Dispersed camping near Ocoee, Tennessee offers primitive wilderness experiences within the Cherokee National Forest at elevations between 1,500-4,000 feet. Most sites require navigating unpaved Forest Service roads that can become challenging after heavy rainfall. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s, making creek-side camps particularly popular during warmer months.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest roads: The network of gravel roads throughout Cherokee National Forest provides excellent mountain biking opportunities. At Lost Creek Campground, "I've ridden a bike through here several times over the years... Super quiet when we were there in March... Many places to explore on bike or hiking. Super remote area, ride were in decent shape, I could see them being bad after a heavy storm."
Fishing in clear waters: The Conasauga River offers excellent fishing in crystal-clear waters. At Conasauga River Camp, one camper notes it's "next to a very swimmable and warm crystal clear river - very popular with locals, and I imagine would be packed on weekends." Bring fishing gear to take advantage of the river's accessibility.
Backcountry hiking: Several wilderness trails run through the region, offering varied difficulty levels. The Jack's River Falls Trail/Cohutta Wilderness provides challenging hiking with remarkable payoffs: "This is a tough trail but good for teens looking to challenge themselves in the back country. The views are amazing with rock falls."
What campers like
Affordability and privacy: Many campers appreciate the free dispersed camping options. At Lost Creek Campground, sites feature "concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform. Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt."
Creek access for cooling off: During summer months, creek access becomes a major draw for rustic camping near Ocoee. One camper at Goforth Creek Campground describes it as "a backcountry site located along the Goforth Creek trail... The site has really easy access to water for purifying or swimming... The hike up the creek is really beautiful and a much less traveled trail than others in the area."
Star-gazing opportunities: The remote nature of these sites provides exceptional night sky viewing. At the Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, a visitor shared: "This is one of my favorite types of spots: remote, little light pollution, and deep in the mountains. I searched on terrain maps for some of the best south facing skies for a great view of the belt of the milky way."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles. For Creekside Camp, expect "very primitive" conditions with "no picnic tables or pit toilets" but "flat campsites next to a very nice creek."
Cell service limitations: Be prepared for communication challenges. At Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, "The cell connection is intermittent and usually only one bar (or no cell)." Similarly, most campsites report no Verizon service throughout the area.
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings significant rainfall, potentially making roads difficult. Summer weekends see increased crowds, especially at creek-accessible sites. One visitor to Conasauga River Camp noted it's their "go-to spot gets picked up during the fall" but can get trashy from local use at other times.
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: For families with young children, select sites with easier road access. One camper describes Jack's River Falls as "a great haul with kids" but recommends it's better for "teens looking to challenge themselves in the back country."
Prepare for primitive conditions: No running water means bringing all supplies. At Lost Creek, "It's a free campsite so it's first come first serve... There's a drop toilet which are pretty still smell though."
Seek shallow creek spots: Find camping areas with gentle water access. The Goforth Creek campgrounds have "areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking. The water feels wonderful on a hot summer day."
Tips from RVers
Trailer considerations: Most primitive sites cannot accommodate large RVs but can fit small teardrop trailers. At Big Creek Primitive Camping Area, "We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in."
Level parking challenges: Many sites have uneven terrain. At Ball Field Dispersed Camping Area, "The field is fairly sloped, so you want to have some shoring if you are in a trailer, roof top tent, or van."
Road condition awareness: Forest service roads require careful navigation. One camper at Conasauga River Camp notes it's "accessible easily from a 2WD just off of a long gravel road. There are about 5 or 6 good spots."
