234 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Spring City, Tennessee range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites along Watts Bar Lake. Jackson Island Dispersed Campground offers free primitive camping with waterfront sites and minimal amenities, while Rhea Springs Recreation Area County Park provides more facilities including showers and toilets. Several campgrounds in the area support both tent and RV camping, with some locations like Fooshee Pass and Hornsby Hollow offering water and electrical hookups for longer stays.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with several sites subject to closure during winter months or for maintenance. Jackson Island Dispersed Campground typically closes for the season in early November, while other areas may have unexpected closures. Camping fees vary significantly—from free dispersed camping at Jackson Island to fee-based sites at Rhea Springs, which reportedly charges $10 for Tennessee residents and $22 for out-of-state visitors. Weather can affect camping experiences throughout the year, with spring and fall offering more moderate conditions. "We arrived on Oct 30 to find several spaces available, many of which are convenient pull-through spaces. All are right at the waters edge with fire rings," noted one visitor about Jackson Island.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Spring City area, with multiple campgrounds providing direct lake access. Many visitors highlight swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities as primary attractions. Several sites feature concrete pads and established fire rings, though amenities vary considerably between locations. Trash management appears to be an ongoing concern at some locations, particularly Jackson Island, where visitors have reported collecting significant amounts of litter. Crowding can be an issue during peak summer months, especially at free camping areas. A camper observed: "When it was free if you wanted to camp you would be so packed in there that it was miserable. Starting to charge here was the best thing Rhea could have done." Privacy and site spacing tend to improve during shoulder seasons when visitation decreases.
"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."
"Tons to do at one of Tennessee’s top state parks."
"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."
"Plenty of camp spots as well as the ability to park/camp right next to the water. (There’s no Water or Electric hookups) Also, not a lot of places selling firewood nearby."
"It's cash only $10 TN residents $22 outside TN"
from $10 - $22 / night
Check Availability"My husband and I really enjoyed this CG on the lake and was fortunate to stay in the front, quiet and uncrowded section of the park where sites are long, widely spaced, grassy and shaded."
"Good swimming, boating or fishing right from your lake side site. Will definitely be back"
"All are right at the waters edge with fire rings. There's trash everywhere; we filled a 10 gal trash bag in a matter of 10 minutes."
"Have been told that vehicles have been stolen so may want to watch your surroundings depending on the environment at the time. However police did patrol thru the area at night when we were there."
"Great Lakeside campground. I grew up camping here. It’s close to home and our favorite place to go locally. A lot of the sites are shaded. Sites are spaced out nicely and not on top of each other."
"Some of the lakefront spots had their own access to the lake and plenty of trees. The camp host was amazing!"
"There is a road close by but not a major freeway. It’s one of the quieter KOA’s I have stayed at. Pool is small but very clean. The store is well stocked and you can get hand dipped ice cream."
"It does sit right next to Highway 70 into Crossville and can be noisy but it didn’t bother us. Each bathroom is a private toilet and shower, very clean, nicely tiled and plenty of hot water."
"Easy access to fishing, small town feel, boat rental, bait and restaurant all on site. 40 min from Chattanooga for day trips. Bathhouse has HOT water and is clean."
"River nearby and a lake not far from the camp. A very unique camp site. The host are as friendly as they come. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to get away and enjoy the outdoors."
from $15 - $110 / night
Check Availability"Very nice area, close to a historic area and site seeing underground lake."
"For amenities there is a bouncy blob (dry), small pond with fountain and memorial bench, large playground for the kids, volleyball, basketball, I’m not sure what the game is next to the blob."
