Best Campgrounds near Copperhill, TN

Copperhill, Tennessee serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the Cherokee National Forest and surrounding areas. Tumbling Creek Campground, located in Copperhill itself, offers primitive tent and RV camping along a creek in a forested setting. The broader area includes both established campgrounds and dispersed camping options, with Thunder Rock Campground providing riverside tent sites along the Ocoee River. Several nearby state parks in Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina supplement these options with more developed facilities, including cabins and glamping opportunities.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through November, with limited winter availability. "The drive in on the gravel road takes forever but it is very peaceful once you arrive to the destination. It is nice to listen to the sound of gentle flowing water," notes one visitor about Tumbling Creek Campground. Access to more remote sites often requires navigating forest service roads, with Tumbling Creek accessible via Forest Service Road 221 or through paved Grassy Creek Road off Highway 68. Cell service can be spotty throughout the area, particularly for AT&T users, which campers should account for when planning trips. Weather patterns in this mountainous region can change quickly, with significant temperature drops at higher elevations even during summer months.

Water features prominently in the camping experience near Copperhill, with many sites situated along creeks, rivers, and lakes. The Ocoee River provides not only scenic views but also recreational opportunities for whitewater rafting and kayaking enthusiasts. One camper observed that Thunder Rock Campground allows kayakers to "put on the river right from their campsite." Road noise can be a consideration at some locations, particularly at Thunder Rock where the proximity to Highway 64 results in traffic sounds competing with the river's natural acoustics. More secluded options like Lost Creek Campground in the Cherokee National Forest offer greater tranquility for those seeking a quieter experience. Tent campers generally find the primitive sites more appealing, while RV travelers gravitate toward the more developed facilities at places like Parksville Lake RV Campground or Persimmon Creek RV Park.

Best Camping Sites Near Copperhill, Tennessee (546)

    1. Thunder Rock Campground

    20 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 338-3300

    $12 - $20 / night

    "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."

    2. Morganton Point Campground

    17 Reviews
    Morganton, GA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 374-1645

    $26 - $50 / night

    "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. "

    3. Chilhowee Recreation Area

    30 Reviews
    Benton, TN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 338-3300

    $12 - $30 / night

    "Loops A&B are closest to the lake and looked great for groups, or folks with kids."

    "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."

    4. Fort Mountain State Park Campground

    59 Reviews
    Chatsworth, GA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 422-1932

    $14 - $55 / night

    "The platform sites are a short walk from a parking area near the lake so you can make multiple trips to the car if necessary, while the backcountry sites are up to a 3 mile hike in, so all gear, food,"

    "There are steps leading down to the trail around the lake."

    5. Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park

    29 Reviews
    Delano, TN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 263-0050

    $35 - $85 / night

    "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. "

    6. Parksville Lake RV Campground

    15 Reviews
    Benton, TN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 338-3300

    $20 - $40 / night

    "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.  "

    7. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

    9 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    12 miles
    Website

    "Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt."

    "We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."

    8. Persimmon Creek RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Culberson, NC
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 644-5800

    $55 - $900 / night

    "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. "

    9. Tumbling Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Copperhill, TN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (423) 338-3300

    "Pull in, find a spot next to the river and enjoy. Other than trucks pulling small fishing boats up the road during the day (and maybe people trail riding) there is no traffic noise."

    "But you can also come in on paved grassy Creek road off highway 68 and you are only on Forest service road 221 for 2 miles total."

    10. Vogel State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Suches, GA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (706) 745-2628

    $30 - $290 / night

    "Vogel State Park was perfectly situated along Hwy 19 in the north Georgia mountains for an easy spot for the night."

    "This was a great stop close to the water. Between Blood Mountain and Neels Gap, we camped for two nights at different sites. Both were primitive, non-shelter sites."

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Recent Reviews near Copperhill, TN

1617 Reviews of 546 Copperhill Campgrounds


  • David R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Great Campsite, But Let’s Keep It Clean

    This campsite is a great little spot just across the road from the water—peaceful, scenic, and well-situated. I was lucky to grab the last open site, and it turned out to be a perfect place to unwind. The only downside was the amount of trash left behind by previous visitors; I nearly filled a bag cleaning up. A gentle reminder to future campers: please do better and respect this beautiful space. Despite that, it’s truly a gem, and I’ll definitely be coming back.

  • j
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Unicoi State Park & Lodge

    Great central location.

