Best Campgrounds near Harrison, TN

Harrison, Tennessee provides a range of camping experiences centered around Chickamauga Lake on the Tennessee River system. The area features several state parks and county campgrounds with established facilities. Harrison Bay State Park Campground is the primary destination with four distinct camping loops offering both tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. Other nearby options include Chester Frost Park with waterfront sites and cabins, and Prentice Cooper State Forest for primitive dispersed camping experiences. Most campgrounds in the region provide water and electric hookups for RVs, while tent-only areas typically offer more natural settings with shade and lake views.

Access to camping facilities varies by season, with some campgrounds like Chester Frost Park operating from April through October, while others including Harrison Bay remain open year-round. "Harrison Bay is a nice place to camp most of the time, but I don't recommend going in the summer. It's crowded and the raccoons are SO SO BAD," noted one camper, highlighting the importance of timing visits appropriately. Waterfront sites throughout the area are in high demand and typically require reservations well in advance, especially during summer months. Many campgrounds feature bathhouses with showers, though their condition and availability differ between locations. Wildlife encounters, particularly with deer and raccoons, are common throughout the campgrounds, requiring proper food storage and awareness.

The camping experience in this region is closely tied to water recreation on Chickamauga Lake. Campers report easy access to fishing, kayaking, swimming, and boating activities directly from many campsites. A visitor mentioned, "Just outside of Chattanooga TN, this campground has it all! Hiking, biking, a playground for the kids, water sports, a marina, an Olympic sized swimming pool." The proximity to Chattanooga (approximately 20-30 minutes) makes these campgrounds popular for those seeking outdoor experiences with urban conveniences nearby. Site layouts vary considerably between campgrounds and even between loops within the same park, with some offering spacious, private settings while others place campsites in closer proximity. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide picnic tables, fire rings, and access to trash disposal facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Harrison, Tennessee (313)

    1. Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Harrison, TN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 344-6214

    $22 - $28 / night

    "We live only 5 Miles from Harrison Bay State Park. We stayed in the Tent camping area recently."

    "Campground A has the roomy, level lots and B has right narrow lots that are very uneven with a plethora of trees around."

    2. Chester Frost Park

    35 Reviews
    Harrison, TN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 842-0177

    $21 - $30 / night

    "Tons of room to walk and play. Great swimming and fishing. Boating is huge here Bc there are docks all around the campground to pull up to. Playgrounds everywhere."

    "They have a frisbee golf course, playgrounds, walking trails, beach, easy access to the water and fields to start up any activity you desire. We read about uneven campsite but ours was pretty flat."

    3. Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground

    43 Reviews
    Lookout Mountain, TN
    16 miles
    +1 (423) 821-9403

    $55 - $56 / night

    "This place is Close to everything you’ll want to do in Chattanooga Tennessee"

    "My family and I went a few years ago on a trip to Tennessee. It was a decent place to stay. We RV camped on this trip, but the campground had tent sites too."

    4. Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    183 Reviews
    Trenton, GA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 657-4050

    $10 - $270 / night

    "Campground Review:East Rim Campground Pro’s: 1-Handicap Accessible, there is a cabin which is also HDA. 2- If your visiting for a get together your right next to the day use area and there is a picnic"

    "We stopped in for a few hours on our drive home from Tennessee. We drove through the campgrounds to scout out our site."

    5. Holiday Travel Park

    20 Reviews
    Fort Oglethorpe, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 891-9766

    $36 - $105 / night

    "There were pros and cons, so I’ll start with the cons- the campground is surrounded by what looked to be a mobile home community."

    "The gravel site was very level and the utilities were positioned well. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The location is easy to get to from I75/24."

    6. Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA

    16 Reviews
    Mcdonald, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 472-8928

    $55 / night

    "I should have gotten one of their little cabins...they look cozy and they are right next to the primitive camping."

    "The sites are very close together so there is not much room to move around or have pets outside. The rates are higher than I would like to pay but you more amenities for the price."

    7. Skull Island

    6 Reviews
    Soddy-Daisy, TN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 350-6053

    $39 - $47 / night

    "You cant beat waterfront and being able to step outside your tent and see water. What also loved was that I didn't feel crammed by other people."

    "Seemed to be a lot of locals, which were good to talk with about what to do in the other nearby parks. Shady campsites but open and not too private."

