Tent camping options near Hampton, Tennessee span across the northeastern corner of the state and into nearby North Carolina. Most sites sit at elevations between 1,800-3,200 feet, offering cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The area contains both Cherokee National Forest lands and access points to the Appalachian Trail, with camping available from April through October when temperatures range from 45-85°F.
What to do
Fishing access: At Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area, fishing opportunities abound with direct water access from select campsites. One visitor noted, "Opportunities for fishing and boating are abundant. Most of campsites are large, very shaded, and have at least one fire ring."
Mountain hiking: The Beauty Spot Gap on Unaka Mountain serves as a trailhead for several hiking routes. According to a camper, "Place pretty busy. Its more of a trail head parking lot. Good tent camping if you hike down the trail."
River activities: For water adventures, the 3 Day Nature Effect in the Smoky Mountains offers unique water access. A reviewer explained, "For an additional fee, you can have your kayak or canoe shuttled to and from the Nolichucky River."
Creek exploration: Multiple campsites feature creek access for cooling off during summer months. At Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campground, visitors can enjoy "a small babbling creek" and wake up to "the awesome sounds of nature."
What campers like
Temperature relief: Blue Bear Mountain Camp provides cooler summer temperatures due to its elevation. One camper confirmed, "The elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," while another noted summer temperatures of "70-80 in July!"
Cleanliness: Immaculate facilities earn praise at several sites. A camper at Blackberry Blossom described it as "the cleaner, more beautiful campground in my life. The facilities are up to date, the bathhouse is spotless."
Noise levels: Sound conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Blackberry Blossom, a camper appreciated that "this spot is quiet and peaceful, no parties and loud camping vehicles," contrasting with Little Stony Creek where "Lots of road noise—you're sitting in a valley bordered by highway on 3 sides, and the echo is serious."
Site spacing: Dark Ridge HideOut offers well-spaced sites for privacy. One reviewer described their spot as having "excellent parking spot with plenty of room to set up a 3-person tent."
What you should know
Access challenges: Several dispersed camping areas require equipment hauling. At Little Stony Creek, it's "a park outside the gate and walk your gear in type of place, some bring your IKEA bags or a wagon."
Camping vs. picnic areas: Some locations listed as campgrounds are actually day-use only. The Laurels Picnic Area Pavilions is "just a picnic site with toilets and water," while Watauga Point Recreation Area has "access to the lake, lots of picnic benches and shade" but no overnight camping.
Trash issues: Pack-out requirements aren't always followed. At Little Stony Creek, a camper reported "folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground" and another noted "trash everywhere making some sites unusable."
Limited amenities: Camper Mountain on Roaring Creek has connectivity challenges but offers solutions. A visitor noted "It's a bit of a drive out there with little to no cell service but wifi is available over the whole site!"
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Creekside sites provide natural water play areas for children. Blue Bear Mountain Camp has "a nice creek and we caught a trout in the pond right away," though a visitor noted "I wish there was a playground for the kids but overall it was very nice."
Easy-access sites: For the best tent camping near Hampton, Tennessee with children, select drive-up sites. Blackberry Blossom Farm has designated drive-up spots "that are near the bathhouse and a small babbling creek."
Activity planning: Some campgrounds lack built-in entertainment. A Blue Bear Mountain camper mentioned, "You're literally on a mountain, so there's not much for hiking," suggesting families should plan their own activities.
Supply logistics: Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campground offers a small store for forgotten items. A camper appreciated that "the camp store is also a lifesaver in case of the inevitable last-minute needs for items left at home."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. For Blue Bear Mountain Camp, a visitor cautioned that "the state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there."
Water hookups: Several campgrounds lack direct water connections. At Blue Bear, "They do not have water hookups—you fill your camper tank with water at the office area."
RV size limitations: Narrow mountain roads restrict larger vehicles. Little Stony Creek has "scary narrow rocky trails," limiting RV access to smaller units only.
