260 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The northeastern corner of Tennessee surrounding Piney Flats features a diverse range of camping environments within a short drive. Warriors' Path State Park, located on Fort Patrick Henry Lake, serves as a central camping hub with both main campground and Moody Bluff areas offering water and electric hookups for RVs and tent sites. Within 30 minutes, campers can access Little Oak Campground near Bristol, which provides a more secluded experience with boat-in access options. The region sits at the convergence of the Appalachian foothills and Tennessee Valley, creating varied terrain from lakeside flats to forested ridges, with most campgrounds positioned to maximize water views and recreational access.
Reservations are essential during peak season from April through October, particularly for waterfront sites. As one camper noted about Little Oak Campground, "Follow the 7 mile trek off the main road to one of the loveliest campgrounds in East Tennessee." Many campgrounds in the area issue specific driving directions that differ from GPS recommendations, with Warriors' Path specifically warning against following Google Maps. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds having limited or no coverage. Weather patterns follow typical Southern Appalachian conditions with humid summers, colorful falls, and mild but occasionally snowy winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
Waterfront camping dominates the region's offerings, with sites along Fort Patrick Henry Lake, Watauga Lake at Cardens Bluff, and various river access points. Campers frequently mention the quality of facilities, with one visitor to Warriors' Path noting, "The ridge sites are positioned to maximize space for RVs and each site includes water and electric hookups." Site privacy varies considerably, with KOA locations like Bristol-Kingsport offering more developed but closer-spaced sites, while areas like Cardens Bluff provide "vegetation giving enough privacy between campsites." The proximity to the Appalachian Trail and Blue Ridge Parkway makes the area popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, with several campgrounds serving as convenient basecamps for day trips to nearby natural attractions.
"We had a change of plans and made reservations at Warrior Path State Park on a whim - and are VERY glad we did."
"This beautiful 970 acre Tennessee State Park is located on the shores of the 900 acre Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River in Sullivan County."
"This campground is located about an hour or so from our home but it feels like a million miles away — in a good way!"
"**Holston Lake is absolutely beautiful. The campground is deep in the national forest, out on a series of peninsulas, making all the campsites quite close to the water."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"It is located in Roan Mountain Tennessee. The campground has clean bathhouses with hot showers."
"Fire pits you had to walk up to but were away from tents, which I liked. Bathhouse was clean, well lit, pretty warm showers. Campground was very clean and has a lot of amenities."
"Situated on a peninsula, Cardens Bluff has great views and access to the lake for the outer campsites."
"Booked site 13 online for the last weekend before the season ended in October 2021, but the hosts caught us at check-in and moved us to site 32, which was right next to the water."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Me and my wife were looking to get away from theater apartment for a couple of days during a remodel. Well we didn't Wana travel to mountains to camp."
"Perfect distance to Johnson City. We had a beer at Yee Haw and even brought back tasty Mediterranean dinner from Red Meze to the camp site. Do yourself a favor and book a night here."
"All around wonderful place to camp"
"updated bathhouses lots of shady sites sits on Patrick Henry Lake - no boat that’s ok rent paddle boats and kayaks at the Marina or just have lunch and watch the ducks on the water!"
"It is one of the best campgrounds around. Priced right, clean, fantastic scenery, ideally located. Make a reservation you won't regret it"
"I’d never used a KOA before but was tremendously impressed with the serene beauty of this place situated well away from traffic in a bucolic setting."
"The park is also near Warriors Path State Park, which is fun to go hike and see. They have several large pull through sites, as well as back in smaller sites."
"Close to Bristol Speedway, immaculate bath house and laundry, office staff is very friendly and helpful,well kept sights and maintenance and camp host during race time are superb"
from $28 - $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $85 - $115 / night
Check Availability
ScoutWe arrived and easily got to our spot. There’s a river just behind our spot and only a handful of RVs and cabins. Our GPS wanted us to pass the turn to the campground, we had to make a U turn to get in…. Of course, on the second approach we saw the entrance signs (my bad). It looks like it is best to approach from the west (Hampton?), it was a sharp turn entering from the east (Roan Mountain). We settled in and got to relaxing quickly.
GuideIt was a long day of travel for me anyways. I arrived around 17:15 and the ranger was nowhere to be seen. Honor system was full out the form and pay cash before you go find your site.
This place is better for tent campers and those with rigs 20ft and under. Our 30ft bumper-pull was no match for the narrow sites due to trees. Most sites were not level either. As advertised, no sewer hook-up, and bring at least a 50ft hose for water…better yet, bring a 100ft hose and an additional splitter. The birds were nice to hear. It was quiet throughout the night also, mainly because there were only about 10 campers in the whole park (it holds about 78).
The bathhouses were clean and bright; but only shower curtains for doors on the toilets—reminded me of my deployment to Afghanistan.
