C
Callum C.
Scout
ScoutHunter’s Check Station Campground - Prentice Cooper State Forest
Surprisingly busy, was almost full when I arrived at dusk on a weekday. Has a toilet, but it’s pretty rank.
Camping near Pocahontas, TN
15 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The Tennessee countryside surrounding Pocahontas features a diverse range of campground options, from established state parks to private RV resorts. Campers can find accommodations at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park with its historic ruins and waterfall trails, or at Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground which offers both tent and RV sites with hookups. The region includes several developed campgrounds with amenities like showers, picnic tables, and electric hookups alongside more rustic options. Many locations support multiple camping styles, with sites available for tent camping, RV parking, and cabin rentals at places like Rock Island State Park and Manchester KOA.
Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though some facilities like Barton Springs Campground operate seasonally from March through November. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. "The campground setting is dense, lowland hardwood. The sites are very close together, so you will need to love your neighbor as yourself on holidays, or if you need solitude, you may need to go during the week or on non-holiday days," noted one camper about Old Stone Fort. Access roads to many campgrounds are paved and suitable for most vehicles, though some areas have narrow bridges or limited clearance that may restrict larger RVs. Cell service is generally available at developed campgrounds, but can be limited in more remote areas.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with several campgrounds offering access to lakes and rivers for fishing, swimming, and boating. Falls and swimming holes are notable features at several parks in the region, providing natural attractions beyond the campsites themselves. According to one visitor, "The park itself is surrounded by beautiful forest and some pretty great and easy hiking trails. The falls themselves are a sight to see." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are common at campgrounds like Fall Creek Falls. While developed campgrounds provide amenities including showers and electric hookups, they often trade privacy for convenience, with many reviewers noting the proximity of neighboring sites. Mixed-use campgrounds catering to both tent and RV campers are standard throughout the region, offering varying levels of services and facilities.
Best Campgrounds near Pocahontas (161)
1. Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
"Recycling bins were also located near the well lit bathrooms."
"The campground itself borders the duck river and is absolutely stunning. The hiking trails are well maintained so hiking to the three waterfall's inside the park is a mild hike."
3 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
2. Rvino - The Broken Banjo
"The staff will come around and collect your trash for you (which isn’t necessary but a nice plus!)"
"This park is located in Manchester, TN right next to I-24, so if you are in the pull-throughs on the front row, you will hear the traffic. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful."
6 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $32 - $85 / night
3. Rock Island State Park Campground
"Rock Island State Park is situated in the middle of Tennessee. The park itself is surrounded by beautiful forest and some pretty great and easy hiking trails. The falls themselves are a sight to see."
"Off I24 near Murfreesboro, Tn and a leisurely drive through the Tennessee countryside. Small towns, pickups and cows. Watch for stop signs, I almost missed one while looking at the scenery."
6 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
4. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground
"Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."
"Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks."
8 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
5. Barton Springs Campground
"Beach area is clean and away from the main lake. Our campsite was right on the water. Even tough it was full, it was quiet! Staff was super helpful and friendly! We will definitely come back!"
"Close to the lake was flooded after heavy rain. I also had no cell service in b loop. Enough for phone, but not really any other connectivity."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $55 / night
6. Tennessee Hills Campground
"The best part about having family that lives in Tennessee is being able to go and visit. We do a big family reunion every other year, and we always have our shindig at a campground."
"I love camping and hiking in the Tennessee area. This campground definitely didn't disappoint. Here are a few things I loved about this campground:
- Big campsite spaces! This is always a perk."
7. Cedar Point Campground
"There are 10 campsites that are lakeside six of those having 50 amps. The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided."
"Quiet and peaceful with beautiful views of Normandy Lake. Fishing, swimming and canoe/kayak rentals available. Friendly staff."
Check Availabilityfrom $45 - $55 / night
8. Whispering Oaks Campground
"Just stopped for a quick overnight on way to Florida and didn’t want to tackle the delightful downhill plummet of 24 that occurs a bit past this location in the dark."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $50 / night
9. Whispering Oaks Campground
"I will preface this with the fact that we are very partial to Tennessee. The climate, scenery, the people, all of it. The Park: Long gravel sites, most are pull through."
