244 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Lupton City, Tennessee ranges from lakefront campgrounds with water and electric hookups to primitive tent sites in nearby state forest, all within 30 minutes of Chattanooga. The area features several campgrounds like Harrison Bay State Park and Chester Frost Park with water views, alongside more rustic options in nearby Prentice Cooper State Forest. Many campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering cabin rentals for those seeking additional comfort. Waterfront sites are particularly popular, especially at Chester Frost Park, where campsites provide direct access to Chickamauga Lake for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Road conditions and campground availability vary seasonally, with most developed sites offering water and electric hookups. "Every spot is either on the water or close. I don't care if you want to kayak, fish or powerboat, this is the perfect place for you," notes one camper about Chester Frost Park. The camping season generally runs from April through October at many locations, though some campgrounds like Raccoon Mountain Caverns remain open year-round. Sites at popular destinations often fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays, especially waterfront locations. Primitive camping in Prentice Cooper State Forest requires more self-sufficiency, as these areas lack facilities like drinking water and restrooms.
Several campgrounds in the region combine natural settings with convenient access to urban amenities. Chester Frost Park receives particularly strong reviews for its lakeside camping, though visitors mention varying quality in bathroom facilities. The campground includes separate sections for tents, small campers, and larger RVs, allowing for diverse camping experiences. Nearby Cloudland Canyon State Park, just over the Georgia border, provides additional options with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals amid scenic canyon landscapes. For those seeking more solitude, dispersed camping in Prentice Cooper State Forest offers a more rustic experience with picnic tables and fire rings but minimal amenities. Weekend availability can be limited at the most popular campgrounds, with some requiring minimum-night stays for premium waterfront locations.
"This is a great family campground and Tennessee State Park located on Chickamauga Lake of the Tennessee River. Good playground for the Grandkids and bicycle paths."
"Harrison Bay is a huge park, with four camping loops (3 for RVs, 1 for tents), and a large marina, located on the Chickamauga Reservoir of the Tennessee River."
"Campground Review:East Rim Campground Pro’s: 1-Handicap Accessible, there is a cabin which is also HDA. 2- If your visiting for a get together your right next to the day use area and there is a picnic"
"We stopped in for a few hours on our drive home from Tennessee. We drove through the campgrounds to scout out our site."
from $10 - $270 / night
Check Availability"This place is Close to everything you’ll want to do in Chattanooga Tennessee"
"My family and I went a few years ago on a trip to Tennessee. It was a decent place to stay. We RV camped on this trip, but the campground had tent sites too."
from $55 - $56 / night
Check Availability"Tons of room to walk and play. Great swimming and fishing. Boating is huge here Bc there are docks all around the campground to pull up to. Playgrounds everywhere."
"They have a frisbee golf course, playgrounds, walking trails, beach, easy access to the water and fields to start up any activity you desire. We read about uneven campsite but ours was pretty flat."
from $21 - $30 / night
Check Availability"There were pros and cons, so I’ll start with the cons- the campground is surrounded by what looked to be a mobile home community."
"The gravel site was very level and the utilities were positioned well. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The location is easy to get to from I75/24."
from $36 - $105 / night
Check Availability"We drove for what felt like 20 miles down a well kept unpaved road from the entrance but I think it reality was only 5.5 miles."
"You can definitely get lost driving around or hiking. If you're looking for a quiet place to camp near Chattanooga this is it."
"Try to get a campsite on the lakeside, because the view is very nice and it makes it easy to get your boat in the water. They advertise a beach but we never found one."
"Tent camping along the edge of the river. Fire pits or grills, picnic tables, clean bathroom, and hot showers. If you are a light sleeper, the traffic noise from the highway might be disturbing."
"Quiet campground tucked away on Lookout Mountain, with super friendly and helpful staff."
"Gorgeous walking but hilly for sure. Tons of trees but seems easy to navigate. Easy in and out from my spot. The last couple of miles had me a little worried w/my big rig but it went very well."