ScoutBeautiful view on the water. Not very full, which was nice. I came for some quiet and privacy and while it worked, there were just some that were very social. Haha
TravelerStillwaters Creek Campground is a hidden gem tucked away in the beautiful hills of Spencer, Tennessee, just a short drive from Fall Creek Falls State Park. The campground offers spacious full-hookup RV sites, cozy cabins, and tent camping, with plenty of room to relax and enjoy the outdoors. The property is surrounded by beautiful woods and features a peaceful creek, walking trails, a fishing pond, playground, and pavilion. The bathhouse has been completely renovated with updated showers and restrooms, and there's laundry available on-site. The campground also offers Wi-Fi and a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere. One of the best things about Stillwaters Creek is the setting. It's peaceful and secluded enough to feel like you're getting away from it all, but still conveniently located near some of Tennessee's best hiking trails, waterfalls, and outdoor attractions. Whether you're visiting Fall Creek Falls, spending a weekend with family, or just looking for a relaxing place to unwind, Stillwaters Creek is definitely worth checking out!
ScoutCalled the day of to ask if we could camp and set up after hours for that day and the next the lady told me yes i could pay in the morning i got here set up that night woke up around 8 am to go pay and reserve my campsite for the day and she told me they were booked even though she had told me the day before she had plenty of campsites. Then tried to tell me the only one she had was a $75 site for 4 people which is absolutely insane. She made snarky remarks and was overall incompetent in making sure the guests receive the right information the first time. Absolutely zero care that we set up not even 12 hours before to make us take it down and leave.
ScoutThis was a very nice campground! The tent areas are partially gravel so it helped the area be less muddy after rain. Beautiful view of the river and would be a great place to fish! Bathrooms are very nice! Comes with a nice fire pit and didn’t have to use own grate! Pet friendly! Staff was very nice and helpful!
Only complaint was some of their quiet hours were confusing. The quiet hours on the email said 10pm to 7am but then sign posted at bathroom was 11pm-7am for quiet hours.
GuideThis is our number one favorite place to camp. We are from Knoxville, TN and if we are wanting to camp for the weekend but avoid the drive, this is where we come! Area 1 site 25 is our favorite and we are super excited to stay at 108 and 109 in the future. The campground is beautiful. Area 1 is shaded with plenty of trees around making it feel like you're in a little forest, and of course fall is wonderful. Some sites have sewer. I have T-mobile cell phone and I have 3 bars at 5g and my husband has xfinity and has 2 bars at 4G.
Love this campground!
ScoutIt was such a great weekend getaway!! The bathrooms were nice and clean. We stayed in spot 20 and it was perfect! The staff were so kind and helpful. Overall great campsite
ScoutThis place is incredible. Especially for he kids. Ours want to go back again and again. Love it!
GuideLoved the park. Waterfalls, hiking, nice campground, overall very nice stay. Turns were a little tight but made it okay. Dump station looks like it was designed by someone who’s never dumped an RV. The sewer spot was elevated (above my dump connection!), and required stupid tactics (fill hose, shut valve, dump hose contents, open valve, fill hose………).
GuideMan, what a beautiful campground built in 1960s. We had the place to ourselves, right next to the creek. Rough terrain getting there but we have a ford Econoline that had no trouble. Hate I didn’t snag enough pictures.
Spring City's waterfront camping options sit on the 39,000-acre Watts Bar Lake, with elevations around 850 feet and average summer highs in the mid-80s. Most campgrounds in the area open from April through October, with several locations offering both primitive sites and those with water and electric hookups. Fall sees lower humidity and temperatures in the 60s, making it a popular season for tent campers.
Hiking trails nearby: Cumberland Mountain State Park offers multiple hiking options for campers. "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," notes one visitor to Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Fishing from your site: Several waterfront campgrounds have sites directly on the water for easy fishing access. A camper at Fooshee Pass Campground shared, "We got to watch fish jump and a crane fishing in the morning. Only caught small fish, but the kids had a blast swimming."
Water activities: Rent equipment at various locations around Spring City for lake recreation. "Easy water access if you are trailer boating. Single room shower house for men and women. Wonderful lake view sunset!" reports a visitor to Rhea Springs Recreation Area.
Relaxing at camp: Some campers prefer to simply enjoy their campsite's natural setting. A visitor to Fooshee Pass noted, "Gorgeous waterfront spaces from the entrance of the camp ground to the back... The views are absolutely stunning, even though the campsites are a little close together."
