Best Campgrounds near Johnson City, TN

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Johnson City. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Johnson City is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Johnson City. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Johnson City, Tennessee (257)

    1. Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park

    26 Reviews
    Kingsport, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 867-2757

    "We had a change of plans and made reservations at Warrior Path State Park on a whim - and are VERY glad we did."

    "This beautiful 970 acre Tennessee State Park is located on the shores of the 900 acre Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River in Sullivan County."

    2. Roan Mountain State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Roan Mountain, TN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 547-3906

    $14 - $54 / night

    "It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers."

    "Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."

    3. Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Chuckey, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 257-2167

    $14 - $32 / night

    "Large swimming pool, TONS of historical events around, hiking & river walks. Super clean and new bath houses as well. Honors Tennessee state discounts. If possible make reservations online."

    "The drive in follows the TN “Sunnyside Early Country Trail” through picturesque farmland with mountains in the near distance. Do your shopping before arrival, there’s nothing close to the park."

    4. Cardens Bluff Campground

    17 Reviews
    Hampton, TN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $12 / night

    "Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."

    "Booked site 13 online for the last weekend before the season ended in October 2021, but the hosts caught us at check-in and moved us to site 32, which was right next to the water."

    5. Camp Stonefly

    5 Reviews
    Elizabethton, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (704) 301-4080

    "Perfect distance to Johnson City. We had a beer at Yee Haw and even brought back tasty Mediterranean dinner from Red Meze to the camp site. Do yourself a favor and book a night here."

    "Me and my wife were looking to get away from theater apartment for a couple of days during a remodel. Well we didn't Wana travel to mountains to camp."

    6. Moody Bluff Campground — Warriors' Path State Park

    6 Reviews
    Kingsport, TN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 867-2757

    "All around wonderful place to camp"

    "updated bathhouses lots of shady sites sits on Patrick Henry Lake - no boat that’s ok rent paddle boats and kayaks at the Marina or just have lunch and watch the ducks on the water!"

    7. Rock Creek Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Erwin, TN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 638-4109

    $20 - $50 / night

    "There isn’t too much of any one activity in/near the campground but lots more in the greater area. Cons: just plan to drive to another area if you’re staying for a few days (not really a con though)."

    "Convenient location in the Cherokee National Forest that is close to the Appalachian Trail and the Nolichucky River. Campground is popular with families and busy on weekends."

    8. Little Oak Campground

    23 Reviews
    Shady Valley, TN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 735-1500

    $12 / night

    "This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"

    "**Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water."

    9. Woodsmoke Campground

    4 Reviews
    Unicoi, TN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 743-2116

    10. Nolichucky Gorge Campground

    12 Reviews
    Erwin, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 743-8876

    "Nolichucky Gorge is right next to USA Raft, same road, same entrance to the left. Veteran owned and well maintained. The staff is friendly and professional. River view sites, other sites and cabins."

    "This is a great spot located right next to USA Raft. There are a handful of tent only riverside camping spots with RV sites set back from the river."

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Recent Reviews near Johnson City, TN

1138 Reviews of 257 Johnson City Campgrounds


  • Theresa S.
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the location, Left because of the owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • Shane N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Camp Stonefly

    Great small peacefully time

    Me and wife passing through. Stayed over weekend loved it

  • Gary S.
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Lake Haven Family Campground

    Stayed for the Location, Left because of the Owners

    As a retired Air Force couple with over five years of experience as full-time RVers, we have stayed at countless campgrounds across the country. We selected Lake Haven for an extended stay this past July while searching for a permanent home in the Lake Watauga area, drawn by its advertisement for year-round availability. The location is excellent, and our site was level with full hookups, a nice picnic table, and a fire pit. Maneuvering into the spot was also straightforward, despite some large boulders. Two concerns: no owners or host(s) onsite and the entrance/exits can be quite dangerous- each located on a curve. We really wanted to love this campground, but the positive aspects were completely overshadowed by the unprofessional behavior of the owners. The tone was set when we received a campground-wide text message asking“Please, for our sake, when away from your camper, set your AC temp to something reasonable(75 is what I use at my house when not home), to help us save on electricity”. While we understand the concern for costs, the request felt invasive. Then it got personal. In the first week of August, our daughter and her family were renting the on-site(3 bed/3 bath) Airbnb, and after she inquired about more toilet paper, one of the owners came to our RV site to confront us about it. We were shocked that a necessity for a rental guest was treated as a major issue, and the confrontational approach was completely uncalled for and made us feel extremely uncomfortable. To make matters worse, we later learned from other campers that the owners had been gossiping about our family and our stay. This was a major violation of our privacy and fostered a deeply unwelcoming atmosphere. While the physical campground has potential, we cannot recommend it. Feeling safe and respected is essential when you are camping, and due to the owners’ intrusive and unprofessional behavior, we decided to seek out another campground.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Old NC 105 Dispersed