    I camp at Unicoi State Park several times a year for a number of different reasons. First, it is right in the middle of what I call waterfall country. There are more beautiful waterfalls within an hour than I can count. Second, there are spectacularly beautiful trails everywhere. You’re only about 20 minutes from the Appalachian Trail at Hog Pen Gap and 30 minutes from Blood Mountain and the Blood Mountain wilderness. Third, there are numerous picturesque and friendly little towns nearby. The park is about 3 miles from the town of Helen, which is a pseudo Bavarian village. A little touristy but still fun. There are some great German restaurants there. As to the park itself, I tent camp, and the campsites are excellent. Nice bathroom and shower facilities close by and regardless of the time of year it has never been crowded. Definitely worth $25 a night and I get a discount because I’m a senior (Remember you have to ask for the discount. They won’t tell you). If you are camping in the tent area, I can almost guarantee you’ll see a bear because they come out almost every night. Keep all of your food in the bear boxes. Since it is somewhat of a resort park, there are cabins, RV hook ups and even a motel/conference center. There are lots of activities like swimming, boating, archery, zip lining, etc. The Smith Creek pub is a nice little restaurant for a quick meal or a drink.

  • pThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2025

    Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

    Quick fall foliage trip

    The park is absolutely beautiful, great scenery and hiking trails. The visitors center is nice, but the helpfulness of the staff was hit or miss. The campsite is nice, quiet, clean bathrooms and warm showers. We camped in a tent and the ground was hard, almost like cement which made staking the tent down difficult. Other than this, we loved it and would come back again.

  • paul Z.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Harrison Bay State Park Campground

    Great place even with unlevel sites

    We had a great stay here. Luckily I brought extra leveling blocks after reading other reviews. Loop C site 26 was a great spot listed as water view but the lake was right there. Might as well have been called waterfront. Had to block up the rear wheels on our class A to get level but we brought those with us. Had our Canoe in the water right behind us and plenty of room for the car and dolly. Awesome hiking trails and a great little seasonal restaurant at the marina. We will come back here again

  • Liz  M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Rough Creek Dispersed

    Only 2 Sites

    Gorgeous area at the end of the road. Only 2 sites and one intense drive to get here. It takes about 35 minutes to go 4 miles. Ground clearance and off road tires needed

  • Liz  M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Little Gassaway Creek

    1 Campsite off 4 x 4 Road

    Found this site on the way to another. Only one campsite and requires either off-road tires or 4 x 4

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

    Lake view but live in campers

    So there’s another site on Dyrt with the same name however it’s on the other side of the lake. Both sites are full of mainly people who live here it appears. Tents and tarps all along the river. Not a lot of drive in spots mainly tent walk ins. We showed up pretty late so not a spot but like I said. The campers looked like they lived in the majority of the spots. Zero signal at both areas for Verizon and T-Mobile. The road like most around here was beautiful driving in. The next nearby free dispersed spot is long hungry dog camp(I left a review on there for anyone needing it!)


Guide to Copperhill

Camping near Copperhill, Tennessee, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. Campers at Fort Mountain State Park Campground rave about the hiking options, with one reviewer noting, "There are a lot of hiking trails as well as the lake where you can rent paddle boats, swim or fish."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing in nearby lakes and rivers. A visitor at Gee Creek Campground mentioned, "The kids loved the playground, and the fairytale story walk," highlighting the family-friendly atmosphere while fishing is also a hit.
  • Water Activities: Kayaking and swimming are popular at places like Indian Boundary. One camper shared, "The beach area is great with a beautiful Mountain View," making it a perfect spot for a day by the water.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Chilhowee Recreation Area states, "The campground was well taken care of and clean."
  • Privacy: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites. A visitor at Doll Mountain Campground noted, "The sites are private and not on top of each other, which is nice."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground hosts. One reviewer at Thunder Rock Campground said, "Friendly camp host that regularly checks the grounds and bathrooms."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Indian Boundary mentioned, "Service isn't available within the campgrounds," so plan accordingly.
  • Narrow Roads: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. A visitor to Fort Mountain State Park Campground advised, "Roads are smooth but narrow in some places."
  • Seasonal Crowds: Expect busy weekends, especially in summer. A camper at Gee Creek Campground noted, "Make reservations online as it fills up on the weekends."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and family-oriented events. A review for Thunder Rock Campground highlighted, "The kids loved the playground, and the fairytale story walk."
  • Plan for Rain: Be prepared for wet weather. A camper at Doll Mountain Campground mentioned, "Unfortunately it rained the whole time we were there, so we didn't get to explore the campground."
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games. A visitor at Chilhowee Recreation Area suggested, "We will definitely be staying there again," indicating a positive family experience.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Doll Mountain Campground noted, "The parking pads are gravel and great for campers of just about any size."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. A review for Fort Mountain State Park Campground mentioned, "Most have been renovated and are very nice."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the nearest dump stations are located. A visitor at Thunder Rock Campground advised, "Dumpsite outside the campground," which is helpful for RVers.

Camping near Copperhill, Tennessee, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. With beautiful landscapes and a variety of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Copperhill, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Copperhill, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 546 campgrounds and RV parks near Copperhill, TN and 52 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Copperhill, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Copperhill, TN is Thunder Rock Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 20 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Copperhill, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 52 free dispersed camping spots near Copperhill, TN.

What parks are near Copperhill, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Copperhill, TN that allow camping, notably Tusquitee National Forest and Carters Lake.