10. Smooth Rapids Campground
"Affordable, walking distance to town and yet the grounds make you feel like you’re in a park far away from everything. Beautiful pines on property and lots of local hiking nearby."
"The Barren Fork River runs right along the entire stretch of campground and behind the restaurant. We typically do the medium length run that takes 2.5-4 hours depending on how aggressively you row."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $85 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 2 min from Nashville, TN
- 1 hr 21 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 1 hr 34 min from Huntsville, AL
- 1 hr 37 min from Cleveland, TN
Recent Camping Photos near Pocahontas, TN
298 Photos of 161 Pocahontas Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Whispering Oaks Campground
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
Rvino - The Broken Banjo
Cedar Point Campground
Smooth Rapids Campground
Barton Springs CampgroundR
Mad Musky Water Sports Rentals
Horseshoe Bend Marina
Alum Gap Campground — Savage Gulf State Park
Rock Island State Park Campground
Glamping Dome at Getaway on Ranger Creek
Recent Reviews near Pocahontas, TN
1061 Reviews of 161 Pocahontas Campgrounds
MickandKarla W.
LegendLong Branch — Center Hill Lake
A Big-Rig-Friendly COE Worth Returning To
We stayed here overnight on the way to Gatlinburg and three nights on the way back. GPS and signage was good as getting to this COE was easy. Often you don’t know what you’re going to get at a COE i.e. tight roads, low hanging branches etc. This was not the case as the campground (CG) is big rig friendly. For the overnighter, we checked in at the gate and proceeded to back in site 50 with water and electric (50/30/20 AMP). We had no problem backing into site 50 which sits above the creek that runs through the side of the CG. The gravel pad was fairly level(didn’t need any blocks under tires) with a picnic table, fish cleaning station, fire pit and stand up bbq. For the three nights we were in back in site 37, which was along the fence side of the CG. Site 37 had the same picnic table, cleaning table, stand up bbq and fire pit. This site’s pad was plenty long enough so we could put our toy hauler patio down. For both sites we got 1 bar on both Verizon and T-Mobile. As there is no Wifi in this CG, we used starlink. Since our starlink antenna is not hard mounted, we were able to move the antenna around to get a good signal through the trees. We were surprised this COE didn’t sell firewood nor ice. We enjoyed walking our dog around and even did some fly fishing in the adjacent river. We thoroughly enjoyed this COE.
- MickandKarla W.Legend
Whispering Falls RV Park
Great Customer Service and a Walk to Burgess Falls
We originally reserved three nights at Whispering Falls RV Park but changed our plans to an overnight stay with only 24 hours' notice. The staff was very accommodating and changed our reservation without any fees. On travel day, we called to see if we could arrive early since check-in wasn't until 3:00 PM. Again, no problem! Awesome customer service. We followed RV Life Trip Wizard GPS along with the directions in our confirmation email, which accounted for a detour due to construction of the new Burgess Falls State Park visitor center. The drive took us along country roads that we wouldn't want to navigate after dark. Check-in was simple, and we entered the gate code and proceeded to back-in site 7. We were impressed with the newer campsites featuring pavers and long pads. Utilities were conveniently placed, making hookups easy. Water pressure was decent at around 45 psi. Campground (CG) WiFi was pretty good at 20.5 Mbps download. We received one bar on both Verizon and T-Mobile, but our T-Mobile Home Internet was unusable, so we set up Starlink. Mature trees surrounded the CG perimeter but didn't cause us any satellite reception issues. Sites were decently spaced, with sites 9 and 10 looking like great choices for those traveling together. There were quite a few seasonal or permanent campers, but their sites were very well maintained. The CG also had a good-sized, unfenced dog area. One nice feature was being able to hear the falls from sites toward the back of the CG. We especially enjoyed being able to walk directly from our campsite into Burgess Falls State Park and access the trails leading to the falls to include bringing our dog on a leash. The store, which also serves as the check-in location, offered fast food, beer, and basic grocery items. Between the excellent customer service, well-maintained sites, and convenient access to the state park, we would definitely stay here again!
