Nate S.
Traveler
TravelerNorth River Campground
Secluded
This site has become a tradition to visit for a week once a year. I love this location.
Camping near Turtletown, TN
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The Cherokee National Forest surrounding Turtletown, Tennessee provides a range of camping environments from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites along mountain streams. Thunder Rock Campground and Lost Creek Campground serve as primary camping areas in this Appalachian region, offering both tent and RV accommodations. Most established campgrounds maintain seasonal operations from April through November, though Lost Creek remains open year-round for primitive camping. The nearby Hiawassee/Ocoee State Park's Gee Creek Campground offers additional camping options with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails, while Chilhowee Recreation Area provides both RV and tent sites with electric hookups.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many secondary forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall. "This campground is gorgeous and free. There are two sides of the camp, the camp side and the trail side. It is very, very high traffic on the weekends," notes one camper about a nearby free camping area. Most campgrounds in the Turtletown vicinity close during winter months due to weather conditions and limited maintenance, though several dispersed camping areas remain accessible year-round for experienced campers. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many camping locations, particularly those in valleys or remote forest sections. Campers should prepare for temperature fluctuations common in the Southern Appalachians, where elevation changes can create significant weather variations even in summer.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest visitor ratings across the region's mixed-use campgrounds. Several sites along the Ocoee River provide direct water access for swimming and fishing, though they tend to fill quickly during summer weekends. The proximity to whitewater recreation areas makes Thunder Rock particularly popular among paddlers. A visitor noted, "Great waters for whitewater rafters and kayakers to enjoy. For the hiking and biking enthusiasts the Tanasi Trail system that adjoins at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, just a short hike or drive from the campground." Campgrounds farther from main roads generally offer more solitude but fewer amenities. Wildlife sightings are common across all camping areas, with black bears occasionally reported, requiring proper food storage practices at all tent and RV sites.
Best Campgrounds near Turtletown (585)
1. Thunder Rock Campground
"Campsites are close to one another. If you camp at a site near the water, it is really nice, but everyone will walk by your campsite so they can go down the path to the river."
"Easy access off Hwy 64, so close to stores for food and firewood. Well maintained campsite with clean bathrooms and very clean, nice showers. Alcohol prohibited as think county is dry."
from $12 - $20 / night
Check Availability2. Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park
"Bath house is relatively nice for a state park campground. 1 mile walking path surrounding the grounds is nice. Safe area for bicycle riding. Great proximity to many outdoor activities."
"This sweet state park campground is tucked into a spot along Gee Creek, which is great for boating, fishing, and swimming in the summertime heat of Tennessee. "
3. Chilhowee Recreation Area
"My partner and I headed to nearby Chilhowie Campground in the Cherokee National Forest last year to try out our new teardrop camper. We chose site 1 in the A Loop as it had shore power."
"It has clean bathrooms with showers, fire rings with grill grates, lots of hiking, hike to a beautiful waterfall, huge lake to swim or float on a raft, and the lightning bugs were breath taking!!"
from $12 - $30 / night
Check Availability4. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF
"A very well-kept campground given how off the beaten path it is. Most sites had tent pads and a concrete picnic table and were very clean. The garbage bins had been emptied so weren't overfowing."
"Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt."
5. Parksville Lake RV Campground
"Each site is a good distance away from the other and there is the constant sound of the creek flowing right next to it. The bathrooms are clean and right in the middle a perfect spot for a getaway"
"Easy to navigate around sites. Lots of shade. Close by Occoee White Water center where the Atlanta olympics took place. Plan your visit around the water release. There schedule is online. "
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability6. Chilhowee
"Scenic views the whole drive up, followed by a safe, cozy campground with clean facilities and a great grouping of trails."
"The campsite was clean, and our site was a good distance from other campers. The campground has a nice hike to Benton Falls which is beautiful."
from $12 - $20 / night
Check Availability7. Morganton Point Campground
"Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by."
