Best Dispersed Camping near Rockford, TN
Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Rockford? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Rockford, TN (13)
1. Lake Santeetlah Dispersed
Croatan National Forest, North Carolina10 Reviews•51 Photos•592 SavesDispersed camping sites available
Dispersed campsites are primitive camping areas that don't have bathrooms or many of the other amenities you will find at developed campgrounds. Dispersed camping is only allowed at designated areas.
For site-specific information, call the local ranger station.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- Dispersed
- Trash
2. Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
Robbinsville, North Carolina12 Reviews•41 Photos•543 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
3. Lake Santeelah Dispersed
Robbinsville, North Carolina9 Reviews•37 Photos•236 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Picnic Table
4. Calderwood Lake Primitive campground
Croatan National Forest, North Carolina3 Reviews•38 Photos•218 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
- Alcohol
5. Citico Creek Area
Tallassee, Tennessee6 Reviews•12 Photos•137 SavesView of Citico Creek in Cherokee National Forest This area provides opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. You will find ample opportunities for fishing, horseback riding, camping, and hiking. With more than 20,000 acres of Wilderness in Citico Creek and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, this area provides ample opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. Catch both native and stocked trout in Citico Creek and its rugged tributaries, and fish for small-mouth bass and catfish in the creek’s lower reaches. Citico Creek Area Map Citico Creek Area Guide
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
6. Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry
Croatan National Forest, North Carolina1 Review•12 Photos•22 SavesFor hikers and backpackers, the Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness presents a variety of recreational hiking opportunities. There is a relatively easy two-mile long Memorial Loop Trail in the Memorial Forest, which annually greets more than 35,000 visitors, or there is a complex of hiking trails that cater to more experienced hikers, such as the 13.3 mile long Slickrock Creek Trail, considered as one of the ten toughest trails in the United States. With a 3,700 foot climb overall and 13 stream crossings, this trail is seldom completely traversed, but used in conjunction with the other trails in the Wilderness to provide excellent backpacking trips.
Other than at trailheads, camping is allowed anywhere within the Wilderness using Leave No Trace principles, but given the steepness of the topography, there are a few relatively heavily used back country camping areas. Many fishermen enter the Wilderness from the north using the Slickrock Creek Trail, Ike Branch Trail or hike down to the creek from Big Fat Gap, camping along the creek. Backpackers use the area at Naked Ground on the southern ridge, and there is an area near the Hangover that offers excellent views, but an unreliable water source. Nichols Cove area has good camping spots with abundant water, and some hikers camp near Wildcat Falls, but long sections of the various trails lack suitable spots for camping.
As a designated Wilderness, there are no trail blazes, just signs at trail junctions, so it is essential that hikers carry maps and compass, and know how to use them. It is not uncommon for very experienced hikers to get “confused” for a while in the creek area due to the multiplicity of real trails, unofficial trails, old logging trails, etc. Along the ridge, the trails are well-defined, but physically demanding.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
7. Sourwood Campground
Coker Creek, Tennessee4 Reviews•9 Photos•277 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Market
- Firewood Available
- Toilets
8. Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Lancing, Tennessee4 Reviews•23 Photos•34 Saves82,000 acres of wild land on the upper Cumberland Plateau in both Morgan and Cumberland counties. This area offers some of the best hunting in East Tennessee! This area is home to deer, wild turkey, wild boar, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, ruffed grouse, raccoons, quail, rabbits, and mourning doves. For your fishermen, the game include smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, and muskellunge. Although the area is funded by hunters and fishermen, it is popular with all outdoor enthusiasts! Backpacking is very popular in the area, as well as whitewater rafting! The area has many deep cut canyons created by the rivers and streams, and offers access to beautiful scenery unlike anywhere else. The many trails allow access to the back country, but perhaps the best known path is the Cumberland Trail which passes through the area.
Overnight camping is allowed on designated areas. The area is closed to entry between sunset and sunrise.
