The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Dayton. Dayton is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Dayton, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park encompasses more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber, the park beckons those who enjoy nature at her finest. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Other waterfalls within the park include Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30.
In 1937, the federal government began purchasing the badly eroded land around Fall Creek Falls. The following year, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began restoring the forest and constructing park facilities. A few years later in 1944, the National Park Service transferred ownership of the park to the State of Tennessee.
Fall Creek Falls features 30 cabins, 222 campsites, and the 85-room Lodge Fall Creek Falls. Backcountry camping is also available with a permit.
The park is home to a variety of activities suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to the base of Fall Creek Falls. There are two long-distance overnight trails for adventure-seeking visitors while the day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities for all ages. More than 56 miles of trails can be explored.
$8 - $32 / night
$22 - $28 / night
$21 - $30 / night
$55 - $56 / night
Rhea Springs Day Use area is located on Watts Bar Reservoir on the Piney River at mile 3.3L (Tennessee River 532.5R) in Rhea County, Tennessee. The Day Use area is located off of Rhea Springs Road in Spring City, Tennessee. It includes approximately 30.06 acres and 1,837.14 feet of shoreline. The site has one bathhouse, 42 picnic tables, one 6'x35' long fishing pier, a 20 space parking lot and paved circle drive.
HOW TO GET THERE Located North East of Spring City, TN in Rhea County. From Chattanooga, take Highway 27 North to Spring City, Turn right Vanns Creek Road, turn left at the stop sign onto Toestring Valley Road, go about 3 miles and turn right on Rhea Springs Road. Take Rhea Springs Road all the way to the end until you see the lake.
PET FRIENDLY NOTES Pets will love this recreation area! Take them for a walk along the lake and enjoy a picnic lunch, too!
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Swimming, Fishing, Boating, Camping
$10 - $22 / night
$35 - $85 / night
This recreation area is part of Center Hill Lake
$55 / night
Located in the Chilhowee Recreation Area, Chilhowee Campground offers a multitude of camping opportunities for both RV and tent sites, many with electric hookups. The day-use area includes McKamy Lake, a swim area with sand beach, picnic sites, a group picnic area, and a bathhouse. Be Aware; Do not use GPS directions: GPS coordinates will direct you up Benton Springs Rd. This route is not recommended. We recommend using Forest Service Road 77 to reach the recreation area. It's important to note, this facility requires driving 7 miles up to Chilhowee Campground on a narrow, winding road. Do not use the Benton Springs Access Road to the campground as this is an unpaved and dangerous road for RVs. Inexperienced RV drivers may have difficulties getting to and around the site.
Chilhowee Recreation Area is an excellent hub for hiking and mountain biking in the Chilhowee Trails System, fishing in McKamy Lake, and wildlife viewing without having to get in your car. The 7-acre McKamy Lake offers a swim area with a sand beach, and fishing from the bank. Boats are allowed, but gasoline motors are not. Within the recreation area are approximately 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a scenic waterfall. The views and lake are beautiful, especially hiking to Benton Falls via a 1.5 mile in and out moderate trail. On the drive up to the campground, stop at one of the many observation overlooks to see beautiful mountain settings. Wildlife is abundant in this area, so have your camera ready and tread lightly. Chilhowee Recreation Area Map and Guide
The Cherokee National Forest is located in eastern Tennessee and stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border. The 650,000-acre swath of land is Tennessee's only national forest. It lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachians and is home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, as well as many rivers, creeks and lakes.
In addition to the immediate local activities, world class whitewater rafting opportunities are nearby on the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers.
$20 / night
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park encompasses more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber, the park beckons those who enjoy nature at her finest. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Other waterfalls within the park include Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30.
In 1937, the federal government began purchasing the badly eroded land around Fall Creek Falls. The following year, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began restoring the forest and constructing park facilities. A few years later in 1944, the National Park Service transferred ownership of the park to the State of Tennessee.
Fall Creek Falls features 30 cabins, 222 campsites, and the 85-room Lodge Fall Creek Falls. Backcountry camping is also available with a permit.
The park is home to a variety of activities suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to the base of Fall Creek Falls. There are two long-distance overnight trails for adventure-seeking visitors while the day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities for all ages. More than 56 miles of trails can be explored.
$8 - $32 / night
$22 - $28 / night
$21 - $30 / night
$55 - $56 / night
Rhea Springs Day Use area is located on Watts Bar Reservoir on the Piney River at mile 3.3L (Tennessee River 532.5R) in Rhea County, Tennessee. The Day Use area is located off of Rhea Springs Road in Spring City, Tennessee. It includes approximately 30.06 acres and 1,837.14 feet of shoreline. The site has one bathhouse, 42 picnic tables, one 6'x35' long fishing pier, a 20 space parking lot and paved circle drive.
HOW TO GET THERE Located North East of Spring City, TN in Rhea County. From Chattanooga, take Highway 27 North to Spring City, Turn right Vanns Creek Road, turn left at the stop sign onto Toestring Valley Road, go about 3 miles and turn right on Rhea Springs Road. Take Rhea Springs Road all the way to the end until you see the lake.
PET FRIENDLY NOTES Pets will love this recreation area! Take them for a walk along the lake and enjoy a picnic lunch, too!
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Swimming, Fishing, Boating, Camping
$10 - $22 / night
Legend
We camped here over the weekend. Our campsite was perfect. Very private and enough space for 2 tents. Not all campsites are made for tents, some have just a concrete driveway. We had the usual amenities, like a picnic table with a bench, fire pit, and a lantern pole. The bathhouse was clean and well stocked. Rock Island offers a lot hiking trails and stunning waterfalls. There is a little coffee/icecream shop just outside the park, which was awesome. We would camp here anytime again.
