217 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping opportunities surrounding Dunlap, Tennessee range from established RV parks to backcountry sites within the Cumberland Plateau region. R&R RV Campground in Dunlap provides full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping with modern amenities, while more adventurous options await at nearby Savage Gulf State Park. The area's campground options extend from fully developed facilities with electric, water and sewer connections to primitive backcountry sites accessible only by hiking trails. Proximity to Fall Creek Falls State Park, approximately 25 minutes away, expands the variety of camping experiences available in this scenic region of southeastern Tennessee.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the Cumberland Plateau. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing, particularly at higher elevations. Many sites require advance reservations, especially during peak fall foliage season when the region's hardwood forests display vibrant colors. Developed campgrounds like Mountain Glen RV Park provide year-round access, while backcountry sites at Savage Gulf may have seasonal restrictions or limited water availability. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly in the more remote areas and within the deep gorges that characterize the landscape. A camper noted, "Savage Gulf in Bersheba Springs near Monteagle is absolutely some of the best hiking and backpacking you can find in Middle Tennessee."
Visitors consistently mention the natural beauty and tranquility of the area's mixed-use campgrounds. The region features dramatic waterfalls, deep gorges, and extensive trail systems that connect many camping areas. Glamping at Deer Camp, a unique private accommodation option, receives exceptional reviews for its blend of rustic comfort and natural setting. According to one review, "It's quiet, peaceful, and you just don't want to leave." Savage Falls Campground earns praise for its secluded sites and proximity to hiking trails, with campers highlighting the waterfall access as a major draw. Both primitive campsites and developed campgrounds provide access to the area's extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, swimming holes, and wildlife viewing. The relative seclusion of many campgrounds, even those with full amenities, offers a peaceful retreat from more crowded tourism destinations.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $21 - $30 / night
Check Availability"This place is Close to everything you’ll want to do in Chattanooga Tennessee"
"My family and I went a few years ago on a trip to Tennessee. It was a decent place to stay. We RV camped on this trip, but the campground had tent sites too."
from $55 - $56 / night
Check Availability"Savage Gulf Natural Area is massive with several miles between entrance points that lead to stunning overlooks of the gorges and gulfs, and several miles worth of trails within each location."
"camp ground at Alum Gap is Nice, Water a short walk from camp site if you are backpacking. My husband and I are very fond of this particular camp site."
"Campground Review:East Rim Campground Pro’s: 1-Handicap Accessible, there is a cabin which is also HDA. 2- If your visiting for a get together your right next to the day use area and there is a picnic"
"We stopped in for a few hours on our drive home from Tennessee. We drove through the campgrounds to scout out our site."
from $10 - $270 / night
Check Availability"We drove for what felt like 20 miles down a well kept unpaved road from the entrance but I think it reality was only 5.5 miles."
"You can definitely get lost driving around or hiking. If you're looking for a quiet place to camp near Chattanooga this is it."
"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."
from $25 - $89 / night
Check Availability"They put so much thought into every little detail, from the s’mores scented citronella candle next to the fire, to the coffee station, and everything in between."
"Outside movie screen with hammock chairs. Quiet and peaceful. Will definitely go back. Owners did a great job!!!"
from $109 - $139 / night
"Foster Falls is located at one end of the Fiery Gizzard Trail, one of the most beautiful trails in Tennessee, possibly the country!"
"We used two cars and parked one at our campsite here, and brought one to the beginning of the Fiery Gizzard Trail."
from $18 - $21 / night
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ScoutExcellent campground! We were on the west rim. Bathrooms nearby and very clean! Sites were spaced enough you don’t feel like you’re on top of your neighbors. Lots of trees. Playground for kids was great and there’s tons of trails of varying difficulties. There’s a grill at each site so bring charcoal! Really enjoyed our weekend stay and would definitely go back!
ScoutEasy access and paved, back in spaces. Multiple hiking trails. Decent store at check-in. Little to do without car. Must drive to the old stone fort. Slow T-Mobile service.
ScoutNice gravel sites in a shaded, forest area right next to the Fiery Gizzard trail. No RV hookups but I was tent camping anyways. Bathrooms were clean and the showers were nice. Outlets available inside each bathroom, otherwise no electricity. Little expensive, but nice enough to justify it.
GuideThis looks like a nice campground, but I just needed to sleep. I asked for the least expensive site and was told $70. The WiFi didn't even work. Under new ownership and was told it would be getting better. They claim to be the friendliest dog RV Park in America, but they don't even have a dog park so I don't know why they think they're the best.
GuideLevel paved spot, partial shade (site 140), quiet, sites not too close together, cooler evenings than LA (lower AL). Nice staff. Not crowded.
TravelerSmall, clean. Nice modern, renovated RV /tent sites. Easy to leave your boat or kayak in the water near your site. Nice, clean, easy to walk to beach. Only one waterfront site has full hook ups. One row back was great.
ScoutWe really liked this park. We stayed in the West Rim Campground. We stayed two nights and this was about the right number of nights for us.
Pros:
* The staff was super helpful and intentionally went above and beyond. When I checked in, they saw that I had a free night on my account and offered to refund part of my stay and use the free night instead. I was going to ask them to do this, but I didn't even need to.
* Bathrooms were nice, and were clean
* Wifi worked pretty well
* West Rim has good shade which made it feel cooler than it have otherwise. This did impact Starlink connectivity. I was able to get about a 90% ping success rate by moving the camper around a little to get the best connection.
* The views from the overlook were very nice
Cons:
* The visitor center was under construction
* Some of bathrooms near the interpretive center were out-of-order
* Site 43 was not level. It wasn't a major issue but we were able to get our camper van completely level despite the use of leveling blocks.
