Nate S.
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Travelerchester frost campground tennessee
Small
They sure know how to pack people in; it's an extremely small site.
Camping near Spencer, TN
178 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Spencer, Tennessee is situated in a region rich with camping opportunities, particularly centered around Fall Creek Falls State Park, which contains Tennessee's largest and most visited state park. The area encompasses multiple established campgrounds with varied accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground offers over 200 sites with water and electric hookups, while nearby Rock Island State Park provides year-round camping options where the Caney Fork and Collins Rivers meet. Smaller private operations like Hammock Sway and Deer Creek Properties supplement these larger parks, offering both traditional camping and glamping experiences within proximity to natural attractions.
Road conditions throughout the region remain generally accessible for most vehicles, though some smaller campgrounds may have limited parking or narrower access roads. The camping season extends year-round at the state parks, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable temperatures and impressive waterfall views after seasonal rains. Summer months bring higher humidity and larger crowds, particularly at waterfront areas and near swimming holes. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during weekends and peak summer months. One visitor noted, "The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it's a moderate hike down to the base. Sometimes the falls are just a small trickle and sometimes they are flowing, depending on rainfall amounts."
The region's campgrounds receive consistently positive reviews for their natural features and recreational opportunities. Many sites are well-spaced with wooded surroundings, providing a sense of privacy even when campgrounds are at capacity. According to one camper, "The sites are well spaced and wooded, so even if the campground is full, you don't feel overcrowded." Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are common throughout the area campgrounds. Hiking trails connect many of the camping areas to scenic waterfalls, including the 256-foot Fall Creek Falls, the highest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Most developed campgrounds offer clean bathhouses with hot showers, while facilities at smaller private campgrounds vary significantly. Visitors frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere, well-maintained trails, and abundance of recreational activities as highlights of camping in the Spencer area.
Best Campgrounds near Spencer (178)
1. Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground
"Quiet spot with easy to access trails around the campgrounds for our two dogs. The roads into the park are fun with some winding roads."
"Fall creek falls is one of the best recreational areas in Tennessee. The park is very large and has so much to do. The falls are amazing, and it’s a moderate hike down to the base."
2. Rock Island State Park Campground
"Rock Island State Park is situated in the middle of Tennessee. The park itself is surrounded by beautiful forest and some pretty great and easy hiking trails. The falls themselves are a sight to see."
"Off I24 near Murfreesboro, Tn and a leisurely drive through the Tennessee countryside. Small towns, pickups and cows. Watch for stop signs, I almost missed one while looking at the scenery."
3. Hammock Sway
"This is a primitive camping experience in the pristine woods of Van Buren County, TN about 20 miles(30 minutes) outside of McMinnville, Tennessee. The campground borders the beautiful Rocky River."
"Chris is very helpful, friendly and willing to show you around upon arriving. You will also be introduced to all his great dogs. After that you won’t be bothered unless you need help."
from $25 - $89 / night
Check Availability4. Virgin Falls State Natural Area - Primitive
"The trails were really clearly marked, so they were easy to follow despite all of the leaves on the ground, and there were plenty of signs indicating where to go."
"8 miles is pretty accurate of a round trip. It's a lot downhill until you get to the falls then you gotta hike all the way back out."
from $10 - $35 / night
Check Availability5. Horseshoe Bend Marina
"There were restrooms at the marina, which was close by. They have a game room tent with ping pong, cornhole, jenga, etc. and they host a movie night sometimes!"
"Located on the Caney Fork River."
from $75 / night
Check Availability6. Sunrise Campground - Long Term Only as of 2021
"We woke up next to their cow farm and it made for a pleasant morning"
from $30 / night
Check Availability7. Howland's Hidout
"Easy to find, close to Fall Creek Falls, Power available, quiet spot except for the coyotes in the woods. Confused Roosters will wake you up at various times."
"So conveniently located (approx. 3 miles) from Fall Creek Falls State Park but much less noise and more relaxed."
from $15 - $25 / night
Check Availability8. Edgar Evins State Park Campground
"I'm from New England and relocated to Tennessee in 2016. The first time I went camping at Edgar Evans, I had no idea what was going on!"
"The park is a gorgeous property with a lake and hiking trails. There are ADA sights. The hills are steep and some of the sights have angle ramps."
9. Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground
"Cumberland Mountain has a total of 145 campsites, spread across 5 loops, plus a backcountry site on an 8 mile backpacking trail."
