Best Tent Camping near Fayetteville, TN

Tent campers near Fayetteville, Tennessee have access to several primitive camping areas within an hour's drive, including Foster Falls Campground in South Cumberland State Park and the backcountry sites at Walls of Jericho. These tent-friendly locations offer varying levels of accessibility, from drive-in sites to more remote walk-in and hike-in options that require moderate effort to reach. Most campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities suitable for traditional tent camping without the infrastructure focused on RV accommodation.

Tent sites at Foster Falls Campground feature level gravel pads with concrete picnic table slabs and designated fire rings. Campers should note that many sites, particularly those numbered 1-13, offer limited privacy between neighboring campers, while outer loop sites (17-26) provide more seclusion with natural vegetation buffers. The campground provides flush toilets and hot showers, though visitors have reported inconsistent cleaning schedules during busy weekends. Water is available at central locations, but campers should bring containers for transport to their sites. Father Adamz Campground, also within South Cumberland State Park, offers more remote tent camping accessed via a steep, rocky half-mile trail.

For backcountry tent camping experiences, the Hurricane Creek site at Walls of Jericho provides a more primitive option approximately 2.7 miles from the Alabama hikers trailhead. The site accommodates a small number of tents with adequate tree coverage for hammock camping as well. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for exploring nearby waterfalls and hiking networks. "South Cumberland has many spread out entrances. We visited Stone Door and Denny Cove. It was so beautiful," noted one visitor. Those seeking solitude should consider weekday visits, as several reviewers mentioned weekend crowding at the more accessible campgrounds, particularly during summer months when the swimming holes near Foster Falls attract additional visitors.

Best Tent Sites Near Fayetteville, Tennessee (20)

    1. Evans Loop Backcountry Site — Tims Ford State Park

    2 Reviews
    Lynchburg, Moore County, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 867-2757

    "great time, one of the larger islands, great lake views. Only down side is the paddle to the island, not hard or difficult, the boat traffic and lack of respect for kayakers was concerning"

    2. Ray of Hope Guest Ranch and Horse Motel

    1 Review
    Lewisburg, TN
    16 miles

    "Most campgrounds in Tennessee are buried in the woods, but not this yurt campsite at Ray of Hope. "

    3. Turkey Creek Campground — Tims Ford State Park

    1 Review
    Lynchburg, Moore County, TN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 968-3536

    "Great straight forward campsite, awesome lake access!"

    4. Foster Falls Campground — South Cumberland State Park

    31 Reviews
    Tracy City, TN
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 924-2980

    $18 - $21 / night

    "Things to know: $5 reservation fee, $8-45 per site

    Amenities: picnic table, fire ring, restrooms, heated shower

    Drawbacks: no electric or water hook-ups. No gas generators allowed"

    "The campground is great for climbers looking to get an early start on all the routes nearby."

    5. Walls of Jericho - Trailhead Campsite

    6 Reviews
    Estillfork, AL
    29 miles
    Website

    "The trailhead campsite is a short walk from the parking lot, but makes for a great basecamp for exploring the area. The campsite is level and large enough to accommodate many tents."

    "The Walls of Jehrico trail offers a handful of first-come/first-serve primitive campsites set adjacent to two separate water sources (streams). "

    6. Walls of Jericho - Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Estillfork, AL
    28 miles

    "I just got back from a weekend backpacking trip to Wall of Jericho and stayed at this site located right after coming down the hill before crossing the bridge."

    "This is a great spot to camp if you are wanting to do some easy backpacking in Alabama. It is quiet and right on Hurricane creek on the way to Walls of Jericho."

    7. TGL Adventures

    2 Reviews
    Brownsboro, AL
    28 miles
    +1 (256) 693-3693

    $25 - $250 / night

    "We ended up fishing til daylight because the river was physically only 10 steps from our tents. The campsite had just enough light to be able to see go get to the restroom and showers."

