Best Campgrounds near Rugby, TN

The Rugby, Tennessee area encompasses a mix of Tennessee state parks and federal land with varying camping styles. Bandy Creek Campground in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area offers tent and RV sites with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and fire rings. Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground provides year-round accommodation with electric and water hookups in a more rustic setting. True West Campground & Stables features 40 sites with full hookups for RVs and cabin options, while several smaller private campgrounds round out the lodging options within a 25-mile radius of Rugby.

Campground infrastructure varies significantly throughout the region, with some sites offering full hookups while others maintain a more primitive experience. The Big South Fork area features both developed and backcountry options, though road access can be challenging from certain directions. A visitor noted, "Do not arrive from the East (Oneida side) 13 degree inclines and declines with very sharp hairpin switchbacks." Cell service is limited or non-existent at many campgrounds, particularly at locations like Frozen Head State Park. Seasonal considerations affect availability at several campgrounds, with Frozen Head State Park operating from March 15 to November 1, though most others remain open year-round.

Campers frequently mention the natural beauty and relative solitude as highlights of the Rugby area camping experience. The region's campgrounds tend to be smaller with fewer amenities than more tourist-heavy destinations, creating a more authentic outdoor experience. Proximity to hiking trails and water features represents a significant advantage for many campsites. The wooded settings provide ample shade and privacy at most established campgrounds. One camper described Frozen Head State Park as having "only 20 spots, and they all seem to be shady and have trees between neighbors." Water access opportunities exist at several locations, with Bandy Creek offering fishing opportunities while other campgrounds provide more limited water recreation options. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities despite their rustic character.

Best Camping Sites Near Rugby, Tennessee (193)

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Recent Reviews near Rugby, TN

921 Reviews of 193 Rugby Campgrounds


  • Sarah and Philip H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Knoxville Campground

    Great Pass through Campground not for staying long term

    Location was great to get to lots of things but campsites are very tight and no room for an actual camping feel.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Yarberry Campground

    Beautiful views

    Even the non-lake site spots have lake views. Lots of nice amenities, but still rustic. My site was a little tough to back into, but worth it.

  • B
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    beautiful and peaceful

    It was perfect weekend getaway, the camp ground wasn’t full, bathrooms clean, the camp ground was clean. The sites along the water were amazing, and the sites were level.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Frozen Head State Park Campground

    Forever a Special Place

    I have been camping at Frozen Head since I was a child. In fact, I went to my first day of Kindergarten from the campsite. The campground is wooded and perfect for that woodsy camp feel. There are so many hiking trails around I absolutely loved the little library they had. This last trip, we stayed in the primitive site and loved being next to a little creek. There is no wifi and no cell phone reception.

  • Mary D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Anderson County Park

    Amazing Site!

    This is one of my new absolute favorite sites yet! While a majority of the campground is long-term, the sites along water are not. This specific spot was huge and next to a wooded area and nature walk and, in my opinion, the best site in the whole campground! The bathhouse was small, but functional and clean. The campground host was exceptionally friendly. No wifi. I have US Cellular and had limited service. Enough to maybe look something up and receive texts.

  • Jessi B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Soaring Eagle Campground

    Huge disappointment

    !Infested with termites! They price gouge. The lots are basically right on top of each other(some spots are not big enough for slide outs). The check-in lady is very condescending and will rob you blind while wearing the biggest smile. There's cornhole, a basketball hoop, and a volleyball net, but they are all falling apart or are inaccessible. No fire rings at your site. There's a huge hive of ground nesting bees by the picnic tables that are set up next to the pool. The pool area is also the only area in which you can access a fire ring. The lake is beautiful and is accessible to boats. Low riding cars beware of double speed bump and sinking concrete. There is no bathroom for the pool area. The maintenance man seems a bit unfriendly. They do not honor their online rates. 😒 We also had to move from a spot that we were already paying for bc she reserved it out from under us. I-40 echoes through the campsite. We were constantly woken up by j braking semis and emergency service vehicles. We will definitely not be visiting again.

  • Kody Bear A.
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Redbird Boat Ramp

    It's nice and private

    Nothing special there is a boat ramp. Plenty of space for a couple RVs. No amenities. The sky was beautiful. Would go again. About ten miles off 75. We were there in Sept 2025

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    East Campground - Norris Dam State Park

    Nice park but road is not that friendly

    Google maps and the website will tell you to take the 441 to get here but I recommend going down to the 61 and coming up that way as the road is quite a bit wider and not so steep and windy. The last mile or so into the campground is a pretty narrow road that when we were here was in bad shape with potholes. Note that some of the campsites have only 30 amp and some of the campsites have only 50 amp so when making a reservation don’t assume that a 50 amp campsite will also have 30 amp. They all did appear to 20 amp. There is a dump station available and a fairly nice bathroom and showers. Most of the spaces are fairly level and fairly easy to get into. 1-3 were quite short. Recommend popping down to the Clinch River Brewery for a beverage and possibly dinner. Also the Appalachian museum in Norris was pretty fascinating.

