Camping near Eidson, Tennessee occurs primarily in the ridge and valley terrain of northeastern Tennessee, where elevations range from 1,200 to 1,800 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Many campsites near Eidson sit along waterways including Cherokee Lake and the Clinch River, with seasonal water level variations affecting access to some primitive sites.
What to do
River recreation: Access the Clinch River at Clinch River Family Campground for kayaking, tubing and fishing. The river offers calm waters perfect for beginners. "What a great experience for the whole family and kids and enjoyed the privacy water was a little cold this time of year but I had a great fire next to the river Under the Stars roasting s'mores," reports camper Papa G.
Historical exploration: Visit Natural Tunnel State Park, located 30-45 minutes from Clinch River Family Campground. This unique geological formation includes a chairlift to view the tunnel where trains still pass through. "We loved the new cabin we rented in this beautiful park. A hiking trail ran behind the cabins, past the campground to the tunnel. It is a great hike and even better when you use the ski lift going up," shares Kim A.
Hiking to Devils Bathtub: Take the Devils Fork trail near Natural Tunnel State Park. The trail is about 2 miles one way and considered difficult but worthwhile. "We chose this campground because it was close to Natural Tunnel and Devils Fork trail. Both of these are worth doing if you are in the area. We chose to only hike to Devils bathtub. It was exceptional but difficult," notes Beth B.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Baileyton KOA Holiday consistently receives praise for its pristine bathhouses and showers. "The bathrooms and showers were so clean! As clean as any hotel. I would definitely recommend this campground," writes Rosemary B. This KOA includes amenities like a saltwater pool, playground, and weekend activities.
Family-friendly environment: Many campgrounds near Eidson offer activities specifically designed for children. "This place is very kid-friendly yet quiet! Pool is salt-water so no chlorine smell. Playground is away from most camp sites and has a tire swing and small set up. They have activities planned lots on the weekend," shares D.S. about Baileyton KOA Holiday.
Waterfront locations: Sites directly on Cherokee Lake or the Clinch River are most popular. Lakefront Glamping Resort offers unique accommodation options with water access. "There are four glamping tents and the newest addition is a Micro A-Frame with a king bed. One of the nicest features is the window side that faces the lake can be opened, making it an open-air accommodation," notes Lee D.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Many campgrounds require travel on secondary roads that can become difficult after rain. At Out on The Creek Campground, campers can choose between creekside spots or RV lots with mountain views, but should be aware of access conditions. "Great place to camp along side the creek or rv lots with mountain views. Walking distance to Clinch River," notes Andy J.
Cellular service limitations: Cell coverage becomes spotty in many camping areas around Eidson. "You will lose cellular pretty quickly when you turn on that road," warns Beth B. about the approach to Clinch River Family Campground. Plan accordingly by downloading maps and information in advance.
Weather considerations: Tennessee mud becomes particularly problematic after rain. "The rain resulted in a very muddy area around the A-Frame and Tennessee mud is no joke. We accumulated about an inch of the thick gooey mud on our shoes," reports Lee D. from Lakefront Glamping Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Natural Tunnel State Park Campground offers numerous family-friendly amenities. "Beautiful campground. So much fun stuff for the kids to do. Great trails for hiking or biking," shares Monica S. The park includes a swimming pool, picnic areas, and educational activities.
Consider booking cabins for easier family trips: Some families find cabins more manageable than tents, especially with young children. "This park has so many things to do and is fun for all ages. They have campgrounds, cabins and Yurts. There are nice hiking trails, chairlift to view the tunnel, picnic areas, swimming pool and so much more," writes Kathy L. about Natural Tunnel State Park.
Choose campgrounds with weekend programming: Many sites offer scheduled activities on weekends. "We stayed here overnight just as a stopping point on our trip, but we were pleasantly surprised! Nice pool, very clean park, lots of things for the kids. They have activities on the weekends," notes Beth H. about Baileyton KOA.
Tips from RVers
Levelness varies by campground: Around Pond RV Park offers convenient pull-through sites that some campers find completely level. "Pulled up to the staging area near the office and didn't even have to get out of the truck. Guy came up on a golf cart and confirmed my name. Took us right to our spot which was a full hook up pull through. Site was gravel and completely level," explains Peter K.
Check hookup availability: While most campgrounds offer electric, not all provide full hookups. "Perfectly level spot with water and electric. The river was 60 feet from our site. Host was awesome, all the regulars were super nice. It's a great view at a great price," reports Matt H. about Windy Rivers Campground.
Consider noise levels when selecting sites: Road noise affects some waterfront locations, particularly those near highways. "Despite it being on the lake, you will also hear almost constant road noise. The glamping tents are located further away from the lake in the woods so I imagine the road noise would be less or non-existent here," advises Lee D. about Lakefront Glamping Resort.
