Best Dispersed Camping near Hampton, TN
Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area provides free tent camping near Hampton with waterfront sites for kayaking and fishing access. Sites include established fire rings, but lack tables, toilets, or drinking water. Road noise is significant due to the valley location bordered by highway on three sides. A parking area is available, requiring campers to carry gear into sites. Reviews note excessive trash in some areas, with one visitor reporting they "spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground."
Grassy Ridge Bald offers backcountry camping at 6,000 feet along the Appalachian Trail near the North Carolina-Tennessee border. This hike-in area features open bald mountain terrain with exceptional views. A visitor noted "there are several spots on the bald to pitch your tent" but warned "firewood is scarce so bring a lantern and cook stove." The exposed location experiences high winds, requiring appropriate gear and preparation. Other dispersed options include Unaka Mountain Overlook and Beauty Spot Gap, both drive-in sites accessible from forest roads, though reviews mention trash issues at these locations.