Fuel…the hill to get in and out of the park is very steep! And if you spend time trying to fit your rig into any site you might think you can fit into but can’t, you’re going to need enough fuel to make it to the next gas station! If your rig is longer than 30ft and it’s not a 5th wheel, look elsewhere.
Personally, I won’t be stopping here again. The overall park was nice; but for $20/night, it wasn’t worth the stress.
GuideDoe River Landing is a small, delightful RV and cabin camping park that sits on the banks of the Doe River in the Roan Mountain valley of TN. We enjoyed our stay enough that we extended a few extra days. Five shaded, landscaped RV sites offering water/electric are located about 20 yards from the river’s edge. An additional site offers a fully-outfitted rental RV. Sites are pea gravel and mostly level. Luxury rental cabins(5) are available along with a truly awesome rental pavilion outfitted for larger group gatherings. The friendly hosts live in a home nearby and were around daily during our stay.
For a small family campground the amenities are super nice. The top-notch children’s playground and toy shed obviously delighted guest’s children. Wi-Fi signal is strong enough for streaming. Nice, clean bathhouse. Public grills are available. Hiking trails meander along the river and up through their woods.
There are few places we enjoy more than the Roan Mountain area for camping. The location is fantastic and even peak summer temperatures are usually comfortable. Roan Mountain State Park is minutes away for hiking and a slew of activities, while the top of Roan Mountain houses the famous wild Rhododendron Gardens. The AT and multiple hiking trails run along the top of the mountain.
There were only a few considerations with this venue.
The sites are mostly level although we needed two OxBlocks in each of the sites we stayed in. One needed leveling front-to-back, the other side-to-side. When Hurricane Helene scoured the area it likely left some dips in the parking pads.
The bathhouse contains one toilet and shower, both housed in the same room which can tie them up for long periods.
3) There may be some day and night traffic noise as large trucks involved in repairs from Hurricane Helene are still active.
The approach is rather challenging. New lighted signage helps identify where their single-lane entrance road takes a HARD fork off US-19E. Be sure to check the Directions tab on their website. If you are arriving from the north (through Elizabethton) you will be able to pull directly onto Bob Ray Rd.(entrance to the right of the little Bible church). Approaching from the south on US-19E is more difficult. Bob Ray Rd basically runs parallel to US-19E which requires essentially a U-turn across 2-3 lanes to accomplish. The host suggests turning through the closed fruit stand parking lot(on the left within sight of the entrance) but we weren’t sure about it given on-coming traffic. We elected to drive~ 2 miles further down 19E and U-turn across the left shoulder.
Bob Ray Rd is a single-lane road. Based on timing for check-in/check-out you are unlikely to meet another RV coming at you(thankfully!)
Multiple choices for food in the area. The Whiteway Grill– less than 5 minutes away- offers fabulous breakfasts. Smoky Mountain Bakers is beyond awesome! Wood-fired pizza for dinner and breakfast plates from simple sandwiches to breakfast burritos, pancakes and French toast. We find excuses to eat here during the week. Every meal we’ve had at Puerto Escondido Mexican restaurant was huge(as in leftovers) and tasty.
TravelerThe lake is so beautiful if you catch it at the right time of day it’s like l looking into a mirror dimension because it’s so clear.
TravelerOverall, a decent dispersed camping spot. I saw and heard no one my entire time at this spot. It’s right on the river which is great. The drive in is mostly paved, but a little narrow. Please pack your trash out though. It seems like no matter the state I camp in, people leave their trash. This site was particularly bad. It’s good to go now, but bring a bag and leave it nicer than you found it.
TravelerI camped on Forest Road 982. There were quite a few people camping along this road, but I found a really good spot by the large creek. The campsites are pretty far from each other so the privacy is good. I stayed one night. Will definitely go back.
ScoutThe owner was super nice and gave us all the info we needed! Very close to the falls to swim at and hike to (wear hiking shoes to get to the falls) over all great quiet little campground!
ScoutThis campground is not 420 friendly! It’s Tn where MJ is illegal. We have RX but we were harassed non stop. One day the owner said to smoke by River, next day somewhere else! Owner also would snoop around my camper to upset my Belgian Mal. We spent a miserable summer here May-Nov. Never again! All was ok until we set up!
TravelerThis is the best place to park your travel trailer for a few days! Tons of space it’s not to crowded and everyone is so nice
Camping spots near Piney Flats, Tennessee range from lakeside facilities to mountain retreats situated at elevations between 1,400 and 3,500 feet. The region experiences typical Southern Appalachian weather patterns with summer temperatures averaging 85°F during the day and dropping to 65°F at night, creating comfortable evening camping conditions. Soil composition varies from clay-based areas near water bodies to rocky terrain in higher elevations, affecting drainage during rainfall.
