Do you enjoy camping but don't want to rough it? Glamping is a great option. Find all the best glamping sites for your Mcdonald, Tennessee camping adventure with The Dyrt. Search nearby glamping or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Resting on the western edge of northwest Georgia’s Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon State Park is more than 3,000 acres—one of the state’s largest parks—of rugged geology, and offers visitors hiking, camping, rock climbing and more along the park’s most iconic feature: the deep gorge cut through the mountain (elevation varies from 800 to more than 1,800 feet!) by the Sitton Gulch Creek. Multiple waterfalls and cascades, including the uber-popular Hemlock Falls, can be found throughout the gorge, making this park feel like a hidden gem around Lookout Mountain.
Staring at the geographic anomaly isn’t the only thing to do at this park, however. Beyond the countless miles of hiking, biking and horse riding trails, geology fanatics can find rock climbing, rappelling and spelunking across the park—cave tours are even offered for beginning cave explorers at Sitton’s Cave.
The park holds a massive variety of camping options, including 72 spots suitable for both tent and RV campers, 30 walk-in sites, 13 dispersed sites, 16 cottages and 10 yurts, each in a different area of the park. With this many options, campers can find seclusion all around.
$65 / night
$21 - $30 / night
Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park encompasses more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber, the park beckons those who enjoy nature at her finest. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Other waterfalls within the park include Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades. The park is located in Bledsoe and Van Buren counties, 11 miles east of Spencer and 18 miles west of Pikeville. It may be entered from Highway 111 or Highway 30.
In 1937, the federal government began purchasing the badly eroded land around Fall Creek Falls. The following year, the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began restoring the forest and constructing park facilities. A few years later in 1944, the National Park Service transferred ownership of the park to the State of Tennessee.
Fall Creek Falls features 30 cabins, 222 campsites, and the 85-room Lodge Fall Creek Falls. Backcountry camping is also available with a permit.
The park is home to a variety of activities suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Hikers can opt for short or long walks around the lake and to the base of Fall Creek Falls. There are two long-distance overnight trails for adventure-seeking visitors while the day-use trails are designed to accommodate recreational and educational activities for all ages. More than 56 miles of trails can be explored.
$8 - $32 / night
Fort Mountain State Park is a place of legends. Literally! Home to an mysterious, ancient, rock wall at the peak of a mountain, Fort Mountain’s associated legends include the construction of a Welsh military fort, a honeymoon destination for native newlyweds, and a relation to “moon-eyed people” of Cherokee folklore. Whatever the truth may be, there is no denying that this park’s unique features have made it one of the major draws within the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Located just a short scenic drive off of Highway 52 near the Cohuatta Wilderness, the campground at Fort Mountain State Park hosts 70 campsites for tents and RVs. Campers can bring their paddles to take advantage of all 17 acres of Fort Mountain Lake, or take part in the local rental program for easier travels.
While there is no need to leave the park to find adventure, many campers take a short drive east to a historic site featuring the Chief Vann House. This well-preserved structure was the first Cherokee brick residence and is often referred to as the “showplace” of the Cherokee Nation. Continue your travels to the peak of Fort Mountain where you can take a tour of a stone fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Enjoy panoramic views and marvel at the legendary beauty of Fort Mountain State Park.
$55 / night
Located in the Chilhowee Recreation Area, Chilhowee Campground offers a multitude of camping opportunities for both RV and tent sites, many with electric hookups. The day-use area includes McKamy Lake, a swim area with sand beach, picnic sites, a group picnic area, and a bathhouse. Be Aware; Do not use GPS directions: GPS coordinates will direct you up Benton Springs Rd. This route is not recommended. We recommend using Forest Service Road 77 to reach the recreation area. It's important to note, this facility requires driving 7 miles up to Chilhowee Campground on a narrow, winding road. Do not use the Benton Springs Access Road to the campground as this is an unpaved and dangerous road for RVs. Inexperienced RV drivers may have difficulties getting to and around the site.
Chilhowee Recreation Area is an excellent hub for hiking and mountain biking in the Chilhowee Trails System, fishing in McKamy Lake, and wildlife viewing without having to get in your car. The 7-acre McKamy Lake offers a swim area with a sand beach, and fishing from the bank. Boats are allowed, but gasoline motors are not. Within the recreation area are approximately 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a scenic waterfall. The views and lake are beautiful, especially hiking to Benton Falls via a 1.5 mile in and out moderate trail. On the drive up to the campground, stop at one of the many observation overlooks to see beautiful mountain settings. Wildlife is abundant in this area, so have your camera ready and tread lightly. Chilhowee Recreation Area Map and Guide
The Cherokee National Forest is located in eastern Tennessee and stretches from Chattanooga to Bristol along the North Carolina border. The 650,000-acre swath of land is Tennessee's only national forest. It lies in the heart of the Southern Appalachians and is home to more than 20,000 species of plants and animals, as well as many rivers, creeks and lakes.
