Cabins near Ooltewah, Tennessee offer year-round accommodations with varying seasonal rates. Situated at approximately 850 feet elevation, the area experiences mild winters with occasional snowfall and humid summers with temperatures averaging in the 80s. Most cabin rentals in this region require advance reservations, especially during the peak summer and fall foliage seasons.
What to do
Explore underground caverns: At Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground, visitors can experience guided cave tours right on the property. One reviewer noted, "The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus."
White water rafting: Adventures Unlimited Campground provides easy access to Olympic-caliber rapids on the Ocoee River. According to a visitor, "The Ocoee River was the site for the 1996 Olympics whitewater events. There are numerous outfitters for everything you can do on the river, and this place is the best we've visited."
Lakefront recreation: Many visitors to Chester Frost Park appreciate the water activities. A camper mentioned, "One of the best places to be able to camp and boat. We where at Chester Frost for July 4th. Love staying on the lake front and watching the sun set."
Hiking on diverse terrain: Trails at Fort Mountain State Park Campground range from easy lakeside paths to challenging mountain routes. A reviewer shared, "These are awesome trails and varied trails with lots of elevation. The Gahuti is the most known hiking trail here and we never saw another hiker on the trail except each other."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground, the West Rim camping area is particularly popular for its seclusion. One camper explained, "The West Rim camping loop has a total of 48 tent/RV sites with 30 or 50A hookups, water, gravel tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. This loop is far more wooded and offers a greater variety of site size and privacy, and has an extremely quiet and peaceful vibe to it."
Unique camping platforms: Some campgrounds offer alternative sleeping arrangements. A Fort Mountain visitor shared, "I looked up information on the platforms (also called Squirrel's Nest) on the state park website. The site itself was in a beautiful location, had a hand pump on site, and also had a shared bear proof storage box."
Family-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds feature activities for children. A reviewer at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground wrote, "Add to this several beautiful waterfalls, daily deer sightings, a lovely fishing lake and bike trails and you have a park that appeals to many!"
Night sky views: Campers frequently mention the quality of stargazing in the area. One visitor noted, "Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping."
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters are common in several campgrounds. A visitor to Fort Mountain warned, "We had bear visitors, something they'll warn you about upon arrival. The bears just added to the appeal of this place though."
Site selection matters: Not all sites at every campground offer the same experience. A reviewer at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground cautioned, "The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's."
Seasonal operation: Some facilities operate on limited schedules. A visitor mentioned, "Arrived in the dark, do not recommend as there are not much lighting to see especially if the sites is tight with others."
Highway noise: Certain campgrounds experience road noise. A camper at Battlefield Campground & RV Park observed, "It is very easy to get to, but part of that convenience comes with an absence of quiet; the interstate runs directly beside the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for varying swimming options: Pools and natural swimming areas provide different experiences. A visitor to Holiday Travel Park noted, "There's a pool that looks to be very clean and well maintained."
Consider off-season visits: School-year weekends often mean fewer crowds. One camper shared, "We were the only occupants of tent/electric and there was not a single tent in the primitive field."
Book specific sites for playground access: Some campsites offer better access to play areas. A reviewer mentioned, "For us, being next to the pool and playground was not as preferred as it would be for others. Our site would have been better for those with kids."
Look for educational opportunities: Several parks offer historical features. At Raccoon Mountain, "We did book a rafting trip while we were there and had a blast. This is a great weekend camping spot with friends."
Tips from RVers
Check site leveling before booking: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. An RVer at Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA shared, "The sites are very close together so there is not much room to move around or have pets outside. The rates are higher than I would like to pay but you more amenities for the price."
Verify hookup availability: Full hookups aren't guaranteed at all sites. A camper mentioned, "Some do not have sewer hookups but they use a waitlist system to get full hookups."
Arrive during daylight hours: Setting up in darkness creates challenges. One RVer advised, "We stayed 5 nights April of 2025. Very clean and nice park. Very friendly office women."
Consider proximity to town: Many cabins near Ooltewah provide good access to urban amenities. A visitor noted, "Close to Chattanooga sights. Long weekend trip. We did the zoo, aquarium and Rock City."