    8. The Campsite at Leigh Acres

    Be the first to review!
    Union Grove, AL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (256) 826-1164

    $25 / night

    9. Southport Saltpeter Cave

    2 Reviews
    Mount Pleasant, TN
    39 miles
    +1 (931) 215-8445

    $10 / night

    "Southport Saltpeter Cave is a historic cave located 12 miles south of Columbia TN. We offer cave tours, primitive camping, hiking, and exploring."

    10. Father Adamz Campground — South Cumberland State Park

    2 Reviews
    Tracy City, TN
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 867-2757

    "All of the sites in the campground are level and have adequate shade.  The water available in the parking lot is either from a water fountain or the bathroom sink. "

    "The weather was very nice and the sites are well maintained. It’s also only about a half mile down to a swimming hole and water fall perfect for swimming in the summer"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Fayetteville, TN

475 Reviews of 20 Fayetteville Campgrounds


  • Katrin M.
    Mar. 7, 2021

    Foster Falls Campground — South Cumberland State Park

    Nice rustic getaway

    We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The campground has 26 rustic campsites that need to be reserved in advance. Each site has a firepit and a picnic table. It is probably better for tent camping since there are no electrical hook ups. There are also no generators allowed. Some of the sites are very close together like mostly the ones on the entrance. We camped at #19 and it was very private and spacious. The bathrooms were ok. Unfortunately they were never cleaned over the weekend. It was pretty noisy on Friday night and there is nobody to enforce a quiet time. Be aware... roosters are nearby and they start crowing at 4am. Some of the sites are very well shaded. There is no firewood sale in the campground or the visitor center (which is about 17 min away) but locals have it available near by. The landscape is absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking. Foster Falls is just a short walking distance away and so beautiful. In the summertime it's a popular swimming hole. It is also a paradise for rock climbers. South Cumberland has many spread out entrances. We visited Stone Door and Denny Cove. It was so beautiful. We would camp here again but probably not in the summertime because it can get very crowded.

  • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2018

    Foster Falls Campground — South Cumberland State Park

    Loud and dirty but spacious with great hiking

    Foster Falls Campground has 26 sites, most of which are very large and spacious. As is common in loop campgrounds, the sites in the center of the loop--especially sites 1-13--are very open, with little privacy between sites, although they are still shady due to the extremely tall trees. The outer loop sites have more underbrush between them providing a buffer. Sites 17-26 all have relative privacy from each other, but are smaller sites in general, although many of them have specified tent pads. The sites closest to the bathrooms all had more bugs while we were there in August, and site 16, while very large, has power lines that run into the site itself.

    This is a very beautiful campground. The towering trees give most sites ample shade, and there is a lot of firewood that is easy to collect from felled trees, particularly on the back half of the loop. The front half of the loop is closest to the trail to the falls, and site 8 has a trail running directly behind it that takes you to the falls overlook, and to the trailhead to walk down to the falls themselves. Our 2 and 5 year old walked from our campsite down to the falls and back up easily, and enjoyed having a trail that led to the falls overlook for nightly post-dinner walks, and it would make a great camping base for anyone looking to hike the Fiery Gizzard Trail. The picnic tables are also very large and made it easy to prepare food and for 5 people to sit comfortably, even with our stove at one end, and the tables are on concrete slabs, which helps keep bugs crawling around your feet down a little, and makes it easier to clean up any food that falls while eating. The bathrooms were also cleaned each morning, with the trash taken out and the floor swept clean of bugs and detritus.

    My biggest complaints about this site are the noise, and how much trash we saw. There is a farm nearby with a rooster that spent the better part of the day crowing, which can be distracting when you have a toddler you are trying to get to sleep, and got very repetitive for the adults as well. We could also hear 18 wheelers both nights we were there during the night. We were there on weeknights so there were very few other campers, but there was a lot of trash still evident from the weekend littered across most of the campsites, and a group that stayed our first night there left their fire ring full of paper towels and banana peels. After reporting it to a ranger, he cleaned up the paper but left the banana peels which made me wonder how strictly the campground enforces proper food storage, and the ranger said that the campers had not paid or registered--despite the fact that park vehicles drove past at least twice since that group set up camp. If kept clean, I would easily give this a 4 or 5 star rating despite the noise, but I was very disappointed in the visibility of human impact--a shame, because it is otherwise a great place, and great for families with small children.

