Camping spots near Heiskell, Tennessee range from primitive lakeside sites to developed campgrounds with full amenities. Located in the Tennessee Valley at elevations between 900-1,100 feet, this area experiences high summer humidity with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August. Fall camping season offers more comfortable temperatures in the 60-70°F range with decreased precipitation, making September through early November particularly popular for campers.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 3 miles from Melton Hill Dam Campground, campers can access prime fishing spots along the Tennessee River. The dam area features multiple access points for bank fishing and boat launches. "Beautiful lake and easy access to water. Clean facilities," notes one visitor who rated the campground 5 stars.
Kayaking and swimming: At Loyston Point Campground, water activities dominate the recreation options with direct lake access from many sites. "Great place for kids to hang out, play in the water, and pull the boat right up to our camp site," shares a camper who visited with their children. The camp store sells basic supplies for water activities.
Hiking trails: West Campground at Norris Dam State Park offers immediate trail access from many sites. "We were right next to a trailhead and that gave us a lot of extra room," notes a camper who stayed at site 27. Trails range from easy lakeside paths to more challenging ridge routes with elevation changes of 300-400 feet.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Several campgrounds offer direct water access, with TVA Public Land at Fork Bend providing completely free primitive camping on Norris Lake. A camper reports, "The sites are all close to the water with beautiful sunsets on the west side and gorgeous sunrises on the east sites." Sites vary in size but can typically accommodate 1-3 vehicles per site.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the maintenance standards at Big Ridge State Park Campground, particularly in the newer bathhouse. "Bath houses are clean and one is fairly new. Some sites are right next to the water which is great for kayaking and water adventures," notes a recent visitor in July 2025.
Privacy options: For campers seeking more seclusion, backcountry sites provide alternatives to the more developed campgrounds. "I've stayed at this site a couple times now and I love the location. The site is a short and easy hike (under 2 miles) from the parking lot via the Lake Trail to the Dark Hollow Trail," explains a camper about Big Ridge State Park's backcountry options.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region feature sloped terrain requiring leveling equipment. At Loyston Point Campground, a camper notes, "The only downside is the horrifically unleveled sites. The bathrooms were clean, the view from our site was spectacular and the staff was very helpful."
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can be challenging, particularly at TVA Public Land areas. "From Demory Rd., take a right on Jim Lee rd, then take the second road on the left to head back to the public land area. Someone had carved in Fork Bend on the back of a road sign," explains a camper who initially had trouble finding the location.
Trash management: Free camping areas require pack-in, pack-out practices. A visitor to Fork Bend observed: "Unfortunately there's a lot of trash around, it's truly a shame some people pollute something so beautiful." Established campgrounds provide trash receptacles, but primitive areas do not.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming safety: When camping with children at Loyston Point, choose sites in the 10-20 range for gradual water entry. "Located on the beautiful Norris Lake. Our tents were right on the water and a short swim/walk to paddle boats and kayaks!" notes a family camper.
Playground access: Volunteer Park Family Campground offers family-friendly amenities including a unique play structure. "The park has a playground with a wooden pirate ship for kids, and a really nice pool. It was crystal clear," reports a visitor who stayed with their children.
Tent site selection: For tent camping families, proximity to bathhouses matters. At Big Ridge State Park, a camper advises: "Site 43. Big site, fairly flat. Just have levelers on one side. Close to the bathhouse and a quick walk to the entrance to get to the store, swim area, etc."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Clinton-Knoxville North KOA, full hookup sites have convenient placement. "The sites were tight but had full hook ups. Staff is super friendly and guided us into our pull-through site," notes a camper who stopped for one night while traveling. The campground has 37 RV sites, making reservations essential during peak season.
Road clearance: Access roads at some campgrounds can present challenges for larger rigs. At Big Ridge State Park, a camper noted: "Roads are a little narrow in the campground, made it a little hard to back trailer in- the front of the truck was the issue hitting rocks on the side of the road."
Winter camping considerations: Several campgrounds remain open year-round with varying levels of service. "We stayed in the A loop, site 26, for one night in early December. The ranger was very friendly when we checked in... The restroom/showers were just up a little hill from this site and were very clean, heated and with plenty of hot water," reports a winter camper at Cove Lake State Park Campground.
