Best Dispersed Camping near Palmer, TN
Prentice Cooper State Forest provides free dispersed camping opportunities roughly 30 miles from Palmer, Tennessee, with two designated areas plus backcountry options. The forest offers both drive-in access at Hunter's Check Station Campground and a more remote experience at Davis Pond Campground, which requires traveling approximately 7 miles down gravel roads. According to one visitor, "Davis Pond is more of an open field by the pond...there's plenty of room for multiple tents and great hammock spots."
Most dispersed sites in Prentice Cooper are primitive with no facilities—bring all supplies and pack out trash. The forest closes most camping areas between December and March. Access roads can become challenging in wet conditions, with several reviews mentioning high-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching deeper forest areas. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The roads are pretty dense with not many places to pull off." The area sees moderate traffic from ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes during daylight hours, but regulations prohibit their use after dusk, ensuring relatively quiet nights for campers seeking solitude.