- MickandKarla W.Legend
Nashville Shores
Great Off Season Stay
We followed RV Life Trip Wizard GPS and Waze off I-40 to Nashville Shores RV Resort without any issues. Check-in was quick, easy, and informative, and we headed to back-in site 7 with full hookups (FHUs). The concrete pad was level, with the water hookup located at the very back of the site. Water pressure was good at around 60 psi but dropped somewhat as the campground (CG) filled up over the weekend. We had 3 bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile, with T-Mobile providing a respectable 108 Mbps download. We used our T-Mobile Home Internet, which delivered 126 Mbps, rather than Starlink. Although there were trees along the CG's perimeter, most sites appeared to have a reasonably clear view of the sky for satellite internet. Site spacing was okay, although neighboring RVs were still fairly close. Several sites were located along the lake, with a few appearing long enough to accommodate larger rigs. We suggest calling the office for details on reserving one of those waterfront sites. One of our favorite amenities was the large fenced dog run, with plenty of room to throw a ball and let our pup burn off some energy. We also appreciated having two fire pits at our site. One was behind our rig, providing a nice spot away from the CG road, while the other was near the front, next to a small concrete patio with a picnic table. Although the CG filled up during our mid-October weekend stay, the adjacent water park had closed for the season on October 1. Without the water park crowds and activity, we found Nashville Shores to be a very enjoyable place to stay."
- eerika V.
TravelerOld Stone Fort State Archaeological Park
The waterfalls are beautiful and relaxing. You can hike the high-easier trail (but tree roots are present) or the lower-harder trails and be a unprofessional rock climber right down to the falls. 2.5 mile hike if you go all the way around. We spent over 2.5 hours here. Bonus is that if you are not camping here... you can use the very very clean showers for $5!
Cliff M.TravelerBigfoot Adventure RV park & Campground
Enjoyable place to stay, quiet nights. Very chill atmosphere. Would recommend.
- RRonnie C.Traveler
Howland's Hidout
This was a last minute stay, the camp was full but accommodations were made for us by the host to park in his front yard and connect to house power. We were invited to join the host and other guests at the massive fire pit that was warming the cool mountain evening. Very pretty here…was a long and winding road up the mountain from our travel direction. Excited to see what it looks like in daylight. I have 3 bars on my T-Mobile but also have StarLink.
don B.TravelerWiseman Park
Self serve campsite
Sides are clean and well spaced. The review said before that it was $20 a night. It’s now $30 a night for 20 amp service and I believe 44 for 30 or 50 amp service.
Brent F.TravelerStillwaters Creek Campground & Cabins
Beautiful Campground Near Fall Creek Falls State Park!
Stillwaters Creek Campground is a hidden gem tucked away in the beautiful hills of Spencer, Tennessee, just a short drive from Fall Creek Falls State Park. The campground offers spacious full-hookup RV sites, cozy cabins, and tent camping, with plenty of room to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The property is surrounded by beautiful woods and features a peaceful creek, walking trails, a fishing pond, playground, and pavilion. The bathhouse has been completely renovated with updated showers and restrooms, and there's laundry available on-site. The campground also offers Wi-Fi and a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere. One of the best things about Stillwaters Creek is the setting. It's peaceful and secluded enough to feel like you're getting away from it all, but still conveniently located near some of Tennessee's best hiking trails, waterfalls, and outdoor attractions. Whether you're visiting Fall Creek Falls, spending a weekend with family, or just looking for a relaxing place to unwind, Stillwaters Creek is definitely worth checking out!
Guide to Pocahontas
The camping areas near Pocahontas, Tennessee sit within the Highland Rim geographic region, characterized by rolling hills and limestone bedrock that creates the area's notable waterfalls and swimming holes. Temperatures typically range from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer with moderate rainfall throughout the year. Most campgrounds operate with reduced capacity during winter months when water pipes may be shut off to prevent freezing.
What to do
Waterfall hiking trails: Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park offers unique hiking opportunities where Duck River forms multiple waterfalls. "The hiking trails are well maintained so hiking to the three waterfall's inside the park is a mild hike. All the park rangers we encountered were very friendly and helpful," notes Michael P. about Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park.