  • Kc K.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Fooshee Pass Campground

    Amazing site! See note on hook-ups

    This campground is great. The hosts/camp store workers are so nice. This site is big and has easy walk-in access to water for swimming or fishing. **Only weird thing is the hookups are on the opposite side of the site. Take a 50 ft water hose and a 30 amp extension - ours was 50 ft but I think a 30 ft would work. **


Guide to Rugby

The Rugby, Tennessee area features diverse camping experiences within the northern Tennessee plateau region at elevations between 1,200 and 1,600 feet. Seasonal temperatures vary dramatically with winter lows frequently below freezing and summer highs reaching the 90s. Campsites near Rugby, Tennessee typically sit among dense hardwood forests with moderate to steep terrain making site selection important for tent campers.

What to do

Stargazing opportunities: Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is designated as an international dark sky location. "The stars can be enjoyed from just about anywhere but a short drive down the road there's an astronomy field," notes Clinton N., who appreciated the unobstructed night views at this Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground.

Hiking varied terrain: The region offers hundreds of miles of trails with options ranging from family-friendly to technical challenges. "There are many beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. Bring extra shoes because the trails cross creeks and streams," advises Natalie A. about trails near Rock Creek Campground.

Water activities: Multiple campgrounds provide access to lakes, rivers, and streams for fishing, paddling, and swimming. "At the lake there's kayak and canoeing where you actually paddle under a natural bridge. There's a swimming area, geese and fishing," explains a visitor to Pickett CCC Memorial State Park.

What campers like

Privacy and space: Many campers appreciate sites that offer separation from neighbors. "The sites are pretty private and mostly wooded. The tent pads were huge, lots of space to play at each site," reports Chelsea D. about Bandy Creek Campground.

Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities despite their rural location. "The bathhouse was heated and well maintained. The campground was clean and well taken care of," notes one reviewer about Bandy Creek Campground.

Natural features: Unique geological formations throughout the area create distinctive camping experiences. "The rock formations are awesome. A suspension bridge, another natural bridge and a cave area," shares a camper about Pickett CCC Memorial State Park's surrounding attractions.

What you should know

Limited services: Many campgrounds have minimal or no cell coverage and limited nearby amenities. "This is very rural so see recommendations for distances to nearest places... Propane is available for 20lbs swap-outs at the local Dollar Trees (Jamestown or near Eglin/Robbins both are ~20m away)," advises Josh J. about staying at Brooks Corner Campground & RV Park.

Campground accessibility: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads or terrain. "Do not arrive from the East (Oneida side) 13 degree inclines and declines with very sharp hairpin switchbacks," warns one visitor about routes to Big South Fork.

Seasonal availability: Not all campgrounds operate year-round, and conditions vary significantly with seasons. "Frozen Head State Park operating from March 15 to November 1," while most others remain open throughout the year.

Tips for camping with families

Child-friendly trails: Select campgrounds with shorter hiking options for younger children. "The campsites on the A loop are spacious. B loop looked pretty cramped in together. There's plenty of short trails and the lake within walking distance of the campground. This makes the campground excellent for kids," explains Clinton N. about Pickett CCC Memorial State Park.

Safety considerations: Sites with toddlers require extra vigilance. "The sites are pretty private and mostly wooded. There were acorns everywhere that our littles kept getting ahold of, and most of the trails are much longer than 2 miles, so there wasn't much to do with our two toddlers," shares Chelsea D. about challenges at Bandy Creek.

Recreation options: Campgrounds with additional amenities provide alternatives to hiking. "There is a large swimming pool, with lifeguards," mentions a visitor to Bandy Creek Campground, noting facilities beyond natural attractions.

Tips from RVers

Site dimensions: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "The sites were a bit short and we couldn't park our tow vehicle in front of our 17' camper. So large campers beware," warns Chelsea D. about Bandy Creek Campground.

Hookup variations: Available services differ significantly between campgrounds. "Our site was very nice and private with a big grassy area," reports a camper at Blue Heron Campground, where "campsites have a picnic table and a firepit" with some offering water and electric hookups.

Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at several campgrounds. "I was towing a 21 ft trailer and my site at the bottom of the hill, which was away from other campers, but the grade was ridiculous! I had 6" of block height to level side to side!" shares Mr. H. about his experience at Pickett CCC Memorial State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the camping areas in Rugby, Tennessee?

Rugby, Tennessee offers several camping options nearby. Brooks Corner Campground & RV Park is located right behind Brooks store and less than a mile from the historic town of Rugby, making it an ideal base for exploring the area. The lack of city lights provides excellent stargazing opportunities. For a more rustic experience, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground is located nearby, adjacent to Scott State Forest and Big South Fork River. It offers a small, nostalgic camping experience with modern conveniences while maintaining a 1950s atmosphere.

How do I find Rugby, Tennessee on a map?

Rugby, Tennessee is located in the northeastern part of the state near the Kentucky border. It sits close to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. When traveling to the area, Frozen Head State Park Campground can serve as a landmark, as it's in the same general region. GPS navigation generally works well in the area, though some visitors to Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, which is on the Kentucky/Tennessee border, report taking scenic routes through the region's farmlands to reach their destinations.

What camping is available near Rugby, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Rugby, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 193 campgrounds and RV parks near Rugby, TN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Rugby, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rugby, TN is Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 42 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Rugby, TN.

What parks are near Rugby, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Rugby, TN that allow camping, notably Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Lake Cumberland.