  • Stefan A.
    May. 21, 2018

    Foster Falls Campground — South Cumberland State Park

    Above average campsites, exceptional proximity to natural beauty

    There are very average campsites for RV’s, car camping, backcountry and your average camping spots. HOWEVER, the beautiful hike down to the waterfall is 100 meters from most of the campsites. The views made it an amazing trip.

    Things to know: $5 reservation fee, $8-45 per site

    Amenities: picnic table, fire ring, restrooms, heated shower

    Drawbacks: no electric or water hook-ups. No gas generators allowed

  • Cassandra C.
    Sep. 2, 2017

    Monte Sano State Park Campground

    Quiet campground

    I stayed at site number 063, which was an RV site with electric and water, and it was adjacent to the primitive sites. This campsite had a gravel pad, and setting a tent up outside of the pad was impossible as all of the surrounding area was a steep slope. The pad was plenty big for my one person tent, but I can't imagine anything bigger than a 4 person tent fitting in the area. I definitely recommend the primitive campsites if you're tent camping. The sites in this part of the camp were pretty far apart, and there was plenty of privacy. The park was riddled with trails (22 miles of them), many of which were also open to bikes. The bathhouse was pretty far from site 063, but they were clean.

  • GoWhereYouAreDraw N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2020

    Foster Falls Campground

    Perfect for smaller rigs or tents

    The Foster Falls campground has 26 rustic campsites ideal for tents or small trailers. The Foster Falls Campground is the only camping area in the park where guests may park a car and/or pop-ups next to the campsite. The campground is open year-round.

    All sites have a fire ring and a picnic table. Most sites are wooded, offering some shade and have a level, gravel surface. A few are on a slight incline. There are no water or electric hook-ups but a restroom and heated showers are available. No gas generators are allowed at the Foster Falls Campground. Water must be filtered from natural sources or carried in, be sure to check with the ranger stations about water availability. A pit toilet is also available at each campground.