"I should have gotten one of their little cabins...they look cozy and they are right next to the primitive camping."
"The long gravel pad easily accommodated our 40-foot fifth wheel and F-450, with well-positioned utilities. Since we were only overnighting, we did not disconnect."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"You cant beat waterfront and being able to step outside your tent and see water. What also loved was that I didn't feel crammed by other people."
"Seemed to be a lot of locals, which were good to talk with about what to do in the other nearby parks. Shady campsites but open and not too private."
from $39 - $47 / night
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TravelerWe stayed just one night but really liked the clean bathrooms and showers, sites are level and clean, it wasn't crowded when we were there so we had ample privacy. Will stay here again.
GuideThis campground has a lot to offer but we were just passing through and stayed only one night. There are nearly 100 campsites divided into two loops with a comfort station for each loop. Roads are paved with gravel campsites. The campground is nestled in the woods. The camp facilities include a country store, coin operated laundry, seasonal swimming pool, restaurant - motel complex, cabins, and nature hiking trails.
GuideHopefully they open it up soon but we drove about an hour to get here just for it to be closed. The whole road seems to be closed for the time being for road work. I hope this helps someone!.
The 5-8 miles up to this area do seem a little sketchy but we were hoping the actually site would be nice and hopefully it will be after the work they are doing right now.
GuideAbout 5 dispersed spots scattered along an accessible road. Only about 3 spots available that hasn’t been ruined from trash and belongings from people that was staying there long term and left everything. Okay for an overnight stay. All the trash really ruined any vibe to be had. I stayed at the spot on top of the steep hill
ScoutWe really liked this park. We stayed in the West Rim Campground. We stayed two nights and this was about the right number of nights for us.
Pros:
* The staff was super helpful and intentionally went above and beyond. When I checked in, they saw that I had a free night on my account and offered to refund part of my stay and use the free night instead. I was going to ask them to do this, but I didn't even need to.
* Bathrooms were nice, and were clean
* Wifi worked pretty well
* West Rim has good shade which made it feel cooler than it have otherwise. This did impact Starlink connectivity. I was able to get about a 90% ping success rate by moving the camper around a little to get the best connection.
* The views from the overlook were very nice
Cons:
* The visitor center was under construction
* Some of bathrooms near the interpretive center were out-of-order
* Site 43 was not level. It wasn't a major issue but we were able to get our camper van completely level despite the use of leveling blocks.
ScoutI grew up in this area, but I'm back for the first time in maybe 8 years. They have done tremendous renovations on their amenities, some still ongoing. The scenery and cool mountain air is as great as I remember. Tons of hiking, backcountry camping, cabins, RV spots, and more. I've been camping in 8 states and Cloudland Canyon is still one of my favorites. Be aware, the drive up the mountain can be very difficult on a tow vehicle, make sure you're prepared for it. Same with some of the hiking trails.
GuideBeautiful views from the trails. I went during the summer in July so it was on the busier side. There is a lake with a beach with boat and paddle board rentals. Seemed like a great spot to fish. Prepare for possibilities of bears as they were around. One night I must have not fully secured my bear box and a bear found my cooler. I tent camped on a pad where I can find some service (T-Mobile) but most spots are spotty. Next time I come, I want to try the back country locations. Trails are awesome with a cool story about the place around the tower and fortification. Attendants at the camp store were really nice. If groceries are needed there is grocery stores in the nearest town of Chatsworth down the mountain
GuideWe had a hard time finding our campsite in the West Rim Campground due to the construction at the entrance, but we made it to the temporary visitors center and they got us checked in and how to get to our campsite. It backs up to woods, nice space between sites. Ours is gravel and has water and electric, but there are full hookup sites available as well. We did the waterfall hike one day and the west rim loop the next. The waterfalls were beautiful, but a LOT of steps (600+ metal steps) !! I would definitely stay here again
ScoutSpent a nice 5 days relaxing. Camp host was very friendly. Shower house and toilets well maintained and clean.
