Cabins near Copperhill, Tennessee offer access to the Cherokee National Forest in the southern Appalachian Mountains at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak cabin rental months of June through August. Winter accommodations typically require additional heating as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 5 miles north of Copperhill, Fort Mountain State Park has a 17-acre lake with numerous trails. "The trails are great, and everything feels spread out. I loved it, as did the rest of the group," reports Shelly C., who appreciated the park's diverse landscape.
Whitewater adventures: Class 3-5 rapids on the Ocoee River, site of the 1996 Olympics. According to Emily Grace M., Ocoee River Area offers "a thrill when you get to go down some of the drops and class 5 rapids. There are several places for primitive camping spots that I've seen along the bank."
Mountain biking: Technical trails with significant elevation changes await experienced riders. "Most of the trails except the Gahuti are multi use and there is a strong community of mountain biking here," notes Travyl Couple about Fort Mountain State Park's trail system.
What campers like
River proximity: Walk-in sites at Hiwassee River Area put you right on the water. Katrin S. explains, "Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping... We went fly fishing right from the campsite. The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly."
Farm experiences: Interact with animals at Candy Mountain Goat Farm, where cabin guests can enjoy unique activities. "You'll be greeted by friendly owners who will get you into a site quickly, give a brief farm tour, and allow plenty of time to play with goats, ride a small zipline, relax by a bonfire, and even provide outdoor movies by request," shares Scott R.
Cabin options: Specialty accommodations like tree houses provide unique lodging experiences. Miranda H. stayed at Amicalola Falls State Park and noted, "I've never slept outside of a tent. I've always wanted to, but never had the guts to do it... The site itself was in a beautiful location, had a hand pump on site, and also had a shared bear proof storage box."
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Bears are common in mountain cabin areas. "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though," reports Shelly C. about Fort Mountain State Park.
Cell coverage limitations: Service varies dramatically across cabin locations. Travyl Couple explains, "We had inconsistent cell coverage even with a Winegard booster with AT&T and Verizon. Mornings were best reception and evening were not so good."
Winter access concerns: Cabin roads can be challenging in colder months. Larry M. mentions about Fort Mountain State Park, "We went in December and the weather was a little cool and damp but the views were great when the fog lifted."
Limited provisions: The remote location of many cabins requires advance shopping. While some outfitters like Adventures Unlimited Campground have small markets, selection is limited. The office "sell[s] ice, water shoes, t-shirts, etc. and the people in there were super friendly," according to Lori H.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin selection strategy: Choose accommodations with nearby recreation options. Stephanie J. recommends, "Between the variety of campsites, hiking, boat rentals, beach, and family activities, it would be easy to spend a week here in a camper or an RV and not even notice how fast the time was flying."
Entertainment options: Many parks have additional activities beyond hiking. Tiffany B. notes about Fort Mountain State Park, "This place has a lot to offer: hiking, waterfalls, put put, playgrounds, lake views and paddle boats, standard hook up sites, etc."
Safety considerations: Prepare for varying conditions. Traci C. shares about Amicalola Falls, "I read a lot before my trip, so I knew to except the 25% grade incline going up to the campground. I wasn't however expecting the challenging parking in the campsite."
Tips for RVers
Site selection warnings: Many mountain cabin areas have limited RV accessibility. Mike N. warns about Fort Mountain State Park, "We stayed creekside at site 24. The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level."
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation. Soren B. shares about Amicalola Falls State Park, "We have a 27' airstream and there are a couple campsites that are hard to get into. Number 18 does not look hard, but the layout is very difficult to get into."
Limited hookup availability: Many cabin areas have partial hookups only. Chris Y. notes about Adventures Unlimited, "Very rustic campground. Has water and electric hookups. All of the sites are grass or dirt pads."