Traveler
Cold night. No firewood. Alone. It's okay.
Traveler
Great sites with fire pits.
Scout
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. Ear plugs help with the Roosters and coyotes. It's not a campground so don't expect a shower house or bathrooms. I would stay there again. Owner is an exceptional host.
TravelerGreat place great people and great management. Clean environment. And clean club house and showers and bathrooms. Has laundry room and fire rings at camp sites
Ranger
This place is a great place for camping had nice paved trails clean campground. The bathroom was clean. The shower was hot. Lots of friendly campers.
Ranger
We arrived and we got to pick out our own campsite. Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff. Bathrooms were clean and the showers were warm water beautiful tall trees provided shade. Scenic Drive was stunning.
Traveler
Ample space, gorgeous views of the lake, and super friendly staff. We stayed in space 19. It is sized for a smaller rig which was perfect for us. We got to watch fish jump and a crane fishing in the morning. Only caught small fish, but the kids had a blast swimming. The lake is shallow with a slow grade which was perfect for our young children. Everyone was friendly and respectful. The bathrooms were clean and it was a nice bonus to have a no-charge shower available for tent camping.
Traveler
Excellent instructions, easy to find my site. Trees so can add my tarp for possible rain. Restful sleep. Parked by my deluxe primitive site. It comes with hot shower and flush toilet. Porta potties close by lit with fairy lights at night. I was impressed as they were clean. Self check in. I saw a deer on the way to the bathroom. Appreciate the trash cans, water and electricity. Close to gas, food. I went to Coalmont. The Mexican food was authentic. Amazing.
Scout
Visiting in 2 weeks
Traveler
The campground was one of the most scenic I've been to. Some of the lakefront spots had their own access to the lake and plenty of trees. The camp host was amazing!
Traveler
Let me start with the good. We had a beautiful view from across the very busy highway of some mountains. Campsites 25 and 26 were under some nice big oaks. The rest of the sites appear to be long term residents or under construction. Bad stuff please check out the numerous rules and if you have kids i would not recommend. We got reprimanded for the 6 yr old hanging on the teeter-ball. Which we know is not how its used but kids will be kids. Kinda felt like we were being watched for infractions 24/7. The electric was not working on our site but luckily we had a long extension cord to pull from a vacate site. Sure we broke the rules there :( Dump station was sloping in the wrong direction so not getting clean tank
Overall we didn’t feel very welcome there and probably will not return
Guide
It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the campground from where the pavement ended. It gets rough in places, but a sedan can do it if it's dry. Once you finally reach the campground, it is nice. Nestled way back in the woods. No power or water hookups. A couple of water hydrates throughout the campground. No alcohol permitted. It is a wildlife management area. There is a host in the campground. Beautiful scenery!
ScoutI prefer playing cricket for physical exercise rather than virtual games like Nulls Brawl. It's a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors, especially in beautiful locations like The Crosseyed Cricket Campground in Tennessee.
Scout
Five areas available free first come first serve by a little Creek bathrooms available sealed trash cans. Fire rings available sometimes firewood is available. Great little spot. once you entered, the campsite going towards the bathrooms is a waterfall.
Guide
This is a young campground, about 3 months old. My husband and I stayed twelve days. Each gravel site is spacious, comes with water, sewer, electric, firepit and are set at angles so you are not looking directly at your neighbors. Charles Creek is accessible from the left side of the grounds and is a short walk. There is another, quite steep, way down to the creek on the right side of the grounds. This trek is a beautiful walk around a mowed peninsula of nature. Great spot to bring chairs or a blanket for a picnic. The owner is very pleasant and has a great vision for the expansion of amenities. We look forward to our next stay here.
Guide
Great open lake for small fishing boats and plenty of campsites.
Scout
Good, discreet and comfortable spot.
Arrived at night and there was not a chance I was going to discover the reserved spot for camping. Only found it because another camper, who seemed to be familiar with area, assisted me. If sections or spots are named after the name reserved online, you wouldn't know this arriving as there is only red reflectors. Overall, good spot just was frustrating at first.
ScoutNulls Brawl likely offers a way to share game progress or resources with others. You could generate links or codes to give them access, allowing you to play or team up with friends more easily. https://nullsbrawlapk.de/
Guide
This quiet little camp site is in the heart of the cherokee Forest. It’s so beautiful. Each site is a good distance away from the other and there is the constant sound of the creek flowing right next to it. The bathrooms are clean and right in the middle a perfect spot for a getaway
Scout
Looks like a pretty campground, but seeing this post on Facebook and then searching them to figure out why they don't allow kids to see there's no mention of no children on there listing's. So just wanna put that out there. Looks like a cool place otherwise.
ScoutA beautiful place for families and pets. Very shady; quiet very friendly place to go loved it
Scout
Very nice and beautiful quiet place Beautiful lake. And sunsets too and pet are welcome Just a little bit of heaven ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Scout
We've been traveling full time for the past year and Bean Pot campground is by far the best. Beautiful sites, great owners and staff and alot of amenities. They also have fun activities. Definitely will be back!
Guide
I always have a great time staying at this campground and meeting many friendly people. The road noise is not as bad as some people say. I mostly hear only the river running. The shower house is always clean, and for $15, it is a great deal. Make reservations on line as it fills up on the weekends.
Guide
No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek.
Guide
Can be crowded on the weekends. Right on the river and pit toilets close by.
Camping near Dayton, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different needs.
Camping around Dayton, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Dayton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dayton, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 220 campgrounds and RV parks near Dayton, TN and 23 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dayton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dayton, TN is Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 144 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Dayton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 free dispersed camping spots near Dayton, TN.
What parks are near Dayton, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Dayton, TN that allow camping, notably Center Hill Lake and Tusquitee National Forest.
