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Best Dispersed Camping near Oliver Springs, TN

27 Reviews

Several free dispersed camping options exist within driving distance of Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Bi-Color Campground in Catoosa Wildlife Management Area offers primitive sites with no facilities, running water, or toilets. The area permits campfires and allows alcohol in designated camping spots. The dirt access road features washboard sections and steep grades that may challenge larger vehicles. A recent review mentioned, "There was no accessible water nearby so make sure you bring your own provisions."

Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, operated by Tennessee Valley Authority, provides waterfront camping with trash collection but no other amenities. The campground closes seasonally in early November. Citico Creek Area features more spread-out sites with some offering picnic tables and vault toilets. Sites are positioned along the creek, providing a peaceful setting despite occasional nighttime traffic on the gravel road. Additional backcountry options include Calderwood Lake Primitive campground, which requires hiking in, and Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed camping across the Kentucky border with drive-in access suitable for tents and RVs.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Oliver Springs, Tennessee (9)

    1. Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    5 Reviews
    Lancing, TN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 456-2479

    "Solid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles."

    "There was no accessible water near by so make sure you bring your own provisions. Haven’t got to explore much around the area by hiking. Found a nice creek a few miles on down the road."

    2. Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    9 Reviews
    Spring City, TN
    39 miles
    Website

    "The campground is very easily accessible and has no facilities other than garbage bins."

    "Felt safe overall."

    3. Citico Creek Area

    6 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    42 miles
    Website

    "This campground is great for being right next to great day hikes and easy access to Citico Creek, which was just across the gravel road from our site."

    "No hookups, but a majority of the 14 sites are on the creek itself. Could not recommend Citico Creek more."

    4. Calderwood Lake Primitive campground

    3 Reviews
    Croatan National Forest, NC
    44 miles

    "You are right in the little slickrock cover with waterfalls as white noise. unlike the other sites this one is also very flat which is best for walking. if you enjoy hiking campsite one is right on the"

    "If you are willing to bring everything with you, pack everything out, and paddle multiple miles on a nonmotorized finger lake, this is this place for you!"

    5. Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1

    1 Review
    Jellico, TN
    39 miles
    Website

    "There are three dispersed camp sites along this road.  We stayed at the first and largest of the three.  This first site has room for two groups.  It also has a small swimming hole with a rope swing."

    6. Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    2 Reviews
    Stearns, KY
    46 miles
    Website

    "Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping."

    "Dispersed camping.   We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening."

    7. Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry

    1 Review
    Croatan National Forest, NC
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 479-6431

    "The hike in is quite difficult. we boated into slickrock cove off of Calderwood lake and walked from there to the sites. which was only about 1.5 miles. so a lot easier than the whole 13.5 mile hike."

    8. Citico Creek

    Be the first to review!
    Tallassee, TN
    42 miles

    9. Beach Creek Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Croatan National Forest, NC
    48 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Oliver Springs, TN

32 Photos of 9 Oliver Springs Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Oliver Springs, TN

27 Reviews of 9 Oliver Springs Campgrounds

  • Amin A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Better than I expected

    So we weren't sure what we would end up finding here. I will say that there are a lot of places to camp, many many many options away from the porta potties. If you get within about 20-30 feet of those they are a bit stinky. The one camp site we chose was a great place, tons of space and well manicured. A lot of options for pull up to your campsite or park and walk to campsite spots.

    My only complaints are about the campers that stay there. The litter isn't horrible, but it's not great. It is a leave no trace place. Apparently some people have difficulty with throwing away their trash.

    When we stayed last night there was a person that kept peeling out up and down the gravel road (3/4 times) in a diesel truck at 10:00 at night. Not very courteous to all of us at the campground.

    And I was awakened at 2:00 a.m. by our camping neighbors when they were playing loud music. Also not cool, thankfully they stopped shortly after

    Overall we were very pleased with this campground, beautiful views, it was hard choosing one spot. We will be coming back, and hopefully we won't have loud campers next time.

  • Andrew R.
    Apr. 3, 2022

    Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    Convenient and pretty

    I've read reviews elsewhere of this camping area getting crowded and rowdy. We went during a relatively chilly weekend in early April and had no trouble finding a spot. It was quiet, private, and beautiful. I can see however how that may be very different during warmer months.

