Chester Frost Park sits on the Chickamauga Lake shoreline about 10 miles northeast of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. The park offers camping at elevations between 680-700 feet, with most sites positioned within 100 yards of the water. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F, making water access a priority for campers from late May through September.
What to do
Water activities on Chickamauga Lake: At Chester Frost Park, lake access dominates recreation options. "Beautiful views, waterfront sites, good fishing!" notes camper Alton D. The man-made beach area provides supervised swimming during peak season.
Hiking the waterfalls: Fall Creek Falls State Park offers extensive trail networks for all skill levels. "So many trails, so little time. Miles and miles of trails; short, long, loops, overnights. This place has it all," shares Myke C., who recommends three must-dos: "hike to the bottom of the big waterfall, swim in the cascades next to the nature center, and stand on the edge of the bluff at Buzzard's Roost."
Rock climbing and unique terrain: The steep limestone formations around Soddy-Daisy provide technical climbing routes. For less extreme adventure, Cloudland Canyon State Park offers accessible canyon views. One visitor described it as having "Breath taking view!" while noting they've "been going there since i was a kid."
What campers like
Waterfront camping spots: Campers particularly value lakeside sites at Skull Island, where one reviewer mentioned, "Nothing like waking up to see the beautiful water all around you. The staff are very friendly and the sites are well maintained." This small island campground offers a distinctive glamping close to Soddy-Daisy experience.
Family-friendly amenities: Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA receives praise for its recreational features. "Salt water pool, huge sand box, jumping pillow. Fun area for the kids," notes Jami C. Another visitor appreciates that it's "Close to Cloudland Canyon & Lookout Mountain & Chattanooga! Could spend 4-5 days here and have a lot to do!"
Clean facilities: Many upscale glamping locations near Soddy-Daisy maintain high cleanliness standards. At Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA, visitors comment on this consistently. "The campground was clean and the people working were very friendly," mentions one reviewer, while another noted the park is "clean and well kept."
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Chester Frost Park doesn't take advance site reservations. "You must get there before the guard station opens because the line starts to form early. You can not make reservations for the camping sites, it's 1st come," explains Susan S.
Campground layouts affect privacy: Site selection matters significantly in this region. At Fall Creek Falls, a camper warns, "Avoid area C at all costs. The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's."
Seasonal considerations: May brings mayfly hatches around lake areas. Laura C. advises Chester Frost visitors to "stay away during mayfly spawning" despite the campground being "clean well run" and "quiet and peaceful" otherwise.
Water levels fluctuate: Waterfall viewing is highly seasonal. Fall Creek Falls shows best in spring and after heavy rains, while summer visitors often find reduced flow.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water options: Marion County Park offers diverse recreation beyond camping. "Swimming, soccer, baseball, boating, disc golf, para course all right here," notes Cori H. Other families mention the "man made beach with a playground" at Chester Frost where "Kids wonderland! This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it!"
Dedicated children's activities: Some glamping facilities near Soddy-Daisy organize scheduled events. Lookout Mountain KOA received praise for being "well decorated for Halloween including scheduled Trick or Treating for the kids."
Easy trail access: Choose campgrounds with direct trail connections for families. Cloudland Canyon offers an "ADA accessible overlook trail which is where many of the iconic photographs of this park come from," making it suitable for all ages and abilities.
Safety considerations: Sites near water require extra vigilance with children. Check campground maps when booking to assess proximity to water features.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain around Soddy-Daisy require leveling equipment. A Fall Creek Falls visitor suggests, "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites can be limited. At Bluewater Resort, "The pads are nice concrete and attention is paid to the landscaping," though some campers note noise from the nearby boat ramp.
Arrival timing: Mountainous campground roads can be challenging after dark. A Fall Creek Falls camper advises, "Arrived in the dark, do not recommend as there are not much lighting to see especially if the sites is tight with others."
Dump station logistics: For those seeking upscale glamping experiences close to Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, note that Fall Creek Falls features an "Upgraded dump station all asphalt with 6 dumps" making departure day more efficient.
