Best Tent Camping near Rugby, TN

Tent camping opportunities near Rugby, Tennessee include established sites at Rock Creek Campground in the Obed Wild and Scenic River area and backcountry options in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The region offers both front-country and primitive tent sites with varying levels of development and access. Breathtaking Waterfall and Campground provides walk-in tent sites, while Lilly Pad Campground offers dispersed tent camping with more amenities.

Many tent sites in the area feature basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between locations. Rock Creek Campground provides vault toilets and trash service but no potable water. Most backcountry tent sites require permits and have strict pack-in, pack-out policies. Tent pads are typically natural surfaces of forest duff or compacted dirt. During summer months, campfire restrictions may be implemented due to dry conditions. Bear-proof food storage is recommended or required at most locations, with some campgrounds providing bear lockers.

Areas farther from developed facilities offer more secluded camping experiences for tent campers seeking solitude. A camper wrote, "The campground is multi acres of woods, it's first come first served, but it's so large, I can imagine it ever being too crowded." Walk-in tent sites at Breathtaking Waterfall and Campground provide more privacy than drive-in options. The backcountry areas in Big South Fork feature challenging terrain but rewarding experiences. According to one visitor, "This area is so incredibly beautiful, with amazing views, rock formations, beautiful foliage, gorgeous river. But the terrain is ROUGH! Especially with a pack." Primitive tent camping in these areas connects directly to extensive trail networks, including sections of the Cumberland Trail that begins at Rock Creek Campground, allowing tent campers to easily access hiking routes directly from their sites.

Best Tent Sites Near Rugby, Tennessee (34)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Rugby, TN

833 Reviews of 34 Rugby Campgrounds


  • Rebecca J.
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    Pure gold for such an inexpensive price

    I think lots number 712 and 13 are the best because they are situated right around a beautiful pond with massive lily pads and dragonflies. It is about a 20 minute drive to a local store or a save a lot when we forgot some groceries. The trees are mature so there is plenty of shade and lofty space between each lot. We are on a paved site surrounded by gravel picnic table light post and fire ring also with a food storage bin to keep out the bears! It gets quiet! It gets dark! For $20, it is unbeatable. :-)

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Daniel Boone National Forest Little Lick Horse Camp

    Listen for banjos

    You will drive and drive and drive...and drive on the gravel road. However the road is good and the signage will get you there! Follow the little tent signs to Little Lick Horse Camp in the woods of Daniel Boone NF. The Nathan McClure trailhead is in the campground so there will be other traffic coming in. There are a few good size sites, with picnic table, fire ring and not much else. This is primitive, to include no toilet so bring your bucket or whatever you use.....remember Leave No Trace ;) Dark and starry skies, quiet and woodsy....try not to think about any scary wood based movies. Horses, llamas, trail bikes and dogs would be perfect for this campground. The sites are big enough for more then one tent or hammock. There are several other nice/challenging trails nearby and the Rattlesnake Motorcycle route in the area.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2018

    Blue Heron Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    What are you here for?

    Alum Ford Big South Fork Recreation Area is in my top 10 favorite areas.

    I try to participate in the Yamacraw Trail Run every year because it is just AWESOME, and this area is part of their route due to the excellent scenery of the area.

    If you like trees, hills, streams, falls, historical markers, old cabins and history , plus not much use of modern technology when you camp then you will thoroughly enjoy Big South Bend! If you are a bring the kitchen sink kinda camper you might wanna find a nearby KOA or other type campground.

    The campground has no signal, no electricity, no showers, no host. Just you, a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring. Oh, and there is one pit toilet. Bring 5$ cash for the honor pay station and your hiking shoes and watercraft. There is a Trailhead at the back of the 6 site campground and a boat ramp down the hill.

    The sites are well maintained and old , probably CCC built with wood steps leading up or down to your site. There is no direct access to the boatramp but there is a short trail that connects the sites to the boatramp that runs along the cliff face down to the ramp.

    The trailhead is part of the Sheltowee Trace Trail and connects to the Yamacraw Bridge. You could easily stage a multi day backpacking trip from Alum Ford to take in the local sights.

    Not far up the road is the Yahoo Picnic Area. I think it used to be a campground just by the way it’s set up. Picnic tables on pads and a nice old pavilion for groups with a grill. Past that Yahoo Falls. This is a technical, moderate trail down to the tallest falls in Kentucky. Also a very old area but maintained with newer restroom facilities. The loop trail was approximately 1.5 miles long with a metal staircase on one side and trail on the far side. This is also part of a thru trail. Get you an old fashion paper map before coming cause your fancy electronic gear may or may not work here.

    This is one of many areas through the Kentucky/Tennessee Big South Fork if you are able plan for an extended stay to check the whole place out;)

  • Katrin M.
    Apr. 10, 2022

    Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

    Nice little primitive campground on the river

    We camped here for one night on a Saturday. 

