5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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.
"The state park/campground adjoins the Cherokee National Forest and sits on the north bank of the Hiwassee River outside of Benton, TN."
"Very nice campground with large tent sites with fairly level ground capable of sitting 2 or 3 tents. Most have mature trees to hang hammocks. Very quiet during weekdays."
Available this weekend
"It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest, with easy creek access (some sites are right beside the creek), and the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside"
"We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."
"With 12 acres of woodland and the freedom to pitch a tent anywhere (provided you honor LNT principals about where to set up camp!)"
"Absolutely beautiful location! Directions were easy to follow. I followed my google maps until we got to hwy 60 and then used the given directions."
from $35 / night
"Our first time here at the Hiwassee Outfitter camping area in Reliance, Tennessee. Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup."
"This is a popular location for the regional university students so expect a bit of a hootenanny to surround and welcome you."
from $52 / night
"There are several places for primitive camping spots that I’ve seen along the bank. 10/10 would recommend for your next adventure spot if you haven’t been."
"It has hiking trails bycyclin trails it also has local horse back riding that takes you up near Chilhowee Lake once to the top you get a really beautiful overlook of Parksville lake at one of the centered"
"Hickey Gap is located in the Cohutta Wildlife Management Area in Georgia. The area is beautiful, undeveloped terrain, and the campground was surprisingly clean and well maintained."
"Nice flat tent pads. Trees for enos/hammoks. Remote area that isn’t not very traveled. Shaded by tree cover."
"Lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."
"Only one campsite and requires either off-road tires or 4 x 4"
"About 1.5-2 mi in at the intersection of Rough Creek trail and Big Frog I saw a grassy patch with a fire ring and set up camp."
"Disclaimer: Did not camp here On my hike up Big Frog trail this weekend I came across this great site."
ScoutI camped here with a friend last weekend and absolutely loved this place! It's a cute little site with a great host, clean bathrooms, free firewood, and super friendly dogs, goats, and people. I would for sure stay here again and recommend.
ScoutA great find to hang your hat for the evening. New owners look like they are doing amazing up grades. Our site 57 didn’t have a picnic table or fire ring but I’m sure they are working on it. Fairly quite and we would for sure come back and give it a 5 star when their done on the remodel.
GuideParksville Lake RV Campground is an absolute gem! I had a fantastic stay here. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the sites are nice, spacious, and wonderfully shaded by the trees. We loved the layout of the RV loop, especially the outer section where a peaceful creek flows right past the sites—the sound of the water at night was perfect. The restrooms and showers were exceptionally clean and well-kept. I had Starlink connectivity at my site and my WeBoost cell signal booster gave me up to three bars on AT&T. The campground host was incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. It's a wonderful, relaxing spot, and I will definitely be back!
GuideA sign on the gate says that the area has been closed "due to vandalism and unauthorized activity".
GuideThis is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
ScoutCalled the day of to ask if we could camp and set up after hours for that day and the next the lady told me yes i could pay in the morning i got here set up that night woke up around 8 am to go pay and reserve my campsite for the day and she told me they were booked even though she had told me the day before she had plenty of campsites. Then tried to tell me the only one she had was a $75 site for 4 people which is absolutely insane. She made snarky remarks and was overall incompetent in making sure the guests receive the right information the first time. Absolutely zero care that we set up not even 12 hours before to make us take it down and leave.
ScoutFort Mountain SP offers some great adventures for the outdoorsman. Hiking and Biking are the mainstays. The overlooks are absolutely astounding from the Cool Springs Overlook, which is easily accessible to anyone even the disabled. The overlook on the trail to the wall and tower is equally amazing. The campground is electric and water only, no fhu. All spots are gravel and fairly level. The bathhouses are older and could use updating . We have zero T-Mobile service at the campground, but it works well in other areas of the park. We have Starlink for our 5th Wheel but the heavy tree canopy in our site made it sketchy. The staff is very friendly.
