B
BARBARA J.
Scout
ScoutOld Mill Camp and General Store
The hosts were extremely helpful and accommodating. Very clean and well maintained, little campground. Would stay again on a heartbeat.
Camping near Spencer, TN
19 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Spencer, Tennessee is situated in a region rich with camping opportunities, particularly centered around Fall Creek Falls State Park, which contains Tennessee's largest and most visited state park. The area encompasses multiple established campgrounds with varied accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground offers over 200 sites with water and electric hookups, while nearby Rock Island State Park provides year-round camping options where the Caney Fork and Collins Rivers meet. Smaller private operations like Hammock Sway and Deer Creek Properties supplement these larger parks, offering both traditional camping and glamping experiences within proximity to natural attractions.
Road conditions throughout the region remain generally accessible for most vehicles, though some smaller campgrounds may have limited parking or narrower access roads. The camping season extends year-round at the state parks, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable temperatures and impressive waterfall views after seasonal rains. Summer months bring higher humidity and larger crowds, particularly at waterfront areas and near swimming holes. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during weekends and peak summer months. One visitor noted, "The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it's a moderate hike down to the base. Sometimes the falls are just a small trickle and sometimes they are flowing, depending on rainfall amounts."
The region's campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their natural features and recreational opportunities. Many sites are well-spaced with wooded surroundings, providing a sense of privacy even when campgrounds are at capacity. According to one camper, "The sites are well spaced and wooded, so even if the campground is full, you don't feel overcrowded." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are common throughout the area campgrounds. Hiking trails connect many of the camping areas to scenic waterfalls, including the 256-foot Fall Creek Falls, the highest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Most developed campgrounds offer clean bathhouses with hot showers, while facilities at smaller private campgrounds vary significantly. Visitors frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere, well-maintained trails, and abundance of recreational activities as highlights of camping in the Spencer area.
Best Campgrounds near Spencer (183)
1. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground
"Quiet spot with easy to access trails around the campgrounds for our two dogs. The roads into the park are fun with some winding roads."
"Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
2. Rock Island State Park Campground
"Rock Island State Park is situated in the middle of Tennessee. The park itself is surrounded by beautiful forest and some pretty great and easy hiking trails. The falls themselves are a sight to see."
"Off I24 near Murfreesboro, Tn and a leisurely drive through the Tennessee countryside. Small towns, pickups and cows. Watch for stop signs, I almost missed one while looking at the scenery."
6 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
3. Hammock Sway
"This is a primitive camping experience in the pristine woods of Van Buren County, TN about 20 miles(30 minutes) outside of McMinnville, Tennessee. The campground borders the beautiful Rocky River."
"Chris is very helpful, friendly and willing to show you around upon arriving. You will also be introduced to all his great dogs. After that you won’t be bothered unless you need help."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $25 - $89 / night
4. Virgin Falls State Natural Area - Primitive
"The trails were really clearly marked, so they were easy to follow despite all of the leaves on the ground, and there were plenty of signs indicating where to go."
"8 miles is pretty accurate of a round trip. It's a lot downhill until you get to the falls then you gotta hike all the way back out."
Check Availabilityfrom $10 - $35 / night
5. Howland's Hidout
"Easy to find, close to Fall Creek Falls, Power available, quiet spot except for the coyotes in the woods. Confused Roosters will wake you up at various times."
"So conveniently located (approx. 3 miles) from Fall Creek Falls State Park but much less noise and more relaxed."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $25 / night
6. Horseshoe Bend Marina
"There were restrooms at the marina, which was close by. They have a game room tent with ping pong, cornhole, jenga, etc. and they host a movie night sometimes!"
"Located on the Caney Fork River."
Check AvailabilityAvailable this weekend
from $75 / night
7. Sunrise Campground - Long Term Only as of 2021
"We woke up next to their cow farm and it made for a pleasant morning"
Check Availabilityfrom $30 / night
8. Edgar Evins State Park Campground
"I'm from New England and relocated to Tennessee in 2016. The first time I went camping at Edgar Evans, I had no idea what was going on!"
"The park is a gorgeous property with a lake and hiking trails. There are ADA sights. The hills are steep and some of the sights have angle ramps."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
9. Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground
"Cumberland Mountain has a total of 145 campsites, spread across 5 loops, plus a backcountry site on an 8 mile backpacking trail."