    Amazing views and Free camping

    This place is amazing, Free and clean campsites.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Campfire Lodgings

    Tent camping

    Tent camping sites are walk in, down hill, obviously thar means hauling your stuff out uphill when you leave. RVers have a great view from the ridge top. But a difficult day camping is far better than any day at work.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Upper Creek, Pisgah National Forest NC

    Good spot!

    Spent two nights here at a site right next to the creek, which was awesome listening to the running water as you fall asleep. Easy to get to, just a forest service road. A 4x4 makes it easy but there were minivans and junkyard beaters driving by. There are multiple sites along the service road and not too close to each other.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Old NC 105 - Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    This is a great spot along a mountain ridge. The dirt road goes for about 13 miles. Would recommend a 4x4, but I’ve seen all kinds of vehicles travel the entire road from minivans to Honda accords. There are plenty of spots to choose from. Some have great views of the valley and table top mountain and others are just nooks in the woods. The sites are pretty spread out but there are a few within shouting distance (which could be annoying if the site next to you decides to bring a battery powered Sawzall to cut firewood at 2am). Some sites are right off of the road which could get annoying from all the traffic of people going to the hiking trails nearby. And there are spots tucked away a bit off of the road where you really don’t notice trucks and cars driving by. Awesome place for a weekend getaway! Definitely going to visit again.

    P.S. only 4 stars because there are only about 3-5 sites with a great view!

  • xGYABx L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Great Getaway and stay

    We spent 1 night out here on a Saturday Night it is very secluded away from everything only downside was had 2 drive at least 10 miles 2 get cell service and the site is close 2 the road so we can hear a lot of traffic

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Baileyton KOA Holiday

    Nice overnight stop

    We are headed from Atlanta to Fredericksburg VA for a wedding. This is a very nice place for an overnight stop, probably one of the nicest for a KOA. Very clean and tidy campground. Mostly level, gravel sites. But some grass between sites! Some shade. Full hookups. Clean bathroom & shower. Pool, playground, driving range, big water slide. The internet is VERY slow. Also lots of road noise from I-81. Gift shop & convenient store in office. We’ve taken our travel trailer to 48 states, and have found KOAs generally convenient, but not much more. This place is definitely above average


Guide to Johnson City

Camping near Johnson City, TN, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Hungry Mother State Park said, "The bathroom facilities were very clean (heated, showers, flushable toilets)."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites. A visitor at Bear Den Family Campground and Cabins mentioned, "Great campground. Big private sites, lots of activities for teens."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A reviewer at Asheville East KOA noted, "The staff at the office and store are always nice."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy on weekends. A visitor at Hot Springs Campground said, "It was comfortable during the weekdays, but started to get crowded during the weekend."
  • Limited Privacy: Some sites are close together, which might not suit everyone. A camper at Mama Gertie's Hideaway Campground mentioned, "There is no shade in this top section."
  • Connectivity Issues: Expect limited cell service in some areas. A reviewer at Lake Powhatan noted, "We had very little cell service (Verizon)."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly amenities. One parent at Asheville East KOA said, "There is a pool, playground, gaga ball pit, and fishing."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. A camper at Bear Den Family Campground and Cabins shared, "Kids loved the playground and there were a lot of other kids to make friends with."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Bring games or books for downtime. A visitor at Roan Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "The sound of the water helps drown out the sound of your neighbors."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the campground can accommodate your RV size. A reviewer at Asheville East KOA noted, "Section A was extremely tight for navigating, parking, and camping."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds with electric hookups and dump stations. A camper at Hungry Mother State Park appreciated the "nice loop with decks to put your tent on."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near train tracks or busy roads. A visitor at Asheville East KOA mentioned, "Trains come through near the park at all hours of the day and night."

Camping near Johnson City, TN, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Johnson City, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Johnson City, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 257 campgrounds and RV parks near Johnson City, TN and 23 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Johnson City, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Johnson City, TN is Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 26 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Johnson City, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 free dispersed camping spots near Johnson City, TN.

What parks are near Johnson City, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Johnson City, TN that allow camping, notably Cherokee National Forest and Pisgah National Forest.