumpster. The views of the lake are amazing, and this is a quiet area that allows for easy kayaking or other small water craft. There is a boat ramp, and zero entry areas into the water for launching. 

    A Dispersed Camping (Basic Camping) permit is required to camp here and you must purchase these at any of the three Visitor's Centers PRIOR to coming out! I've been told (by LBL LEO) that if you arrive after the centers are closed, but go get the permit first thing in the morning when they open, you will be good...

  • Kari M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2023

    Demumber's Bay

    Multiple Great Spots!

    This road is a paved Forest road that leads to a boat ramp. There are multiple dispersed camping spots available along the way (closer to the bay mostly). There are a couple on the water and some in the woods close by. They have fire rings made by stones from previous campers. Just make sure you get a permit for the few that have the requirement. They have a sign once you get to that area by the boat ramp.


Guide to Bumpus Mills

Dispersed camping near Bumpus Mills, Tennessee centers around the Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley areas, with most sites situated within Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The region consists of rolling hills with elevations ranging from 359 to 480 feet and receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually. Weather patterns vary significantly by season, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and winter bringing occasional freezing conditions.

What to do

Kayaking and fishing access points: Demumber's Bay offers multiple spots with easy water entry. According to Kari M., "This road is a paved Forest road that leads to a boat ramp. There are multiple dispersed camping spots available along the way (closer to the bay mostly). There are a couple on the water and some in the woods close by."

Swimming in coves: The quiet coves throughout the region provide ideal swimming locations during warmer months. One visitor at Forest Service Rd 343 shared, "I had one other person show up to cook, but they left shortly after. Beautiful view with a nice fire pit, I was able to swim and had a great night to myself!"

Wildlife observation: The Land Between the Lakes area hosts diverse wildlife including deer, turkey, and various bird species. A camper at LBL FS154 - Dispersed mentioned, "The campsite itself is on a small peninsula, just big enough for a large two room tent, a makeshift fire ring, and a vehicle. I was there during the lake's winter pool, so the water was very low, leaving a lot of easy walkable entry areas into the bay or inlet area."

What campers like

Accessibility with privacy: Despite being somewhat remote, most sites balance accessibility with seclusion. Andrea L. noted about LBL FS-326, "This was a fantastic dispersed camping spot! A few cars went by looking for whatever, but the road dead ends at Energy Lake. It was quiet most of the time."

Waterfront locations: Many dispersed sites offer direct water access, a feature consistently highlighted in reviews. A visitor at Neville Bay mentioned, "We really enjoyed our spot in the shade on a hot summer weekend," while another camper described it as a "Nice little are to camp at. Well suited for tents."

Cost-effective options: Permits for rustic camping near Bumpus Mills are reasonably priced. As one camper at Forest Service Rd 343 explained, "Dispersed camping is a $10 fee. If you have the National Park pass you can go to a self check in campground for $5."

What you should know

Permit requirements: Most dispersed sites require permits obtained beforehand. A camper at Demumber's Bay advised, "A Dispersed Camping (Basic Camping) permit is required to camp here and you must purchase these at any of the three Visitor's Centers PRIOR to coming out! I've been told that if you arrive after the centers are closed, but go get the permit first thing in the morning when they open, you will be good."

Seasonal considerations: Bug activity increases substantially during summer months. One August visitor to Demumber's Bay reported, "Pulled in around dusk and there was a deserted camper there, about 4 pull in sites for rooftop campers. The bugs were insane and 40 must've flown into my car when I opened the door for a split second."

Unpredictable visitor traffic: Even remote sites may experience occasional visitors. At Forest Service Rd 343, one camper noted, "Stayed here 4/17-18. The first day I was visited by an older man on a dirt bike who was just out riding. The next morning an older man on a horse stopped to talk and a couple in a Cherokee stopped to chat. Seems it's a popular road for other people looking for an off-the-beaten-path place."

Tips for camping with families

Accessible shorelines: Sites with gradual water entry points work well for families with children. At Neville Bay, one camper noted it as "Very clean, well maintained primitive campground on the south end of LBL. Four stars, for what it is. If there was electric and water it would be a solid 5. Secluded but still accessible."

Space considerations: Look for sites with adequate flat ground. One camper at Neville Bay observed the area is "Mostly flat near the water and lots of sites to camp," making it suitable for family setups with multiple tents.

Water safety planning: No lifeguards are present at any of the primitive camping locations. Bring life jackets and establish clear water boundaries for children, especially at sites like LBL FS154 where a camper noted the water levels can change seasonally.

Tips from RVers

Road condition awareness: Access roads vary significantly in quality throughout the region. At Land between The Lakes Bards Lake Tharp Road, a visitor mentioned, "Not free, but worthwhile for a small fee. My family and I loved spending time at this spot!"

Generator guidelines: While generators are allowed at some locations, they typically have time restrictions. At Neville Bay, one RVer advised, "We went with our 30 ft travel trailer. There is no hook ups. Can run generator until 11pm."

Leveling challenges: Many primitive sites require additional leveling equipment. As one camper at Neville Bay observed, "Most of the area isn't very level," which can be particularly important for RVs requiring more stable positioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bumpus Mills, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bumpus Mills, TN is Neville Bay with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Bumpus Mills, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Bumpus Mills, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.