"Great spacious site with beautiful scenery all around! There’s a lake and walking trails. Descent bathrooms. Water nearby and they sell firewood."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
10. Stillwaters Creek Campground & Cabins
"Stillwaters Creek Campground is a hidden gem tucked away in the beautiful hills of Spencer, Tennessee, just a short drive from Fall Creek Falls State Park."
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $100 / night
Drive Time
- 58 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 1 hr 21 min from Cleveland, TN
- 1 hr 37 min from Nashville, TN
- 1 hr 48 min from Knoxville, TN
Recent Camping Photos near Spencer, TN
355 Photos of 183 Spencer Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Sunrise Campground - Long Term Only as of 2021D
Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground
Howland's Hidout
Rock Island State Park CampgroundC
Virgin Falls State Natural Area - Primitive
Mountain Glen RV Park & CampgroundJ
Hammock SwayR
Horseshoe Bend Marina
Smooth Rapids Campground
Mad Musky Water Sports Rentals
Savage Falls Campground — Savage Gulf State Park
Savage Station
Recent Reviews near Spencer, TN
1138 Reviews of 183 Spencer Campgrounds
Roberta S.
GuideFoster Falls Campground
Site 2 is the only cement pad, but the others look pretty level. While water is not available at individual sites, there is a spigot near the bath house. The bathrooms and showers were really clean.
- Ronald C.Guide
Whispering Oaks Campground
Campground people were very nice the sites are in the trees very very close . If you’re going to stay more than one night I would go somewhere else. You will trip over your neighbors sewer and bump into the slide out on your way out of your RV thats how close you are .they charge $55 a night for full hook up and it is not far from the HYW
- CCallum C.Scout
Hunter’s Check Station Campground - Prentice Cooper State Forest
Surprisingly busy, was almost full when I arrived at dusk on a weekday. Has a toilet, but it’s pretty rank.
MickandKarla W.
LegendLong Branch — Center Hill Lake
A Big-Rig-Friendly COE Worth Returning To
We stayed here overnight on the way to Gatlinburg and three nights on the way back. GPS and signage was good as getting to this COE was easy. Often you don’t know what you’re going to get at a COE i.e. tight roads, low hanging branches etc. This was not the case as the campground (CG) is big rig friendly. For the overnighter, we checked in at the gate and proceeded to back in site 50 with water and electric (50/30/20 AMP). We had no problem backing into site 50 which sits above the creek that runs through the side of the CG. The gravel pad was fairly level(didn’t need any blocks under tires) with a picnic table, fish cleaning station, fire pit and stand up bbq. For the three nights we were in back in site 37, which was along the fence side of the CG. Site 37 had the same picnic table, cleaning table, stand up bbq and fire pit. This site’s pad was plenty long enough so we could put our toy hauler patio down. For both sites we got 1 bar on both Verizon and T-Mobile. As there is no Wifi in this CG, we used starlink. Since our starlink antenna is not hard mounted, we were able to move the antenna around to get a good signal through the trees. We were surprised this COE didn’t sell firewood nor ice. We enjoyed walking our dog around and even did some fly fishing in the adjacent river. We thoroughly enjoyed this COE.
- MickandKarla W.Legend
Whispering Falls RV Park
Great Customer Service and a Walk to Burgess Falls
We originally reserved three nights at Whispering Falls RV Park but changed our plans to an overnight stay with only 24 hours' notice. The staff was very accommodating and changed our reservation without any fees. On travel day, we called to see if we could arrive early since check-in wasn't until 3:00 PM. Again, no problem! Awesome customer service. We followed RV Life Trip Wizard GPS along with the directions in our confirmation email, which accounted for a detour due to construction of the new Burgess Falls State Park visitor center. The drive took us along country roads that we wouldn't want to navigate after dark. Check-in was simple, and we entered the gate code and proceeded to back-in site 7. We were impressed with the newer campsites featuring pavers and long pads. Utilities were conveniently placed, making hookups easy. Water pressure was decent at around 45 psi. Campground (CG) WiFi was pretty good at 20.5 Mbps download. We received one bar on both Verizon and T-Mobile, but our T-Mobile Home Internet was unusable, so we set up Starlink. Mature trees surrounded the CG perimeter but didn't cause us any satellite reception issues. Sites were decently spaced, with sites 9 and 10 looking like great choices for those traveling together. There were quite a few seasonal or permanent campers, but their sites were very well maintained. The CG also had a good-sized, unfenced dog area. One nice feature was being able to hear the falls from sites toward the back of the CG. We especially enjoyed being able to walk directly from our campsite into Burgess Falls State Park and access the trails leading to the falls to include bringing our dog on a leash. The store, which also serves as the check-in location, offered fast food, beer, and basic grocery items. Between the excellent customer service, well-maintained sites, and convenient access to the state park, we would definitely stay here again!