  • Jeremy H.
    Jun. 22, 2019

    Cathedral Caverns State Park Campground

    Clean, Quiet, Comfortable

    My son Charlie(age 8) and I camped at Cathedral Caverns State Park on June 17, 2019. It was a Monday night. We chose one of the primitive campground sites and paid a little under$20 for one night. Since we were camping we received a discount on our cave tour the next day. It's worth noting that all of the primitive and RV campsites are outside of the state park’s main gates which means that anyone can easily enter or leave the camp at anytime day or night; however, two state employees live fulltime within walking distance of the campsites. It was encouraging to know that help was only steps away if we needed it. One of the rangers actually stopped and introduced himself while making his early evening round. He verified that I had registered at the camp, informed me that it might rain that night, and wished us a good evening. A father and son also drove through the campground about that time in a personal car. I expected him to camp, but later when we went for a walk, we didn’t find him. On our walk we went down to the restrooms gathering kindling in large, reusable grocery bags. We also brought our one gallon water jug. It’s quite a walk to the restroom and unless you are driving, it would be unreasonable to rely on it as your bathroom. Bring a camping toilet or a shovel. The RV sites are right next to the restrooms, which means that if you are in the primitive site it is very unlikely that you will hear RV generators all night. There were no RVs there on our night because the sites were being overhauled and it was closed though the restrooms were still up and running. The restrooms were very clean and spacious with clean, new shower curtains and it was fully stocked with supplies. I can’t say if the water was hot, but my suspicion is that it probably was since the rest of the facility is well kept. Back to the kindling: There’s plenty to be had and we even found four or five logs left by our campsite by a previous camper. Speaking of firewood, there’s plenty of that for sale for a reasonable$10.00 at the restroom facility. Money’s left in a box on the honor system. After cooking two cans of Southgate chili on an improvised Sweedish fire using the charitable camper’s firewood, we played in the field which was easily accessible from the primitive campsite. It’s guarded by a feral but entertaining cat who has an appetite for small rabbits. He almost caught one when he chased it through the campsite and under the picnic table where we happened to be eating supper. I’m not sure if he ever caught him but the last time I saw them they were running through the campsite like the wind. The campsite was simple. There was a fire ring and an old picnic table. You might want to bring a table cloth along or use a tarp if you’re doing more than heating up canned chili. The site was clean as was the entire park. I was easily able to back into the site with a 2007 Trailblazer. Though we had planned on tent camping, we ended up sleeping in the Trailblazer. Dad brought the tent, but he forgot the poles. All of the sites were clean and would have made wonderful tent sites. They were spaced adequately apart to provide a sense of privacy though if you’re pooping in a bucket you might have to be strategic in your temporary John placement. I don’t think my wife would have liked the bathroom situation at all and it might have been a bigger issue for Charlie and me if there’d been anyone else on the campground. We were the sole campers at Cathedral Caverns during our visit. We weren’t the only people using the park though. There were plenty who come to see the cave which true to its name feels like a Cathedral. I’ve been in a few tourist caves but there’s something different about this one. Our tour guide did a great job not only telling us about the beauty and history of the cave, but helped us to imagine one of the caves first explorers and its benefactor Mr, Gurly. If that description doesn’t make you want to visit, here’s this: Legend says there’s a ledge in the cave and if you toss a coin and land it right on the ledge you get your wish. After I tossed my dime I regretted instantly not wishing for a billion instead of a million dollars. I was assured by the tour guide that I could expect my check any day now, so the star review might change depending on how quickly the check rolls in.

  • Nic S.
    Jul. 11, 2020

    Stevenson Municipal Park

    Quiet camping and fishing

    No bells and whistles just a general spot to set up camp. Grass is mowed and all in all well kept. Water hookups and 220 30amp power and plenty of trash cans. No picnic tables or designated fire/grilling rings so bring your chairs and grill. Close to the Tennessee River and local revisor for fishing boat ramp just up the road. Spots are next to woods and under trees so shade for most the day and fire wood can be found.i brought my 3 German Shepherds and nobody had any issues.

  • Benjamin C.
    Oct. 10, 2021

    Cedar Point Campground

    Group Tent Camp!

    We went to camp here with our AHG group. We tent camped to complete one of their badges. We camp often and we enjoy it. The place is clean and organized well. The tent sights are elevated slightly which allows a nice “overlook” of the camp ground. Some tent spots were kind of sloped so be mindful of finding a good flat spot. Bath houses were clean and functioning. Good water front locations. We had a great time and recommend for a short stay.

  • K
    Dec. 29, 2020

    Foster Falls Campground — South Cumberland State Park

    Climber’s Campground

    The campground is great for climbers looking to get an early start on all the routes nearby. It’s not a lot of privacy since all the sites are fairly close together and the vegetation is pretty thin, but it has all the regular amenities (picnic table, fire pit, flush toilet, hot shower, potable water). Access to the sites was easy for any 2WD sedan, every site was reasonably flat for pitching a tent. No firewood around to gather at all so bring your own. Kind of expensive for what it is, but it’s the best option for a drive-in campsite the night before climbing. Cell service ok for Verizon. There’s a hike-in campsite nearby too.


Guide to Fayetteville

Tent camping near Fayetteville, Tennessee offers diverse terrain options across eastern Tennessee and northern Alabama, with elevations ranging from 600-1,400 feet throughout the region. The area sits at the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions. Most primitive sites are accessible year-round, though seasonal restrictions apply at certain locations during winter months.

What to do

Swimming holes exploration: Tims Ford State Park features multiple island camping options accessible by kayak, with Evans Loop Backcountry Sites offering lake-based adventure. "Great time, one of the larger islands, great lake views. Only down side is the paddle to the island, not hard or difficult, the boat traffic and lack of respect for kayakers was concerning," notes camper Buddy G.