In addition to the immediate local activities, world class whitewater rafting opportunities are nearby on the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers.
$20 / night
$8 - $110 / night
Our wooded campground encompasses our 30-acre resort; it’s large and spacious with level sites to accommodate groups of any size. We provide the campsite while you bring your own equipment. Tent camping is primitive; there is no running water or electricity on site. However, the bath house is open 24 hours a day and is equipped with restrooms and hot showers.
Also, we have full hookup RV sites for the more civilized campers. We have 30 and 50 amp hookups to provide electricity and water for each site that can house different types of RVs. We have sites of all sizes to accommodate everyone from the tiny popup camper to the large motorhome. For your convenience, there is a dump station located near the campground for easy disposal.
The Adventures Unlimited campground offers guests the privacy of a secluded area and the convenience of walking to our office and retail shop for whitewater rafting and bath house. We are also located right next to The Bus Bar and Grill which hosts delicious eats, craft beers and cocktails and live music on the weekends.
The Cherokee National Forest is right up the road from us and offers everything from whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River, hiking and mountain bike trails and the beautiful Parksville Lake to explore and enjoy
$10 - $45 / night
Guide
Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by. Campground is small and quiet; hardly any light pollution at my nonelectric site. Firewood and ice are available for purchase on the grounds, so it is convenient when in a pinch!
Guide
The park is nice with plenty of amenities. I had two complaints. We stayed creekside at site 24. The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level. Secondly with the site, there is a telephone pole that is a bit too close on the exit side. Singing out as far as I could, i barely missed sideswiping my camper when pulling out. The online pictures looked like it was a fairly private spot, but no. Just out of frame was the campground host site who happened to be flying a very offensive flag. I decided to avoid her. Lastly, gravel from most of the sites was washed out into the road. That could, and should have been cleaned up.
TravelerWe tent camped on Spot 27. Nice back in RV spot with water and electric. Bathhouse is close by. Gray water dump is across the road. Originally we booked Spot 60. That’s a pull through with little room for a tent. No cell service but that’s okay as we disconnected for a while. You can get service at the top of the park. Clean bathrooms with hot showers. Trails are nicely blazed with colors that match trail map. Georgia apple farms are a short, 20-30 minutes away.
Guide
The campground is very clean and like new. We used our pop up and the site we used was very level.
Excellent hiking and views of the canyon.
Traveler
Great sites with fire pits.
GuideI had a wonderful time at backcountry site #4 this past Sunday - Monday. The hike to the site is downhill from the stone wall parking lot, so it was pretty easy to get to at only 1 mile.
The site is private and pretty large. There were plenty of trees for hammocks and a few flat spots for small tents.
A small creek flows through the site for easy water access (but I was told that it doesn’t flow all year).
The best part of site #4 is that it’s about 0.2 miles from a beautiful west facing overlook where I enjoyed the sunset.
I can’t recommend this site every .
GuideThis is a great park with a lot to offer and more in the near vicinity.
Cell reception (T-Mobile) was non-existent in the site. However, there was reception at the trading post and possibly elsewhere.
They're installing Bear Boxes in tent sites back and front country (as I understood it) and are clearly paying attention to what people want and how to improve visitors experiences.
A lot of the sites are RV orientated. But the walk in tent sites are really close to the parking area. Also, nearby backcountry platforms and sites can be easily accessed.
If you want walking access to the trails, it's probably best to choose a site near the lake as that's where most trails are accessed from.
Ranger
We arrived and we got to pick out our own campsite. Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff. Bathrooms were clean and the showers were warm water beautiful tall trees provided shade. Scenic Drive was stunning.
Ranger
Beautiful peaceful camping ground. Walking distance to Sitton Gulch. Campground was clean and the staff is very friendly. Waterfalls were dry at the time of our visit, but it was still a beautiful site.
RangerWe loved this State Park. The campsites were pristine, spacious, and well-planned. We enjoyed the hiking trails and reconnecting with nature. There was an on-site camp store with everything we needed.
Traveler
Excellent instructions, easy to find my site. Trees so can add my tarp for possible rain. Restful sleep. Parked by my deluxe primitive site. It comes with hot shower and flush toilet. Porta potties close by lit with fairy lights at night. I was impressed as they were clean. Self check in. I saw a deer on the way to the bathroom. Appreciate the trash cans, water and electricity. Close to gas, food. I went to Coalmont. The Mexican food was authentic. Amazing.
Scout
I didn’t get the chance to have an experience because they would not even rent to me because I have mixed breed rescue dogs.
