Camping options near Farner, Tennessee range from rustic tent sites to cabins situated along rivers and lakes. The Cherokee National Forest and surrounding areas sit at elevations between 1,200-1,500 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures that typically stay below 85°F. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Hiking at Bald River Falls: Located 30 minutes from Tellico River Campgrounds, this area offers multiple trail options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "There are hiking trails galore, and Bald River Falls is the perfect place for a family picture, or even a selfie," notes Rachel D., who adds that "the river is cold even on the hottest summer days, and can be a nice relief from the heat."
Mountain biking trails: The area surrounding Chilhowee Recreation Area offers technical trails with significant elevation changes. "There is wonderful mountain biking easily accessible from the camp and world class white water rapids within only a few miles drive," explains Tyler J. These trails are suitable for intermediate to advanced riders with proper equipment.
Lake activities at Vogel State Park: About an hour's drive from Farner, this park offers a 22-acre lake with multiple recreation options. One visitor describes, "For those who like to hike, there is a trail around the lake. One can also use this trail for bike riding. The lake for paddling, swimming, or fishing." The park also features "putt putt, the only playground, seasonal concession and rentals, beach area and a super nice walking trail for everybody."
Gold panning opportunities: Unique to the region, some creeks contain gold deposits. The Murphy/Peace Valley KOA features "an awesome gold-bearing creek alongside the camp which is too cool," according to Debi G., who adds that visitors can "tube in the creek" when not searching for treasure.
What campers like
Riverfront camping spots: Many campsites in the area offer direct water access. At Hiwassee River Area, "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. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring," reports Katrin S., who stayed at campsite 43 with river views.
Spacious sites: Compared to many commercial campgrounds, sites in this region tend to be generously sized. At Morganton Point Campground, "the spaces are spaced out, so you don't feel like you are on top of each other. We were on lot 7 which was right on the lake. The view was perfect," according to Paul W., who visited from metro Atlanta.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Black bears are active in the region, requiring proper food storage. At Tellico River Campgrounds, "There is a plethora of wildlife in the area, including some very curious black bears, so be prepared to store your food away so as to not attract their attention." Fort Mountain State Park campers report similar experiences: "Two other couples at two separate platform sites had encounters with a bear the same weekend I was here."
Clean facilities: Despite the rural setting, many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. At Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground, "Bathrooms are clean and the showers are hot," according to Xander H., while Jon D. mentions, "This was a great find! The staff is friendly and grounds are kept very clean."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity is inconsistent throughout the region. At Chilhowee Recreation Area, "There is no WiFi or AT&T cellular signal in this park. However, if you drive to any of the scenic overlooks just outside the park, you will get AT&T LTE signal," advises Manie D., who found they "picked up 3 TV stations over the air, which was great for weather/news."
Seasonal water releases: The Hiwassee River's flow is controlled by dam releases that affect water levels and currents. "The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly," notes Katrin S. from Hiwassee River Area. This impacts fishing, swimming, and paddling conditions throughout the day.
Mountain road access: Many campgrounds require navigating steep, winding roads. "To get to this campground you have to go up a steep narrow windy mountain road," warns Carissa D. about Chilhowee, while another camper mentions "it is 7.5 miles up a mountain, not fun to pull up or down with a travel trailer."
Dry county restrictions: Some areas near Farner have alcohol restrictions. At Indian Boundary, campers enjoy "a lake for paddling, swimming, or fishing" and "a swimming area and large picnic area that's covered," but visitors to Cherohala Mountain Trails should note "the county is dry, so bring your own" if planning evening campfire drinks.
Tips for camping with families
Lake swimming options: Several areas offer designated swimming beaches for safer water play. Indian Boundary provides "a swimming lake" with "a sandy area, and a beautiful mountain range to enjoy," notes Alison B., who adds "my family goes to Indian Boundary every year and we have pretty much my whole life."
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation beyond nature exploration. Fort Mountain State Park features "two separate children's playgrounds... One near a small kids ball field...the other near a very nice volleyball court, permanent corn hole pit and state of the art outdoor exercise machine area."
Family-friendly glamping: For those seeking comfort while glamping in Farner, Tennessee, Peace Valley KOA offers diverse accommodation options. "We just spent 10 days at Peace Valley KOA, and we had a great time!! Family met us there and we had 2 campers and 1 cabin," shares Shannon S. The campground includes "a little play ground, swings, cornhole, some balls for her to throw, a pool (small but since it was not busy we really enjoyed it), a game room, and a store with essentials."
Fishing access: Younger anglers can enjoy easy fishing opportunities at Tellico River. "Easy fishing access. Relatively clean sites. Mostly quiet," notes DJody H. The area requires a special permit, and "there is a hatchery onsite that visitors can tour," providing an educational component to the fishing experience.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup limitations: Several campgrounds lack full hookups at individual sites. At Chilhowee, "the RV sites do not have water hook-ups at each site. There is a water hook up to fill your tank as you enter the campsite area. Fill your tank and you are good to go," advises Nathan G., who was on his first trip with a new camper.
Dump station access: Consider dumping logistics when selecting a campsite. "There is only one dump station and it's on the other side of the campground. From the B loop, you have to traverse about a 120 degree switchback to get to it," warns Mike N. at Chilhowee, though he notes "it was probably the best dump station I've ever used."
Site leveling challenges: Many mountain campgrounds have uneven terrain. At Fort Mountain State Park, "We stayed creekside at site 24. The site had about a 5 inch difference sloping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," reports Mike N., who recommends avoiding this particular site.
Size restrictions: Large RVs face limitations at several area campgrounds. The winding mountain roads and tight turns within campgrounds can be challenging for longer rigs, and some campgrounds like Hiwassee River Area are specifically noted as "NO big-rig-friendly" in their amenities listings.