"We were right next to the camp host, which was pretty nice – we didn’t have to go far to ask for wood or ice! Plus, there were trails leading right to the lake. "
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability8. Persimmon Creek RV Park
"This is a beautiful secluded site just off of Highway 64/74 not too far from the Tennessee border. The campground is very well kept and has wonderful amenities for both RV and tent campers."
"I don't have a huge point of reference, but I can give you details on everything that was smooth
- Location - Just off a 4 lane highway. Convenient with easy access to your site. "
from $55 - $900 / night
Check Availability9. Top of the World RV
"Close to grocery stores & TONS of mountain goodness."
"As close to heaven as it gets"
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability10. Hiwassee River Area
"Our first time here at the Hiwassee Outfitter camping area in Reliance, Tennessee. Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup."
"This is a popular location for the regional university students so expect a bit of a hootenanny to surround and welcome you."
Drive Time
- 56 min from Cleveland, TN
- 1 hr 19 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 1 hr 39 min from Knoxville, TN
- 1 hr 44 min from Gainesville, GA
Recent Camping Photos near Turtletown, TN
750 Photos of 585 Turtletown Campgrounds
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Winedrops Creekside Camping
Victoria C.
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Lost Creek - Cherokee NF
Whit A.
Thunder Rock Campground
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Persimmon Creek RV Park
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Recent Reviews near Turtletown, TN
1910 Reviews of 585 Turtletown Campgrounds
- Nate S.Traveler
chester frost campground tennessee
Small
They sure know how to pack people in; it's an extremely small site.
- MMegan S.
Scout411 River Rest Campground
A Summer Go-To for Young Families!
This is an annual MUST for us. So many amenities — playground, gaga ball, ping pong, splash pad & pool, fishing pond, cornhole, basketball, mining, ice cream at the camp office. Agree with others that their golf cart delivery of firewood & pizza is the the cherry on top!
We love getting site 43. Our kids are 4 & 5 but we can comfortably see them across the way at the playground while we rest at our site or prep for the next meal. So much love for this place and the memories we have made here!!
Rikki H.TravelerLook Rock Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Look Rock Camp! Beautiful Views up here!
This top of the mountain campground is amazing. There was barely anyone here and just a short/walk drive down the road are tons of overlooks and a short hike to a watch tower. I definitely recommend this place.
- MMJ N.Scout
Skeenah Creek Campground & Mill
Quiet, Peaceful, Welcoming
We had a wonderful stay at Skeenah Creek Campground. We stayed for three nights with our F250 and 30 ft toy hauler, and from the moment we booked until checkout, the experience was excellent.
The drive through the Appalachian mountains is beautiful but definitely winding. The campground sent us detailed directions before our trip which helped us plan the best route for our rig. On the day we arrived we received a text letting us know they were expecting us along with a phone number in case we needed anything along the way.
Brian and Mark were incredibly welcoming and made themselves available throughout our stay if we had any questions or needed assistance.
The campground itself is clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully organized. Everything is clearly marked. We especially appreciated the shaded community recreation area with ceiling fans, games and activities. It was the perfect place for our family to cool off during the hottest part of the day.
One of our favorite moments was when Mark shared fresh tomatoes from the campground garden. Our toddler absolutely loves tomatoes, so it was such a thoughtful and memorable gesture.
- K
Kane G.TravelerSourwood Campground
Beautiful area
Only deducting a star for people not cleaning after themselves, leaving me to yet again to clean a site after someone before I can enjoy myself. Bring trash bags and pack your trash out with you please. Over all very beautiful area. I absolutely recommend if you don’t mind having other sites within 30-50 ft of you. Not usually my style, but the beauty of this area makes it alright. Even 2 wheel drive cars can make it back here.
James N.
RangerTallulah River Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest
A Little Noisy
The campground is great, but it's adjacent to a road that can have some very loud vehicle traffic. I've seen cleaner restrooms, but I wouldn't call these bad.
If your campsite is not on the river you will have to skirt the sites that are to go down to the river. Water is available, but I only saw one campsite with electric hookup and it was at what I assume was the camp host whose camp site looked like he/she had moved in, complete with a carport for their two vehicles - I found it to be a bit obnoxious right on the river.
