Best Dispersed Camping near Rockwood, TN
Looking for the best dispersed camping near Rockwood? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Tennessee camping adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Rockwood, TN (9)
1. Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Spring City, Tennessee8 Reviews•21 Photos•91 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
2. Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Lancing, Tennessee4 Reviews•23 Photos•33 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
3. Citico Creek Area
Tallassee, Tennessee6 Reviews•12 Photos•135 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
4. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF
Reliance, Tennessee9 Reviews•18 Photos•274 SavesLost Creek Campground is located along the banks of Big Lost Creek. This primitive campground offers remote camping and is surrounded by dense forest and creeks. Lost Creek Campground is open year round. Sites are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. While staying at Lost Creek, campers can enjoy fishing in Big Lost Creek (note: special regulations are in effect for fishing in Big Lost Creek).
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Picnic Table
5. Calderwood Lake Primitive campground
Croatan National Forest, North Carolina3 Reviews•38 Photos•214 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
- Alcohol
6. Sourwood Campground
Coker Creek, Tennessee4 Reviews•9 Photos•272 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Market
- Firewood Available
- Toilets
7. Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry
Croatan National Forest, North Carolina1 Review•12 Photos•21 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
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Rockwood
21 Reviews of 9 Rockwood Campgrounds
- T
Tam E.
Guide
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Beautiful, but stuff stolen
Beautiful spot, early - mid April plenty of room & privacy.
Left to go on a hike & came back to our chairs & wood being stolen. Disappointing, but also the chance you take when leaving your personal items unattended.
They took 2 bundles of wood, but left us some. Plenty of wood on the ground to use. Felt safe overall.
- 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!
- Angie A.
RangerJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Excellent find
Dispersed camping with a glorious v view. Please pack out what you pack in. Some trash obvious yet cleaner now than past reviews. Camped right on the bank. Fire pits and concrete pads at most sites. Dumpster on site so please use it. Easy to find and private spacious sites available.
- 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
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.
- CChelsea H.
ScoutJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
End of season stay in autumn leaves
We arrived on Oct 30 to find several spaces available, many of which are convenient pull-through spaces. All are right at the waters edge with fire rings. There's trash everywhere; we filled a 10 gal trash bag in a matter of 10 minutes. We've been enjoying our stay but sadly we're informed by a man driving around to be out by Nov 3 as they're closing the site for the season. Luckily this timing is fine for our plans but was a surprise as nothing is mentioned on sites or sign at entrance about this. Beautiful place, peaceful this time of year. Husband caught a bass & dogs enjoyed the shallow edge of the lake at our site. Would stay again!
Brandon B.TravelerJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Traffic
There is so much traffic at all times day and night. It gets pretty aggregating other than that they clean the Porta John a cpl times a week it's pet friendly and you can hang stuff from trees and lines
- Brent L.Guide
Sourwood Campground
Great little spot
Great area to camp. Only complaints are having to spend an hour picking up others trash that they left. Also reverify your directions. Google maps brought me to a spot 30 miles away
Claire K.Guide
Calderwood Lake Primitive campground
I haven’t seen anything like it!
It was beautiful everything about it. We put our boat in at the magazine branch boat dock and only had to canoe maybe 30 minutes to the first camp spot (which on a friday afternoon we were very fortunate to get). Unlike the other camp sites we’ve seen there camp site one doesn’t have any picnic tables, which is the only downside to it. You are right in the little slickrock cover with waterfalls as white noise. unlike the other sites this one is also very flat which is best for walking. if you enjoy hiking campsite one is right on the slickrock trail and if you take it about 1.5 miles you’ll reach wolfcat falls which has a big swimming hole at the bottom. lots of fun! slickrock trial also has about 7 more sites that we pasted on that 1.5 mile hike. lots to do here and absolutely beautiful and for the middle of june an amazing temperature.
Happy Camping!🏕
- Claire K.Guide
Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry
Large area, hard hike there
From what i saw, there seemed to be two camp sites at Harold Parrish lower camp. one had the sign and was a bit off the river and the other one was down just a little bit but visible from the first site and right at the water. i have both pictured below. The hike in is quite difficult. we boated into slickrock cove off of Calderwood lake and walked from there to the sites. which was only about 1.5 miles. so a lot easier than the whole 13.5 mile hike. Wolfcat falls is really pretty with a huge swimming hole. Lots of fun and not far at all from the Lower camp sites. if you’re thinking of kayaking or canoeing to these sites it’s impossible because of the amount of small falls so you’ll have to park your boat at the cove and leave it. No way to get it to the campsite.
Happy Camping! 🏕
John B.GuideBi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Great Dispersed Primitive camping
This area is beautiful almost all times of the year! Plenty of wildlife and lots of shady areas. Alcohol is allowed in designated camping areas. Only saw one other camper on our trip this weekend so it was very peaceful. There was no accessible water near by so make sure you bring your own provisions. Haven’t got to explore much around the area by hiking. Found a nice creek a few miles on down the road. Other then that, great area and will most definitely be back soon!
Andrew R.TravelerJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Convenient and pretty
I've read reviews elsewhere of this camping area getting crowded and rowdy. We went during a relatively chilly weekend in early April and had no trouble finding a spot. It was quiet, private, and beautiful. I can see however how that may be very different during warmer months.