Dispersed camping near Lupton City, Tennessee offers outdoor enthusiasts several options within a 30-mile radius of Chattanooga. The terrain varies from riverside lowlands at around 650 feet elevation to mountain settings exceeding 2,000 feet at locations like Cloudland Canyon State Park. While summer temperatures typically reach the high 80s with considerable humidity, spring and fall camping months deliver more moderate conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s.
Caving adventures: 15-minute drive from Chattanooga. Raccoon Mountain Caverns provides underground exploration options with guided tours through Crystal Cave. "The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus. We would definitely stay here again," notes a camper at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground.
Hiking mountain trails: 2-4 mile routes. Prentice Cooper State Forest offers secluded hiking through hardwood forests. "There are only two campground areas in PC, but it looks like you can backcountry camp on the map. Davis Pond and Hunters Check Station Campground are the two campground areas," explains a visitor to this wilderness area.
Kayak fishing: direct lake access. Several campsites provide immediate water access for fishing and paddling. "I saw some campers in fishing kayaks come right up to the shore and hop out at their campsite," mentions a visitor at Harrison Bay State Park Campground.
Private bathroom facilities: air-conditioned comfort. Some campgrounds offer individual bathroom units instead of communal facilities. "Spacious sites in D. AC bath houses!" shares an enthusiastic camper at Harrison Bay State Park.
Quiet wilderness camping: minimal facilities. For those seeking seclusion, state forest options provide primitive experiences. "If you want to stay here you have to be there before dark as they close the gates at dark. It's basically like having your own small park in the middle of the mountains on a small bass pond," writes a visitor about Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed.
Family-friendly amenities: pools and play areas. Many campgrounds include recreational facilities for children. "We enjoyed our stay at Raccoon Mountain. Sites were a good size. Not right on top of each other. The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus," notes a camper.
Seasonal closures: winter limitations. Not all camping areas remain open year-round. "This is a beautiful WMA area with tons of offshoots along a service road for camping, but please note, 99% of areas are closed between December and March," warns a camper about Prentice Cooper.
Site selection strategy: research recommended. Campground layouts vary significantly with some areas providing more space than others. "TN needs to pick up their RV park game. Good sites are rare (space and views) #research. Campgrounds A, B and C are tight, limited space. Campground D is tent only - preferred for a camping experience," advises a visitor at Harrison Bay.
Wildlife awareness: secure food properly. Local wildlife may approach campsites, particularly after dark. "The Raccoons are relentless don't leave any food out and be sure you have good strong storage containers. They are fun to watch though," warns a camper at Chester Frost Park.
Swimming options: public beach access. Some parks offer designated swimming areas for children. "This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!" shares an enthusiastic visitor to Chester Frost Park.
Jumping pillow activities: kid-friendly entertainment. Some private campgrounds feature unique play equipment. "Kids loved the pool and jumping pillow. Very rocky throughout campground," notes a camper at Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: daily deer sightings. Children can observe wildlife in many campgrounds. "Kids loved camping here deer will come up to your camp just keep an eye on your food coolers raccoons will get the," shares a family camping at Harrison Bay.
Drainage concerns: check site conditions. Some RV sites experience standing water issues after rainfall. "Would most likely stay again, but would ask for a site with no standing water. Many had standing water," advises a camper at Holiday Travel Park.
Bathroom access: private facilities preferred. Individual bathroom units receive better reviews than communal facilities. "Clean, small toilet/shower facility with climate controlled. Gravel parking pad surrounded by grass," notes an RV camper.
Leveling requirements: bring blocks. Some sites require additional leveling equipment. "Site 212 unlevel. No shade whatsoever for site 212," warns a camper at a local KOA, highlighting the importance of checking site conditions before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lupton City, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lupton City, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 244 campgrounds and RV parks near Lupton City, TN and 27 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lupton City, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lupton City, TN is Harrison Bay State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 60 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lupton City, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 free dispersed camping spots near Lupton City, TN.
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