With all that said, I would stay there again.
- James N.Ranger
Low Gap Campground — Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest
Beautiful Setting Away From the Crowds of Helen
Campsite is near Helen, GA, but I would avoid going there unless you enjoy crowds. We were there on July 4 and it was a mob scene, so getting out into the national forest was a very pleasent experience!
Low Gap Road is paved most of the way to the campsite with only a short stretch of fairly well kept gravel. Once you hit the gravel there are two stream crossings before you get to the campsite. I wouldn't attempt crossing them in a low vehicle if the water is high.
There are well kept vault toilets at the campsite which is divided into two sections separated by Low Gap Creek which you have to ford in order to reach about half of the camp sites. There is a footbridge for accessing the toilets as they are on that side of the camp ground.
Low Gap Creek is beautiful and worth some time exploring.
- BBob B.
GuideFort Mountain State Park Backcountry Campsites
Spacious, Shaded Campsites
The campsites are great - most appear to be very level and in good shape. Our site is noisy at times, as it backs up to a primary road in the park and there is a good bit of vehicle and foot traffic. There is zero reception for T-Mobile users at this campsite.
Guide to Turtletown
Turtletown sits in the Cherokee National Forest region of southeast Tennessee, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet. The area experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures averaging in the 80s, while winter can bring occasional snow. Campers will find a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping options, with several sites offering direct access to the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers.
What to do
River activities: The Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers provide excellent options for water recreation. At Thunder Rock Campground, "whitewater kayakers can put on the river right from their campsite," according to Henry F. For rafting enthusiasts, Jennifer S. notes, "I took my son camping, river rafting, and ziplining last Labor Day weekend. We had a great time!"
Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect to campgrounds in the area. At Lost Creek Campground, "the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside it" makes it easy to start your hike right from camp. GoWhereYouAreDraw N. adds that Thunder Rock has "two trailheads in the surrounding area - Thunder Rock Express and Dry Pond Lead with parking available at the Campground entrance."
Fishing spots: Several campgrounds offer fishing access. Katrin S. describes the Hiwassee River Area: "We overlooked the Hiwassee on campsite 43. The river is smooth until 11am. We went fly fishing right from the campsite. The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate riverside camping. At Gee Creek Campground, Anna M. notes, "The Rangers check in daily and are very friendly. A trail runs the perimeter of the camp and the Hiwasee River runs next to the campground." Tyler J. simply states that Thunder Rock is "right next to the ocoee river. Wonderful spot."
Privacy between sites: Campsites with adequate separation are valued. Brian P. describes Gee Creek as a "nice campground with a new playground, hot showers and good river access." At Lost Creek, Scott E. mentions, "Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. The highlight would definitely be the creek. There are spots that you can swim around in."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with well-maintained amenities receive high marks. At Chilhowee Recreation Area, Jason L. notes, "This campsite was beautiful. Sites were clean. The bike trails were challenging." Even primitive sites like Lost Creek get praise - Charles H. comments, "This is a great spot in the river. Picnic tables, fire ring, pit toilet and all you hear is the river at night."
What you should know
Campground access: Some campgrounds require driving on forest roads. Lost Creek "can be found deep in the wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest outside of Benton, TN... traversing a well maintained gravel road for 7 miles," according to Gregg G. Similarly, Nathan G. notes about Chilhowee, "There is definitely a long drive (7 Mile) uphill to the campground, but it is definitely worth the drive."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Turtletown, TN?
What camping is available near Turtletown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Turtletown, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 585 campgrounds and RV parks near Turtletown, TN and 55 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Turtletown, TN?
Which is the most popular campground near Turtletown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Turtletown, TN is Thunder Rock Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Turtletown, TN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Turtletown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 55 free dispersed camping spots near Turtletown, TN.
What parks are near Turtletown, TN?
What parks are near Turtletown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Turtletown, TN that allow camping, notably Tusquitee National Forest and Croatan National Forest.
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