Campsites near Mcdonald, Tennessee range from family-friendly lake parks to rustic mountain retreats, with elevations varying from 700 to 2,200 feet throughout the area. The region experiences mild winters with occasional snow and hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s. Most campgrounds in the area see peak visitor traffic between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, when advance reservations become essential.
What to do
Explore caverns year-round: Visitors to Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground can take guided cave tours regardless of weather conditions. "Crystal Cave was right on site and we enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.)" shared one camper. The caverns maintain a consistent cool temperature, making them particularly appealing during hot summer months.
Hike waterfall trails: Several area campgrounds feature waterfall hikes with varying difficulty levels. At Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground, "the Cave tour is a must, but prepare to get dirty. The West Rim campground is VASTLY superior with tons of privacy, tree cover, great terraces at most sites, with the ones outside ones being the best," reports a visitor who camped during July 2025.
Paddle the lake: Lake activities are particularly popular in summer. A camper at Chilhowee Recreation Area noted, "We were here during COVID, so felt a bit nervous about using the park restrooms, but didn't have an option as our site was electric only, and we needed showers everyday after hiking/biking. The showers were clean, hot and great water pressure."
What campers like
Lakefront campsites: Water access sites receive consistently high ratings. "Loop C is the last RV loop, also with a lot of shade, and sites 23-25 and 35-36 are right on the water, almost with their own private beaches," notes a visitor to Harrison Bay State Park Campground. These premium sites typically fill months in advance, especially for summer weekends.
Relatively private tent areas: While RV sites tend to be closer together, many campgrounds offer dedicated tent loops with more separation. "We stayed in walk in site 21. It was a bit interesting to get all our stuff to the site, and thank goodness we had 2 wagons and teens to help carry. It was a great private site, allowing for a good size tent and 3 hammocks," shared a Cloudland Canyon camper.
Campgrounds with nightlife: For those seeking evening activities, Adventures Unlimited Campground provides a unique experience. "Adventures Unlimited is located near the Ocoee River, which was the whitewater location for the '96 Olympics, so yeah, world class whitewater. AU is a whitewater rafting outfitter, campground, restaurant, gift shop, and home of the Bus Bar. Literally two yellow school buses converted into a bar, with open air seating."
What you should know
Cell service varies widely: Don't count on reliable connectivity at all campgrounds. A visitor at Chilhowee Recreation Area reported: "There is no WiFi or AT&T cellular signal in this park. However, if you drive to any of the scenic overlooks just outside the park, you will get AT&T LTE signal. We also picked up 3 TV stations over the air, which was great for weather/news."
Wildlife considerations: Bears and other wildlife are common in the area. "Kids loved camping here deer will come up to your camp just keep and eye on your food coolers raccoons will get the," notes a Harrison Bay camper. Several campgrounds provide bear-proof storage containers for food and scented items.
Seasonal facility changes: Some area campgrounds operate differently based on season. At Fort Mountain State Park Campground, "We visited this park in early/mid November for 10 days. Keith and I hiked and played hard every day here- despite the early winter storm, gusty breezes and freezing temperatures that finally gave way to beautiful crisp days."
Tips for camping with families
Consider playground access: When selecting a site with children, proximity to play areas matters. "This place is definitely somewhere you wanna bring your kids they would love it! There is a man made beach with a playground and loads of camping lots next to the river!" reports a visitor at Chester Frost Park.
Book tent sites away from party areas: Some campgrounds have distinct areas with different atmospheres. At Adventures Unlimited Campground, "I wouldn't really recommend it for children, it feels more like a grown up place, as the area is filled with kayakers, guides, college kids, etc., and these people have FUN!"
Pack for swimming: Most area campgrounds offer swimming options, but amenities vary. A Skull Island camper reported: "What also loved was that I didn't feel crammed by other people. There was plenty of room between sites, and going in the summer time I still didn't feel like I was on top of our neighbors."
Tips from RVers
Assess site leveling needs: Many campgrounds in the mountainous areas have uneven sites. "The park is nice with plenty of amenities. I had two complaints. We stayed creekside at site 24. The site had about a 5 inch difference shopping towards the road. I used rocker blocks maxed out (about 4 inches in height) and still was not level," noted a Fort Mountain camper.
Consider hookup limitations: Hookups vary widely between campgrounds. A camper at Holiday Travel Park mentioned, "Stayed 5 nights April of 2025. Very clean and nice park. Very friendly office women. Would definitely stay again if in the area." Most sites offer water and electric, but full hookups are less common.
Watch for tight turns: Mountain roads present challenges for larger rigs. At Chilhowee, "Coming up the mountain has some steep grades and a few switch backs that you can't see around. There are often oncoming vehicles who are often driving to fast and not considering those of us in large vehicles."
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