Cumberland Mountain State Park offers rustic camping cabins near Sale Creek, Tennessee with views of Byrd Lake. Sites range from 15 to 30 feet apart with concrete pads for RVs and level grassy areas for tents. Fall Creek Falls and Cloudland Canyon provide cabin options within 45 minutes of Sale Creek. Many cabins require advance reservations, especially during summer and peak fall foliage season from late September through October. Temperatures typically range from 75-90°F in summer months with humidity levels reaching 80%, making air-conditioned cabins a popular choice.
What to do
Hiking trails: At Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground, explore miles of hiking paths leading to impressive waterfalls. "So many trails, so little time. One of the best hiking parks I've ever been to. Miles and miles of trails; short, long, loops, overnights. This place has it all," notes one visitor. The park offers trails for all skill levels, including the challenging Cable Trail.
Water activities: Chester Frost Park provides excellent fishing opportunities with lakefront sites. "Beautiful views, waterfront sites, good fishing!" reports one camper. The park features a man-made beach with playground equipment and swimming areas. Some camping lots are positioned directly next to the water for easy access.
Cave exploration: Tour the underground caverns at Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground. Guided tours require advance reservations and last approximately 1-2 hours. Crystal Cave receives positive reviews from visitors who appreciate having this attraction right on site. The caverns maintain a constant 56°F temperature year-round, providing a cool retreat during hot summer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground offers well-spaced campsites with natural barriers. "The West Rim camping loop has a total of 48 tent/RV sites with 30 or 50A hookups, water, gravel tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. This loop is far more wooded and offers a greater variety of site size and privacy," explains one experienced camper.
Swimming options: At Rock Island State Park Campground, natural swimming holes provide refreshing places to cool off. The park has a designated swimming beach with rentable pavilion and picnic tables. Some visitors walk to the swimming areas, but most find driving more convenient due to the distance from the campground.
Clean facilities: Holiday Travel Park maintains well-kept restrooms and showers. "This grounds was very clean and well maintained. Every site has gravel, and they had a pile of fill gravel, so I guess they fill it in when it gets low in spots. The restrooms and showers were also very clean and well kept," reports a recent visitor. Daily cleaning schedules help maintain cleanliness even during busy periods.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: At Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground, some camping areas require careful selection. "This is a nice area but sites in my section were pretty steep as in on a big hill so us tenters get quite a workout going up to the bathhouse! Not to mention, was very difficult to fit two tents and vehicles at the site since the ONLY level spot was the gravel drive," reports one tent camper.
Reservation policies: Most cabin rentals require booking well in advance, especially during peak seasons. Bluewater Resort & RV Campground allows year-round reservations but has specific cancellation policies. Holiday Travel Park uses a contactless check-in system with online reservations.
Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds report active wildlife, particularly raccoons. One camper at Cumberland Mountain notes encountering "a very aggressive raccoon that could open up coolers and throw off lids to every single site." Food storage in secure containers is essential at most locations near Sale Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA offers designated play areas and activities for children. "They have a lot of things for the kids to do and the grounds were nice. They do not allow you to set up the tent on the same site so you have to rent an extra space," advises one family camper. The campground includes a pool, cornhole, and horseshoes.
Educational opportunities: Fall Creek Falls State Park provides nature programs and ranger-led activities. "There's tons to do from hiking, to swimming, waterfall gazing, rock climbing, ziplining, and much more," shares a family camper. The park includes a nature center with educational displays about local wildlife and ecosystems.
Safety considerations: Chester Frost Park has a designated swimming area with lifeguards during summer months. The man-made beach area is described as "a kids wonderland" with adjacent playground equipment. Some campers recommend water shoes for children due to rocky shorelines at certain water access points.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: At Rock Island State Park Campground, RV sites vary in levelness. "Camper pads are all paved but vary in length from 18 to 51 feet. The width of some can also accommodate two cars side by side. Not all are completely level," notes one RVer. Some sites require additional leveling blocks or stabilizers.
Hookup locations: Holiday Travel Park provides strategically positioned utilities. "It was very easy to pull in and utilities were nicely placed in the middle of the pad. The water pressure was good and they have a nice selection of cable channels," reports one RV camper. Most sites include water and electric, with some offering full hookups.
Navigation considerations: Larger RVs should note access road conditions at several parks. For Rock Island State Park, one RVer comments, "The road to the park is winding but we had no issues. Nice big sites with picnic area and fire ring." RVs over 35 feet should check specific site dimensions before booking at most parks in the region.
