Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee provides access to several campgrounds along with dispersed camping options in the surrounding area. Camping near Soddy-Daisy spans from full-hookup RV spaces and primitive tent sites to cabin rentals, with waterfront campgrounds on Chickamauga Lake and developed options like Harrison Bay State Park and Possum Creek RV Park within 10 miles of town. The region features campgrounds with various accommodation types including primitive tent sites, full-hookup RV spaces, and even cabin rentals at locations like Chester Frost Park and Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground to the south.
Camping facilities vary significantly in amenities and regulations throughout the area. Most established campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with Chester Frost Park specifically noted for its lakefront sites and family-friendly facilities. "Chester Frost offers its guests Supreme tent sites along with RV spots where the smell of the RVs are never present," noted one visitor about the layout and lake views. Prentice Cooper State Forest offers dispersed camping options for those seeking a more primitive experience. Many campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, though Chester Frost Park operates seasonally from April through October. Travelers should note that waterfront sites at popular locations often require early arrival or advance reservations during summer months.
The waterfront camping experience dominates reviews for sites near Soddy-Daisy, with campers particularly praising Chester Frost Park's lake access. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "We stayed on site 172. The campsite was very spacious, quiet and one of the best views! The sites that are waterfront are spread out really well." Several campgrounds in the area feature boat ramps, fishing docks, and swimming areas, making water recreation a central draw. While bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews at some locations, the natural setting and wildlife viewing opportunities consistently earn high marks. Visitors frequently mention seeing deer and other wildlife, particularly at campgrounds bordering the lake. Despite some areas having closely spaced campsites, the overall camping experience in the Soddy-Daisy region offers good access to both water recreation and nearby attractions in Chattanooga.
$22 - $28 / night
"Harrison Bay is a huge park, with four camping loops (3 for RVs, 1 for tents), and a large marina, located on the Chickamauga Reservoir of the Tennessee River."
"This is a great family campground and Tennessee State Park located on Chickamauga Lake of the Tennessee River. Good playground for the Grandkids and bicycle paths."
$21 - $30 / night
"Tons of room to walk and play. Great swimming and fishing. Boating is huge here Bc there are docks all around the campground to pull up to. Playgrounds everywhere."
"They have a frisbee golf course, playgrounds, walking trails, beach, easy access to the water and fields to start up any activity you desire. We read about uneven campsite but ours was pretty flat."
$8 - $32 / night
"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."
$55 - $56 / night
"This place is Close to everything you’ll want to do in Chattanooga Tennessee"
"My family and I went a few years ago on a trip to Tennessee. It was a decent place to stay. We RV camped on this trip, but the campground had tent sites too."
$10 - $270 / night
"Campground Review:East Rim Campground Pro’s: 1-Handicap Accessible, there is a cabin which is also HDA. 2- If your visiting for a get together your right next to the day use area and there is a picnic"
"We stopped in for a few hours on our drive home from Tennessee. We drove through the campgrounds to scout out our site."
$39 - $47 / night
"You cant beat waterfront and being able to step outside your tent and see water. What also loved was that I didn't feel crammed by other people."
"Seemed to be a lot of locals, which were good to talk with about what to do in the other nearby parks. Shady campsites but open and not too private."
$55 / night
"I should have gotten one of their little cabins...they look cozy and they are right next to the primitive camping."
"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."
"We drove for what felt like 20 miles down a well kept unpaved road from the entrance but I think it reality was only 5.5 miles."
"You can definitely get lost driving around or hiking. If you're looking for a quiet place to camp near Chattanooga this is it."
$36 - $105 / night
"There were pros and cons, so I’ll start with the cons- the campground is surrounded by what looked to be a mobile home community."
"The gravel site was very level and the utilities were positioned well. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The location is easy to get to from I75/24."
"Quick drive from Chattanooga. Water/power. Bathhouse. Water side sites. Swiming area. Close to boat ramp."
ScoutI have been staying here for a couple weeks now and it has been very quiet. I have full service hook up everything I need for my RV. There’s also really amazing barbecue place right across the street and some nightlife as well.. interstate 40 is about a 35 minute drive. The owner here is really nice and accommodating.
