Best Dispersed Camping near Graysville, TN

The Cumberland Plateau region surrounding Graysville, Tennessee features predominantly dispersed camping options managed by multiple agencies including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Cherokee National Forest, and state wildlife management areas. Within an hour's drive, campers can access primitive sites at Jackson Island Dispersed Campground near Spring City, where waterfront camping is available without developed facilities, or explore the more extensive network of sites at Prentice Cooper State Forest, which offers both drive-in and hike-in camping opportunities. Most locations maintain a rustic character with minimal amenities, though some provide basic features like fire rings, picnic tables, and occasional pit toilets.

Many camping areas require travel on unpaved forest service roads, with several sites located 5-7 miles from paved highways. As one camper noted about Lost Creek Campground, "It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest, with easy creek access." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote locations, particularly after rainfall when roads can become muddy or rutted. Cell service is typically limited or nonexistent throughout the region. Wildlife considerations include proper food storage in bear country, and campers should be aware that many areas close seasonally or during hunting seasons, with most Prentice Cooper sites closed between December and March.

Creekside and riverside camping locations receive consistently high ratings from visitors, with water access serving as a primary attraction. Campers frequently mention the peacefulness of remote sites, though weekend crowding can occur at more accessible locations. One reviewer of Conasauga River Dispersed Site noted it "can be crowded on weekends" despite its easy access and proximity to pit toilets. Several campgrounds feature established fire rings and flat tent pads, though amenities remain minimal. Visitors to Wildlife Management Areas should verify seasonal closures related to hunting activities, as one camper advised: "If you are not hunting, you might want to avoid it during hunting season." Night sky viewing opportunities are exceptional at more remote sites due to minimal light pollution.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Graysville, Tennessee (23)

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

    9 Reviews
    Spring City, TN
    20 miles
    Website

    "The campground is very easily accessible and has no facilities other than garbage bins."

    "Felt safe overall."

    2. Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Signal Mountain, TN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 658-5551

    "Prentice Cooper is an amazing place and offers two campgrounds and several backcountry camping spots."

    "We loved exploring Prentice Cooper State Forest! What a gem! We actually stayed in one of the camping areas, but next time we'd like to backpack instead."

    3. Prentice Cooper State Forest Camp

    2 Reviews
    Signal Mountain, TN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 658-5551

    "This is a great FREE spot right outside the hunters entrance of prentice cooper state forest. There are about 12 spots and it wasn’t crowded when we came on a Saturday."

    4. Tennessee Wall Camp

    3 Reviews
    Lookout Mountain, TN
    32 miles

    "We really enjoyed our night tent camping here."

    5. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

    9 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    40 miles
    Website

    "The lost cove campground can be found deep in the wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest outside of Benton, TN. The campground is operated and maintained by the USFS."

    "We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."

    6. Jack's River Falls Trail/Cohutta Wilderness Backcountry Group Camp

    4 Reviews
    Cisco, GA
    43 miles

    "This is a tough trail but good for teens looking to challenge themselves in the back country. The views are amazing with rock falls. Camping is primitive as back country can be but worth the trek."

    "Obviously very close to the river to filter water from. We didn't see any wildlife at this site, but we did see a copperhead at another earlier in the trip, so be aware!"

    7. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Crandall, GA
    47 miles
    Website

    "This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) "

    "This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on"

    8. Conasauga River Camp

    2 Reviews
    Cisco, TN
    40 miles

    "Lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends."

    "My go-to spot gets picked up during the fall A lot but best dispersed site I’ve found in a while"

    9. Goforth Creek Campground A

    2 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    40 miles
    Website

    "This campsite is a backcountry site located along the Goforth Creek trail and is the closest to the parking area. It is also the largest of the sites with room for several tents."

    10. Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    5 Reviews
    Lancing, TN
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 456-2479

    "Solid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles."

    "There was no accessible water near by so make sure you bring your own provisions. Haven’t got to explore much around the area by hiking. Found a nice creek a few miles on down the road."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Graysville, TN

53 Reviews of 23 Graysville Campgrounds


  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Big Creek Primitive Camping Area

    Remote Primitive Camping

    This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.

    This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon. 

    This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving. 

    There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking. 

    This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Creekside Camp

    Very primitive

    No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek.

