Best Tent Camping near Rockwood, TN

Tent camping near Rockwood, Tennessee provides access to several natural areas with riverside and forest settings. Rock Creek Campground in the Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park offers 11 tent-only sites with direct access to the Emory River and Cumberland Trail. Lilly Pad Campground, located in a wooded setting, provides primitive tent camping with proximity to the Obed River. For those seeking more remote backcountry tent camping, TVA Public Land at Fork Bend offers free dispersed camping along Norris Lake with waterfront sites and forest cover.

Most tent campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Rock Creek Campground features tent pads, fire rings with grills, picnic tables, lantern hooks, and bearproof food lockers. Vault toilets are available but no potable water is provided on site. The nearby town of Wartburg, about a mile away, offers supplies. TVA Public Land at Fork Bend requires campers to bring all necessary equipment as it has no facilities beyond established fire rings. Access to Fork Bend involves traveling several miles on gravel roads that can be rutted in places, with 4WD recommended though not always necessary.

The tent camping experience around Rockwood features diverse recreational opportunities centered around water and trails. According to reviews, Rock Creek sites are close together and can become crowded during summer weekends, but provide excellent access to hiking, fishing, and rock climbing. One camper noted, "The Obed area is very inviting for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing. There are trails that start right from the campground." TVA Public Land at Fork Bend offers more solitude, with one visitor reporting, "If you want to get away from people, this place is for you. Fork Bend is a heavily wooded forest surrounded by Norris Lake." Primitive tent campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions and bring water treatment supplies for creek or river water.

Best Tent Sites Near Rockwood, Tennessee (37)

    1. Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

    12 Reviews
    Lancing, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 346-6294

    $15 / night

    "The campsites have a fire ring, picnic bench, and lantern pole. Each campsite has their little parking space except site 9, 10, and 11."

    "It's a primitive campground with 11 sites for tents only. RVs are not allowed. There is a restroom for campers with pit style toilets."

    2. Lilly Pad Campground

    5 Reviews
    Lancing, TN
    17 miles
    Website

    $30 / night

    "We were limited on site selection with our rooftop tent, and I saw a couple teardrop campers, but you can’t take anything larger."

    "Big bundles of good firewood. Wifi only at the brewery area which is perfectly fine for my camping style. They even had a band Friday night. I’ll definitely be back."

    3. Sutton Camping & Cabin Rentals

    1 Review
    Lancing, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (239) 878-7494

    $85 - $95 / night

    4. Windrock Ridge Campground

    4 Reviews
    Oliver Springs, TN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 435-1251

    $20 - $49 / night

    "Site 26 is good for rooftop tent camping. Shade in afternoon and plenty of room for additional vehicles. Fire ring has a movable grate that is good to cook on."

    "I’m in a truck camper with a rooftop tent."

    5. Reflection Tree Art Farm

    2 Reviews
    Allardt, TN
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 964-7597

    $25 - $35 / night

    6. Poland Creek

    5 Reviews
    Louisville, TN
    32 miles
    Website

    "This spot is kid and tent friendly with a boat ramp and beautiful small lake with lots of fishing opportunities."

    "This is a medium size campground which offers both RV and tent camping. There is a recreational facility which can be used for day use as well. Overall everything is grassy green and beautiful."

    7. Burnt Mill Bridge Loop

    2 Reviews
    Petros, TN
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 569-9778

    "I went backpacking with a friend and our dogs. We decided to camp out at Burnt Mill Loop. The trail goes mostly along the water. You will see stunning Rock formations and some smaller waterfalls."

    "But there’s several campsites around the area, and you can choose one that’s easier to access if you’d like. We went down near the river, and camped and did some fishing."

    8. Laurel Snow — Cumberland Trail

    3 Reviews
    Dayton, TN
    31 miles
    Website

    "One being very close to a waterfall. Definitely would recommend to a friend"

    "One being very close to a waterfall. Definitely would recommend to a friend. I haven't camped on the eagles bluff, but given the topo map, I'd imagine it would be fabulous"

    9. TVA Public Land- Fork Bend

    11 Reviews
    La Follette, TN
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (865) 632-2101

    "I recently learned that TVA land is free to camp on, so I sought out some close to me and found Fork Bend. If you want to get away from people, this place is for you."

    "(Disclaimer: I pack heat whenever I am alone.)

    The site was pretty much shaded by the forest canopy throughout the day, with full sun toward the edge of the water."

    10. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

    9 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    50 miles
    Website

    "It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest, with easy creek access (some sites are right beside the creek), and the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside"

    "We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."

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Showing results 1-10 of 37 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rockwood, TN

876 Reviews of 37 Rockwood Campgrounds



Guide to Rockwood

Tent camping near Rockwood, Tennessee offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Some prices for tent camping range from $5 to $30

  • At Lilly Pad Campground, the cost is just $5 per person, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious campers.
  • Windrock Ridge Campground provides a range of sites with prices that can vary, typically around $30 for those with electric hookups.
  • For a unique experience, Reflection Tree Art Farm offers tent camping at a reasonable rate, with a focus on community and creativity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rockwood, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rockwood, TN is Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River with a 4-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rockwood, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Rockwood, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.