LegendSpectacular scenery. The campground has two loops, both with nicely spaced out sites. We liked the creekside loop, but lakeside looked very nice as well. The lake is small but cold and clear, probably spring fed. The playground is average and they have a mini golf course that's cool. The camp store is excellent, though a drive from the campground. Also a short drive (or 3 mile hike) away is the star of the show- the overlook, tower and rock wall. Unbelievable views and great rocks to scramble and play on. The history of the mysterious rock Wall is intriguing. A great place to spend a few hours. The trails are numerous and well marked. We didn't see any bears or snakes. Overall a great place.
ScoutNothing crazy, scenic but tricky drive in here. Use the coordinates to find it, Apple Maps will send you to the other side and add a 30/40 min drive. The camping area had 1 shared restroom/porta potty type deal. The area is pretty flat ground with about 10 good spots to tent/small vehicle camp. Came on a Tuesday evening to about half the site being used. There’s signs to get here once you get close.
TravelerGreat place to stay if your here anywhere from a week to a month. The prices are very reasonable. Starting at $500/month + metered electric and $200/week (electric included).
ScoutWe camped at Howland's Hideout for two nights in our 5th wheel (water & electric hook-up plus they have a sewer dump).
So conveniently located (approx. 3 miles) from Fall Creek Falls State Park but much less noise and more relaxed.
The hosts (Kurt and Maria) went above and beyond to be sure we had everything we needed and so enjoyed getting to know them.
Their two dogs (Star & Sassy) were very friendly and our dog loved playing with them.
If you are looking for a relaxing spot to camp with great hosts, you should definitely give this place a try. We can't wait to go back.
Arnold & Debra Puckett
ScoutCamp Towhee is the perfect peaceful getaway near Fall Creek Falls! Spacious RV sites with full hookups, plenty of room to relax, and a quiet, well-maintained property make it ideal for a stress-free stay. Highly recommend!
GuideSmall gravel parking area off of what appears to be a drive. Nice open field to possibly setup in. Didn’t drive truck on grass. It was cut and well maintained. Large burn pile and old rv on site. Good place to over night. I visited during the day and was not disturbed.
GuideYou take a sometimes single lane road to get there. Very windy at points. There is a parking lot to hold 4+ cars. You walk 20’ on trail to first campsite. Nice wooded area with a trail to the water. There are 5 sites with fire pits. There is one private site past the marked site if you keep going you will find a large level gravel lot with a single fire pit that would be much better for van or truck camping. Past this point it turns back into residential.
GuideCampground is primitive with a clean vault toilet. There are approx 12 campsites with fire pits. Across the main gravel road is a large spot for off-roading / side by side parking. Main gravel road to campground is smooth no ruts. Campground should accommodate 24’ class b or so. My 18’ truck had lots of room and space for awning.
Camping spots near Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee sit along the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains where elevations range from 700 to 1,200 feet above sea level. The region's typical humidity and moderate winter temperatures make camping possible year-round, though summer can bring temperatures exceeding 90°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Several camping areas near Soddy-Daisy offer shoreline access to Chickamauga Lake, a 35,400-acre reservoir with over 810 miles of shoreline.
Boating and fishing on Chickamauga Lake: Waterfront sites at Skull Island provide direct lake access for fishing and water activities. "What a beautiful state park with many outdoor activities and trails. I stayed in campground A sites were for the most part level and spacious easy hookup," notes one Harrison Bay visitor.
Cave exploration: Located just 20 minutes from Soddy-Daisy, Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground offers on-site cave tours. "The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus," remarks one camper. Tours require advance reservations and take approximately 45-60 minutes.
Hiking nearby trails: The 25,000-acre Prentice Cooper State Forest offers primitive camping and multiple hiking options. "We ran a bunch of the trails - enjoyed the views - wonderful spot," says one visitor about the wilderness area located 30 minutes west of Soddy-Daisy.