ScoutI grew up in this area, but I'm back for the first time in maybe 8 years. They have done tremendous renovations on their amenities, some still ongoing. The scenery and cool mountain air is as great as I remember. Tons of hiking, backcountry camping, cabins, RV spots, and more. I've been camping in 8 states and Cloudland Canyon is still one of my favorites. Be aware, the drive up the mountain can be very difficult on a tow vehicle, make sure you're prepared for it. Same with some of the hiking trails.
ScoutVery quiet and peaceful
Dispersed camping near Dunlap, Tennessee offers opportunities throughout the Cumberland Plateau region with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Fall Creek Falls State Park, located approximately 30 minutes from Dunlap, contains Tennessee's highest waterfall at 256 feet and provides over 200 camping sites across multiple campground loops.
Swimming at waterfalls: Fall Creek Falls State Park has multiple water features beyond the main falls. "Many adventures offered from skeet shooting to hiking to waterfalls," notes Vanessa S. in her review of Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground. Another camper suggests: "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."
Cave exploration: Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground offers on-site access to underground adventures. "The caverns were pretty cool," shares Jaime W. about Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground. "Crystal Cave was right on site and we enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required)," explains another visitor, who also recommends checking out nearby Ruby Falls.
Mountain biking trails: The area surrounding Dunlap features extensive trail systems suitable for riders of all skill levels. The Cumberland Trail segments offer challenging elevation changes and technical sections for experienced riders. Richard F. from Fall Creek Falls notes, "What a great State Park. Hiking. Bike Riding. Golfing. Can go on and on."
Backcountry camping: Several sites require hiking in but reward with solitude. "Savage gulf in Bersheba Springs near Monteagle is absolutely some of the best hiking and backpacking you can find in Middle TN," according to a reviewer of Savage Falls Campground. "Perfect spot for a short hike-in backcountry camping experience. The hike in is less than two miles and the camp sites are secluded and spread apart," adds Cole T.
Privacy and space: Many campers value the secluded nature of sites in the region. At Hammock Sway, a reviewer noted: "The camp site I chose is buried in a pine forest. Though I was only 30 minutes away from a large town, I felt like I was a million miles away." The primitive camping experience offers truly secluded options.
Waterfront access: Campsites along Chickamauga Lake provide direct water access. "We love staying on the lake front and watching the sun set," explains Doug H. about Chester Frost Park. Another camper mentions, "I saw some campers in fishing kayaks come right up to the shore and hop out at their campsite."
Dark skies for stargazing: The limited light pollution throughout the Cumberland Plateau region creates excellent night sky viewing. Joseph M. describes his experience at Fall Creek Falls State Park: "Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping."
Wilderness hiking opportunities: The rugged terrain surrounding Dunlap offers numerous challenging trails. "There is a great trail that connects the campgrounds with the Woodland Trail. Once you've parked at the campground, there's no need to get in your car until you leave!" shares Rebecca P. about Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground.
Seasonal closures: Some dispersed camping areas restrict access during winter months. "This is a beautiful WMA area with tons of offshoots along a service road for camping, but please note, 99% of areas are closed between December and March," reports Raymond H. about Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Many primitive sites have no facilities. "You gotta be super fit to get to this place but once you do, it's AMAZING. There are NO facilities so be prepared for that," warns Scott G. about Savage Falls Camping Area. Even established campgrounds have varying levels of maintenance.
Campsite selection matters: At larger campgrounds, specific loop selection can significantly impact your experience. Andrea S. notes about Fall Creek Falls: "Avoid area C at all costs. 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."
Road conditions can be challenging: Some of the more remote sites require appropriate vehicles. Jeremy H. shares about Hammock Sway: "At the moment, I would only drive a truck or SUV to this camp. You will need the clearance on some of the roads if you want to drive right up to the campsite, and a car might not work at the moment."
Look for educational opportunities: State parks often offer ranger-led programs. Sandra V. recommends Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground as "a great park for novice campers due to the fact that the facilities are very nice. Modern bathhouses located in each camping area, swimming pool, golf course and restaurant make roughing it easier for those who need more comfort while camping."
Swimming options: Kids enjoy natural water features throughout the area. Haley H. shares about Chester Frost Park: "This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!"
Choose campgrounds with amenities: Harrison Bay State Park provides family-friendly facilities. "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," explains Stephanie J. about Harrison Bay State Park Campground. Another camper adds, "KKids loved camping here deer will come up to your camp just keep and eye on your food coolers raccoons will get the."
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. A reviewer of Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground mentions that "the kids loved playing with so many other children on the playgrounds."
Site selection based on size: RV users should research site dimensions. Jen O. shares about Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground: "We have a 40' class A and flat tow a Jeep. We stayed in site 203 for 3 nights. While we really enjoyed the campground, this site was not ideal for an RV our size. We weren't able to put our awnings out or comfortably sit outside. Next time, we'll see if it's possible to stay in site 226."
Leveling challenges: Many sites in the mountainous region require leveling equipment. Richard F. advises about Fall Creek Falls: "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out."
Check hookup options: Different campground loops offer varying amenities. "We stayed in site A37 on a Wednesday night in early December. The premium/waterfront sites were mostly empty," reports Denise about Harrison Bay State Park Campground.
Local delivery services: Some campgrounds have connections with local businesses. "We do recommend trying the local Mr. T's Pizza & Ice Cream. It was great & they deliver right to your site!" shares an RVer staying at Raccoon Mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Dunlap, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Dunlap, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 217 campgrounds and RV parks near Dunlap, TN and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Dunlap, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dunlap, 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 Dunlap, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Dunlap, TN.
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