    8. Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

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

    "We drove for what felt like 20 miles down a well kept unpaved road from the entrance but I think it reality was only 5.5 miles."

    "You can definitely get lost driving around or hiking. If you're looking for a quiet place to camp near Chattanooga this is it."

    9. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

    145 Reviews
    Spencer, TN
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 881-5298

    $8 - $32 / night

    "Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."

    "Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks."

    10. Hawkins Pointe RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Fort Oglethorpe, GA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 820-6757

    $60 - $63 / night

    "Close to everything. Racing just down the street. That’s a positive or negative. On the nights they are racing you hear I’m the cars at the track."

    "Does have very nice place to walk, dog park/wash,corn hole, fire pit with two chairs to use. We loved it there. Check the price. Pull thru sites with picnic table."

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Recent Reviews near Harrison, TN

1409 Reviews of 313 Harrison Campgrounds


  • William  Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Marion county park Tennessee

    Hospitable spot to overnight with great fishing

    Spent the evening of the 9th Sept at Marion County Park near Chattanooga, right on the water, along Hwy 41. Fantastic hosts…Lots of fishing going on all around us. Good camping spot…level, water and electricity for $38.00. Bathhouse was older but clean with lots of hot water. Downside, only one shower stall had a bench for changing and there was no counter at the bathroom sink. The other downside was the traffic noise across the beautiful water from I-24. Very welcoming spot just off of I-24

  • Katrin M.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    Campground on the lake

    We camped here over the weekend, bc we participated in a dog event near by. At first we booked site B31. The tent pad was super small, there was no way for 2 bigger tents to fit. It's definitely better, if you have a camper. We changed to site A9 and that was much better. We had to set up the tents on concrete, which was awesome, because it rained all Saturday. The bathhouses were kinda outdated, but always clean. The park itself is ok. It's nothing spectacular there. The campsites directly on the water were very nice. All the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. I don't think, I would camp here again. The park was very clean, it has just not really anything nature wise that would catch my interest.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground

    Beautiful park, great hiking

    Cloudland Canyon is one of Georgia’s prettiest parks. There are 2 campgrounds. West Rim campground has more privacy, with the sites in the trees. Sites in The East Rim campground are closer together, and is noisier.. There are also backcountry campsites. The West Rim Loop Trail, considered one of the top 10 hikes in the United States, according to Backpacker Magazine starts in the West Rim Campground. There is also a strenuous waterfall trail into the canyon. The campground was water and electric sites. There are no full hookup sites, but there is a dump station. Modern showers and bathrooms.

  • b
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Campville LLC

    Great stay

    Super clean campground with great amenities!! Only a mile from 75 but doesn't feel like it's located by the interstate. Highly recommend checking the place out!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Calhoun A-OK Campground

    Now called CedarBreak…

    Not KOA anymore - the campground has been renamed CedarBreak. New owners and they are very nice and helpful. Nicely Renovated office and store. Upgraded our site when they knew our plans. Minor sound from adjacent road, other than that very quiet, clean, nice layout with trees, good site spacing, I’ll be back.

  • Suzanne-Will C.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Woodring Branch Primitive Campground — Carters Lake

    Great Tent Camping

    I love that this was a tent only camping site (no RVs). The sites were a bit smaller than I would have liked but as it was just the 10 sites on the road, the kids could safely play in the road. The water was by the toilets at the entrance but easily walkable from the sites.

  • Peyton P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    A few pull offs

    You can stay at either Hunter’s check campground or Davis Pond. If you want to stay at davis pond you have to get there before dark, and there is not access for vehicles to get into the campground so it’s just tents (no overlanding, unless you’re comfortable in the parking lot). I pulled off just off one of the trails and set up. It was quiet and private. Not buggy

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    Amazing site! See note on hook-ups

    This campground is great. The hosts/camp store workers are so nice. This site is big and has easy walk-in access to water for swimming or fishing. **Only weird thing is the hookups are on the opposite side of the site. Take a 50 ft water hose and a 30 amp extension - ours was 50 ft but I think a 30 ft would work. **

  • Tucker K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed

    Not as quiet as I thought

    There’s some good spots in the backcountry if you can find them, but be prepared to search quite a bit. The roads are pretty dense not many places to pull off. Night time is great but gunshots started at 6:30 at a nearby gun range and dirt bikes started hitting the roads not much later.