    The campsites have a fire ring, picnic bench, and lantern pole. Each campsite has their little parking space except site 9, 10, and 11. It is one parking spot for 3 cars and you have to walk about 100 feet. The campsites are very close together. We were very lucky with campsite 11 bc nobody around us showed up. Probably due to the bad weather the first day. The campsite was very spacious and was right on the creek. 

    There is no electricity or water at the campground. The vault toilet had no flushing water but was clean and didn't have a smell. The Obed area is very inviting for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing. There are trails that start right from the campground. If you need an escape from the daily grind, that's your place.

  • Davina B.
    May. 9, 2019

    Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

    Great Little Hiking and Fishing Spot

    Rock Creek Campground is the only campground for the Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park. It's a primitive campground with 11 sites for tents only. RVs are not allowed. There is a restroom for campers with pit style toilets. No potable water available, but there is plenty that you can treat.

    Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook, bearproof food locker, fire ring with grill, and a tent pad. Bearproof trashcans are located throughout the campground. A section of the Cumberland Trail begins at the campground. The Emory River runs right alongside the campground with easy access. There is no camp store, but the town of Wartburg is about a mile away if you need anything.

    Pros: Good hiking trails and great fishing. Easy access to the river. Restrooms available.

    Cons: The sites are very close together and it gets quite crowded during the summer months and on weekends. A public road runs right next to the campground so there is traffic at times when people are coming and going from work. No camp store or potable water available. Bathrooms are not kept stocked.

  • Davina B.
    May. 9, 2019

    Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground

    Great for RVs, Ok for Tents

    This campground is located within the Cumberland Mountain State Park. The sites are set up for RVs and it is very popular.

    Pros: There is no camp store, but there are vending machines available. There are restrooms available. Staff is in the office during business hours. There are 2 short hiking trails (less than 1 mile in length each). There are playgrounds, a lake for fishing, and a golf course. Each site has parking for 1 vehicle, a large gravel pad, water and electric hookup, picnic table, and lantern hook.

    Cons: site are very close together. Tents and RVs do not have separate loops. No camp store. No showers.

    Overall, this campground is set up to cater more toward those with RVs than people camping in tents.

  • I
    Sep. 4, 2021

    Barren Fork Horse Camp

    Litter Ruins Great Spot

    We needed a spot for Labor Day weekend and discovered Barren Fork Horse Camp in Daniel Boone National Forest near Whitley, KY. There are lots of great hikes and natural bridges in the area to check out. We had no problem finding a site. The biggest negative is the amount of trash that was left in the fire rings and the litter strewn throughout the woods. This is a beautiful campground, but the litter was the worst we’ve ever seen. There is potable water available near the vault toilet buildings, but no electricity or dump station. There are no rules on generator use, so beware that your neighbor may run the generator all day and night. The price of the campground was $8 for one night/$12 for two nights. With just a little TLC, this could be a great place to camp.

  • Lori H.
    Aug. 4, 2019

    Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful Night Sky, Quiet Camping

    Pickett State Park is a great spot to camp if you like peace and quiet, but don’t want to have to backpack in to a spot. Despite the small campground, it was pretty much empty on the first weekend in August when we stayed. It is near the Big South Fork, and Scott State Forest, so there’s lots of great hiking, horseback riding, river recreation, etc. nearby. From other reviews on The Dyrt, I learned the park is excellent for stargazing, and it is true, you will have amazing views at night, we slept in a tent without a rain fly, just so we could see the stars!

    The campground has several sites with electric and some without. We stayed in B1, which did not have electric. All the sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and the ones on the outside of the loops back up to the woods and trails. All the sites are spacious.

    The restrooms were clean, but they must be pretty old. There were some areas in need of tile repair, but it was just a cosmetic issue, so it didn’t bother me. The showers were nice, and everything was clean.

    The campground also has cabins, and those seemed to have more guests than the campground. They have a set of cabins that were connected, like apartments, and they have some larger, freestanding cabins too. They had a group site as well, but I did not go to it.

    The park has a lake with swimming area, and canoe/kayak/paddle board rentals, a swinging bridge, playground, tennis courts, a gigantic picnic area, and several great trails.

    This was a very pleasant find, and we will definitely return!

  • T
    Aug. 25, 2020

    Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    Very Nice Campground

    We camped two nights last week in Loop A, the tent only, nonelectric section. Being mid-week, there were not many people, meaning it was also nice and quiet. The sites are roomy, with a large tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, lantern hook, and a food storage locker. Yes, this is bear country, but we didn't see any during our visit. The bath houses are as nice as you're likely to find in a national park, with flush toilets, hot showers, and an outside sink for dish washing, etc. There is also a large, wheelchair accessible bathroom with roll-in shower. A water hydrant is available to fill jugs and tanks.

    We drove through the other loops to see what they look like, because Loop A isn't open in winter. Should we decide to camp here in winter, Loop B is the only section open. But, that will let us use an electric heater. 

    Be aware that some things are not open in 2020 due to Covid-19. The park visitors centers are still closed, the swimming pool wasn't open mid-week, and the check-in building was unstaffed when we arrived. There was a sign at the check-in point telling us to reserve and pay for our site using Recreation.gov. We had cell service there, so no problem. It you don't have service, drive across the road to the Camp Store (which is not always open) to use WiFi there. There is a note on the front door with the password. 