  • Cole T.
    May. 14, 2021

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Great

    Prentice Cooper is an amazing place and offers two campgrounds and several backcountry camping spots. There is a campground not too far after pulling in the gravel road that has some really nice spots. The other campground requires you to drive down a gravel road for approximately 7 miles and then down some trails that require high clearance. This campground is nice and tooked into the woods with a pond nearby. There are several OHV trails in prentice Cooper and the place can get very crowded on the weekends. Definitely recommend going during the week.

  • Roy B.
    Nov. 6, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Grassy Field in forested mountainous area.

    This is a primitive group camping area close to Lake Conasauga. GPS is 34.86064073010609,-84.63659794105651. (Photos and this review are from my last stay here on 31 Oct- 02 Nov 2021.) 

    The camping field is at the base of Bald Mountain, altitude 4005'. Nearby Tearbritches Trail will take you to the summit of Bald Mountain and then down to the Conasauga River. The Emery Creek Trail is at the back of the camping area. There are some fire pits in the open field. 

    The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar(or no cell). 

    This area is fairly remote and the rough gravel forest service roads are best traveled by a higher clearance vehicle. 2x2 usually works ok though. (It takes patience and a while to get here.) This is a popular mountain bike area and the cyclists can easily hit speeds of 30MPH on the sketchy downhills.

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 19, 2022

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Large Dispersed Camping Field

    This is a large field for dispersed camping along Conasauga Lake Road that is popular with both hikers (Emery Creek Trail and Tear Britches Trail both have trailheads here) and Overlanders (site is on the Big Frog Loop and Georgia Traverse). There are multiple fire rings established around the field and this field can handle many groups. No water or facilities here, but you can go down to the Lake Conasauga Campground about a mile away and use their facilities for a $5 fee. The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van.

  • Roy B.
    Oct. 13, 2021

    Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area

    Remote. Field.

    34.860688452654024,-84.63670121000321

    Stayed here a number of times during each of the four seasons. Fairly remote for eastern U.S, (but I have watched, over the past 2 decades, Atlanta grow northward, and a lot of development in Ellijay and Blue Ridge areas, and it is a little depressing).  Access is by gravel roads. There are bears in the area and they love food. (A fed bear is a dead bear-please don't leave any food out and scare them away if they come around.)

    No amenities. Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River. One can look for butterflies, other insects, birds, flowers, etc. There are many trails in the Cohutta Wilderness, which is just to the north.

    I will post some photos of nearby Bald Mountain and the trail head for Tearbritches Trail. Other photos of the area here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rbinv/albums/72157634085883873

    (N34 51.670 W84 38.120) This leads over the highest western-most mountain in the eastern U.S., and then down to Bray Field at the junction of Tearbritches Creek and the Conasauga River(N34 53.897 W84 37.296)- It is a long steep grade down to the Conasauga(1-way distance is 3.4 miles)| 30 August 2013

    Here are some notes I took about the vegetation in the area:

    The north-northeasterly facing slope of Bald Mountain within a half-mile of the summit, elevation 4005'. Mostly New York Fern(Thelypteris noveboracensis) here, but also saw Hay-scented(Dennstaedtia punctilobula), Cinnamon(Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), and Interrupted Ferns(Osmunda claytoniana) in this immediate area. New York Ferns are common throughout the widerness| Tearbritches Trail, Cohutta Wilderness, N. Georgia Mountains| 30 August 2013

  • Ava R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2023

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Camp

    Quiet but muddy

    This is a great FREE spot right outside the hunters entrance of prentice cooper state forest. There are about 12 spots and it wasn’t crowded when we came on a Saturday. It is a bit muddy but it is manageable.

  • S
    Jul. 16, 2016

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Dispersed Camping in Prentice Cooper State Forest

    We loved exploring Prentice Cooper State Forest! What a gem! We actually stayed in one of the camping areas, but next time we'd like to backpack instead. We ran a bunch of the trails - enjoyed the views - wonderful spot.

  • Andrew R.
    Apr. 3, 2022

    Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Convenient and pretty

    I've read reviews elsewhere of this camping area getting crowded and rowdy. We went during a relatively chilly weekend in early April and had no trouble finding a spot. It was quiet, private, and beautiful. I can see however how that may be very different during warmer months.