"Great spacious site with beautiful scenery all around! There’s a lake and walking trails. Descent bathrooms. Water nearby and they sell firewood."
10. Breiner's Place
from $16 - $17 / night
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Drive Time
- 58 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 1 hr 21 min from Cleveland, TN
- 1 hr 37 min from Nashville, TN
- 1 hr 48 min from Knoxville, TN
Recent Camping Photos near Spencer, TN
355 Photos of 178 Spencer Campgrounds
Darvin O.
Sunrise Campground - Long Term Only as of 2021
Beth B.
Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground
Kurt H.
Howland's Hidout
Crystal H.
Rock Island State Park Campground
Nate H.
Virgin Falls State Natural Area - Primitive
Jeff R.
Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground
Jeremy H.
Hammock Sway
Lori H.
Horseshoe Bend Marina
Lori H.
Smooth Rapids Campground
Daniel T.
Mad Musky Water Sports Rentals
Jason J.
Savage Falls Campground — Savage Gulf State Park
Asher K.
Savage Station
Recent Reviews near Spencer, TN
1108 Reviews of 178 Spencer Campgrounds
Moishe F.
GuideDavy Crockett Campground
Tent camping
We had a decent tent camping experience here. They have all the amenities. The showers were great, but I saw a rat in the pool. The tent camping was a bit creepy, with very dim lights, and the picnic tables were quite dirty.
Tim S.TravelerSmooth Rapids Campground
Favorite spot
Smooth Rapids is hands down one of our faves. We like to rent 19 & 20 together. It gives elbow room and lets us pull power and water from Lot 19 over to where we park our little teardrop on Lot 20 (which has no power or water itself). The staff team is just terrific. We like to kayak. They rent yaks or if you BYO you can also pay to shuttle. We do both depending whether we want to haul our kayaks. They have a really good bath house and a restaurant. Kids have a playground on one end but we are past those days now. You get a mix of fellow campers. This time of year is busy but even then it is usually a nice time. Folks there tend to be friendly. The Barren Fork River runs right along the entire stretch of campground and behind the restaurant. We typically do the medium length run that takes 2.5-4 hours depending on how aggressively you row. You feel like you are away in the wilderness but you’re really just tooling through McMinnville. We highly recommend it.
- JJason S.
ScoutWhite Oak Ranch
Not safe for children
They are dishonest and it is not a safe place for children. I have attached a picture of the caboose of their“train”(my son is in the background) with crowbars, trash, debris, etc. that they were allowing children to ride in. I witnessed open slices of cheese sitting on the counter in the heat for the entire day, employees handing people this cheese with their bare hands without washing them. The playground equipment was half painted and falling over. The paint cans as well as cans of wasp spray were underneath where children play for any child to access. Over half of the amenities promised were either closed, hazardous, or not available. Only excuses from the owner. No accountability and no professionalism at all. Stay far away. There many other places that are fun and safe for your children.
MickandKarla W.
LegendChattanooga North-Cleveland KOA
Great Overnight Stop Near Chattanooga
We followed the confirmation email directions, which took us right to the campground. Check-in was quick, efficient, and exceptionally friendly. We were escorted to back-in Site 55, which was an easy back-in and one of the more spacious sites in the campground. We were glad we chose this site over one of the pull-throughs, which appeared much closer together. The long gravel pad easily accommodated our 40-foot fifth wheel and F-450, with well-positioned utilities. Since we were only overnighting, we did not disconnect. We received two bars on both Verizon and T-Mobile. The campground Wi-Fi was adequate for checking email and general browsing but not streaming. There are plenty of mature trees throughout the campground, so Starlink availability will vary by site. We chose not to deploy ours but believe Site 55 would have provided a usable view of the sky. The campground also features a fenced dog park that is large enough to actually throw a ball and let your dog run. Overall, this is a clean, well-maintained KOA with friendly staff, spacious back-in sites, and a convenient location, and it will definitely remain on our list of campgrounds for future visits to the Chattanooga area.
Stacy S.TravelerSkull Island Campground
Great campground!
Amazing view, right on the lake. Quiet and pleasant, with great people supporting the park. Will come back again soon!
- MMary H.Guide
Greeter Falls Campground
Greeter camp grounds
Absolutely amazing, there were beautiful trails/hikes right down the road and it was very clean and the set up itself was just so impressive.
