Best Dispersed Camping near Monterey, TN
Catoosa Wildlife Management Area contains Bi-Color Campground, a primitive dispersed camping area near Monterey. This free camp offers spacious, open sites with fire rings but no facilities or potable water. The camp primarily serves hunters, with seasonal crowding during hunting seasons. Access requires navigating rough dirt roads that become challenging after rain. One camper noted, "The road is washboard with steep downhill grades, not suitable for fifth wheels." The area attracts wildlife, including occasional cattle herds passing through campsites.
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, operated by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), provides free lakeside camping near Spring City. Sites feature fire rings and some have concrete pads, with trash collection available. The campground closes seasonally, typically in early November. Visitors should be vigilant about personal belongings as reviews indicate security concerns. A visitor commented, "We filled a 10-gallon trash bag in 10 minutes," suggesting campers should prepare to clean their sites upon arrival. The area becomes crowded during warm weather but offers quiet, private camping during cooler months.