Spacious waterfront sites: Chester Frost Park earns high marks for its lake access and site layout. "We stayed on site 172. The campsite was very spacious, quiet and one of the best views!" writes a reviewer. Sites near the water typically fill quickly between May and September.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathhouses as a highlight. "The camp host were a big help got me out of a little trouble. Highly recommend," notes one visitor to Harrison Bay. Most established campgrounds in the area offer showers and flush toilets.
Wildlife viewing: The shoreline camping areas provide excellent opportunities for animal sightings. "KKids loved camping here deer will come up to your camp just keep and eye on your food coolers raccoons will get the," warns one camper at Harrison Bay State Park, highlighting the active wildlife around camp.
Seasonal closures: Several camping areas operate on limited schedules. Chester Frost Park remains open only from April through October, while others maintain year-round operation with reduced services in winter.
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. "You can not make reservations for the camping sites, it's 1st come. I do like this because some campgrounds are hard to get in because some campers are able to able to reservation all the prime dates before others," explains a Chester Frost Park visitor.
Limited dispersed options: Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed provides primitive camping but with seasonal restrictions. "This is a beautiful WMA area with tons of offshoots along a service road for camping, but please note, 99% of areas are closed between December and March," cautions one camper.
Swimming areas for kids: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming zones. "Kids wonderland! This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!" explains a Chester Frost Park visitor.
Playground access: Multiple camping areas include playground equipment for children. "Nice employees," notes a camper at Holiday Travel Park, which features play structures and a pool (typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day).
Bug protection: Lakeside camping means insects, particularly in summer months. "Lookout for mayfly spawning," warns one camper about certain times at Chester Frost Park when insect activity increases dramatically near the water.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the area require additional equipment for proper setup. "Site 212 unlevel. No shade whatsoever for site 212," notes one Raccoon Mountain visitor, highlighting the importance of bringing leveling blocks.
Dump station facilities: Most campgrounds offer dump stations rather than full sewer hookups. "Water/power. Bathhouse. Water side sites. Swiming area. Close to boat ramp," lists a visitor to Possum Creek RV Park, noting the amenities available to RVers.
Limited big rig access: Some camping areas have tight access roads or small sites. "Although we only stayed 3 days we had no issues in the park. Clean and well maintained. Free WiFi, not all that good," reports an RVer at Holiday Travel Park, one of the more accommodating options for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee?
The Soddy-Daisy area has several camping options nearby. Harrison Bay State Park Campground is about 30 minutes from downtown Chattanooga on the Chickamauga Reservoir, featuring four camping loops (three for RVs, one for tents) and a marina. For RV campers, Possum Creek RV Park is located near Soddy-Daisy with full hookups. Other nearby options include Fireside Camp + Lodge in the Sequatchie Mountain area and tiny PINECONE CAMP in Cleveland. Most campgrounds in the region offer easy access to outdoor recreation including hiking, fishing, and water activities on the Tennessee River and its reservoirs.
Are there any free or primitive camping spots available in Soddy-Daisy?
Yes, primitive camping options exist near Soddy-Daisy. Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed offers primitive camping with drive-in and walk-in access. This forest provides a more rustic experience without the amenities of developed campgrounds. Stevenson Municipal Park is another basic option with minimal amenities - it has water hookups and power, but no designated fire rings or picnic tables, so bring your own chairs and grill. The area along the Tennessee River also offers some undeveloped camping spots. Always check current regulations before camping, as rules regarding free camping may change, and some areas require permits even for primitive sites.
What hiking trails can I access near Soddy-Daisy camping areas?
Soddy-Daisy offers excellent hiking opportunities near its camping areas. The Starr Mountain Area features challenging but rewarding trails with spectacular views - though note the trail isn't clearly marked, so you'll need to keep heading upward. Just a short drive away, Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground provides access to numerous scenic trails with waterfalls and canyon views. The North Chickamauga Creek Greenway in Soddy-Daisy offers more accessible hiking, while Prentice Cooper State Forest provides additional wilderness trails. Many of these trails connect to the Cumberland Trail system, offering everything from short day hikes to multi-day backpacking routes.
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