Best Tent Camping near Kingsport, TN

Tent campers around Kingsport, Tennessee have several solid options that work well for weekend or longer stays. Kingsport Recreation Area has tent sites set far enough apart that you won't hear your neighbors' conversations. The tent pads are big enough for family-sized tents without feeling cramped. Kingsport City Park Campground has flat ground that won't leave you sliding downhill in your sleeping bag all night. Both places put their tent sites within reasonable walking distance to bathrooms, which matters after dark. If you head to the National Forest Sites nearby, you'll find tent spots under trees that block the midday sun when temperatures climb. Most tent areas have parking spots close by, so you won't need to haul your gear very far. It's smart to book your site ahead of time, particularly from May through September when more people are camping. Since bears and raccoons roam the area, hang your food or use storage containers at night. The most comfortable camping weather comes in April-May and September-October when it's not too hot or crowded. Summer temperatures can get pretty high, so bring extra water and shade. Call ahead about closures since some areas shut down seasonally for maintenance or weather.

Best Tent Sites Near Kingsport, Tennessee (45)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Kingsport, TN

524 Reviews of 45 Kingsport Campgrounds


  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area

    Beautiful & Free but Lots of Road Noise

    Just on the edge of Watauga Lake sits this free dispersed camping area that is perfect for tent camping only. This is a park outside the gate and walk your gear in type of place, some bring your IKEA bags or a wagon. Opportunities for fishing and boating are abundant. Most of campsites are large, very shaded, and have at least one fire ring. A handful of sites have direct water access, and are more private. 

    There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground. Please Leave No Trace! Also, we would not recommend camping here on a busy weekend because the road is very close and the trucks are very loud! 

    The nearest town is Butler, which is small but offers the basics such as groceries and gas.

  • P
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Kingdom Come State Park Campground

    Quiet, beautiful views

    This campground in the Kingdom Come State Park has about 6 or 7 sites, and they are primitive with no running water, but good pads, picnic tables, food hangers, shade from trees, and fire rings. There are men's and women's bathrooms, with running water in the sinks, but no water faucets as in other camps, and no showers. I've camped there twice and only saw one other camper. It is very quiet and remote. The views from the outlooks at the top of the road are amazing. There is a lake for swimming, and plenty of trails. Bugs are minimal.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Creekside Camping

    At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant.  The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail are just minutes away, as well as some easy whitewater paddling fun on the White Top Laurel Creek.

    Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! 

    Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease. We stayed at this camp for 3 weeks during the pandemic shutdown and it was a perfect place to ride out this crazy storm and decompress from some anxiety. 

    The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 12 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2021

    Backbone Rock Recreation Area Pavilions and Campground

    Easy Access, Close to Town

    Just across the Virginia state line, this national forest offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Beaver Dam Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant. Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. 

    There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease.  Would not recommend for any vehicle larger than 20 feet as the potholed road and the tight turns to get up to the camp from the road would be tough.  4WD highly recommended, especially in mud season or winter.

    We stayed at this camp for 10 days during the pandemic shutdown and it was a lovely place to ride out this crazy storm.  Some road noise from the motorcycles that cruise the road, but only occasionally. The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 5 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

  • S
    Oct. 12, 2020

    Kingdom Come State Park Campground

    Lovely quiet, small tent campground

    Kingdom Come State Park is a little jewel in southeastern Kentucky! There are 6 tent sites (7 if they allow you to reserve the one next to the duck pond), each with a gravel drive, mulch tent pad big enough for two smallish tents, fire ring, and picnic table. The nearby shelter house provides restrooms and trash cans. The local ranger was most helpful in providing firewood (free!) and offering to bring us water to wash up with or for drinking (there is a water fountain across from the CG, but it wasn't turned on and there is running water in the restrooms). The area is known for bear activity, but we saw none. The surrounding mountains provide many short hikes that can be easily strung together to make for a longer trek if desired. We look forward to camping there again!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2024

    Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping — Natural Tunnel State Park

    Primitive at its finest

    Booked a 3 night stay over the weekend and had the primitive camping area to ourselves. 5 spots with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pit, hanging poles, and bear box. Then there is a very large, communal fire pit, and an open but covered shelter with picnic tables and an outlet to charge your tech things. Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water. The camp store people said they are unable to use spigot nearby common shelter because it’s no good. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Glad we brought our large bladder so we weren’t constantly going up and down the hill for water. Camp store with some basics at entrance, and person on golf cart drives around checking on things. Trash dumpster, up the hill just past water spigot. Couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful place, especially for the price, $15/night. Took advantage of some of the hiking trails, which were well maintained and marked. Also, went and checked out the natural tunnel via chairlift. The other two campgrounds looked nice, with big, fancy bathhouses. And the cabins, wow, fancy! Hooray for Virginia State Parks!!

