The Copperhill area sits at approximately 1,470 feet elevation in the Blue Ridge Mountains where Tennessee meets Georgia and North Carolina. Campers can access multiple waterways including the Hiwassee, Ocoee, and Toccoa rivers, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65°F to 85°F. Winter camping near Copperhill offers surprisingly mild conditions compared to higher elevations in the Smokies, with temperatures often staying above freezing.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 3 miles round-trip. At Chilhowee Recreation Area, the Benton Falls trail offers a moderate hike suitable for most skill levels. "Benton falls was great, but crowded. For a more secluded waterfall experience head to the Rainbow falls," notes Manie D., who recommends checking out multiple trails for different experiences.
Mountain biking: 25+ miles of trails. The Chilhowee area provides extensive riding options directly from campsites. "There is wonderful mountain biking easily accessible from the camp and world class white water rapids within only a few miles drive," reports Tyler J., highlighting the convenience of having trails near your tent.
Lake activities: $35 for rentals. Morganton Point Campground offers swimming, fishing, and paddling on Lake Blue Ridge. "The beach is extremely clean and the rental shop by the lake rents kayaks and paddleboards. However, it is a little pricey if you plan on doing it. It was $35 for a kayak or paddleboard," shares Jenn B.
Whitewater rafting: Olympic-level rapids. The Ocoee River hosted the 1996 Olympic whitewater events, making it a world-class destination. "We did the Classic Middle Ocoee Rafting Adventure, with Leon as our guide. He was awesome! He wore a Viking helmet and had vast knowledge of the river and area," explains Lori H. from Adventures Unlimited Campground.
What campers like
Creek access sites: private sound barrier. Fort Mountain State Park Campground offers creek-adjacent camping that provides natural white noise. "Several creeks meander through the campground, notably Burnett Branch, Wolf Creek...so the rushing water noise is both soothing and assists in drowning out neighborly conversations," explains Dave V.
Dark skies for astronomy: minimal light pollution. The region offers excellent stargazing conditions, especially at non-electric sites. "Campground is small and quiet; hardly any light pollution at my nonelectric site," says Tia K. at Morganton Point, who appreciated the undisturbed night views.
Winter camping options: year-round access. Vogel State Park Campground remains open during colder months. "We spent a week here in Feb. 2017 it was a bit chilly and quiet. The sites and trails are very well maintained, all facilities were clean and the park rangers are super friendly," reports Kelly W., who found winter camping surprisingly comfortable.
Wildlife encounters: bear sightings. Some campgrounds have regular bear visitors. "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though," says Shelly C., who found the wildlife enhanced rather than detracted from the experience at Fort Mountain.
What you should know
Limited cell coverage: plan accordingly. Most campgrounds have spotty service at best. "There is no WiFi or AT&T cellular signal in this park. However, if you drive to any of the scenic overlooks just outside the park, you will get AT&T LTE signal," advises Manie D. from Chilhowee Recreation Area.
Reservation windows: fill quickly in peak seasons. Amicalola Falls State Park Camping and similar parks book up fast. "This is one of the most popular parks in GA. It is usually crowded and books quickly," warns Maggie C. about Vogel State Park, suggesting early planning.
Mountain road conditions: steep grades. Access roads to many campgrounds involve challenging drives. "To get to this campground you have to go up a steep narrow windy mountain road," cautions Carissa D. about Chilhowee, an important consideration for larger vehicles.
Yurt camping Copperhill, Tennessee area: limited availability. The closest yurt accommodations to Copperhill are at Fort Mountain State Park, about 30 miles away. Year-round yurt camping near Copperhill requires advance booking, especially on weekends.
Tips for camping with families
Platform sites: adventure alternative to yurts. Chilhowee Recreation Area offers unique camping platforms. "We chose Fort Mountain for the variety of camping options they had, specifically the platform sites. As one of our primary requirements for camping is privacy and a place our kids can run around without bothering anyone else, having a place slightly off the main road sounded perfect--and it was," explains Stephanie J.
Water play options: lake versus creek. The region offers varied water experiences for different age groups. "The creek is cool and refreshing to enjoy rock hunting," notes a reviewer from North Sungate Farms, while at Fort Mountain State Park, "The area also has putt putt, the only playground, seasonal concession and rentals, beach area and a super nice walking trail for everybody."
Bathroom proximity: factor into site selection. When camping with kids, consider facilities. "The campgrounds near the entrance are not as secluded, but they are closer to the newer restrooms – which are nice and kept very clean," advises Jenn B. about site selection at Morganton Point.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: water not at all sites. Many campgrounds have limited hookups. "The RV sites do not have water hook-ups at each site. There is a water hook up to fill your tank as you enter the campsite area. Fill your tank and you are good to go," explains Nathan G. about Chilhowee.
Dump station locations: check access. Some campgrounds have challenging dump station approaches. "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," warns Mike N. from Chilhowee, noting that larger rigs might prefer to pay elsewhere.
Site leveling challenges: bring blocks. Many mountain sites have significant grade issues. "The site had about a 5 inch difference sloping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," shares Mike N. about Fort Mountain State Park, suggesting extra leveling equipment.