    There are so many things to do in Big South Fork and surrounding areas that you really need to just visit the park website and make a list of things to do. Some are easy and roadside, others not so much. For example, to hike the Twin Arches Loop Trail, you'll drive several miles of dirt roads to reach the trailhead and end up hiking about 6 - 6.5 miles. The description says the loop is 4.6 miles, which is true, but you have to add another 1.4 miles for the out-and-back from the parking lot to the start of the loop. The loop trail isn't bad, but the access trail has steep stairs. Anyway, find something you like and enjoy the Cumberland Plateau.


Guide to Rugby

Tent camping options near Rugby, Tennessee allow access to the Cumberland Plateau's sandstone bluffs and river valleys at elevations between 1,300-1,700 feet. The region receives approximately 54 inches of annual rainfall with moderate temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Most camping areas feature compacted soil or forest floor tent sites with variable shade coverage depending on location.

What to do

Water recreation: The Obed Wild and Scenic River offers Class III-IV whitewater rapids for experienced paddlers. At Rock Creek Campground, campers have easy access for fishing. "Many beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. Bring extra shoes because the trails cross creeks and streams! Much fun. Spend the day or the weekend!" notes camper Natalie A.

Rock climbing: The sandstone cliffs at Lilly Pad Campground attract climbers year-round. "Great location (close to the obed). Friendly, happy group. They have a brewery in place with great beer options," reports Bruno G. The campground serves as a base for accessing nearby crags with routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.13.

Stargazing: The region has minimal light pollution, creating opportunities for night sky viewing. "This is a dark sky park, a neat thing to experience," writes Larry about Rock Creek Campground. The best viewing conditions occur during new moon phases when campgrounds often have designated viewing areas.

What campers like

Solitude: Many campsites in the Big South Fork area provide quiet camping experiences away from crowds. At Backcountry Camping areas, "My son and I have been twice... we found a good place to set up our hammock gear a little ways off of the trail," reports Tim H., highlighting the flexibility to find secluded sites.

Local culture: Campers appreciate the eclectic atmosphere at some campgrounds. "This is one of the most eclectic places I've ever been. Almost felt like I was a traveling gypsy staying in this campground. Such a cool group of people and setup," says Nate H. about Lilly Pad Campground, which features a brewery and occasional live music.

Access to trails: Direct connections to hiking networks make for convenient exploration. "There are several structures on the property for gathering around a fire pit, if you want to be social," notes Lori H. Many trails connect directly to camping areas, with terrain ranging from moderate to difficult.

What you should know

Terrain challenges: The best tent camping near Rugby, Tennessee often involves navigating difficult landscape features. "The trail is not super crowded and definitely worth to see," writes Katrin M. about Burnt Mill Bridge Loop, adding "The trail goes mostly along the water. You will see stunning Rock formations and some smaller waterfalls."

Limited facilities: Most campgrounds provide minimal amenities. "The campground is dispersed where you can choose anywhere you like to stay. You can find group sites or individual private sights tucked way back in the timber," explains Nate H. Visitors should prepare to bring their own water or treatment methods at most locations.

Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis while others need advanced planning. "The cost is $5 per person, paid via honor system in the mailbox when you enter," shares Lori H. about one location. Backcountry sites require permits from ranger stations before setting up camp.

Tips for camping with families

Choose accessible sites: For camping with children, select locations with less challenging terrain. Reflection Tree Art Farm offers a family-friendly environment. "My favorite thing about the farm is the solitude and peace that comes with the rural nature of the farm. I could sit on the porch forever enjoying listening to the birds, insects, and the buzz of life uninterrupted," says Sarah G.

Pack extra footwear: Stream crossings are common on many trails near camping areas. "Bring extra shoes because the trails cross creeks and streams!" advises Natalie A., noting that water crossings can be frequent along hiking routes connected to campsites.

Consider noise factors: Some campgrounds host events that may not suit families seeking quiet. "A live band playing until the early morning hours, and drinks flowing among the thru hikers and rock climbers, bachelorette party group, and gypsies staying in the campground!" reports Lori H., suggesting families should research the social atmosphere before booking.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Rugby cannot accommodate large recreational vehicles. Sutton Camping & Cabin Rentals offers limited RV options with electrical hookups while maintaining a tent camping atmosphere. Most other locations in the region have narrow access roads unsuitable for trailers longer than 20 feet.

Alternative accommodations: Campers wanting more comfort can find cabin options at select locations. "Sutton Camping is now offering reservations on the Dyrt," notes Jake C., pointing to options that combine camping atmosphere with more substantial shelter for those not wanting to tent camp.

Limited hookups: RVers should note most campgrounds have minimal or no hookup services. "Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook, bearproof food locker, fire ring with grill, and a tent pad," describes one camper about typical amenities, indicating the rustic nature of most camping options in the Rugby area.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rugby, TN is Breathtaking Waterfall and Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Rugby, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.