Dispersed camping near Signal Mountain offers access to both mountainside forests and lakefront settings along Chickamauga Lake. The area's elevation ranges from approximately 700 to 2,000 feet, creating varied camping experiences from the shoreline to the mountain ridges. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer humidity can make tent camping uncomfortable without proper ventilation or lakeside breezes.
What to do
Hiking the cable trail: At Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground, numerous trails lead to waterfalls and scenic overlooks. "Plenty of hikes that lead to wonderful waterfalls and great scenery. My favorite is the cable trail. If i recall it's not far from the campsite," notes Tyler J. The park offers trails for all experience levels, from short walks to challenging descents.
Cave exploration: Less than 30 minutes from Signal Mountain, Raccoon Mountain Caverns provides underground adventures for all ages. "The caverns were pretty cool. Having the dog park close by was a bonus," shares Jaime W. Tours range from family-friendly walking tours to more advanced wild cave expeditions requiring crawling through tight passages.
Fishing opportunities: Many campsites offer direct water access for anglers. "My husband caught several large mouth bass in the pond too (catch and release)," mentions Lori H. about Prentice Cooper State Forest. Fish species in the area include bass, catfish, and crappie, with early morning and evening typically providing the best results.
What campers like
Private camping spots: Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground offers secluded sites across different camping styles. "Love the tent-only serenity of the walk-in sites. There is a separate parking lot at the back of the park for the walk-in sites, which are a short distance away (easy to haul your gear). The sites have a tent pad, picnic table and fire ring, and lots of privacy as the sites are very far from each other," explains Abby M.
Waterfront camping: Many campers appreciate the lakeside options near Signal Mountain. "We stayed in site A37 on a Wednesday night in early December. The premium/waterfront sites were mostly empty. It was a little confusing finding the site after dark - luckily I had printed a map of the campground. It was a very relaxing site with a beautiful view," says Denise about Harrison Bay State Park Campground.
Dark night skies: Areas farther from Chattanooga provide excellent stargazing. "Wonderful hiking experience for beginners, plenty of beautiful scenery. Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping," shares Joseph M. The best views typically come on moonless nights away from the city lights.
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect access: Some areas restrict camping during winter months. "This is a beautiful WMA area with tons of offshoots along a service road for camping, but please note, 99% of areas are closed between December and March. Had to turn around and find somewhere else to camp for the night," warns Raymond H. about Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: While some parks offer modern facilities, others are extremely basic. "DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT even think of entering the 'restroom' at Davis Pond. They really should demolish it. Completely disgusting. And creepy. So be advised, there is no USABLE restroom, you are truly roughing it!" cautions Lori H.
Reservation systems differ by location: Some parks require advance planning while others operate first-come, first-served. "We live only 5 Miles from Harrison Bay State Park. The tent spaces are large enough for one to two vehicles + your tent / gear. This was the tent area so there are no electric or water in site as to be expected," explains Lance H.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Chester Frost Park provides family-friendly water recreation. "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!" enthuses Haley H. The beach area typically opens from late May through early September.
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. "Lots of fun things for the kids to do. Some of the roads and RV sites are a little difficult to get into," shares Jason B. about Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA, which includes a jumping pad, playground, and pool.
Wildlife encounters: Keep food secure to enjoy rather than battle local wildlife. "Kids loved camping here deer will come up to your camp just keep and eye on your food coolers raccoons will get the," advises Constance about Chester Frost Park. Most raccoon activity occurs after dark, so secure food before nightfall.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Holiday Travel Park offers various site types but with some limitations. "Came through traveling from FL to OH for just one night. Easy checkin, helpful staff. Site fit our 44ft 5th wheel just fine. Pretty clean, easy to get to, easy to navigate, and close to gas, stores etc. Only thing I'd suggest is requesting a site not under water. Many had standing water," recommends Heather H.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some locations. "Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out," suggests Richard F. about Fall Creek Falls State Park. Most sites require at least some leveling, with corner sites often presenting the most significant slopes.
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer full hookups or convenient dump facilities. "Good roadside signage to the park, but deceiving when you turn into a residential neighborhood. Upgraded dump station all asphalt with 6 dumps," notes Richard F., highlighting an important consideration for longer stays.