Bicolor Entrance N 35.993 W -84.678
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9. Wesser Bald Fire Tower
Almond, North Carolina2 Reviews•28 Photos•98 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. FS 289 Pull Off
Hartford, Tennessee2 Reviews•5 Photos•83 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Rockford
56 Reviews of 13 Rockford Campgrounds
- B
Bryson D.
Traveler
Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
Great site, tricky to find
The sign at the road looks like it was either taken down or blew away. The pin drop doesn’t take you to the turn in on google pr Apple Maps. If you’re coming from Robbinsville it’s on your right after the pin about 1/4 mile. Then at the fork in the gravel road take a right. But all in all it’s a great place. I stayed at 7 in a van. It had level parking and I could walk down to the bank to fish and have a fire.
- AA D.
Scout
Palmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
CLOSED.
I rode all the way over here from Greeneville to check out the area in order to bring a group of friends camping next weekend.
BUT the entire campground is closed. When I pulled up to the iron gate and saw the sign, it read "CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DUE TO VANDALISM AND UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITY"
Tripp A.ScoutPalmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Closed to Public
I drove over an hour to get here to find that it is “closed to public for vandalism”. I was very upset by this but obviously nothing I could do. Just wish I knew how to check before driving all the way. But the drive! Woah! So beautiful, I wish there was a way I could find out when it opens back up because I was very much looking forward to camping here.
- JJohn B.Traveler
FS 289 Pull Off
Good location
Another review recommended an off-road vehicle or a jeep to get here. In dry conditions, I got here just fine in an Outback Wilderness, and 5 minutes later a Prius drove up. There’s a bit of trash but I’ve seen worse. Definitely bring bug repellent. The creek is only a few feet away from the campsite.
Courtney R.Scout
Moon Hill Bridge
Moon Hill Bridge
It's a cute cozy spot that is on either side of the road. Every spot has an area for a fire and also your car and tent. The only downside is that sometimes it does get trashy and there are a few people who live here.
JC J.ScoutPalmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Pretty sweet
Great location. Not crowded. But could use a cleaning. PortaJons are nasty.
- hhannah P.
GuidePalmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Not too shabby for the south
Lots of lil cozy pull offs on an easy gravel road. Lots of longer term people staying it seemed like (or just really full send camping friends lol). Many fire rings and spots by the lake. Unfortunately the other reviews are right - A decent amount of trash. There are trash cans and porta potties. I’ve seen worse porta potties at festivals but there were a few stinky ones.
amanda R.GuideLong Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
Great site!
This was such a nice quiet campground. We arrived around 8am and got the first campsite we saw. This is the most established dispersed campsite that I’ve stayed at as it has a fire circle, a grill and a picnic table. It’s very quiet and very few cars passed. There’s a walking/hiking trail across the lake where we saw some hikers and some people on horseback. The site was very clean minus a few pieces of trash that we later picked up. The dogs loved it because our site was right on the lake. We drove down the gravel road to check out the other campsites and they all seem great if you’re tent camping! We car camped and our campsite was perfect because it had a parking space right in front of it whereas the other sites had parking spaces across the road. Overall a great place. I can’t wait to go back!
Jim M.GuideFS 289 Pull Off
Great dispersed site in the Pisgah NF
Great Campsite along the Smoky Mountain 1000 Overland route. You need a good off road capable vehicle to access this site but it is very peaceful with a nice stream running by. Tent camping near the jeep or a high clearance overland teardrop should make it back here ok but not recommended for regular RV's.
- Natalie R.Guide
Lake Santeelah Dispersed
Quiet, nice spaces, and clean!
Such a great find! I was hoping to car camp a little closer to NOC but not in a campground but this is the closest I could find in February. I would definitely stay here again! Very quiet and clean and the sites are very well laid out and maintained! No hook ups of any kind but it’s worth it! Highway Patrol and Park Rangers patrol pretty frequently so I felt really safe as a solo female. I still took all the safety precautions but didn’t feel as necessary as some.
- Robert W.Traveler
Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Nice Little Getaway
The GPS coordinates will get you directly to where you want to go there's probably about 10 to 15 campsites there was trash on a few of them. Overall it was a nice place to just go and get away. It is a hunter's Camp first and foremost so there were quite a few people setting up for this week's opening day but the ones I did talk to were all friendly even went and had a couple beers with one of them.
