6 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Cabin accommodations in the Reliance, Tennessee region range from rustic to modern with several established campgrounds offering overnight lodging options. Adventures Unlimited Campground provides cabin rentals that sleep up to ten people with amenities including electricity, running water, and outdoor features like grills and fire rings. Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground and Hiwassee River Area both offer cabin options with varying levels of furnishings. Cabins typically include basic furniture, electricity, and sometimes running water, though amenities vary significantly by location. "The cabin was pretty nice. It slept ten people. However, there is only one bathroom in the cabin... It had a front porch with rocking chairs and a swing. It also came with a grill and fire ring."
Most cabins near Reliance require advance reservations, especially during summer months when water activities on the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers draw visitors. Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA offers camping cabins with air conditioning and multiple beds, though a review noted that "the mattresses suck." Smitty's Lodge Motorcycle Campground (formerly Hunt's Lodge) provides cabins specifically for motorcyclists, with a reviewer describing the facilities as "spotless and comfortable." Pet policies vary by location, with some cabins welcoming dogs while others prohibit pets entirely.
Visitors should verify what supplies are included with cabin rentals. Many locations provide beds without linens, requiring guests to bring their own bedding, towels, and pillows. Kitchen facilities range from none to basic microwaves and refrigerators, though outdoor cooking options like grills are commonly available. Most cabin campgrounds include bathroom facilities with showers, though water temperature and cleanliness can vary. Proximity to the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers makes these cabins popular with rafters and kayakers, with several outfitters located within short driving distance. A small restaurant is located about a mile from the Hiwassee River Area for guests who prefer not to cook.
"The campground offers cabins and the cabin was pretty nice. It slept ten people. However, there is only one bathroom in the cabin. The toilet wasn’t working well."
"Great spot for tent campers, boondockers, or even rv’s that need water and power. You’re probably gonna see some weirdness here but that charm is what keeps the vibe alive."
from $10 - $45 / night
"Our first time here at the Hiwassee Outfitter camping area in Reliance, Tennessee. Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup."
"Excellent sites, small outfitter store with food, drink, sundries. Breakfast & Lunch Diner. Multiple Float Rental types including sit in, sit on and inflatable kayaks."
"Our family used a mix of a cabin and a tent, which worked out perfectly—it gave us a great option to get some AC while still letting the kids get the real tent-camping experience."
"There are cabins, a couple RV sites, and the rest of the grounds are available to pitch a tent wherever you want to. Bathrooms are clean. Firewood is free."
"It has hiking trails bycyclin trails it also has local horse back riding that takes you up near Chilhowee Lake once to the top you get a really beautiful overlook of Parksville lake at one of the centered"
"We camped in a Pioneer campsite #2 which is a 3 sided pavilion that would easily sleep 8-10 people if you were only using bed rolls and sleeping bags."
"The campground is well situated in a mountain valley. the sites are flat and easy to access. The roads are a bit narrow but big enough if you take your time. "
Available next weekend
from $14 - $55 / night
"Visited whitewater rv park to go rafting on ocoee river. This park is close to everything. We spent the day hiking the mountain next to rv park. Then went kayaking down the river across the street."
from $45 - $50 / night
"We're excited to have this campground on the Dyrt and ready for you to book, check them out and make sure to leave a review!"
from $15 - $55 / night
"I found this awesome campground close to the beginning of the Cherohala skyway in Tellico Plains."
"We stayed in one of there cabins. We were on motorcycles. Could t have ask for better!!"
from $20 / night
"This is our second year providing a unique experience for those who choose a different path."
from $10 - $35 / night
"We used the camping cabins. The campground is nice. It has many things to do like a pool, cornhole, horseshoes. The cabins are ok. They have three beds. One double and a set of bunk beds."
"Friendly Staff, Clean Bathrooms, Convenient Location. No honeywagon for water and electric only sites, but dump station in campground."
from $55 / night
ScoutI camped here with a friend last weekend and absolutely loved this place! It's a cute little site with a great host, clean bathrooms, free firewood, and super friendly dogs, goats, and people. I would for sure stay here again and recommend.
