Best Dispersed Camping near Rugby, TN

Dispersed camping near Rugby, Tennessee includes several free primitive sites on public lands. The Bi-Color Campground in Catoosa Wildlife Management Area (WMA) provides basic dispersed camping with no facilities or hookups. Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), offers waterfront sites near Spring City. Additional options extend into Kentucky with Trace Branch Dispersed along Rock Creek Road and Jellico Creek Road Dispersed sites. These areas permit primitive camping with minimal development and no reservation requirements.

Access varies significantly between sites. Bi-Color Campground has dirt roads that can become muddy and difficult to navigate during wet weather, with reviews indicating it may be unsuitable for larger RVs or fifth wheels. Jackson Island features pull-through spaces along the water's edge but no amenities beyond trash collection. Most sites lack drinking water, toilets, or electrical hookups. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many locations, particularly at Trace Branch and Jellico Creek sites. Camping duration limits apply, though enforcement varies seasonally. Alcohol is permitted at most sites except Jellico Creek.

Wildlife viewing opportunities abound across these primitive areas. Bi-Color Campground attracts hunters during season and occasionally sees cattle wandering through, creating a unique backcountry experience. Jackson Island provides waterfront camping with fishing opportunities, though several reviews mention concerns about security when leaving equipment unattended. Site availability fluctuates seasonally—Jackson Island can become extremely crowded during summer months but offers more solitude in spring and fall. A recent review noted, "Arrived on Oct 30 to find several spaces available, many of which are convenient pull-through spaces right at the water's edge." Another camper warned, "Roads are rough but quiet with no cell signal for miles."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Rugby, Tennessee (6)

    1. Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    5 Reviews
    Lancing, TN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (931) 456-2479

    "Solid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles."

    "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."

    2. Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    2 Reviews
    Stearns, KY
    22 miles
    Website

    "Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping."

    "Dispersed camping.   We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening."

    3. Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1

    1 Review
    Jellico, TN
    30 miles
    Website

    "There are three dispersed camp sites along this road.  We stayed at the first and largest of the three.  This first site has room for two groups.  It also has a small swimming hole with a rope swing."

    4. Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    9 Reviews
    Spring City, TN
    49 miles
    Website

    "The campground is very easily accessible and has no facilities other than garbage bins."

    "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."

    5. Redbird Boat Ramp

    3 Reviews
    Williamsburg, KY
    38 miles

    "No amenities. The sky was beautiful. Would go again. About ten miles off 75. We were there in Sept 2025"

    6. Swain Ridge

    2 Reviews
    Parkers Lake, KY
    41 miles

    "But we did have ticks EVERYWHERE and poison ivy along the edges of the pasture. We had a ball we were playing with roll in there."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Rugby, TN

19 Reviews of 6 Rugby Campgrounds


  • Andrew R.
    Apr. 3, 2022

    Jackson 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.

  • Robert W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 14, 2023

    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!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2023

    Swain Ridge

    Gravel only

    Not able to camp in open field. 1000$ fine for doing so. Camping at trailhead or on road side is fine.

  • Matthew H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 2, 2025

    Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    Great Spot

    Visited here in the middle of January with all the snow and I was hot tent camping. You can only set up your tent on the designated tent pad, luckily we had heavy duty stakes that could get through the ground. The entire river was frozen over and ponds were frozen too. There were a few cars that drove through the middle of the night but no issues. We left our site unattended for hours to check out the streams and rivers and nothing was missing. Lots of beer bottles left over and shattered so I have to pick up the trash before letting my dog out. There are more sites down the gravel road but we went with the first one we came to.

  • Nicholas The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)

    Great for water sports!

    Solid location for a night or a whole weekend. There are several porta potties available and the sites are spacious. This camp is perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles. Only word of caution is that the ground can get a bit muddy, so try to find something dry.

  • Michael W.
    May. 21, 2023

    Bi-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

  • Pam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2024

    Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road

    Small Campsite on the shores of Rock Creek.

    One picnic table and fire pit.  Dispersed camping.   We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening.

  • Pam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1

    Jellico Creek 1

    There are three dispersed camp sites along this road.  We stayed at the first and largest of the three.  This first site has room for two groups.  It also has a small swimming hole with a rope swing.


Guide to Rugby

Dispersed camping near Rugby, Tennessee offers backcountry opportunities in the Cumberland Plateau region. Sites range from established primitive campgrounds to remote pull-offs along forest roads at elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet. Weather can shift rapidly, with summer temperatures reaching 85-90°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms common from May through September.

What to do

Swimming and water activities: At Jellico Creek Rd Dispersed #1, visitors can cool off during hot months. "There are three dispersed camp sites along this road. We stayed at the first and largest of the three. This first site has room for two groups. It also has a small swimming hole with a rope swing," notes camper Pam B.

Wildlife viewing: Catoosa WMA area offers abundant wildlife observation opportunities year-round. "The area is beautiful almost all times of the year! Plenty of wildlife and lots of shady areas," reports John B. about Bi-Color Campground. Another camper experienced unexpected visitors: "Also a random heard of cattle strols through every now and again," shares Robert W.

Stargazing: The remote locations provide excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. At Swain Ridge, "There was no light pollution so we had a great time star gazing! We were even blessed with see several bats fly around at night," according to Sierra E.

What campers like

Privacy and solitude: The off-season provides more secluded experiences at many sites. At Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, Andrew R. found that timing matters: "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."

Fishing opportunities: Many sites offer direct water access for anglers. "Great view, plenty of spots to set up, great fishing and a surprisingly low amount of bugs!" reports Brendan G. about Jackson Island. Another camper mentioned, "Husband caught a bass & dogs enjoyed the shallow edge of the lake at our site."

Pull-through waterfront sites: Certain campgrounds feature convenient vehicle access right at the water's edge. Angie A. describes Jackson Island: "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."

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Some TVA-managed sites close unexpectedly. "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," reports Chelsea H. from Jackson Island.

Security concerns: Unattended equipment may not be secure at certain locations. "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," warns Tam E. from Jackson Island.

Varying site conditions: Primitive camping near Rugby requires adaptability to different terrain. At Trace Branch Dispersed - Rock Creek Road, Matthew H. notes, "You can only set up your tent on the designated tent pad, luckily we had heavy duty stakes that could get through the ground. The entire river was frozen over and ponds were frozen too."

Tips for camping with families

Bring water supplies: No potable water exists at most dispersed sites. "There was no accessible water near by so make sure you bring your own provisions," advises John B. about Bi-Color Campground.

Check road conditions: Access roads can become challenging with family vehicles. Michael W. cautions about Bi-Color: "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."

Consider time of year: Redbird Boat Ramp offers quieter family camping opportunities off-season. "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," notes Kody Bear A.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all primitive sites accommodate larger rigs. Nicholas mentions Bi-Color Campground is "perfect for the fam as it can accommodate RV sized vehicles. Only word of caution is that the ground can get a bit muddy, so try to find something dry."

Pack-in provisions: The lack of services requires complete self-sufficiency. "We took our portable firepit and sat by the creek for a beautiful evening," shares Pam B. about the Rock Creek Road site, demonstrating the need to bring your own equipment.

Watch for weather impacts: Muddy conditions can strand vehicles during wet periods. Rachel G. found Bi-Color Campground "pretty easy to find" but noted a high concentration of hunters during certain seasons, which impacts site availability for RVers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Rugby, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Rugby, TN is Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA) with a 3.2-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Rugby, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Rugby, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.