Guide to Harrison

Camping sites near Harrison, Tennessee center on the Tennessee River system with elevations between 670-800 feet and moderate humidity levels year-round. The region experiences typical southeastern seasonal patterns with summer highs in the 90s and winter lows occasionally below freezing. Some campgrounds close during winter months while others operate with reduced facilities from November through March.

What to do

Hiking along scenic trails: Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground offers extensive hiking opportunities with varying difficulty levels. "One of my favorite campgrounds in Georgia is at Cloudland Canyon State Park. A small hike from the parking area, there's plenty of space in these woods for a quaint and quiet stay," notes one visitor who found the backcountry areas particularly appealing.

Cave exploration: Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground provides unique underground adventures. "The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus," mentions a camper. The cave tours require advance reservations and proper footwear, with standard tours lasting approximately 45 minutes.

Fishing in stocked waters: Many campers report successful fishing at multiple locations, particularly at Skull Island, where one camper noted, "My husband caught several large mouth bass in the pond too (catch and release)." The island setup creates multiple shoreline fishing spots accessible directly from campsites.

What campers like

Waterfront camping access: Sites directly on the water remain the most requested feature. At Chester Frost Park, campers appreciate the lake proximity: "Love staying on the lake front and watching the sun set." The park's layout places many sites within 50 feet of the shoreline.

Air-conditioned bathhouses: During hot summer months, climate-controlled facilities make a significant difference. One camper specifically noted: "Spacious sites in D. AC bath houses!" referring to a section at Harrison Bay State Park. Several campgrounds have updated their facilities to include individual air-conditioned bathroom units rather than traditional shared facilities.

Dog-friendly accommodations: Most campgrounds welcome pets with specific amenities. "The campground was clean and the people working were very friendly. The sites are very close together so there is not much room to move around or have pets outside," notes a visitor to Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA, highlighting both the benefits and limitations for pet owners.

What you should know

Campsite drainage issues: After rainfall, several campgrounds experience standing water problems. "Would most likely stay again, but would ask for a site with no standing water. Major drainage problem," reported a camper at Holiday Travel Park, noting many sites had water pooling for days after storms.

Seasonal closures and limitations: Check operating schedules before planning. At Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed, "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," warns a visitor who had to find alternative accommodations.

Wildlife management considerations: Several campgrounds report active wildlife that requires proper food storage. "Kind of tough time to enforce and they are having a good time," remarked a camper at Raccoon Mountain about children running around closed playgrounds during Covid restrictions, showing how rule enforcement varies by location and season.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity selection: When booking sites, check for playground adjacent locations. A visitor to Chester Frost Park enthused: "This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!"

Swimming options for children: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground provides exceptional water recreation according to campers: "Make sure you do three things while you're there: hike to the bottom of the big waterfall (Fall Creek Falls), swim in the cascades next to the nature center, and stand on the edge of the bluff at Buzzard's Roost."

Site space for activities: Request larger sites when traveling with children. "Sites 4-9 are well spaced from each other and great for tent campers and families who want their kids to have room to play," noted a Cloudland Canyon visitor, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate locations rather than just any available site.

Tips from RVers

Level site challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. A visitor to Holiday Travel Park reported: "Site 212 sold to us as a deluxe site, at $62/night, which we found no evidence of anything deluxe at our site or in the campground. Site 212 pull-thru was not long enough to keep our tow vehicle connected to our 27ft trailer."

Utility placement considerations: Check hookup locations before arrival. "It was very easy to pull in and utilities were nicely placed in the middle of the pad. The water pressure was good and they have a nice selection of cable channels," noted a camper at Holiday Travel Park, demonstrating the variability of utility setup even within the same campground.

Site selection for size: Big rigs require careful site selection. "We have a 40' class A and flat tow a Jeep. We stayed in site 203 for 3 nights. While we really enjoyed the campground, this site was not ideal for an RV our size. We weren't able to put our awnings out or comfortably sit outside," cautioned a visitor to Raccoon Mountain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Harrison, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Harrison, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 313 campgrounds and RV parks near Harrison, TN and 25 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Harrison, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Harrison, TN is Harrison Bay State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 56 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harrison, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 free dispersed camping spots near Harrison, TN.