Fishing at Watauga Lake: At Cardens Bluff Campground, visitors have direct water access for fishing. "I love this campground. They have a nice bathhouse and plenty of great sites right on the water. The camp hosts are helpful. It can get a little crowded in the summer months, but it's a great place!" notes Lauren M.
Hiking trails close to camp: Trails begin directly within some camping areas around Piney Flats. "The campground is well organized with many amenities including super easy access to the water on all sides and surprisingly clean bathrooms. After the boat noise dies down the lake is extremely peaceful and placid," shares Nathan F. about Little Oak Campground.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground houses dedicated mountain biking trails. One visitor notes, "This amazing campground has spots for tent and rv camping, hiking trails, a beautiful lake for kayaking and fishing, and a Marina where rentals are available! Park also has a Boundless Playground!"
Disc golf courses: The area offers disc golf opportunities for campers looking for alternative recreation. "My son and I enjoyed a round of disk golf while my wife and daughters made use of their awesome playground. We only did one hike, however, there are multiple trails to make use of in the park," reports Jedidiah J.
Privacy between sites: Little Oak Campground offers spacious, separated camping spots. "Very kid-friendly super spacious campsites every site is right on the lake with amazing sunsets every night. Only wish they had electricity," says Tiffany G.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept facilities. "The bath houses were clean. All sites are primitive," notes Hank M. about his stay at Little Oak Campground, reflecting a common appreciation across the region's campgrounds.
Lake proximity: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences. "The campground sites are a bit close together but it is well maintained and has friendly staff. Wifi works well. Nice dog park," shares Doreen M. about Lakeview RV Resort.
Natural sounds: The region's creeks and water features provide natural white noise. "We parked with van doors opened to the bubbling creek and had the natural white noise as a backdrop all night. Very few bugs with cooler temps," mentions an N.P. at Camp Stonefly.
Limited cell service: Mobile connectivity varies significantly across camping areas. "Camp host were super nice and the price was wonderful. There weren't as many bathrooms as I would have liked due to most being worked on. There is really good cell service on the camp site," notes Bailey R. about Cardens Bluff.
Uneven terrain at some sites: Roan Mountain State Park Campground and other area campgrounds may have challenging elevation changes. "Really nice facility near town. There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks. That said, great campground," advises Michelle I.
Bathroom limitations: Some campgrounds have minimal bathroom facilities or maintenance issues. "The only thing keeping me from giving this park a 5* review was the bath houses. While they are most definitely adequate there were few out of order making it difficult to get in to shower," shares Jedidiah J.
Site size restrictions: Many campgrounds have strict limitations on vehicle size. "Pay attention to the site size as some RVs had issues getting their larger RVs in their sites with the road/site layout," cautions Jennifer H. at Warriors' Path State Park.
Playground access: Camp Stonefly offers family-friendly amenities. "Very fun and kid friendly with play ground," shares Britt, highlighting facilities specifically designed for younger campers.
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs provide learning experiences for children. "In the warm seasons they have a ranger that comes around and even little events for kids. I remember picking apart an owl pellet with the ranger. Very outdoor educational," recalls Travis R.
Group camping areas: Some campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings. "I tent camped with a group here and the sites are very rugged and pretty far from water/bathrooms but there is a pool and the staff is very friendly and helpful," explains Erin R. about Bristol-Kingsport KOA.
Swimming access: Lakes and creeks provide natural swimming opportunities. "Swim at sunset when the boats go quiet. Spacious sites; peaceful campground; clean showers," recommends Van M. about Little Oak Campground.
Leveling requirements: Bristol-Kingsport KOA and similar campgrounds may require additional equipment. "Kingsport/Bristol has easy access from Interstate 81 and the campground is easily navigated with a large 5th wheel. They have several large pull through sites, as well as back in smaller sites. They have 50amp service and full hookup sites," explains Laura H.
Site size limitations: RV campers should verify their vehicle fits designated spaces. "Our site was perfect for our 23 ft RV but pay attention to the site size as some RVs had issues getting their larger RVs in their sites with the road/site layout," warns Jennifer H.
Hookup availability: Water and electric access varies by location and site. "The only issues we had were several of the sites were too small for even our pop up camper, no way an RV can fit. You really need to scout the sites beforehand," advises Kate S.
Pull-through options: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites for larger vehicles. "Note: My 5th wheel is 43' and I got it in to one of their 40' sites," shares Travis R. about Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Piney Flats, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Piney Flats, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 260 campgrounds and RV parks near Piney Flats, TN and 25 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Piney Flats, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Piney Flats, TN is Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground — Warriors' Path State Park with a 3.9-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Piney Flats, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 free dispersed camping spots near Piney Flats, TN.
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