Best Campgrounds near Dayton, TN

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Dayton, Tennessee (237)

    1. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    145 Reviews
    Spencer, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 881-5298

    $8 - $32 / night

    "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."

    "Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks."

    2. Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Harrison, TN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 344-6214

    $22 - $28 / night

    "Harrison Bay is a huge park, with four camping loops (3 for RVs, 1 for tents), and a large marina, located on the Chickamauga Reservoir of the Tennessee River."

    "This is a great family campground and Tennessee State Park located on Chickamauga Lake of the Tennessee River. Good playground for the Grandkids and bicycle paths."

    3. Bluewater Resort & RV Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dayton, TN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 775-3265

    "We live on the lake at home and don't take a boat camping, but if we did this would be a great location for the fisherman or boater."

    "The only reason for 4 stars is because the lake sites are so high up it’s difficult to actually get to the lake. They do have nice amenities! Would certainly recommend!"

    4. Chester Frost Park

    35 Reviews
    Harrison, TN
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 842-0177

    $21 - $30 / night

    "Tons of room to walk and play. Great swimming and fishing. Boating is huge here Bc there are docks all around the campground to pull up to. Playgrounds everywhere."

    "They have a frisbee golf course, playgrounds, walking trails, beach, easy access to the water and fields to start up any activity you desire. We read about uneven campsite but ours was pretty flat."

    5. Rhea Springs Recreation Area County Park and Campground

    15 Reviews
    Spring City, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 775-7801

    $10 - $22 / night

    "Plenty of camp spots as well as the ability to park/camp right next to the water. (There’s no Water or Electric hookups) Also, not a lot of places selling firewood nearby."

    "It's cash only $10 TN residents $22 outside TN"

    6. Laurel Snow — Cumberland Trail

    3 Reviews
    Dayton, TN
    2 miles
    Website

    "One being very close to a waterfall. Definitely would recommend to a friend"

    "One being very close to a waterfall. Definitely would recommend to a friend. I haven't camped on the eagles bluff, but given the topo map, I'd imagine it would be fabulous"

    7. Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    9 Reviews
    Spring City, TN
    15 miles
    Website

    "All are right at the waters edge with fire rings. There's trash everywhere; we filled a 10 gal trash bag in a matter of 10 minutes."

    "Have been told that vehicles have been stolen so may want to watch your surroundings depending on the environment at the time. However police did patrol thru the area at night when we were there."

    8. Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Crossville, TN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 484-6138

    "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."

    9. Fooshee Pass Campground

    8 Reviews
    Spring City, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 361-1233

    "My husband and I really enjoyed this CG on the lake and was fortunate to stay in the front, quiet and uncrowded section of the park where sites are long, widely spaced, grassy and shaded."

    "Good swimming, boating or fishing right from your lake side site. Will definitely be back"

    10. Skull Island

    6 Reviews
    Soddy-Daisy, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 350-6053

    $39 - $47 / night

    "You cant beat waterfront and being able to step outside your tent and see water. What also loved was that I didn't feel crammed by other people."

    "Seemed to be a lot of locals, which were good to talk with about what to do in the other nearby parks. Shady campsites but open and not too private."

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Recent Reviews near Dayton, TN

1185 Reviews of 237 Dayton Campgrounds


  • Katrin M.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    Campground on the lake

    We camped here over the weekend, bc we participated in a dog event near by. At first we booked site B31. The tent pad was super small, there was no way for 2 bigger tents to fit. It's definitely better, if you have a camper. We changed to site A9 and that was much better. We had to set up the tents on concrete, which was awesome, because it rained all Saturday. The bathhouses were kinda outdated, but always clean. The park itself is ok. It's nothing spectacular there. The campsites directly on the water were very nice. All the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I don't think, I would camp here again. The park was very clean, it has just not really anything nature wise that would catch my interest.

  • b
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Campville LLC

    Great stay

    Super clean campground with great amenities!! Only a mile from 75 but doesn't feel like it's located by the interstate. Highly recommend checking the place out!

  • Peyton P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    A few pull offs

    You can stay at either Hunter’s check campground or Davis Pond. If you want to stay at davis pond you have to get there before dark, and there is not access for vehicles to get into the campground so it’s just tents (no overlanding, unless you’re comfortable in the parking lot). I pulled off just off one of the trails and set up. It was quiet and private. Not buggy

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    Amazing site! See note on hook-ups

    This campground is great. The hosts/camp store workers are so nice. This site is big and has easy walk-in access to water for swimming or fishing. **Only weird thing is the hookups are on the opposite side of the site. Take a 50 ft water hose and a 30 amp extension - ours was 50 ft but I think a 30 ft would work. **

  • Tucker K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Not as quiet as I thought

    There’s some good spots in the backcountry if you can find them, but be prepared to search quite a bit. The roads are pretty dense not many places to pull off. Night time is great but gunshots started at 6:30 at a nearby gun range and dirt bikes started hitting the roads not much later.

  • A
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Chilhowee

    Clean areas

    Bathrooms always clean. It’s pretty family friendly with adult supervision. Great views and scenery. Swimming lake.

  • J
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Hickey Gap (Cohutta WMA)

    Beautiful and Quiet

    My girls group and I wanted to do a quick weekend glamping trip. One long rocky road and an active bear warning later we were rocking it by the creek. Bring a bathing suit and some good hiking shoes. There’s a giant waterfall down the trail if you can make the trek. There’s no cell service or security so make sure you’re making safe decisions :)


Guide to Dayton

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.

What to do:

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some parks can get busy, especially on weekends. A reviewer at Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground noted, "The sites are very close together here."
  • Site Selection Matters: Choosing the right site is crucial. A camper at Edgar Evins State Park Campground advised, "I definitely recommend either scouting out a site before booking or researching well which site would be a good fit."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A visitor at Harrison Bay State Park Campground mentioned, "Campgrounds A, B, and C are tight, limited space."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Parks: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. A reviewer at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground said, "Beautiful park with lots of activities for kids."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you’re camping during peak times, arrive early to secure a good spot. A camper at Harrison Bay State Park Campground noted, "Good sites are rare (space and views)."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring bikes and outdoor games. A visitor at Fort Mountain State Park Campground suggested, "Bring your bikes to discover more of the park."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Rock Island State Park Campground mentioned, "Most of the sites are small. This is not a big rig friendly park."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check availability in advance. A reviewer at Edgar Evins State Park Campground noted, "No full hookups were available."
  • Be Prepared for Elevation Changes: Some campgrounds are on hills, which can make parking tricky. A camper at Fort Mountain State Park Campground shared, "I gave my transmission a workout climbing up the mountain to get here."

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 237 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 145 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.