Camping near La Grange, Tennessee occurs primarily in the Southeastern Forest Region with elevations ranging from 300-500 feet above sea level. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters where nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Most campsites within 30 miles of La Grange remain accessible year-round, though winter camping requires additional preparation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Big Hill Pond State Park Campground offers multiple fishing spots, including a lake stocked with various fish species. A visitor noted, "Kayaks and fishing boats available for rent."
Disc golf course: Wall Doxey State Park Campground features a challenging disc golf course through pine forests. As one camper mentioned, "The highlight for us is the disc golf course that winds through the pine forest."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. At Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, a reviewer commented, "The shaded footpaths make walking the trails on a hot day still enjoyable. Quiet, low humidity, and plenty of camp sites to choose from make this location a great place to unplug and relax."
Horseback riding: Some campsites accommodate equestrian activities. At Chickasaw State Park Campground, one visitor stated, "This is a great place to go RV camping, tent camping or even wrangler camping. It is a quiet park with hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, swimming, and much more."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Chewalla Lake Recreation Area offers campsites with good separation. A camper reported, "Very quiet and roomy during the week." Another mentioned appreciating the "nice cheap fees."
Swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming beaches. At Chickasaw State Park Campground, visitors enjoy lake swimming during summer months. One camper noted, "Excellent campgrounds, for both tent and RV, and the lake felt amazing."
Stargazing opportunities: The region offers excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. A Wall Doxey State Park camper advised, "This is a dark sky area, so come during the new moon phase for views of the Milky Way!"
Tranquil environments: Most campgrounds in the region prioritize peaceful settings. At Thousand Trails Cherokee Landing, a visitor remarked, "Emerald green lake, plenty of room between campsites. CANNOT wait to go back!!"
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality and maintenance of restrooms differ significantly between campgrounds. At Tippah County Lake, facilities exist but may be basic. One camper noted the park "definitely holds room for improvement as far as amenities go."
Bug preparation essential: Especially during summer months, ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic. One Wall Doxey State Park camper warned, "If you are camping here anytime during the warmer months, be ready to pick ticks off of everyone!"
Seasonal maintenance issues: Some campgrounds show wear during peak seasons. At Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, a visitor observed, "Campsite was basically dirt with gullies on the side so it was hard to back out. Trash all near table and fire pit."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or no cell coverage. Bring physical maps and download any needed information before arrival. At Chickasaw State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned "no cell service and pay as you go park WiFi."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thousand Trails Cherokee Landing offers cabin options for families wanting more comfort. A visitor shared, "We got cabins for the family, they were very nice (bring your own sheets, towels, and food, they had basic cookware and dining ware)."
Halloween festivities: Wall Doxey State Park hosts special Halloween events for children. One camper described, "Every camp site had wonderful decorations and the kids had such a blast. It was awesome."
Swimming beaches: Several parks feature designated swimming areas for children. However, check water conditions before swimming. One Chickasaw visitor warned, "The water was BROWN. Very dirty. My daughter came out brown. Her suit was brown."
Island exploration: Chewalla Lake Recreation Area features a unique island accessible by bridge that children enjoy exploring. A reviewer mentioned, "Surprise: adorable little bridge to an island!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Cox Lake and several other campgrounds have sites that may require significant leveling. At Love's RV Hookup, a visitor reported, "Site on slight hill / could not get level."
RV size limitations: Big Hill Pond State Park Campground has restrictions on RV length. A camper advised, "Not for RV's over 26 feet."
Hookup availability: Electrical service varies between campgrounds, with some offering only 30-amp service. At Chickasaw State Park Campground, one RVer mentioned, "We stayed in site 11 which was AAA and level at the top. Only negatives were a steep incline to back into site, no cell service and pay as you go park WiFi."
Access road quality: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads for larger rigs. At Chewalla Lake Recreation Area, a visitor noted, "Roads inside the campground were atrocious, required dodging tree limbs and holes."