ScoutGreat location near I-75. Just stayed for a quick overnight.
Guide
Plenty of spacious campsites, an easy hike (almost too short!) from the visitor center. Rustic, dispersed, but close enough to other people so you don’t feel absolutely stranded!
Guide
Great place to camp near the cloudland canyon. The campsite 8 that we camped on was far from parking and restroom, so you might wanna choose the sites near to parking. Be prepared to carry things for quite a walk. Bring something to carry water to your site from water filling station near the restrooms. But, the campsites are well spaced so you will have the privacy you need. There are lots of beautiful hiking places nearby.
RangerThe sites are very close together here and you can expect it to usually be booked up. However, the facilities are in great condition and there are lots of short trails to amazing vistas.
They also sell $6 firewood, which is the cheapest I’ve seen in a while. Checking in is confusing because they don’t send you any info on what to do or how to get to your site (there’s two campgrounds, don’t go to the wrong one). You are supposed to stop at the visitor center to check in.
GuideThe park is beautiful with a nice modern campground. The sites are very nice. The bathroom and showers are very new and well-maintained. The views of the canyon below are breathtaking. There are wonderful trails leading down tobthr valley the views of waterfalls.
Guide
The name has changed to Smitty's Lodge & CG. I found this awesome campground close to the beginning of the Cherohala skyway in Tellico Plains. Includes picnic table, fire pit and some chairs (they also sell firewood), clean restrooms and showers, use of refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and super nice hosts. I highly recommend visiting this campground. I stayed in a tent, but they do have cabins for rent also. Campsites are level and spacious.
Guide
Quiet campground tucked away on Lookout Mountain, with super friendly and helpful staff. The campground is very well maintained, has a large pool, playground and giant in-ground bounce ballon for the kids, and a fenced in dog park complete with slides and playground equipment for dogs! There is a walking trails around the campground. The bathroom\shower house was impressive to say the least, very clean and renovated.
ScoutWe’ve stayed at this campground several times over the past 20 years. It has actually improved since our last visit 7-8 years ago. Bathrooms/showers are very nice…each guest gets a private room with shower, sink and toilet. Dog park is very nice, and trails are good. Campground is quite hilly but our site (15 pull through) was level. Only suggestion would be a better stocked store.
GuideThis place may be seasonal and have limited hours but oh what a treat it is to make this part of your boating experience on Watts Bar Lake. They feature Monkey Towns local brews out of Dayton,TN. The view is worth the climb up the stairs from the lake to the dining area.
GuideWe stayed in the West Rim Campground and i love the way it's laid out. Site 34 has multi levels, one for the camper, one which could be a sitting or tent area, and one for the firepit. It backs up to woods but also has an open area that you could play numerous games(cornhole, football, frisbee etc) It also has a picnic table, grill and fire ring(all were in amazing shape). We purchased firewood from the visitor center but you can also purchase from camp host. Currently it's$6 a bundle and they keep it in a cute little outhouse looking storage building lol. It is a very clean, well maintained and quiet(while we were there) campground. If you are even slightly considering staying here, just go ahead and book it. It's an amazing campground surrounded by an equally amazing State Park.
Scout
This is one of the best experiences I've had. My boyfriend and I decided to take a trip and wanted to have a peaceful getaway. I highly recommend this getaway as it was such an enriching experience. From the mountains to the bonfires to warm and welcoming company. Anthony and Barbara were so welcoming and offered us everything we needed and then some.
TravelerGreat experience! Our first time out in new to us RV. Went over President’s Day weekend. Myself, Husband & our four boys (5, 16, 19, 21) had a great time relaxing by the fire, jumping on inflatables at playground and gathering firewood in the woods. Site was roomy and very clean. Great crew in the office helpful & super nice. Would recommend!
TravelerFirst time to this State Park, but won’t be the last. Large pull through sites with fire pits, grills, picnic tables, and lantern poles. Close proximity to several hiking trails with sweeping vistas and gorgeous waterfalls. Clean and warm bathrooms/shower house. Friendly hosts.
GuideOur spot was near bathroom and the area was clean. Good hikes nearby. I had good cell reception as well with Verizon so was able to watch a little college football on Saturday.m
Guide
COUNTY PARK campground surrounded by water with a 5thmountain view. Great travel stop off I-24 Interstate hwy. Call and tell them your coming they will save a spot for you. I've always called weeks ahead to reserve a spotthey just write down your name and planned nights to stay with assigned site number. Very friendly. ELECTRIC and WATER w/dump station in park. Shower house has key pad entry lock for campers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Mcdonald, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Mcdonald, TN is Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 126 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Mcdonald, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 glamping camping locations near Mcdonald, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
