Cabin camping near Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee provides access to both Chickamauga Lake and the nearby Cumberland Plateau. The area sits at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 feet above sea level, creating diverse seasonal camping conditions. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night, so enclosed accommodations in colder months typically require supplemental heating methods.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 600+ steps down: Cloudland Canyon State Park features challenging stair descents to reach scenic waterfalls. "This is a workout for sure wear your good shoes, A LOT of metal grate steps to get down to the falls! We went right at the next intersection and continued down to Hemlock Falls. A very picturesque and cool area," notes one visitor.
Cave exploration: Guided tours required: Raccoon Mountain Caverns and Campground offers on-site cave tours requiring advance reservations. "We all loved that Crystal Cave was right on site and enjoyed the guided tour. (Advanced reservations are required.) We also loved the guided tour just down the road at Ruby Falls!" shares a camper.
Fishing: Morning and evening prime time: Marion County Park provides direct river access for anglers with multiple fishing locations. "Good fishing. It was a nice overnighter on our way North," mentions one reviewer who enjoyed the waterfront access.
What campers like
Private, wooded tent sites: Cloudland Canyon State Park Campground offers secluded tent camping areas with natural separation. "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)," explains a tent camper.
Cabins with full bathrooms: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground provides modern cabin accommodations with private facilities. "We love to camp at Fall Creek Falls State Park and think this would be a great park for novice campers due to the fact that the facilities are very nice. Modern bathhouses located in each camping area, swimming pool, golf course and restaurant make roughing it easier," reports one visitor.
Kid-friendly amenities: Chester Frost Park includes multiple play areas and swimming access. "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!" according to a family with children.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding issues: Some campgrounds experience drainage problems during rainy periods. "Many had standing water. Ours was ok though. Only thing I'd suggest is requesting a site not under water," warns a camper at Holiday Travel Park.
Limited cabin availability: Paradise Meadows operates with restricted capacity and specialized accommodations. "The Tiny House is one of several rental options on this property. (Others include a huge glamping tent and a farmhouse). A lot is packed into a small space with so many creative touches," explains a recent guest.
Bathroom condition varies significantly: Facility upkeep differs between campgrounds and seasons. "Bath houses need work done," notes a Chester Frost visitor, while another campground review states, "The bath houses were horrible. The one near us had one toilet and one shower with little curtains across them."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple options: Chattanooga North-Cleveland KOA features designated play areas for various age groups. "They had a lot of things for the kids to do and the grounds were nice. However, it is on a noisy highway so you constantly hear the trucks and cars passing," shares a family camper.
Swimming opportunities: Natural vs. managed: Locations offer different water access types, from lake swimming to pools. "The waters are pretty calm and there are several docks located around the camp sites that you can bring your boat or water craft for your stay," reports a Chester Frost camper.
Budget-friendly activities: No-cost options: Some locations provide free amenities beyond standard camping. "There are 3 different sections to the campgrounds. The first area just left of the guard station is for tents & small campers, the area to the right is for large fifth wheels & motor homes, and finally the third section is across the lake & it accommodates small to mid size campers."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Bring extra blocks: Lookout Mountain-Chattanooga West KOA requires careful setup due to terrain. "Some of the roads and RV sites are a little difficult to get into. Our site was on a sharp curve with a decent grade, but after some jockeying around, we got our camper in ok," advises an RV owner.
Electrical service considerations: Most cabin camping areas near Soddy-Daisy offer 30-amp service, with limited 50-amp availability. "We stayed in site 203 for 3 nights. While we really enjoyed the campground, this site was not ideal for an RV our size. We weren't able to put our awnings out or comfortably sit outside," notes a class A RV owner.
Satellite reception varies by tree cover: Signal quality depends on specific site location and seasonal foliage. "The sites are close together with no trees, so no issues with satellite use in this area," reports a camper at Holiday Travel Park, highlighting the trade-off between privacy and connectivity.
