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Campgrounds around Farner, Tennessee occupy diverse terrain within the Cherokee National Forest and nearby recreational areas. Camping near Farner ranges from free dispersed sites along mountain creeks to developed campgrounds with tent and RV accommodations, giving campers a wide choice of settings and amenities. Lost Creek Campground represents a free dispersed camping option in this mountainous region, consistently rated highly for its creek access and peaceful atmosphere. Gee Creek Campground in nearby Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park provides established campsites with tent and RV accommodations. The area features several mixed-use campgrounds including Chilhowee Recreation Area and Thunder Rock Campground, where both tent and RV camping are supported. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, typically from April through November, though some like Lost Creek remain open year-round.
Access to many campgrounds involves traveling gravel forest roads, with Lost Creek requiring a 7-mile drive on well-maintained gravel. "This is a great spot in the river. Picnic tables, fire ring, pit toilet and all you hear is the river at night. No cell service and it's first come first served for a spot," notes one camper about Lost Creek. Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the region, with limited or no service in more remote areas. Weather considerations include potential heavy rainfall that can affect road conditions. Most developed campgrounds offer basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, while facilities such as showers and flush toilets are limited to certain established sites. Elevation changes are significant, with some campgrounds situated at higher elevations offering cooler temperatures even during summer months.
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Farner area, with many campgrounds positioned along creeks, rivers, or lakes. Campers frequently mention the Hiwassee River as a highlight, with opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and swimming. A visitor explained, "Each campsite has a concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform. Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt." Primitive camping options like Lost Creek provide a more secluded experience with fewer amenities but greater privacy and natural setting. The region's mixed-use campgrounds balance accessibility with wilderness experience, typically offering both developed sites with some amenities and more primitive options. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area, with visitors frequently reporting encounters with local fauna in the forested settings.
"Campsites are close to one another. If you camp at a site near the water, it is really nice, but everyone will walk by your campsite so they can go down the path to the river."
"Easy access off Hwy 64, so close to stores for food and firewood. Well maintained campsite with clean bathrooms and very clean, nice showers. Alcohol prohibited as think county is dry."
from $12 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Bath house is relatively nice for a state park campground. 1 mile walking path surrounding the grounds is nice. Safe area for bicycle riding. Great proximity to many outdoor activities."
"This sweet state park campground is tucked into a spot along Gee Creek, which is great for boating, fishing, and swimming in the summertime heat of Tennessee. "
"My partner and I headed to nearby Chilhowie Campground in the Cherokee National Forest last year to try out our new teardrop camper. We chose site 1 in the A Loop as it had shore power."
"It has clean bathrooms with showers, fire rings with grill grates, lots of hiking, hike to a beautiful waterfall, huge lake to swim or float on a raft, and the lightning bugs were breath taking!!"
from $12 - $30 / night
Check Availability"A very well-kept campground given how off the beaten path it is. Most sites had tent pads and a concrete picnic table and were very clean. The garbage bins had been emptied so weren't overfowing."
"Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt."
"Each site is a good distance away from the other and there is the constant sound of the creek flowing right next to it. The bathrooms are clean and right in the middle a perfect spot for a getaway"
"Easy to navigate around sites. Lots of shade. Close by Occoee White Water center where the Atlanta olympics took place. Plan your visit around the water release. There schedule is online. "
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The lake is great for kayaking and swimming, with an easy trail around the perimeter. The gorgeous Cherohala Skyway is very close by (highly recommend!)."
"The surrounding mountains and water were breathtaking. This camp ground is close to the water if you stay in loop A. Just a short walk the water and beach."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Close to grocery stores & TONS of mountain goodness."
"As close to heaven as it gets"
from $50 - $60 / night
Check Availability"This is a beautiful secluded site just off of Highway 64/74 not too far from the Tennessee border. The campground is very well kept and has wonderful amenities for both RV and tent campers."
"I don't have a huge point of reference, but I can give you details on everything that was smooth
- Location - Just off a 4 lane highway. Convenient with easy access to your site. "
from $55 - $900 / night
Check Availability"Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by."
"We were right next to the camp host, which was pretty nice – we didn’t have to go far to ask for wood or ice! Plus, there were trails leading right to the lake. "
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Scenic views the whole drive up, followed by a safe, cozy campground with clean facilities and a great grouping of trails."
"The campsite was clean, and our site was a good distance from other campers. The campground has a nice hike to Benton Falls which is beautiful."
from $12 - $20 / night
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TravelerThis top of the mountain campground is amazing. There was barely anyone here and just a short/walk drive down the road are tons of overlooks and a short hike to a watch tower. I definitely recommend this place.
ScoutThey have a pool, a lake with boat ramp and dock, and picnic tables at all spots. There are a few rows of permanent spots but didn't seem ran down. The office workers were nice and easy to communicate with.