Spacious waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the lake access at Spring City area campgrounds. "My husband and I really enjoyed this CG on the lake and was fortunate to stay in the front, quiet and uncrowded section of the park where sites are long, widely spaced, grassy and shaded," shared a visitor to Fooshee Pass Campground.
Scenic landscapes: The natural beauty surrounding Spring City draws many campers. One visitor to Hornsby Hollow Campground commented, "The campground was one of the most scenic I've been to. Some of the lakefront spots had their own access to the lake and plenty of trees."
Swimming options: Lake swimming ranks high on camper favorites. A camper at Jackson Island Dispersed Campground reported, "Beautiful place, peaceful this time of year. Husband caught a bass & dogs enjoyed the shallow edge of the lake at our site."
Affordable options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable pricing. "This is one of the nicest free camp grounds I have been to. It is very clean and a number of campsite both RV and tent. Most are on the water where others you can see the water," noted a visitor about Rhea Springs.
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds close during winter months. A camper at Jackson Island Dispersed Campground shared, "We arrived on Oct 30 to find several spaces available, many of which are convenient pull-through spaces... We were informed by a man driving around to be out by Nov 3 as they're closing the site for the season."
Varying site conditions: Campsite quality and amenities vary widely between campgrounds. "I don't think we'd stay here again. The biggest reason, the very poor design of the water spigot and electric receptacle. The water spigot is in the ground right next to the mud, very hard to get to," noted a visitor to Fooshee Pass.
Weekend crowds: Popular free campgrounds can become crowded on weekends and holidays. A camper at Jackson Island Dispersed Campground warned, "We went this past summer and had a nice visit. There wasn't too many people but a few weeks later we drove thru and people were packed in like sardines."
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between locations. One camper at Rhea Springs noted, "The shower had no curtain so a bathing suit or a buddy would be needed to use this and have privacy. The water in the showers does get very warm, so that is a bonus."
Look for water activities: Kids enjoy campgrounds with swimming areas. A visitor to Cumberland Mountain State Park noted, "This is a larger state park that includes a restaurant, golf course, pool, etc. but also some nice trails to enjoy the natural beauty of the area."
Consider weather timing: Spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures for family camping. "We camped here in July but also stayed at the Inn during the spring. The Inn has a buffet style restaurant, all rooms overlook the lake, and there's a game room for the kids as well as a heated pool," mentioned a visitor to Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Check for noise levels: Some campgrounds are quieter than others, an important factor for families. A camper at Fooshee Pass shared, "The lake is shallow with a slow grade which was perfect for our young children. Everyone was friendly and respectful."
Pack security items: At less developed campgrounds, keep valuables secure. One Jackson Island camper warned, "Left to go on a hike & came back to our chairs & wood being stolen. Disappointing, but also the chance you take when leaving your personal items unattended."
Check hookup accessibility: Some campgrounds have poorly designed utility connections. A Fooshee Pass visitor cautioned, "The electrical, there is NO way to shut it off. The receptacle is about 12" off of the ground which means when you connect your surge protector, your connections are laying on the ground."
Confirm site dimensions: Sites vary in size and level ground. A camper at Cumberland Mountain State Park advised, "Most sites are small but was very quiet. Sites give you a lot of room."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer sewer hookups. "No sewer but do have dump station. Owners are friendly and helpful. They have a small playground, two swimming areas and a boat ramp. Sites are gravel and have a fire ring and concrete picnic tables," shared a visitor to Hornsby Hollow.
Look for pull-through options: Some campgrounds offer convenient pull-through sites for easier parking. A visitor at Rhea Springs noted, "I pulled into Rhea Springs later in the afternoon on a Wednesday and found a waterside site with ease. Though there were several other campers there it did not seem crowded at all as spacing of sites is well thought."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Spring City, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Spring City, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 234 campgrounds and RV parks near Spring City, TN and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Spring City, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spring City, TN is Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 146 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spring City, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Spring City, TN.
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