    The campground is very easily accessible and has no facilities other than garbage bins.


Guide to Graysville

Rustic camping near Graysville, Tennessee places campers within the transitional zone between the Cumberland Plateau and Tennessee Valley, with elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,100 feet throughout the area. Summer temperatures typically reach highs in the upper 80s with evening lows in the 60s, while spring and fall camping seasons experience significant day-night temperature fluctuations of 20-30 degrees. Most dispersed sites require campers to pack out all waste and bring their own water supply.

What to do

Creek exploration: Swimming holes and wading areas exist at several campgrounds near Graysville. At Lost Creek Campground, located 7 miles down a gravel forest road, there are "spots that you can swim around in" according to camper Scott E. The creek water remains clear and flowing, especially after rainfall.

Fishing opportunities: Cast for bass in various water bodies. At Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, one camper reported "great fishing" while another mentioned her "husband caught a bass" during their fall visit. Fishing is productive in spring and early summer, with several campers noting success even during brief stays.

Night sky observation: View stars at remote sites with minimal light pollution. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area is particularly noted for this experience, as one camper shared: "I searched on terrain maps for some of the best south facing skies for a great view of the belt of the milky way. Go here on a new moon night in the summer and you're sure to have a great night of uninterrupted beauty!"

What campers like

Riverside privacy: Waterfront sites offer natural sound barriers between camping areas. At Tennessee Wall Camp, campers enjoy "sites with fire pits" right on the water after "a fun ~30 minute drive through residential roads." The camp provides "plenty of firewood to collect on site" according to a recent visitor.

Challenging hiking access: Primitive trails lead to secluded camping areas. At Jack's River Falls Trail, one camper noted it's "a tough trail but good for teens looking to challenge themselves in the back country." Another mentioned their "group of 10 that spread out over this little 'island' very easily" with "two campfire areas already in place."

Wildlife viewing: Animal sightings occur regularly throughout the camping areas. One Bi-Color Campground visitor reported: "Lots of wildlife sounds at night. Also a random heard of cattle strols through every now and again." These unexpected encounters add to the rustic camping experience in the Graysville vicinity.

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Check before visiting as many campgrounds have restricted access during certain periods. A recent visitor to Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed warned: "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."

Theft concerns: Secure belongings when leaving campsites unattended. A Jackson Island camper reported: "Left to go on a hike & came back to our chairs & wood being stolen. Disappointing, but also the chance you take when leaving your personal items unattended."

Road conditions: High clearance vehicles recommended for accessing many primitive camping locations. At Goforth Creek Campground, visitors noted the "parking lot is very small so be on the lookout for it" and that the area becomes particularly challenging to access after rainfall when forest roads deteriorate.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose established areas with natural boundaries for children. At Conasauga River Camp, one visitor described it as a "lovely little spot next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river" with "about 5 or 6 good spots" that are "accessible easily from a 2WD just off of a long gravel road."

Water activities: Bring river shoes for creek access and swimming. Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area provides access to multiple waterways, with one camper noting: "Lake Conasauga is nearby which has some amenities. One can hike up to the top of nearby Bald Mountain and then hike down to the Conasauga River."

Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for potential animal encounters. At Bi-Color Campground, campers frequently report hearing nighttime wildlife sounds, with one noting there's "plenty of wildlife and lots of shady areas" making it important to properly secure food and trash.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations: Expect primitive conditions with few accommodations for larger vehicles. Lost Creek Campground "can accommodate tents and small RVs, complete with concrete picnic tables and a fire ring" according to one visitor, but access requires navigating 7 miles of unpaved forest road.

Road navigation: Scout routes first before attempting with larger rigs. One Bi-Color Campground visitor cautioned the dirt road is "washboard out was north to Rock Creek campground steep downhill grade narrow. My opinion not for 5th wheel."

Seasonal timing: Avoid hunting periods when parking may be limited. A visitor to Bi-Color Campground observed: "Rifle season starts Nov 20. I'm 10 days early, and was a bit surprised just how many hunters are already here," noting the campground was "jammed packed with hunters" making it difficult to find suitable parking for larger vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Graysville, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Graysville, TN is Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with a 3.6-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Graysville, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 dispersed camping locations near Graysville, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.