  • H
    Aug. 10, 2020

    Rocky Bluff Campground — National Forests In North Carolina

    We Will Be Back!

    The location is absolutely stellar. Less than 10 minutes into downtown Hot Springs with a hardware store, outdoor outfitters, gas station, two bar/restaurants, and of course lots of hiking. Just over 30 minutes away from the Max Patch trailhead.

    We stayed at spot #4 for one night. I thought the fire pit for spot #4 and the tent pad for spot #3 were a little close. Other than that, the sites were spaced out well.

    There were no electrical outlets available at this campground, not even one in the bathroom. Bathrooms have flush toilets but no showers.

    I used the reservation.gov website to reserve the site and paid $23 - $15 for the site and a $8 reservation fee. There is a lock box for walk ins and the fee is $15 per night.

    I had spotty cell phone service with AT&T - I had two bars the site and was able to make a call. I lost service when walking around the campground.

    This is a well-maintained, no-frills campground which is the perfect base camp for exploring the area!

  • Kirsten J.
    Jun. 3, 2019

    Buck Hill Campground

    Beyond beautiful riverfront site on the North Toe River!

    Buck Hill Campground is located near Newland NC.  The family owned, Buck Hill campground has been with the same owner for the last 10 years.  We spoke with both husband and wife while on this trip - both as friendly as could be!  

    Upon arrival, we were a bit confused because there was no office to check into.  After riding around and exploring the (TOTAL) available 5 or 6 tent sites, we chose the one we wanted and asked around for the owners.  We easily found the family working near the gathering room and they immediately made us feel welcome.  They informed us about laundry, bathhouses, the playground and gathering room etc.  

    We chose the only tent site on the water - which was phenomenal!  The site had a fire ring only, but we were ok without a picnic table, in exchange for the view!  We had water and greenery surrounding us on 3 sides.  We positioned our tent just right and blocked the RV's from behind us - leaving us feeling like we were on a private peninsula.  It didn't take long for kiddos to be playing in the shallow river water (finding a snake) and us to have camp set up. 

    The campground has 2 bathhouses, both containing toilets, sinks, showers and a deep sink for washing.  We needed firewood - and upon suggestion from an RV neighbor, looked for the blue topped golf cart - which was up at their house - on site.  We pulled into their driveway and the owner told us he would bring us wood to our site.  

    We enjoyed a calm, quiet evening in this campground.  The views were fantastic and the fireflies beyond words!  With so much darkness, the other side of the river looked like a sparkling Christmas tree with the fireflies dancing their magic!  We would come back again just for this site!  

    The tiny homes and cabins looked enticing, but the other tent sites were a bit rough.  There were several platforms, which are so helpful for wet camping trips.  There were workers actively building a new cabin as we were there!   We would surely come back for the riverfront site - it was beyond beautiful!

  • Susan E.
    Jul. 16, 2020

    Bristol-Kingsport KOA

    What luck!

    I’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting. Mindful of my budget I learned to ask for a tent site with no electricity, no water, just toilets and showers. The young man who helped me observed I was alone and put me in a small cabin for no additional charge. Just outside the cabin was a bonfire of old wood from construction debris. I was super stoked to get this deal. I spent lots of time stoking that fire and sitting outdoors watching the evening arrive. If you’re anywhere near the area do stop in and enjoy a quiet and lovely night. You can even pet the horses nearby.


Guide to Kingsport

Tent camping near Kingsport, Tennessee offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tips for tent camping near Kingsport

Tent campers should check out local attractions

  • The hiking trails at Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping are well-maintained and offer stunning views, making them a must-visit for outdoor lovers.
  • USA Raft Adventure Resort provides easy access to whitewater rafting and the Appalachian Trail, perfect for those seeking adventure.
  • For a unique experience, visit Bald Mountains for breathtaking views after a rewarding hike, ideal for capturing memorable photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kingsport, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kingsport, TN is Bellebrook Acres with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Kingsport, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 45 tent camping locations near Kingsport, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.