ScoutWe had a wonderful stay at Skeenah Creek Campground. We stayed for three nights with our F250 and 30 ft toy hauler, and from the moment we booked until checkout, the experience was excellent.
The drive through the Appalachian mountains is beautiful but definitely winding. The campground sent us detailed directions before our trip which helped us plan the best route for our rig. On the day we arrived we received a text letting us know they were expecting us along with a phone number in case we needed anything along the way.
Brian and Mark were incredibly welcoming and made themselves available throughout our stay if we had any questions or needed assistance.
The campground itself is clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully organized. Everything is clearly marked. We especially appreciated the shaded community recreation area with ceiling fans, games and activities. It was the perfect place for our family to cool off during the hottest part of the day.
One of our favorite moments was when Mark shared fresh tomatoes from the campground garden. Our toddler absolutely loves tomatoes, so it was such a thoughtful and memorable gesture.
TravelerOnly deducting a star for people not cleaning after themselves, leaving me to yet again to clean a site after someone before I can enjoy myself. Bring trash bags and pack your trash out with you please. Over all very beautiful area. I absolutely recommend if you don’t mind having other sites within 30-50 ft of you. Not usually my style, but the beauty of this area makes it alright. Even 2 wheel drive cars can make it back here.
RangerThe campground is great, but it's adjacent to a road that can have some very loud vehicle traffic. I've seen cleaner restrooms, but I wouldn't call these bad.
If your campsite is not on the river you will have to skirt the sites that are to go down to the river. Water is available, but I only saw one campsite with electric hookup and it was at what I assume was the camp host whose camp site looked like he/she had moved in, complete with a carport for their two vehicles - I found it to be a bit obnoxious right on the river.
With all that said, I would stay there again.
RangerCampsite is near Helen, GA, but I would avoid going there unless you enjoy crowds. We were there on July 4 and it was a mob scene, so getting out into the national forest was a very pleasent experience!
Low Gap Road is paved most of the way to the campsite with only a short stretch of fairly well kept gravel. Once you hit the gravel there are two stream crossings before you get to the campsite. I wouldn't attempt crossing them in a low vehicle if the water is high.
There are well kept vault toilets at the campsite which is divided into two sections separated by Low Gap Creek which you have to ford in order to reach about half of the camp sites. There is a footbridge for accessing the toilets as they are on that side of the camp ground.
Low Gap Creek is beautiful and worth some time exploring.
GuideThe campsites are great - most appear to be very level and in good shape. Our site is noisy at times, as it backs up to a primary road in the park and there is a good bit of vehicle and foot traffic. There is zero reception for T-Mobile users at this campsite.
ScoutTate Branch is gorgeous and has several riverside sites. Sites 5 and 7 are the best (IMO) and the whole campground is super shaded. Most of the fire pits have grates.
There are three pit toilets and a water pump. The forest service road to get to the campground is not bad and is super enjoyable as it runs along the river. We took our jeep AND our minivan and had zero issues. I also saw a UPS truck. Lots of people fishing and enjoying views along the road.
LegendOverall, this is a nice campground with lots of amenities in a great location. They have easy online booking and when you arrive you are instructed to go straight to your site and come to the office later for campground information and parking pass. Little Arrow has lots of amenities with the most popular being the swimming pool. In fact, it was a little too popular as it was quite crowded most of the time. The community firepit is a great place to gather with lots of people. There is a restaurant onsite (which we did not eat at but heard it was very good). The nearby town of Townsend is a great town with shopping and restaurants. We loved the brewery in town (Peaceful Side Social) which had great food and beer and lots of space for kids to run around. Next store to the brewery was a delicious ice cream shop. This campground is in a great location to visit the Great Smokey Mountain National Park with the entrance being just a few miles away and it’s a short drive to the Cades Cove Loop which is a very interesting and popular driving route in the park with historic sites and great wildlife viewing along the way. We had a buddy site which was laid out so that RVs are on the same pad and share a common area in between. We enjoyed the table and chairs and “kitchen” area which was great for gathering. Some sites back up to a river and have nice covered pavilions. There is public river access at the campground which I liked for fly fishing and my dog loved for swimming. The only complaints are that some sites (including ours) was very close to your neighbor and it is really a tight squeeze getting big-rigs into the park and to our site. The entrance to our loop was really tight and we even noticed one tow hauler ripped off part of his bumper on an old gate post that was covered by overgrown bushes. There are low hanging trees at the entrance which I mentioned to the manager and she dismissed it that stuff was really growing since it was late spring and they didn’t have time to trim. She did indicate that they intended on trimming but we left so I’m not sure if it happened or not.
The Farner, Tennessee camping area sits within the Appalachian Mountains at approximately 1,700 feet elevation, with significant terrain variation throughout the region. Seasonal temperature fluctuations are notable, with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Most dispersed camping spots near Farner operate under Cherokee National Forest regulations, with several requiring navigation of forest service roads that can become challenging after heavy rainfall.