GuideGreat campsites, little closer together than what I like but still nice and shaded all paved. Have three dump stations that are very nice. Will definitely come back. Better have reservations, cause it does stay full.
GuideWe stayed at Site 18, which has a reputation for being one of the hardest sites to back into. There’s definitely a trick to it! Pull your truck forward along the site, then pull out toward the site across from you, making an S-turn. From there, line it up and back in. It's tricky, but doable!
We loved this area and packed a lot into our stay. We visited BJ’s Apple Orchard, stopped at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm (where I somehow ended up with a 150-pound pumpkin 😂), had dinner at Cascades Restaurant, and took the easy way to see the falls.
The fenced-in sites were a huge plus, especially with our pups. It gave them more room to roam. The bathrooms and showers are individual rooms, which was nice, and the welcome center is one of the nicest we’ve come across.
And then there’s THE HILL. I was born and raised in the Smokies, so I’m no stranger to mountain roads, but the incline is no joke! The reviews are absolutely not exaggerating when they say it’s steep. Come prepared!
I have T-mobile and husband has Xfinity and we both have great service. Wifi in the campground gets the job done for Netflix at night.
Overall, we really enjoyed our stay. Beautiful area, plenty to explore, dog-friendly sites, and a campground we’d visit again. 🏕️🥾
GuideBeautiful views from the trails. I went during the summer in July so it was on the busier side. There is a lake with a beach with boat and paddle board rentals. Seemed like a great spot to fish. Prepare for possibilities of bears as they were around. One night I must have not fully secured my bear box and a bear found my cooler. I tent camped on a pad where I can find some service (T-Mobile) but most spots are spotty. Next time I come, I want to try the back country locations. Trails are awesome with a cool story about the place around the tower and fortification. Attendants at the camp store were really nice. If groceries are needed there is grocery stores in the nearest town of Chatsworth down the mountain
TravelerThis KOA is a really nice CG. It’s nestled in a valley and surrounded by by mountains. Full service with a nice pool, camp store,clean bath houses/restrooms and lots to do for kids . Our site was along the creek. Very peaceful and loved hearing the water. Lots of mixed use, long term RV’s, cabin rentals and tent sites. The CG was s very large and most sites are close to one another, not much privacy but that’s what State Park CG’s are for. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Great WiFi here, very solid signal during our visit.
TravelerWe had an awesome stay! Our family used a mix of a cabin and a tent, which worked out perfectly—it gave us a great option to get some AC while still letting the kids get the real tent-camping experience. We absolutely loved the French toast, and the bathroom and shower facilities were convenient. We really enjoyed our time and all the amenities. Thanks for a great stay!
LegendWe followed the confirmation email directions, which took us right to the campground. Check-in was quick, efficient, and exceptionally friendly. We were escorted to back-in Site 55, which was an easy back-in and one of the more spacious sites in the campground. We were glad we chose this site over one of the pull-throughs, which appeared much closer together. The long gravel pad easily accommodated our 40-foot fifth wheel and F-450, with well-positioned utilities. Since we were only overnighting, we did not disconnect. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. The campground Wi-Fi was adequate for checking email and general browsing but not streaming. There are plenty of mature trees throughout the campground, so Starlink availability will vary by site. We chose not to deploy ours but believe Site 55 would have provided a usable view of the sky. The campground also features a fenced dog park that is large enough to actually throw a ball and let your dog run. Overall, this is a clean, well-maintained KOA with friendly staff, spacious back-in sites, and a convenient location, and it will definitely remain on our list of campgrounds for future visits to the Chattanooga area.
GuideVisiting family in Chattanooga who love this campground for their lakeside spots which we were sure to reserve early. Fun to swim directly at your campsite at the Smokemont loop. We like to run and bike, but there wasn’t much for options other than a VERY hilly loop of Gold Circle which still required a short time on the busy Hixon Pike. Beach area looked nice but didn’t use it as we swam at the campground and also from family’s boat. Bathrooms are as expected for a campground, I think the Windy Hills loop has a nicer bathroom and also would be closer to the playground.
