Cabin camping near Delano, Tennessee offers access to the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers with elevations ranging from 750 to 1,500 feet throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with winter lows averaging 30-40°F. The area sits at the edge of Cherokee National Forest, creating diverse camping conditions from riverside sites to mountain settings.
What to do
Whitewater adventures: Ocoee River Experience LLC provides access to the Ocoee River, site of the 1996 Olympics whitewater events. "We spent the day hiking the mountain next to rv park. Then went kayaking down the river across the street," notes a visitor to nearby Whitewater RV Park.
Hiking trails: Fort Mountain State Park Campground offers multiple trail systems with significant elevation changes. "The Gahuti is the most known hiking trail here and we never saw another hiker on the trail except each other when our solo hiking excursions crossed paths," states one reviewer who spent 10 days exploring the park.
Music and entertainment: Campers at several locations mention live music options on weekends. "They have live music on weekends, and there is a very eclectic vibe. Great people watching," describes a visitor about the social atmosphere at one location.
What campers like
Motorcycle-friendly accommodations: Smitty's Lodge Motorcycle Campground caters specifically to motorcycle travelers. "I found this awesome campground close to the beginning of the Cherohala skyway in Tellico Plains. Includes picnic table, fire pit and some chairs (they also sell firewood), clean restrooms and showers," reports a tent camper.
Platform camping: Some parks offer unique sleeping structures beyond standard cabins. "The platform sites are a short walk from a parking area near the lake so you can make multiple trips to the car if necessary, while the backcountry sites are up to a 3 mile hike in," explains a camper who stayed at a platform site.
River access: Hiwassee River Area provides direct access to water activities. "Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup. Water spigots throughout the campground but not directly at each site," details a visitor who enjoyed fishing from their campsite.
What you should know
Water release schedules: Water levels on the Hiwassee River change daily. "The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly," warns a camper, important information for fishing or water activities.
Variable amenities: Cabin facilities range from rustic to modern. "The campground offers cabins and the cabin was pretty nice. It slept ten people. However, there is only one bathroom in the cabin. The toilet wasn't working well," reports a visitor about one property's accommodations.
Seasonal considerations: Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA operates year-round, unlike some seasonal facilities. "We used this spot as an overnight stay. They had a lot of things for the kids to do and the grounds were nice. However, it is on a noisy highway so you constantly hear the trucks and cars passing," notes a family who camped there.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in certain areas. "Two other couples at two separate platform sites had encounters with a bear the same weekend I was here," reports a solo camper, highlighting the importance of proper food storage and wildlife precautions.
Site selection for privacy: Choose carefully for family needs. "As one of our primary requirements for camping is privacy and a place our kids can run around without bothering anyone else, having a place slightly off the main road sounded perfect--and it was," shares a parent who visited with children.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer structured recreation options. "Between the variety of campsites, hiking, boat rentals, beach, and family activities, it would be easy to spend a week here in a camper or an RV and not even notice how fast the time was flying," states a homeschooling family who appreciated the educational opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some RV pads require significant adjustment. "We had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," warns an RVer about a specific site.
Tent restrictions: Some locations limit tenting options. "We had an RV and a tent. They do not allow you to set up the tent on the same site so you have to rent an extra space," explains a family that needed both accommodations.
Utility connections: Whitewater RV Park - Ocoee TN provides full hookups with level concrete pads. "The sites are level and concrete with a nice fire pit," confirms a visitor who appreciated the convenient setup near rafting opportunities.
