Looking for the best Tennessee dispersed camping? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.

Tennessee

The Best Dispersed Camping in Tennessee

Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Knoxville? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Knoxville just for you.

Knoxville

The Best Dispersed Camping Near Knoxville, Tennessee

Honeysuckle is a peaceful RV resort and campground just a stones throw away from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The campground has a private pond, a swimming pool and even a deli and grill that serves delicious burgers. The rates from July - October are $40/night with a 30 or 50 amp service of $35/night. 

Honeysuckle Meadows

Bote Mountain Campsite 18

Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping

Calderwood Lake Primitive campground

For hikers and backpackers, the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness presents a variety of recreational hiking opportunities. There is a relatively easy  two-mile long Memorial Loop Trail in the Memorial Forest, which annually greets more than 35,000 visitors,  or there is a complex of hiking trails that cater to more experienced hikers, such as the 13.3 mile long Slickrock Creek Trail, considered as one of the ten toughest trails in the United States.  With a 3,700 foot climb overall and 13 stream crossings, this trail is seldom completely traversed, but used in conjunction with the other trails in the Wilderness to provide excellent backpacking trips. 

Other than at trailheads, camping is allowed anywhere within the Wilderness using Leave No Trace principles, but given the steepness of the topography, there are a few relatively heavily used back country camping areas.  Many fishermen enter the Wilderness from the north using the Slickrock Creek Trail, Ike Branch Trail or hike down to the creek from Big Fat Gap, camping along the creek.  Backpackers use the area at Naked Ground on the southern ridge, and there is an area near the Hangover that offers excellent views, but an unreliable water source.  Nichols Cove area has good camping spots with abundant water, and some hikers camp near Wildcat Falls, but long sections of the various trails lack suitable spots for camping.

As a designated Wilderness, there are no trail blazes, just signs at trail junctions, so it is essential that hikers carry maps and compass, and know how to use them.  It is not uncommon for very experienced hikers to get “confused” for a while in the creek area due to the multiplicity of real trails, unofficial trails, old logging trails, etc.  Along the ridge, the trails are well-defined, but physically demanding. 

Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry

Great Smoky Mountains Under Canvas

Dispersed camping sites available

Dispersed campsites are primitive camping areas that don't have bathrooms or many of the other amenities you will find at developed campgrounds. Dispersed camping is only allowed at designated areas.

For site-specific information, call the local ranger station.

Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

Lake Santeelah Dispersed

The Kickstand Lodge is a motorcycle riders resort in Stecoah, North Carolina. Located in the Smoky Mountains, surrounded by the best riding in the southeast, the Kickstand Lodge is a great destination for a weekend get-away or a week long stay. There are
plenty of attractions in the area to provide you with a new destination for each day of your visit to the Smoky Mountains.
Stay in one of our cabins, bunkhouses or tents or pitch your own tent and enjoy the camaraderie of other motorcycle enthusiasts.
Here's a link to our location map and some travel time and distances from some major Southern cities. 

Ship Your Gear To Us

If you are going to be in the area for a while and you can't quite pack everything you need on the bike, you can ship your excess
baggage to the Kickstand Lodge. Arrange for UPS or FED-X to pick up your package after your departure at the time you ship it here.

Kickstart Your Vacation

Heading to Daytona for Bike Week or Biketoberfest? Too cold to ride from home? Instead of trailering all the way to Daytona,
leave your cage and trailer at the KSL and ride the last 600 miles to Bike Week.   

Kickstand Lodge

Cosby Knob Shelter

Nashville, TN is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Nashville is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Nashville. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Nashville

The Best Camping Near Nashville, Tennessee

Camping near Memphis, TN, offers your pick of settings, whether you want to stay in a neighborhood, by a lake, or close to the forests. The area offers some of the best camping in Tennessee with great biking and hiking on wooded trails. RV campers won't have a problem finding campsites to accommodate their vehicles, with campgrounds near the former home of Elvis Presley and out in nature. There are single and group tent campsites in historic T.O. Fuller State Park just outside the city. The park hosts events, has a pool and is a great spot for hiking and birding.

Memphis

The Best Camping Near Memphis, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee is the closest major city to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Knoxville is only about an hour away if you’re looking for comfortable accommodations when traveling to the park.

Knoxville has capitalized on comfortable camping with plenty of glamping and RV resorts to choose from in the area. The best camping near Knoxville is in the Norris Dam State Park and surrounding area. Another good option for campgrounds is Big Ridge State Park near Ridenour, TN. It’s worth noting that for an extra 30 minutes of driving, you can get to Great Smoky, where admission is free and the campsites are more abundant.

Looking for the best campgrounds near Knoxville, TN? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

The Best Camping Near Knoxville, Tennessee

Chattanooga, Tennessee is often seen as a place you pass through on your way to Great Smoky National Park. If you just drive through this Tennessee town, you’ll be missing out on all it has to offer!

The best camping near Chattanooga is located on the banks of the Tennessee River, with plenty of campgrounds to choose from. With a handful of tent and RV campgrounds to choose from in the area, you’ll be able to enjoy the riverfront views in peace. The Cherokee National Forest by Benton, TN is another excellent camping opportunity if you're willing to make the drive. Not only are there great campsites to choose from, but you can miss a lot of the crowds of the national parks by exploring this forest that’s 100,000 acres larger than Great Smoky!

Chattanooga

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Chattanooga, TN has a lot to offer. Chattanooga is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Discover great camping spots near Chattanooga, reviewed by campers like you.

The Best Chattanooga Camping | Tennessee Campgrounds

Join the fun near Clarksville. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Clarksville is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Tennessee camping adventure.

Clarksville

The Best Camping Near Clarksville, Tennessee

Looking for the best campgrounds near Murfreesboro, TN? Murfreesboro is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Murfreesboro

The Best Camping Near Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Join the fun near Franklin. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Franklin. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Franklin. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Franklin

The Best Camping Near Franklin, Tennessee

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Jackson. Jackson is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Jackson

The Best Camping Near Jackson, Tennessee

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Johnson City. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Johnson City, TN. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Johnson City

The Best Camping Near Johnson City, Tennessee

Join the fun near Bartlett. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Bartlett, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Bartlett, TN. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Bartlett

The Best Camping Near Bartlett, Tennessee

Cherokee National Forest is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Cherokee National Forest, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Cherokee National Forest, TN. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Cherokee National Forest

The Best Camping Near Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Natchez Trace Parkway, TN has a lot to offer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Natchez Trace Parkway is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Tennessee camping adventure.

Natchez Trace Parkway

The Best Camping Near Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Old Hickory Lake, TN is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Old Hickory Lake is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Old Hickory Lake, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Old Hickory Lake

The Best Camping Near Old Hickory Lake, Tennessee

Join the fun near Stillhouse Hollow Lake. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near Stillhouse Hollow Lake, TN. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Stillhouse Hollow Lake

The Best Camping Near Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Tennessee

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near J Percy Priest Lake. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Find the best campgrounds near J Percy Priest Lake, TN. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

J Percy Priest Lake

The Best Camping Near J Percy Priest Lake, Tennessee

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Center Hill Lake, TN is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Center Hill Lake is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Center Hill Lake

The Best Camping Near Center Hill Lake, Tennessee

Obed Wild and Scenic River is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Obed Wild and Scenic River. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Obed Wild and Scenic River camping trip.

Obed Wild and Scenic River

The Best Camping Near Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee

Looking for the best campgrounds near Wagontrain Lake, TN? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Wagontrain Lake, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Tennessee camping adventure.

The Best Dispersed Camping in Knoxville

Top Campgrounds in Knoxville (18)

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