ScoutVery pretty site but its right on the road
ScoutThis was a very nice campground! The tent areas are partially gravel so it helped the area be less muddy after rain. Beautiful view of the river and would be a great place to fish! Bathrooms are very nice! Comes with a nice fire pit and didn’t have to use own grate! Pet friendly! Staff was very nice and helpful!
Only complaint was some of their quiet hours were confusing. The quiet hours on the email said 10pm to 7am but then sign posted at bathroom was 11pm-7am for quiet hours.
Tent camping options near Copperhill, Tennessee range through the rugged southern Appalachian terrain of the Cherokee National Forest at elevations between 1,400 and 4,200 feet. The area experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than lower elevations. Creek and riverside camping spots often fill quickly during summer weekends, with midweek visits providing better site selection.
Creek exploration and swimming: Lost Creek Campground offers multiple spots for wading and swimming. "The highlight would definitely be the creek. There are spots that you can swim around in," notes Scott E., though he recommends checking water levels which can vary with recent rainfall.
Mountain biking on forest service roads: Goforth Creek Campground provides access to miles of rideable terrain. The nearby area offers "many places to explore on bike or hiking. Super remote area, ride were in decent shape, I could see them being bad after a heavy storm," according to Chris D., who visited Lost Creek.
Fly fishing from campsites: The Hiwassee River Area offers direct river access for fishing. "The river is smooth until 11am. 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," reports Katrin S., highlighting the importance of timing your fishing around dam release schedules.
Natural water sources: Your Toccoa River Cove features drinking water from natural springs. "There is a spring you can drink straight out of, and streams criss-crossing the entire area if you want the rugged feeling of purifying your own water," writes Stephanie J., describing the 12-acre woodland site.
True primitive experience: Creekside Camp offers minimal amenities with maximum nature immersion. "No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek," states Bob P., highlighting the undeveloped nature of this dispersed camping location.
First-come-first-serve camping: Several campers note the benefit of free, no-reservation sites. "It's a free campsite so it's first come first serve and everyone we've met so far there have been the friendliest of people," reports Rayley P. about Lost Creek Campground, adding that each site includes "a concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform."
Cell service limitations: Most forest camping areas have limited or no reception. "No Verizon cell reception," reports Gregg G. about Lost Creek Campground, while Chris D. adds "likely no cell service unless you go one way or another up the mountain."
Road conditions: Many of the best tent camping near Copperhill, Tennessee requires travel on unpaved roads. Big Frog Area access roads can be challenging after rain. Lost Creek Campground is "in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road)," according to Tyler J., who appreciates that this remote location creates "primitive bliss" with "no generators, water, or porta potties."
Water availability: Few sites have potable water access. "There is no potable water available from a spicket" at Lost Creek Campground according to Gregg G., making water packing essential for camping trips in this area.
Creek-adjacent sites for kids: Select sites along water for natural play areas. "Each campsite has a concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform. Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt," explains Rayley P. about Lost Creek.
Spacious sites for multiple tents: Look for sites that accommodate larger groups. "We had 2 tents and could have fit 3 more," notes Katrin S. about the Hiwassee River Area's spacious camping areas.
Alternative accommodations: For families new to camping, Unique shelter in the NC foothills offers a transitional option. "The shelter is made from an old, HUGE air conditioning vent... There are nice, cushy mattresses to lay down on... If you are looking for a different place to rest and want to spend your time outdoors, this is a nice alternative to an expensive hotel room," describes Erin S.
Small RV limitations: Most dispersed camping areas can only accommodate smaller recreational vehicles. "The sites can accommodate tents and small RVs, complete with concrete picnic tables and a fire ring," notes Brittany S. about Lost Creek Campground, but larger RVs should seek established campgrounds.
Driveway constraints: Some private camping areas have significant access limitations. Your Toccoa River Cove has specific vehicle restrictions: "The driveway down to the shelter is very steep, and does not allow much space to turn around. RVs or larger trucks will not fit," warns Stephanie J., adding that only one vehicle may park at the base with others parking at the entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Copperhill, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Copperhill, TN is Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Copperhill, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 102 tent camping locations near Copperhill, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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