Best Dispersed Camping near Shiloh, TN
Dispersed camping near Shiloh, Tennessee is limited to a few primitive sites in the surrounding region. The Walls of Jericho Trailhead Campsite in nearby Alabama offers one of the closest options, with primitive sites available at no cost. Goose Island on J. Percy Priest Lake provides another dispersed camping opportunity, though it requires boat access to reach the island. These areas function as primitive camping zones with minimal amenities and no reservation system.
Access conditions vary significantly between the available sites. The Walls of Jericho location features both a trailhead campsite accessible by a short walk from the parking area and additional hike-in options further along the trail. There are no water sources at the trailhead site, requiring campers to hike down the trail to find water. Goose Island is only accessible by watercraft, with paddlers reporting approximately a quarter-mile journey to reach the island. Both areas lack amenities such as drinking water, showers, or hookups, though the Walls of Jericho trailhead does provide vault toilets and trash receptacles in the parking lot.
The camping experience at these sites reflects their primitive nature. At the Walls of Jericho, the trailhead campsite serves as a convenient basecamp for exploring both the Walls of Jericho trail and Bear Den Point Loop Trail. The site sits on the edge of a canyon overlook with multiple fire rings to accommodate several groups. One camper noted, "The campsite is level and large enough to accommodate many tents. There are also trees that would be suitable for hammock camping." At Goose Island, visitors can expect a more isolated experience, though wildlife encounters are common. A camper reported, "The only downside is the raccoons. They will come up really close at night begging for food."