Hiking local trails: At Chilhowee Recreation Area, trails range from beginner-friendly to more challenging routes. "There is a small hike to Cumberland Falls, which is gorgeous!! We had a great time! Hot water for showers/restroom facilities," shares Alison B. The recreation area includes a 3-mile loop to Benton Falls and several mountain biking trails.
Fishing opportunities: Lost Creek Campground provides direct creek access for anglers seeking smaller water fishing. "The creek can be used for shallow water wading or fishing," notes Gregg G. For lake fishing, Persimmon Creek Campground offers a stocked trout pond where "You pay for what you catch but totally worth it," according to Jason A.
Water recreation: Blue Ridge Lake at Morganton Point Campground features swimming areas and boat rentals. "The lake offers many recreation opportunities including swimming, boating, picnicking, fishing, camping, and hiking. Rentals are available from the store front in Morganton or the beachside location," explains Jenn B. Note that kayak and paddleboard rentals cost approximately $35 per day.
Natural water features: Many campgrounds near Farner provide water access, but the creek at Gee Creek Campground receives consistent praise. "Very beautiful, clean, awesome rangers," reports jessecah W. Another camper notes, "The Rangers check in daily and are very friendly. A trail runs the perimeter of the camp and the Hiwasee River runs next to the campground."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain high cleanliness standards. At Parksville Lake RV Campground, visitors appreciate the well-kept facilities. "Very clean, decent sized lots. Clean bathroom and shower. Nice little creek flows nearby, had a great experience!" says Bill G. This smaller campground stays relatively quiet even during busy seasons.
Wildlife viewing: The remote settings provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Gee Creek noted, "Whippoorwill called through the evening which was cool." Dawn and dusk offer the best chances to spot deer and small mammals, while bird watching is productive throughout the day. The region is home to black bears, so proper food storage is essential at all campsites.
Road conditions: Access to camping areas varies considerably. For Thunder Rock Campground, be prepared for highway noise. "The campground was alright. The majority of the sights were right on the riverside, but the neighboring road has heavy traffic," advises Austin R. Lost Creek requires "traversing a well maintained gravel road for 7 miles," according to Gregg G.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate on limited schedules. Thunder Rock and Chilhowee typically close from November through April. Indian Boundary generally operates from April 17 to November 4. During peak summer weekends (Memorial Day through Labor Day), arrive early as first-come, first-served sites fill quickly.
Limited amenities: Bring necessary supplies as amenities vary. At Lost Creek, "There is no potable water available from a spicket and no Verizon cell reception," reports Gregg G. Many campgrounds lack showers, and firewood availability is inconsistent. Stock up on supplies in nearby Benton or Tellico Plains before heading to more remote sites.
Beginner-friendly sites: Indian Boundary provides family-friendly camping with amenities for children. "Great camping area, great for family camping. Hiking trail around lake fun to kayak and fish on also has a swimming area and large picnic area that's covered," recommends Kaitlyn. Sites in loops A and B are generally recommended for families.
Weather preparation: Pack for temperature fluctuations, even in summer. One camper at Chilhowee noted, "There was rain in the forecast everyday, but it only really rained one day (it was a down pour that lasted ~30 mins). It was fairly humid the rest of the time, with a random sprinkle here and there." Morning temperatures can be 20+ degrees cooler than afternoon highs.
Playground access: For families with younger children, Gee Creek offers playground facilities. "Nice bathhouse that is cleaned multiple times a day. The Rangers check in daily and are very friendly. The campground also has a playground to keep kids entertained," writes Anna M. Several other campgrounds feature open grassy areas suitable for games and activities.
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer only partial hookups. At Chilhowee, "There are no water hookups at the sites, only power (30A). You'll need to fill your fresh water tanks before you set up," advises Mike N. When available, electric hookups are typically 30-amp service, with 50-amp connections limited to newer campgrounds.
Access challenges: RV access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Parksville Lake, "Only issue with Parksville lake is that it is a tight drive into the sites," notes Gary C. For Chilhowee, "To get to this campground you have to go up a steep narrow windy mountain road. The camp sites are distanced well and the entire campground is in the shade," warns Carissa D.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully as not all campgrounds have dump stations. Those that do may have restricted hours or seasonal availability. Several private campgrounds in Blue Ridge, Georgia offer dump services for a fee, typically $10-15 per use, which can be more convenient than backtracking to forest service facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Farner, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Farner, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 612 campgrounds and RV parks near Farner, TN and 59 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Farner, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Farner, TN is Thunder Rock Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Farner, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 59 free dispersed camping spots near Farner, TN.
What parks are near Farner, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Farner, TN that allow camping, notably Tusquitee National Forest and Croatan National Forest.
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