- eerika V.
TravelerOld Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
The waterfalls are beautiful and relaxing. You can hike the high-easier trail (but tree roots are present) or the lower-harder trails and be a unprofessional rock climber right down to the falls. 2.5 mile hike if you go all the way around. We spent over 2.5 hours here. Bonus is that if you are not camping here... you can use the very very clean showers for $5!
Cliff M.TravelerBigfoot Adventure RV park & Campground
Enjoyable place to stay, quiet nights. Very chill atmosphere. Would recommend.
Robert R.ScoutTennessee Wall Camp
I was worried that I would arrive and find all the campsites occupied. This was not the case. When I got there around 5:30 there was only one other site taken. I didn’t see them until the next morning. By morning, there were two other sites occupied.
Guide to Spencer
Spencer, Tennessee offers camping options near the Cumberland Plateau at elevations between 1,000-1,800 feet. The region features limestone bluffs, hardwood forests, and multiple waterways that create a diverse camping landscape. Weather patterns can change quickly, with temperature drops of 15-20 degrees possible in fall evenings compared to daytime highs.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground provides access to multiple waterfalls beyond the main attraction. "So many trails, so little time. One of the best hiking parks I've ever been to. Miles and miles of trails; short, long, loops, overnights. This place has it all. Make sure you do three things while you're there: hike to the bottom of the big waterfall (Fall Creek Falls), swim in the cascades next to the nature center, and stand on the edge of the bluff at Buzzard's Roost," notes Myke C.
Kayak the confluences: Rock Island State Park Campground sits where two rivers meet, creating diverse paddling conditions. "You can paddle both directions with ease, and there are several waterfalls nearby, also Rock Island State Park is about 1.5 miles by water. The boat traffic is minimal so paddling is easy," reports Lori H., who stayed at nearby Horseshoe Bend Marina.
Off-grid disconnection: Hammock Sway offers a true escape with minimal infrastructure. "From the open hilly land that we chose as our site (plenty of solar power!), to the pine forests and incredible creek, this is by far our favorite campground on the East side of the States," writes Kayla N. "We were able to filter creek water to drink (Berkey), we had plenty of space/privacy, and the eggs were fresh and perfect with breakfast."
What campers like
Platform camping at Edgar Evins State Park Campground: The unique elevated camping platforms address the park's sloped terrain. "The sites are tiered and you will get a workout if your walking from one level to the next, which if you need the showerhouse, you will be on certain tiers," writes Shelly S. "The campground is unique and in some cases, if your pulling/parking an RV, challenging! First campground I've ever been to that you park on a deck."
Primitive hiking options at Virgin Falls State Natural Area: The backcountry sites require physical effort but reward with solitude. "I hiked out to the Caney Fork River Campsite with the Nashville Backpacking Meetup. The trails were really clearly marked, so they were easy to follow despite all of the leaves on the ground, and there were plenty of signs indicating where to go. The site is less than half a mile away from the falls, and has really easy access to the river for water," reports Joshua C.
Clear night skies: The region's minimal light pollution creates stargazing opportunities. "Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping," reports Joseph M. about Fall Creek Falls. Similarly, at Hammock Sway, a visitor notes it provides "freedom and true disconnect from society."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Fall Creek Falls has distinct camping areas with varying experiences. "Campground A & B are great for families with kids. C & D are more quiet. Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out," advises Richard F. One camper warns about Area C: "The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Spencer, TN?
What camping is available near Spencer, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Spencer, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 183 campgrounds and RV parks near Spencer, TN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Spencer, TN?
Which is the most popular campground near Spencer, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spencer, TN is Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 146 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spencer, TN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spencer, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Spencer, TN.
What parks are near Spencer, TN?
What parks are near Spencer, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Spencer, TN that allow camping, notably Center Hill Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
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