    The campground is very easily accessible and has no facilities other than garbage bins.

  • Robert W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2023

    Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    Nice Little Getaway

    The GPS coordinates will get you directly to where you want to go there's probably about 10 to 15 campsites there was trash on a few of them. Overall it was a nice place to just go and get away. It is a hunter's Camp first and foremost so there were quite a few people setting up for this week's opening day but the ones I did talk to were all friendly even went and had a couple beers with one of them.

    My dog snd I stayed for 2 nights and 2 days. Lots of wildlife sounds at night.

    Also a random heard of cattle strols through every now and again.

    I'd definitely come back around this time of year!

  • Karli P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    So Much Potential!

    We arrived at this dispersed campground at around 7:30 on a Saturday evening in July. It was pretty packed but since we were planning on leaving early the next morning, we took a family’s offer of taking over their spot as they left.

    We use a roof top tent so unfortunately we weren’t able to camp at the actual site, instead we set up on an almost level gravel parking area that had a private trail to the actual camp site. There were garbage cans and a port-a-potty set up right there, which is why this site lost some stars. Even though these facilities were provided, people didn’t use the garbages and there was a lot of garbage on the ground, including broken glass that made us worry about our pup’s paws. Also, the port-a-potty was pretty yucky..neither my husband nor I were willing to use it.

    Now, I want to reiterate that this is a geographically beautiful spot! Humans just need to take better care of it 💚

  • Tripp A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED

    Closed to Public

    I drove over an hour to get here to find that it is “closed to public for vandalism”. I was very upset by this but obviously nothing I could do. Just wish I knew how to check before driving all the way. But the drive! Woah! So beautiful, I wish there was a way I could find out when it opens back up because I was very much looking forward to camping here.

  • Matthew H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2025

    Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    Great Spot

    Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping. You can only set up your tent on the designated tent pad, luckily we had heavy duty stakes that could get through the ground. The entire river was frozen over and ponds were frozen too. There were a few cars that drove through the middle of the night but no issues. We left our site unattended for hours to check out the streams and rivers and nothing was missing. Lots of beer bottles left over and shattered so I have to pick up the trash before letting my dog out. There are more sites down the gravel road but we went with the first one we came to.

  • Nicholas The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    Great for water sports!

    Solid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles. Only word of caution is that the ground can get a bit muddy, so try to find something dry.

  • Michael W.
    May. 21, 2023

    Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    Primitive at its best

    Didn’t stay. To far out for me. Lots of knats. Dirt rd I , washboard out was north to Rock Creek campground steep downhill grade narrow. My opinion not for 5th wheel. No cell for miles

Guide to Oliver Springs

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Oliver Springs, Tennessee, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers unique spots for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Top Wildlife Watching Opportunities while Free Camping near Oliver Springs

  • At Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA), visitors can experience a rich array of wildlife sounds at night, making it a perfect spot for nature enthusiasts.
  • The Jackson Island Dispersed Campground is known for its peaceful environment, where you might spot various birds and other wildlife while enjoying the scenic views.
  • The Citico Creek Area offers a beautiful setting along the river, ideal for observing local fauna in their natural habitat.

Scenic Hiking Trails for Dispersed Campers

  • The Calderwood Lake Primitive campground is located near the Slickrock Trail, which leads to stunning waterfalls and swimming holes, perfect for a day of exploration.
  • Hikers can enjoy the trails around Citico Creek, where the peaceful surroundings and creek views provide a refreshing escape.
  • The area surrounding Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road features beautiful landscapes and a small creek, making it a great spot for a leisurely hike.

Fishing Adventures for Dispersed Campers

  • Anglers will appreciate the fishing opportunities at Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, where the waters are known for their bass and other fish species.
  • The Calderwood Lake Primitive campground provides access to fishing spots along the lake, making it a great choice for those looking to cast a line.
  • At Citico Creek Area, the creek is not only scenic but also offers fishing opportunities, allowing campers to enjoy a relaxing day by the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Oliver Springs, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Oliver Springs, TN is Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA) with a 3.2-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Oliver Springs, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Oliver Springs, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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