- HHannah P.Traveler
Chester Frost Park
Lakeside spots
Visiting family in Chattanooga who love this campground for their lakeside spots which we were sure to reserve early. Fun to swim directly at your campsite at the Smokemont loop. We like to run and bike, but there wasn’t much for options other than a VERY hilly loop of Gold Circle which still required a short time on the busy Hixon Pike. Beach area looked nice but didn’t use it as we swam at the campground and also from family’s boat. Bathrooms are as expected for a campground, I think the Windy Hills loop has a nicer bathroom and also would be closer to the playground.
Mary D.GuideOld Mill Camp and General Store
Best Campground YET!
If you are looking for the perfect escape, this place is an absolute hidden gem! The entire property is beautifully landscaped, and you instantly feel completely tucked away from the rest of the world. It is directly across from the entrance of Cummins Falls State Park! Site 12 is THE BEST spot! The last photo shows a better view of the campground layout.
Here is what made it a 5-star stay for me:
The bathrooms and showers were exceptionally clean and well-maintained.
The grounds are immaculate and peaceful to walk through.
A general store with a little deli. Super convenient for grabbing a quick, delicious bite, souvenirs, and snacks
Everyone working here was incredibly kind, welcoming, and helpful.
It is rare to find a spot that feels this peaceful and secluded while still being so well taken care of. 10/10 recommend!
I had no issues with cell service: T-mobile There is wifi, but it is spotty and not too strong.
Guide to Spencer
Spencer, Tennessee offers camping options near the Cumberland Plateau at elevations between 1,000-1,800 feet. The region features limestone bluffs, hardwood forests, and multiple waterways that create a diverse camping landscape. Weather patterns can change quickly, with temperature drops of 15-20 degrees possible in fall evenings compared to daytime highs.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground provides access to multiple waterfalls beyond the main attraction. "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. Make sure you do three things while you're there: hike to the bottom of the big waterfall (Fall Creek Falls), swim in the cascades next to the nature center, and stand on the edge of the bluff at Buzzard's Roost," notes Myke C.
Kayak the confluences: Rock Island State Park Campground sits where two rivers meet, creating diverse paddling conditions. "You can paddle both directions with ease, and there are several waterfalls nearby, also Rock Island State Park is about 1.5 miles by water. The boat traffic is minimal so paddling is easy," reports Lori H., who stayed at nearby Horseshoe Bend Marina.
Off-grid disconnection: Hammock Sway offers a true escape with minimal infrastructure. "From the open hilly land that we chose as our site (plenty of solar power!), to the pine forests and incredible creek, this is by far our favorite campground on the East side of the States," writes Kayla N. "We were able to filter creek water to drink (Berkey), we had plenty of space/privacy, and the eggs were fresh and perfect with breakfast."
What campers like
Platform camping at Edgar Evins State Park Campground: The unique elevated camping platforms address the park's sloped terrain. "The sites are tiered and you will get a workout if your walking from one level to the next, which if you need the showerhouse, you will be on certain tiers," writes Shelly S. "The campground is unique and in some cases, if your pulling/parking an RV, challenging! First campground I've ever been to that you park on a deck."
Primitive hiking options at Virgin Falls State Natural Area: The backcountry sites require physical effort but reward with solitude. "I hiked out to the Caney Fork River Campsite with the Nashville Backpacking Meetup. The trails were really clearly marked, so they were easy to follow despite all of the leaves on the ground, and there were plenty of signs indicating where to go. The site is less than half a mile away from the falls, and has really easy access to the river for water," reports Joshua C.
Clear night skies: The region's minimal light pollution creates stargazing opportunities. "Very dark at night time, especially with little moon, the stars were jaw dropping," reports Joseph M. about Fall Creek Falls. Similarly, at Hammock Sway, a visitor notes it provides "freedom and true disconnect from society."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Fall Creek Falls has distinct camping areas with varying experiences. "Campground A & B are great for families with kids. C & D are more quiet. Pay attention to grades of sites when booking, you might need extra supports to level out," advises Richard F. One camper warns about Area C: "The camp slots on area C are so close to one another that most people couldn't use their fire pits for fear of burning their own tent, or their neighbor's."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Spencer, TN?
What camping is available near Spencer, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Spencer, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 178 campgrounds and RV parks near Spencer, TN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Spencer, TN?
Which is the most popular campground near Spencer, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spencer, TN is Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 145 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spencer, TN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spencer, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Spencer, TN.
What parks are near Spencer, TN?
What parks are near Spencer, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Spencer, TN that allow camping, notably Center Hill Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
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