The campground is very easily accessible and has no facilities other than garbage bins.
Steven C.GuideCalderwood Lake Primitive campground
Life Changing Senic Views
Had and idea at 2 am the night before to go camping. Next morning packed up and head here. Found this nice place. I’m kinda reluctant to tell people about it because it a small paradise nestled along the banks. I’ve never really enjoyed the mountains, but after staying here I do t think I’ll ever get enough.
- KKimberly P.Scout
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Good when not overcrowded
We went this past summer and had a nice visit. There wasn't too many people but a few weeks later we drove thru and people were packed in like sardines. Just not our style of camping. Seems the locals really come out in droves and packs the place. Have been told that vehicles have been stolen so may want to watch your surroundings depending on the environment at the time. However police did patrol thru the area at night when we were there.
Jacob T.GuideJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Closed by TVA
Arrived to find it closed. No one to talk to or call. Just closed. Same with Rhea Springs.
- Tiffany C.Scout
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Very sketchy
Very sketchy park. Vagrants mostly. You wouldn’t be able to leave your site unattended if you want to keep your stuff. Go across to Rhea springs. Nice,safe, free and beautiful.
Victor S.TravelerSourwood Campground
Nice little hideaway
You could pretty much drive by this place without giving it a second thought. I am glad I didn't. We got there late after 1pm. I was afraid that we were out of luck. But we found a nice spot right on the water. It was raining and the temps were threatening to drop but we wanted one last camping trip before winter. I am glad we chose this spot. A little rocky for the tents but we made it work. I did notice some much better spots for tents. Some sites were big, one of them maybe even big enough for a small gathering, but some were really small. It would absolutely NOT ba a good location for a class A motorhome but maybe some of the smaller class C's could get settled in there I saw a small camper trailer sitting comfortable. I would not like to try to get a larger camper or 5th wheel in there, way too tight to turn around. All of the sites had solid packed ground so it would not be hard to level whatever rig you use. Drive right up to the camp site better yet use a truck bed camper or tent. We brought a porta-potty and tent for it and were glad we did. Bathrooms are on the property but are just glorified outhouses the smell was not the most pleasant part of the trip by far. To sum it up we WILL be back but I will be getting there earlier in the day.
Dan R.GuideSourwood Campground
Gorgeous spot for primative camping
The closeness to the river is the main attraction here. It’s ever-present sounds make it easy to forget everything.
- KKristin D.Traveler
Cooper Road Dispersed Campsite - #1
Family friendly backcountry site
Campsite #1 is an easily accessible backcountry campsite that is only a mile hike from the Abrams Creek campground. My husband and I were able to hike this carrying our 26 pound toddler and all our gear. The site is next to a small creek that is a great water source (at least in May) and spot for playing. There is lots of room for tents and the ground is level and soft because of the pine. Our daughter had a fantastic time exploring and poking around and because it’s not next to a river or cliffs we didn’t have to be hyper vigilant. We hiked to Abrams Falls the next day (about 8 miles round trip).
Should go without saying, but if you’re planning to take a small child camping, be super careful, prepared, and alert.
- Tyler J.Ranger
Calderwood Lake Primitive campground
Undisturbed bliss
If you are willing to bring everything with you, pack everything out, and paddle multiple miles on a nonmotorized finger lake, this is this place for you! I kind of even hesitate to mention this place because of how pristine i would like for it to stay
- RRick J.Traveler
Sourwood Campground
Good free camping
Find a spot early. Bathrooms are relatively clean nice fishing close by. Twra fish hatchery just a short drive away. Lots to do for hiking fishing and just exploring the outdoors.
Guide to Rockwood
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Rockwood, Tennessee, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of options available, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the freedom of camping in stunning landscapes without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Top Activities While Free Camping Near Rockwood
- Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunities at Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, where you can cast a line right at the water's edge and enjoy a peaceful day by the lake.
- Hiking is a must at Lost Creek - Cherokee NF, where trails lead you through beautiful scenery and offer a chance to explore the local wildlife.
- For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, Calderwood Lake Primitive campground provides access to canoeing and kayaking, allowing you to paddle through serene waters surrounded by nature.
Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Rockwood, Tennessee
- Always pack out what you pack in; this is especially important at Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA), where some visitors have noted the presence of trash.
- Be prepared for a lack of amenities at places like Citico Creek Area, which offers no drinking water or electric hookups, so bring sufficient supplies.
- Respect the wildlife and keep your distance; many campers at Spring Creek Dispersed Camping have enjoyed the sounds of nature, including various wildlife calls at night.
Scenic Views for Dispersed Campers
- Experience breathtaking views at Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, where many sites are located right on the bank, providing a picturesque backdrop for your camping experience.
- The serene environment at Lost Creek - Cherokee NF allows for peaceful nights under the stars, with the soothing sounds of the creek nearby.
- Enjoy the natural beauty and privacy offered by Calderwood Lake Primitive campground, where you can find secluded spots surrounded by lush greenery and stunning landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Rockwood, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Rockwood, TN is Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with a 3.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Rockwood, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Rockwood, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.