Chattanooga sits at the border of Tennessee and Georgia where the Tennessee River cuts through the Cumberland Plateau, creating a landscape of ridges, valleys, and waterways. Campsites near Chattanooga range from 650 to 2,100 feet in elevation, resulting in temperature variations between valley and mountain accommodations. The region experiences four distinct seasons with high humidity in summer months.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 3 miles round trip to Benton Falls from Chilhowee Recreation Area, a moderate trail suitable for families. "The trails are what really makes this an all around great campground. Several hikes for all levels. We did the Benton Falls hike and it was lovely! 3 miles RT," notes a camper who visited during peak fall colors.
Whitewater adventures: Direct access from Whitewater RV Park - Ocoee TN to the Ocoee River. "We spent the day hiking the mountain next to rv park. Then went kayaking down the river across the street," explains a visitor who appreciated the central location for outdoor recreation.
Disc golf and zip lines: Available at Bigfoot Adventure RV Park, located 60 miles northwest of Chattanooga. "Had a blast fishing in the ponds. Didn't get a chance to zip line but looks like a blast. They seem to be adding things… disc golf maybe," reports a camper who enjoyed the recreational amenities.
What campers like
Convenient stop locations: Hawkins Pointe RV Park offers easy highway access on the Georgia/Tennessee border. "Pulled in here for the night on our way to middle GA, well laid out park that was easy to get in and out of. Very friendly hosts," writes one traveler who appreciated the straightforward layout.
Mountain seclusion: Some campers prefer the more remote RV parks near Chattanooga TN for peaceful surroundings. "The RV Campground area is nicely shaded. Several sites were closed in mid-September due to social distancing," notes a visitor to Parksville Lake RV Campground, highlighting the spacious natural setting.
Amenities for extended stays: Many parks offer extras for longer vacations. "This campground does have some nice amenities like the pool, and playground, dog park, and the pavilion, which I'm not sure what this space is used for, but it was nicely furnished," observed a camper at Battlefield Campground who rated the clean restrooms highly.
What you should know
Mountain driving challenges: Access to some rv campgrounds near Chattanooga requires careful navigation. "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 to fast and not considering those of us in large vehicles," cautions a Chilhowee camper.
Seasonal considerations: Most RV parks in the Chattanooga region operate year-round, but amenities vary by season. "Clean, great walking trails, fun zip lines. Clean bath house only one shower but it wasn't a problem getting in," notes a spring visitor to Bigfoot Adventure RV Park.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. "In the B loop there is NO AT&T in spite of what this site says. 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," reports a Chilhowee camper.
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Most R&R RV Campground sites welcome pets with designated areas. "Dogs allowed but like always you have to clean up after and be a good dog owner (not letting them out alone, not letting them in the pond) you know the usual," explains a visitor who appreciated the pet policies.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment. "There's not much for kids to do but he doesn't mind a blow up pool as long as it isn't in the grass. There's also a scavenger hunt he put out that's super fun!!" shares an R&R RV Campground camper.
Waterfall swimming opportunities: Several parks offer natural water features for summer cooling. "We did this hike in the afternoon and got a nice dip in at the falls since it was such a hot day," notes a visitor to Greeter Falls who enjoyed the refreshing water.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Greeter Falls Campground offers various site types. "Our rv sites were gravel, required some leveling, had FHUs. 50/30/20 amp service, water and sewer of course. All worked great, no issues. Site included a trash can, fire pit with affixed grill and a picnic table," explains a camper who stayed in Area C.
Utility management: Not all RV parks near Chattanooga offer full hookups. "There are 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 camper who planned accordingly.
Dump station access: Some parks have challenging dump station locations. "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," cautions a camper towing a 25-foot travel trailer.
