Dispersed camping areas near Greenback, Tennessee provide primitive outdoor experiences with varying terrain access from lakeshore to creek-side settings. Most sites sit at elevations between 800-1200 feet, creating moderate temperatures that average 55-75°F during peak camping seasons from April through October. While TVA and National Forest lands manage these free camping options, specific site layouts vary significantly from rocky creek beds to smooth lakefront locations.
What to do
Hiking Citico Creek trails: Multiple trail options connect to campsites along Citico Creek Area, with paths suitable for day hiking adjacent to camping areas. "This campground is great for being right next to great day hikes and easy access to Citico Creek, which was just across the gravel road from our site," notes Phoebe A.
Swimming in mountain waterways: Creeks and lake access points offer swimming during summer months when water levels remain moderate. A visitor to Lake Santeetlah Dispersed commented, "My dog absolutely loved how much space she had to roam around and how clear the water was excellent for swimming."
Paddling opportunities: Several sites accommodate non-motorized watercraft, particularly those at Calderwood Lake where motorized boats are prohibited. "If you are willing to bring everything with you, pack everything out, and paddle multiple miles on a nonmotorized finger lake, this is this place for you!" explains Tyler J. about Calderwood Lake Primitive campground.
Fishing access: Multiple sites offer bank fishing with bass and bluegill commonly caught near camping areas. "Fishing from the banks is possible and it was relatively clean and quiet. Definitely worth a visit," reports Colton F.
Trail running: Routes connecting dispersed sites provide trail running opportunities with minimal elevation changes. The Benton McKaye trail runs directly beside several campgrounds with connections to longer routes.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites, campers appreciate the layout. "These campsites are so spread out it feels like you're the only one on the lake," states Kaylee D., who adds: "Sites are so spread out it feels like you're the only one on the lake!"
Straightforward access: Many sites can be reached without specialized vehicles despite being remote. "There are nine sites here down a decent gravel road. You have to drive past the cemetery and you'll see the sign," explains Blake R. about Long Hungry Road.
Direct water access: Proximity to water remains a top attraction for most sites. A camper at Lost Creek - Cherokee NF observed, "This is a great spot in the river. Picnic tables, fire ring, pit toilet and all you hear is the river at night."
Well-established fire rings: Most sites feature established fire rings with cooking grates. "Included in the site were a fire ring with cooking grate, picnic table, lantern pole, grill, lots of wood on the ground for fires, and trees to hang hammocks from," notes Andy S.
True wilderness experience: The remote nature appeals to those seeking solitude. One camper described Calderwood Lake as "undisturbed bliss" and was hesitant to mention it "because of how pristine I would like for it to stay."
What you should know
Variable trash conditions: Site cleanliness depends heavily on previous campers, with some locations requiring cleanup. "I live not far from here and we camped at site #3 we picked up so much trash in and around our site that it was sad," reports Jason A. about Citico Creek Area.
Zero cell coverage: Nearly all dispersed sites lack reliable cellular service. As Karen noted at Lake Santeetlah Dispersed, "AT&T works just fine!" but this appears to be an exception to the general lack of connectivity.
Road conditions: Many access roads require careful navigation especially after rain. As one camper at Sourwood Campground warned, "I could see them being bad after a heavy storm. Gravel 7 miles to here."
Weekend congestion: Popular sites fill quickly during peak times, especially Friday through Sunday. "We went this past summer and had a nice visit. There wasn't too many people but a few weeks later we drove thru and people were packed in like sardines," reports Kimberly P.
Seasonal closures: Some areas close entirely during winter months. One camper at Jackson Island noted, "We've been enjoying our stay but sadly we're informed by a man driving around to be out by Nov 3 as they're closing the site for the season."
Tips for camping with families
Choose creek sites for wading: Shallow water areas provide safer water play for children compared to lake sites. Monte W. found Citico Creek ideal: "The creek was pretty high and fast flowing. There were several marked campgrounds along the creek."
Prepare for no facilities: Most sites lack any facilities beyond occasional pit toilets. "No hookups of any kind but it's worth it!" explains Natalie R. about Lake Santeetlah Dispersed.
Pack extra trash bags: Many campers report needing to clean sites upon arrival. Brent L. at Sourwood Campground noted: "Only complaints are having to spend an hour picking up others trash that they left."
Arrive early on weekends: Sites fill rapidly during peak season without reservation options. At Lake Santeetlah, Charles observed, "We camped in the truck and had no issues with traffic since the sites are on a side-road off the main road."
Research exact locations: GPS coordinates often prove more reliable than addresses. As one camper cautioned, "Also reverify your directions. Google maps brought me to a spot 30 miles away."
Tips from RVers
Small campers only: Most dispersed sites accommodate truck campers, vans or small trailers but not larger RVs. At Sourwood Campground, Victor S. warned: "It would absolutely NOT be a good location for a class A motorhome but maybe some of the smaller class C's could get settled in there I saw a small camper trailer sitting comfortable."
Vehicle positioning challenges: Limited turnaround space affects site selection for anything beyond tent camping. "I would not like to try to get a larger camper or 5th wheel in there, way too tight to turn around," noted Victor S.
Firm ground conditions: Despite remote locations, most sites feature compacted ground suitable for leveling. "All of the sites had solid packed ground so it would not be hard to level whatever rig you use," observed one camper.
Roof-top tent options: Several sites accommodate vehicles with roof-top tent setups. A visitor to Lake Santeetlah reported, "We were fortunate to get a site that allowed us to pull the car right into the site for our roof top tent."