ScoutJacqueline super sweet and helpful as was her husband when the electric pedestal went out. Unfortunately couldn’t fix at the time but we had our generator.
Cabins near Reliance, Tennessee sit at approximately 750-800 feet elevation in the Cherokee National Forest region. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs around 85°F and winter lows near 30°F. Water levels on the Hiwassee River fluctuate throughout the day when water is released from upstream dams, creating variable conditions for water recreation and fishing.
**Whitewater adventures: Access to both the Ocoee and Hiwassee Rivers provides multiple difficulty options for rafters and kayakers. At Ocoee River Area, "The Occoee river is an absolute blast. I've gone with my family 4 times down the river and once with a group of friends. It is a thrill when you get to go down some of the drops and class 5 rapids."
**Hiking trails: Many cabins provide easy access to the Cherohala Skyway and surrounding wilderness. A camper at Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground recommends: "Go do the hike by bald river falls 30 min away."
**Fishing: Access points along the Hiwassee River offer excellent trout fishing, especially early mornings. A visitor to Hiwassee River Area noted: "The river is smooth until 11am. We went fly fishing right from the campsite. The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly."
**Riverside locations: Many cabins offer direct water access. At Hiwassee River Area, "Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup. Water spigots throughout the campground but not directly at each site. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring."
**Social atmosphere: The river recreation culture creates a community feel at many campgrounds. One guest at Adventures Unlimited Campground shared: "The Bus Bar- this place is a must! They have literally converted two yellow school busses into a bar! The restrooms are in one of the busses and the other is where the actual bar is. They have live music on weekends."
**Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, many cabin locations maintain good standards. A visitor to Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground commented: "The cabins are always clean and tidy. Camping area is always spotless. Bathrooms are clean and the showers are hot."
**Seasonal considerations: Water activities dominate summer, while fall brings spectacular foliage. At Fort Mountain State Park Campground, a visitor noted: "We visited this park in early/mid November for 10 days. Keith and I hiked and played hard every day here- despite the early winter storm, gusty breezes and freezing temperatures that finally gave way to beautiful crisp days."
**Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. One camper at Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA stated: "I have two bars of 5G service through T-Mobile."
**Water releases: Dam schedules affect river conditions predictably each day. As mentioned by a Hiwassee River Area visitor: "The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly."
**Accommodation options: Many locations offer multiple lodging types. At Smitty's Lodge Motorcycle Campground, "I found this awesome campground close to the beginning of the Cherohala skyway in Tellico Plains. Includes picnic table, fire pit and some chairs (they also sell firewood), clean restrooms and showers, use of refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and super nice hosts."
**River safety: Always check release schedules and plan activities accordingly. A visitor to Hiwassee River Area mentioned: "The river is smooth until 11am...The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly."
**Pack extra supplies: Many cabin rentals have limited kitchen equipment. A Cherohala Mountain Trails Campground guest noted: "They have pretty much everything you would need (except alcohol as the county is dry, so bring your own)."
**Reservations essential: During peak season (May-September), secure spots weeks in advance. An RVer at Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA shared: "Stayed here for one night after buying our new camper from camping world. Arrived after hours. Check in paperwork was waiting by the office door. Easy to follow map the the site."
**Site selection: Terrain varies significantly across the region. One visitor to Fort Mountain State Park noted: "Realize that most of these are on large hills, so there will be a nice walk to the lake/recreation area."
**Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the immediate Reliance area. A camper at Adventures Unlimited Campground observed: "Very rustic campground. Has water and electric hookups. All of the sites are grass or dirt pads. The bath house is a far distance away from the sites and it is shared with the rafting company's customers."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Reliance, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Reliance, TN is Adventures Unlimited Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Reliance, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 84 cabin camping locations near Reliance, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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