My dog snd I stayed for 2 nights and 2 days. Lots of wildlife sounds at night.
Also a random heard of cattle strols through every now and again.
I'd definitely come back around this time of year!
WDRobersonTravelerLake Santeelah Dispersed
Well maintained free camping
We were fortunate to get a site that allowed us to pull the car right into the site for our roof top tent. Not very far to walk to reach the lake and the fishing wasn’t bad at all. Bass and Bluegills. Fairly quiet besides the rice burners heading to Tail of the Dragon. Very good overall.
- Robert W.Traveler
Lake Santeelah Dispersed
Stunning 😍
GPS coordinates got me exactly to where I wanted to go. Lots of twists and turns going up the dragon with beautiful scenery of the trees changing colors in late October. There are a handful of Lots located right along the lake with a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance. My dog absolutely loved how much space she had to roam around and how clear the water was excellent for swimming.
Some of the plots you can only fit one tent others you could fit up to three or four
Amin A.TravelerPalmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Better than I expected
So we weren't sure what we would end up finding here. I will say that there are a lot of places to camp, many many many options away from the porta potties. If you get within about 20-30 feet of those they are a bit stinky. The one camp site we chose was a great place, tons of space and well manicured. A lot of options for pull up to your campsite or park and walk to campsite spots.
My only complaints are about the campers that stay there. The litter isn't horrible, but it's not great. It is a leave no trace place. Apparently some people have difficulty with throwing away their trash.
When we stayed last night there was a person that kept peeling out up and down the gravel road (3/4 times) in a diesel truck at 10:00 at night. Not very courteous to all of us at the campground.
And I was awakened at 2:00 a.m. by our camping neighbors when they were playing loud music. Also not cool, thankfully they stopped shortly after
Overall we were very pleased with this campground, beautiful views, it was hard choosing one spot. We will be coming back, and hopefully we won't have loud campers next time.
- TTrevor S.Traveler
Wesser Bald Fire Tower
Great spot, beautiful views
Started out after dark and set up hammocks under the fire tower. Nice hike and good view in the morning
Karli P.TravelerPalmers Junction Dispersed Camping - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
So Much Potential!
We arrived at this dispersed campground at around 7:30 on a Saturday evening in July. It was pretty packed but since we were planning on leaving early the next morning, we took a family’s offer of taking over their spot as they left.
We use a roof top tent so unfortunately we weren’t able to camp at the actual site, instead we set up on an almost level gravel parking area that had a private trail to the actual camp site. There were garbage cans and a port-a-potty set up right there, which is why this site lost some stars. Even though these facilities were provided, people didn’t use the garbages and there was a lot of garbage on the ground, including broken glass that made us worry about our pup’s paws. Also, the port-a-potty was pretty yucky..neither my husband nor I were willing to use it.
Now, I want to reiterate that this is a geographically beautiful spot! Humans just need to take better care of it 💚
Steve K.TravelerLong Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
Field test truck camping
First site(L1)was open so I took it. I spent two nights there. First time dispersed camping in National Forest and truck camping. Even though I've been camping my whole life, all my equipment was new so it was a learning experience. 😁 Parking was pretty level, but behind my rear wheels it declined toward the lake. The tent pad, picnic table and fire ring was on level ground. It was really quiet during the day, but there were some very loud frogs(?) during the night, enough to wake you up. 2nd night I played music and I slept good. Lol If your GPS says that you have reached your destination, you probably have passed the gravel road. Once on gravel road, veer to the right and you will pass the cemetery on your left, then you'll see kiosk. Sign shows you have to register there at the kiosk. I enjoyed my time there and hopefully can go back again this year. Hope y'all are enjoying the great outdoors. LIV'N!
- Michael W.