Cave exploration: Southport Saltpeter Cave provides historical exploration opportunities with guided tours of a cave used during the War of 1812. Located 12 miles south of Columbia, the site offers "cave tours, primitive camping, hiking, and exploring," according to reviewer Buddy B., making it suitable for educational group trips.

Climbing access: Multiple access points to climbing areas exist around Foster Falls. "Really beautiful scenery on somewhat strenuous hikes to waterfalls, some good sport climbing, and a few trails that will take you really high up so you can look down at the beautiful green canopy (or orange if it's fall)," writes Kelly M.

What campers like

Remote waterfall proximity: Father Adamz Campground in South Cumberland State Park features walk-in sites requiring moderate effort. "The hike in is pretty steep in parts and very rocky. Definitely a good workout! The hiking trails are well maintained and the scenery is great. The short hike down to the base of the waterfall is fairly steep and very rocky, but well worth the effort!" reports Jeff C.

Lake access: Turkey Creek Campground at Tims Ford State Park offers direct water access for tent campers. "Great straight forward campsite, awesome lake access!" notes Travis J., making it ideal for those wanting to combine camping with water activities.

Trail connectivity: Walls of Jericho - Hurricane Creek Backcountry Campsite serves as a strategic base for trail exploration. "This is a great spot to camp if you are wanting to do some easy backpacking in Alabama. It is quiet and right on Hurricane creek on the way to Walls of Jericho," writes Hannah C. The site sits at a trail junction approximately 2.7 miles from the Alabama hikers trailhead.

What you should know

Water availability: Most backcountry sites require water treatment. At Father Adamz Campground, "The water available in the parking lot is either from a water fountain or the bathroom sink. I am glad we brought along our water filtration system as it was only a short hike down to the river to fill up," advises Jeff C.

Campsite privacy considerations: Whippoorwill Woods Nature Retreat offers varied privacy levels depending on site selection. "We stayed at the Pond #3 campsite. There is a trail that goes down to the pond so if privacy is an issue then I wouldn't recommend that site specifically but the other campsites are pretty spread out and well hidden from one another," explains Katie.

Seasonal conditions: Water levels affect experiences at many sites. For Walls of Jericho, "Springtime is the best time to be here especially after a big rainstorm since the water levels are higher making everything more dramatic," advises Asher K., highlighting the importance of timing visits to natural features.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly water activities: Multiple sites offer swimming options suitable for different ages. At Foster Falls, one camper notes, "Beautiful spot any time of year but we like to go when it's warm enough to swim in the waterfall."

Teaching opportunities: TGL Adventures provides a setting for family-centered outdoor education. "I have recently decided on ditching the camper and getting back to old days so I can teach my 13 yr old son there is more to life than internet, video games, ect. This place was amazing," shares Heather B., who also mentions the site includes "a beautiful TeePee" and "steps to take down to the river."

Stargazing sites: Tent camping near Fayetteville includes open-sky options. At Ray of Hope Guest Ranch's yurt site, "The yurt sets on the side of a beautiful Tennessee Hill offering almost a complete view of the nighttime sky. We watched the moon rise over a hill directly in front of the campsite, and we even saw a brilliant shooting star blaze across the sky," reports Jeremy H.

Tips from RVers

Tent-only considerations: Most primitive sites near Fayetteville are designed primarily for tent campers rather than RVs. At Foster Falls Campground, sites feature "level gravel pads with concrete picnic table slabs and designated fire rings," making them suitable for small trailers but not larger RVs.

Alternative accommodation options: For those transitioning from RV to tent camping, sites with pre-setup accommodations offer a middle ground. Ray of Hope Guest Ranch provides yurts that are "clean, included battery powered lights and a LED lantern, and a full sized bed that made the night pass with ease," according to Jeremy H.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fayetteville, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fayetteville, TN is Evans Loop Backcountry Site — Tims Ford State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Fayetteville, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Fayetteville, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.