Tent campsites near Piney Flats, Tennessee nestle in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 feet above sea level. The region's camping areas sit primarily within the Cherokee National Forest, which spans over 650,000 acres along Tennessee's eastern border. Summer temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F, with cooler mountain nights even during peak season.
What to do
Paddle the Nolichucky River: Access whitewater rafting adventures from USA Raft Adventure Resort, where camping puts you steps from launch points. One visitor noted, "Launch your raft or theirs and enjoy the outdoors," making this an ideal base for water-loving campers.
Hike the Appalachian Trail: The AT crosses near several campgrounds in the region. A camper at USA Raft Adventure Resort reported, "The AT meanders along the River and is easily accessible from the campground," providing easy access to day hikes on this famous long-distance trail.
Fishing in mountain streams: The region offers trout fishing opportunities in multiple waterways. A visitor to Blue Bear Mountain Camp shared that "once you get there, there is a nice creek and we caught a trout in the pond right away," highlighting the accessible fishing near tent sites.
What campers like
Cool mountain temperatures: Higher elevation camping areas provide relief from summer heat. One reviewer at Blue Bear Mountain Camp appreciated that "the elevation is high so weather is nice for those trying to escape the summer heat," noting summer temperatures of "70-80 in July!"
Natural soundscapes: Mountain streams create pleasant background noise. A camper at Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campground mentioned they "stayed at one of the drive up spots that are near the bathhouse and a small babbling creek. Woke up to the awesome sounds of nature!"
Spacious tent sites: Unlike crowded campgrounds, several locations offer generous spacing. A camper at Blue Bear Mountain Camp noted, "The campsites are very spaced out," while another mentioned at Blackberry Blossom that "the campsites are far enough apart that I don't feel like I'm on top of other campers."
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some tent camping areas require navigating difficult roads. A reviewer at Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area warned about "scary narrow rocky trails," despite the beautiful setting.
Site maintenance varies: Dispersed camping areas often lack regular maintenance. At Little Stony Creek, a camper reported that "folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we spent about an hour cleaning the entire campground," highlighting the need for Leave No Trace practices.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather can change quickly. At Dark Ridge Hideout, site #5 offers "Beautiful night sky with an opening view to the mountains," but the exposure means campers should prepare for sudden weather changes.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with amenities: For camping with children, established sites offer convenience. A visitor to Blackberry Blossom Farm & Campground found it "definitely family-friendly and comfortable" with "sites that have nice flat spaces for tents."
Consider noise levels: Some camping areas have significant road noise. A Little Stony Creek camper warned, "The road is very close and the trucks are very loud," noting they "would not recommend camping here on a busy weekend."
Look for dishwashing stations: Clean-up with kids is easier at camps with facilities. One family noted at Blackberry Blossom they "found the dishwashing station (with hot water!) to be especially convenient" when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Water fill stations: Many campgrounds lack direct hookups but offer fill options. At Dark Ridge HideOut, tent and RV campers have access to drinking water, though you'll need to fill tanks upon arrival rather than having continuous hookups.
Space considerations: Check site dimensions before booking. One RVer at Blue Bear Mountain Camp advised, "The state maintained gravel road used to access campground was narrow and would be difficult to get a large camper up there, although there were lots of large ones there."
On-site conveniences: Some campgrounds offer unexpected amenities. USA Raft Adventure Resort has "a great bar (beer, food, music) by the river with WIFI," which one camper noted means "everybody wins" when some family members don't want to rough it.
