Dispersed camping opportunities near Loudon, Tennessee extend beyond the immediate vicinity, with free sites available throughout the Cherokee National Forest and neighboring North Carolina. These areas sit at elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 feet, creating varied camping experiences with temperature differences of 5-10 degrees between lower and higher elevation sites. Most primitive campsites remain accessible year-round, though some forest service roads close during winter months or after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Fishing access: At Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, campers can fish directly from their sites. "Great view, plenty of spots to set up, great fishing and a surprisingly low amount of bugs!" notes camper Brendan G. Bass fishing is particularly popular, with another visitor mentioning, "Husband caught a bass & dogs enjoyed the shallow edge of the lake at our site."
Hiking trails: The Lost Creek Campground provides access to the Benton McKaye trail system. "Many places to explore on bike or hiking. Super remote area," reports Chris D. This area connects to several day hikes with moderate elevation gains of 500-1,000 feet.
Swimming holes: During summer months, creek-side camping provides natural swimming opportunities. At Harold Parrish Lower Camp, accessible via a challenging hike, visitors can enjoy "Wolfcat falls with a huge swimming hole. Lots of fun and not far at all from the Lower camp sites," according to Claire K.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed camping areas feature well-spaced sites that provide seclusion. At Citico Creek Area, "These campsites are extremely spread out, allowing for private camping. No hookups, but a majority of the 14 sites are on the creek itself," reports Zane P. This spacing creates quieter camping experiences compared to developed campgrounds.
Water proximity: Campers consistently mention the appeal of waterside camping. At Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites, "There are 9 sites here down a decent gravel road... Site 9 had a little trail down to the lake, 2 fire pits and a picnic table. Very secluded from everything and a great view of the water," notes Blake R.
Concrete amenities: Despite being primitive, some sites offer surprising infrastructure. "Each campsite has a concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform. Some have direct access to the creek," explains Rayley P. about Lost Creek Campground. These concrete features provide stability for cooking and eating in otherwise rustic settings.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds have unexpected operating seasons. At Jackson Island, a camper noted, "We've been enjoying our stay but sadly we're informed by a man driving around to be out by Nov 3 as they're closing the site for the season. Nothing is mentioned on sites or sign at entrance about this."
Cleanliness concerns: Pack cleaning supplies as site conditions vary widely. "I live not far from here and we camped at site #3 we picked up so much trash in and around our site that it was sad," reports Jason A. about Citico Creek Area. Other campers report similar experiences at different sites, suggesting this is a regional issue.
Accessibility challenges: Many free camping areas require significant driving on unpaved roads. For Sourwood Campground, a visitor warns, "Google maps brought me to a spot 30 miles away." Cell service is also limited, with most sites reporting no Verizon coverage.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: When camping with children, arrive early to secure optimal sites. "We car camped and our campsite was perfect because it had a parking space right in front of it whereas the other sites had parking spaces across the road," notes Amanda R. about Long Hungry Road sites, making loading and unloading easier with kids.
Weekend planning: Free sites fill quickly during peak times. "We arrived around 8am and got the first campsite we saw," reports a camper at Long Hungry Road. For family camping, Thursday arrival provides better site selection before weekend crowds arrive.
Water safety: Creeks and lakes present both recreation opportunities and hazards. "The creek was pretty high and fast flowing," notes Monte W. about Citico Creek. Families should check water conditions before allowing children to wade or swim, especially after rainfall.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. At Sourwood Campground, a camper observed, "It would absolutely NOT be a good location for a class A motorhome but maybe some of the smaller class C's could get settled in there. I saw a small camper trailer sitting comfortable. I would not like to try to get a larger camper or 5th wheel in there, way too tight to turn around."
Leveling considerations: Despite rustic settings, some areas provide relatively level parking. "All of the sites had solid packed ground so it would not be hard to level whatever rig you use," notes Victor S. about Sourwood Campground. Small travel trailers under 20 feet and truck campers work best at most sites.
Alternative setups: When standard RV camping isn't possible, roof-top tents provide a solution. "We were fortunate to get a site that allowed us to pull the car right into the site for our roof top tent," shares a camper about Lake Santeelah, demonstrating adaptability for vehicle-based camping when traditional RV sites aren't available.
