Best Tent Camping near Copperhill, TN
Tent campsites near Copperhill, Tennessee range from established campgrounds to remote dispersed sites within the Cherokee National Forest. Lost Creek Campground offers primitive tent camping with concrete picnic tables and fire rings in a secluded forest setting approximately 7 miles down a gravel forest road from Reliance. The Hiwassee River Area provides tent sites with more amenities, while dispersed camping options can be found at Creekside Camp and throughout the Big Frog Wilderness Area.
Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Lost Creek Campground includes concrete picnic tables, lantern posts, pit toilets, and bear-proof trash receptacles but lacks potable water and cell reception. Sites may be positioned along creeks, offering opportunities for wading or fishing. Access to many backcountry tent sites requires travel on unpaved forest service roads, with some areas only accessible via high-clearance vehicles. One camper noted that Lost Creek is "incredibly clean and quiet—and completely free" despite being "7 miles down a gravel forest road."
Areas farther from main roads provide deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking a more primitive experience. The Big Frog Area offers hike-in tent sites with no amenities, making it ideal for backpackers wanting solitude. Walk-in tent sites at Hiwassee River Area provide campers with river views and proximity to water recreation. According to reviews from The Dyrt, many campsites are "spacious" with room for multiple tents and hammocks, particularly along water sources. Tent campers should be aware that this is bear country, with multiple reviews mentioning bear activity, especially at sites near Raven Cliff Falls across the Georgia border. Based on visitor experiences, proper food storage is essential, with some campgrounds providing bear boxes while others require hanging food or using bear canisters.