LegendBi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Primitive at its best
Didn’t stay. To far out for me. Lots of knats. Dirt rd I , washboard out was north to Rock Creek campground steep downhill grade narrow. My opinion not for 5th wheel. No cell for miles
- CColton F.Scout
Lake Santeelah Dispersed
Great spot
I will say there isn’t a lot of campsites but the ones they have are great. Fishing from the banks is possible and it was relatively clean and quiet. Definitely worth a visit
Ethan B.GuideLong Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites
Nice camping ground but closed
This is a good camping ground especially if you get the one right off the lake. When we arrived the campground was closed for vehicles. So we walk in a took around. Great spots right of the lake. They say it won't open till April. There is a another campsite less than 4 miles up the road you can camp at, but over all good area. Any vehicle can get to location its bumpy bit that's bc its half gravel half dirt. Keeeepp exploring the wilderness must be explored. Ps. Clean up after yourself
- EEvan D.Guide
Lake Santeelah Dispersed
Great free place with amazing views
This camp site is free to use and it is a great little place. The sites are huge like you could probably fit a few different set ups in each site. It’s a little confusing if you get here in the dark while it’s pouring rain but I just took the first right onto the gravel road where the bathrooms are and there is 3 sites down there with greats views of the lake.
Andy K.Legend
Lake Santeetlah Dispersed
Lakeside site with good view
Nice lakeside side with good lake views. Park next to site. Toilet facility available, site next to marina on north side. Cellphone service with Verizon ok 1or 2 bars.
- Andy K.Legend
Lake Santeetlah Dispersed
Nice sites with good views of the lake
Stayed at the site next to the marina on the North side. Lake sudd access and can park next to the site. Also has a toilet facility. Cell phone service with Verizon was 1 to 2 bars. Sometimes good others not so.
Rachel G.GuideBi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Jammed packed with hunters
I’d like to say this spot is beautiful, but I’ve seen better. Rifle season starts Nov 20. I’m 10 days early, and was a bit surprised just how many hunters are already here. I feel like I’m the only solo woman here, also seem to be the only Van lifer. Lots of RVs. The camp was pretty easy to find. There are fire pits, mine is full of garbage. The spots are pretty spacious but there’s no privacy. I won’t be staying here long.
- KarenGuide
Lake Santeelah Dispersed
Nice serene lakeside spots
It's an absolutely beautiful lake in the forest. The trees are turning and the sky is blue. Only drawback is the Pine Ridge Rd dispersed camping is along the roadside. Not really private. You have to walk to your site if you want to set up a tent. No room for a large RV. But the scenery is beautiful. AT&T works just fine!
Tyler T.TravelerLake Santeelah Dispersed
Lake view all around
There are several camps all just off the road. They all get right up to the lake with area for tent and fire pit
RachelTravelerLake Santeelah Dispersed
Solitude
We were the only ones there and it was quiet
Guide to Rockford
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Rockford, Tennessee, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With various options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.
Tips for free and dispersed camping near Rockford, Tennessee
- Always practice Leave No Trace principles to maintain the natural beauty of areas like Citico Creek Area, where some visitors have noted the need for better trash management.
- Bring your own firewood, as many spots, including Calderwood Lake Primitive campground, do not provide firewood on-site.
- Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry has no toilets or trash disposal, so plan accordingly.
Top activities while free camping near Rockford
- Enjoy fishing and swimming at Lake Santeetlah Dispersed, where the clear waters and scenic views create a perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation.
- Hike the nearby trails leading to stunning waterfalls, such as those accessible from Calderwood Lake Primitive campground, which offers a beautiful canoeing experience.
- Explore the diverse wildlife and natural beauty surrounding Sourwood Campground, where the sounds of the river enhance the camping experience.
Dispersed campers should check out Citico Creek
- The Citico Creek Area is known for its spacious sites along the creek, providing a peaceful environment for those seeking solitude.
- Campers have reported enjoying the scenic views and the sound of flowing water, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and reflection.
- Be mindful of the road conditions, as some visitors have noted frequent traffic on the dirt road, which can affect the tranquility of your stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Rockford, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Rockford, TN is Lake Santeetlah Dispersed with a 4.8-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Rockford, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Rockford, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.