Fishing access: Cedar Point Campground provides direct lake access with sites positioned for easy fishing. "We brought our kayaks and were able to launch directly from the campsite. Nice firepits with grill grates attached. Lake is extremely quiet and calm," shares Michael T. about his experience at Cedar Point Campground.
River tubing: For summer visitors, river tubing provides a relaxing activity option. "We took a river tube and a paddle and it was awesome. They have a restaurant and bar too, and the food was good," explains Nate H. about Smooth Rapids Campground, which offers tube rentals and river shuttle service.
What campers like
Spacious lakefront sites: Campers consistently praise the waterfront camping options available around Normandy Lake. "Pull through spots right by the water, friendly neighbors willing to help. The reservoir is just beautiful, peaceful nights perfect for fire fly watching," comments Patrice S. about Barton Springs Campground.
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting attracts various wildlife species that campers enjoy observing. "We almost had the campground to ourselves only one other camper came in close to us. It was so quiet and woodsy. We had deer in our site everyday," reports B M. about their stay at Old Stone Fort State Park.
Level camping sites: The terrain in many campgrounds features relatively flat sites that require minimal setup effort. "Long gravel sites, most are pull through. Full hookups (Water, 50amp, sewer). Each site has big beautiful trees providing lots of shade and it felt like we were camping in the woods," notes Laura H. about the camping experience at Whispering Oaks Campground.
What you should know
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads that may impact larger vehicles. "The entrance and exit is very narrow and steep even for our Sprinter motorhome, let alone something larger. Would not advise it!" warns Ron&Shirley H. about Smooth Rapids Campground.
Seasonal staffing differences: Many campgrounds operate with reduced staff during off-peak seasons. "We were there in October when the leaves were changing. Beautiful! Be sure to enjoy the museum and the hiking trails. The ranger was especially nice. This was greatly appreciated since I arrived after dark in a strange place," shares Nancy R. about her experience at Old Stone Fort.
Varying shower facilities: Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "The bath house is old and grungy - needs renovating. People were mowing grass around their sites pretty much the entire time I was there, which wasn't very peaceful," reports Maggie C. about Whispering Oaks Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple water access points offer family-friendly swimming areas. "There are 10 campsites that are lakeside six of those having 50 amps. The sites are pulled through with electric and water there is a dump station provided," notes Timothy T. about Cedar Point Campground, which also features a swimming beach with sand.
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds provide dedicated play areas for children. "In between the sites and the barn is a large field of lush green grass with some kids equipment and plenty of space for all kinds of sports activities," explains Laura H. about Whispering Oaks.
Family hiking routes: Many trails are suitable for children of varying ages. "I love the water falls and hiking in the area. Beautiful landscape makes this a great place to spend the weekend," says Alicia F. about Rock Island State Park Campground, which offers multiple trail difficulty levels.
Tips from RVers
Premium site amenities: Some campgrounds offer enhanced RV sites with additional amenities. "The 'Premium' sites, such as site 2, has a concrete patio with wrought iron table and chairs, along with a fire-pit and grill," notes Scotty W. about Manchester KOA.
Hookup locations: Electric and water hookup positions vary between campgrounds. "If tent camping, the electric pole is a bit far, so be sure to bring extra long extension cords," advises Michael T. about Cedar Point Campground.
Winter camping preparedness: For RVers camping in colder months, services may be limited. "We went over the 4th of July and were able to view fireworks from another campground across the lake," mentions Michael T., highlighting the seasonal advantages of summer camping at Cedar Point Campground when all facilities are operational.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Pocahontas, TN?
What camping is available near Pocahontas, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Pocahontas, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 161 campgrounds and RV parks near Pocahontas, TN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Pocahontas, TN?
Which is the most popular campground near Pocahontas, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pocahontas, TN is Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park with a 4.5-star rating from 39 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pocahontas, TN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pocahontas, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Pocahontas, TN.
What parks are near Pocahontas, TN?
What parks are near Pocahontas, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Pocahontas, TN that allow camping, notably Center Hill Lake and J Percy Priest Lake.
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