Camping near Monteagle, Tennessee offers diverse experiences at elevations around 2,000 feet on the Cumberland Plateau. During summer months, temperatures average 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands, creating ideal overnight camping conditions even during July and August. The rocky terrain and limestone formations throughout the area create unique camping sites with natural windbreaks and drainage.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Follow marked trails at Fall Creek Falls State Park to access multiple cascades beyond the namesake falls. "Plenty of hikes that lead to wonderful waterfalls and great scenery. My favorite is the cable trail. If i recall it's not far from the campsite," shares one visitor at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground.
Disc golf and fishing: Combine activities in one location at Bigfoot Adventure. "Had a blast fishing in the ponds. Didn't get a chance to zip line but looks like a blast. They seem to be adding things… disc golf maybe. Great park with clean facilities," notes a guest at Bigfoot Adventure RV park & Campground.
Hiking for beginners: Start with moderate trails suitable for new hikers. "Many adventures offered from skeet shooting to hiking to waterfalls," explains a camper about the varied terrain options at Fall Creek Falls State Park.
What campers like
Private waterfall access: Camp within walking distance of swimming spots. "The sites have a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring, and lots of privacy as the sites are very far from each other. The bath house has showers and running hot water. The long hike around the canyon and down into it provided amazing views!" reports a camper at Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground.
Rustic camping with amenities: Find balance between primitive and convenient at backcountry sites. "Our backcountry campground had a fire pit and even a picnic table, and was nestled beside a babbling brook. We set up our tents, hung our hammocks and got cooking as soon as we arrived," describes a visitor at Alum Gap Campground.
Clean facilities: Enjoy well-maintained bathhouses throughout the region. "The bathhouse is code locked and was clean. They have a fenced in dog park area centrally located in area c, seemed of good size with lots of trees. They have a little sand pit area for kids to play in," notes a camper at Greeter Falls Campground.
What you should know
Campsite selection matters: Some areas get crowded during peak season. "We drove through area C which is considered the Main Campus, has the camp office and bath house there. Our rv sites were gravel, required some leveling, had FHUs. 50/30/30 amp service, water and sewer of course. All worked great, no issues," explains a visitor at Greeter Falls Campground.
Seasonal water levels affect waterfalls: Summer brings lower water volume. "Unfortunately it was pretty dry so there wasn't much waterfall action. The upper falls was pretty cool. We couldn't make it to all of the falls," reports a camper who visited during drier months.
Cell coverage varies by location: Check provider coverage maps. "I have Verizon and had 3 bars and LTE and the data signal was strong for me. Was able to stream, FaceTime, pretty much whatever I wanted," notes a camper about connectivity at Greeter Falls.
Tips for camping with families
Early arrival recommended: Secure prime spots by mid-afternoon. "What a view! Been going there since i was a kid. Breath taking view!" recalls a longtime visitor of Marion County Park.
Pack extra lighting: Trails and campgrounds get very dark. "Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping," explains a camper about nighttime conditions.
Plan for temperature swings: Elevation creates cooler nights even in summer. "We went kayaking on Fire lake small winding roads really a cool drive. Pretty lake with some islands & inlets. Nice day on the water," shares a visitor about daytime activities near Old Stone Fort State Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks for uneven terrain. "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out. We are definitely going back in summer to get wet in the falls and creeks," advises an experienced RVer at Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Multiple dump stations available: Plan accordingly for busy weekends. "Upgraded dump station all asphalt with 6 dumps," notes a visitor about improved facilities at Fall Creek Falls.
Site selection for larger rigs: Research campground layouts before booking. "The spots are very spacious and very easily accessible," shares a camper at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, describing the pull-through options available for larger vehicles.
