Best Dispersed Camping near Spring City, TN
Searching for a dispersed campsite near Spring City? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Spring City, TN (20)
1. Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Spring City, Tennessee8 Reviews•21 Photos•94 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
2. Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Lancing, Tennessee4 Reviews•23 Photos•34 Saves82,000 acres of wild land on the upper Cumberland Plateau in both Morgan and Cumberland counties. This area offers some of the best hunting in East Tennessee! This area is home to deer, wild turkey, wild boar, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, ruffed grouse, raccoons, quail, rabbits, and mourning doves. For your fishermen, the game include smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, and muskellunge. Although the area is funded by hunters and fishermen, it is popular with all outdoor enthusiasts! Backpacking is very popular in the area, as well as whitewater rafting! The area has many deep cut canyons created by the rivers and streams, and offers access to beautiful scenery unlike anywhere else. The many trails allow access to the back country, but perhaps the best known path is the Cumberland Trail which passes through the area.
Overnight camping is allowed on designated areas. The area is closed to entry between sunset and sunrise.
Bicolor Entrance N 35.993 W -84.678
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF
Reliance, Tennessee9 Reviews•18 Photos•277 SavesLost Creek Campground is located along the banks of Big Lost Creek. This primitive campground offers remote camping and is surrounded by dense forest and creeks. Lost Creek Campground is open year round. Sites are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. While staying at Lost Creek, campers can enjoy fishing in Big Lost Creek (note: special regulations are in effect for fishing in Big Lost Creek).
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Picnic Table
4. Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
Signal Mountain, Tennessee11 Reviews•39 Photos•262 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
5. Citico Creek Area
Tallassee, Tennessee6 Reviews•12 Photos•137 SavesView of Citico Creek in Cherokee National Forest This area provides opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. You will find ample opportunities for fishing, horseback riding, camping, and hiking. With more than 20,000 acres of Wilderness in Citico Creek and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, this area provides ample opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. Catch both native and stocked trout in Citico Creek and its rugged tributaries, and fish for small-mouth bass and catfish in the creek’s lower reaches. Citico Creek Area Map Citico Creek Area Guide
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
6. Goforth Creek Campground A
Reliance, Tennessee2 Reviews•15 Photos•42 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
7. Goforth Creek Campground B
Reliance, Tennessee1 Review•9 Photos•20 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
8. Prentice Cooper State Forest Camp
Signal Mountain, Tennessee1 Review•3 Photos•33 SavesCamping is permitted at the Hunter's Check Station Camping area and the Davis Pond Camping area on a first-come, first-served basis. These primitive campsites have no sanitation facilities. Campers at the Davis Pond Camping area are required to be in the campsite by sunset and must remain in the campsite until sunrise. No in-or-out privileges with the exception of emergency purposes.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
9. Conasauga River - Dispersed Site Sheeds Creek Road
Cisco, Georgia1 Review•5 Photos•44 SavesFor visitors wanting to get away from it all, dispersed camping outside of developed campgrounds is allowed throughout Cherokee National Forest unless posted otherwise. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of water, trails, trailhead parking lots and developed recreation areas. Dispersed camping is free and no permits are required.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
10. Big Creek Primitive Camping Area
Reliance, Tennessee1 Review•6 Photos•93 SavesFor visitors wanting to get away from it all, dispersed camping outside of developed campgrounds is allowed throughout Cherokee National Forest unless posted otherwise. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of water, trails, trailhead parking lots and developed recreation areas. Dispersed camping is free and no permits are required.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Spring City
33 Reviews of 20 Spring City Campgrounds
- B
Bob P.
Guide
Creekside Camp
Very primitive
No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek.
- BBob P.Guide
Conasauga River - Dispersed Site Sheeds Creek Road
Easy access
Can be crowded on the weekends. Right on the river and pit toilets close by.
- TTam E.Guide
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Beautiful, but stuff stolen
Beautiful spot, early - mid April plenty of room & privacy.
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.
They took 2 bundles of wood, but left us some. Plenty of wood on the ground to use. Felt safe overall.
- Robert W.
Traveler
Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Nice Little Getaway
The GPS coordinates will get you directly to where you want to go there's probably about 10 to 15 campsites there was trash on a few of them. Overall it was a nice place to just go and get away. It is a hunter's Camp first and foremost so there were quite a few people setting up for this week's opening day but the ones I did talk to were all friendly even went and had a couple beers with one of them.
My dog snd I stayed for 2 nights and 2 days. Lots of wildlife sounds at night.
Also a random heard of cattle strols through every now and again.
I'd definitely come back around this time of year!
- Angie A.
RangerJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Excellent find
Dispersed camping with a glorious v view. Please pack out what you pack in. Some trash obvious yet cleaner now than past reviews. Camped right on the bank. Fire pits and concrete pads at most sites. Dumpster on site so please use it. Easy to find and private spacious sites available.
- Michael W.
LegendBi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Primitive at its best
Didn’t stay. To far out for me. Lots of knats. Dirt rd I , washboard out was north to Rock Creek campground steep downhill grade narrow. My opinion not for 5th wheel. No cell for miles
TNWoodsmanTraveler
Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
Moto Camping
Review from the perspective of a motorcycle traveler tent camping. Tent sites are near a frog pond. Access was a bit rough. Easy on a motorcycle but could be difficult for a car. Saw a copperhead while strolling around pond.
Ava R.Guide
Prentice Cooper State Forest Camp
Quiet but muddy
This is a great FREE spot right outside the hunters entrance of prentice cooper state forest. There are about 12 spots and it wasn’t crowded when we came on a Saturday. It is a bit muddy but it is manageable.
Rachel G.GuideBi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Jammed packed with hunters
I’d like to say this spot is beautiful, but I’ve seen better. Rifle season starts Nov 20. I’m 10 days early, and was a bit surprised just how many hunters are already here. I feel like I’m the only solo woman here, also seem to be the only Van lifer. Lots of RVs. The camp was pretty easy to find. There are fire pits, mine is full of garbage. The spots are pretty spacious but there’s no privacy. I won’t be staying here long.
- CChelsea H.
ScoutJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
End of season stay in autumn leaves
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. There's trash everywhere; we filled a 10 gal trash bag in a matter of 10 minutes. We've been enjoying our stay but sadly we're informed by a man driving around to be out by Nov 3 as they're closing the site for the season. Luckily this timing is fine for our plans but was a surprise as nothing is mentioned on sites or sign at entrance about this. Beautiful place, peaceful this time of year. Husband caught a bass & dogs enjoyed the shallow edge of the lake at our site. Would stay again!
Asher K.Legend
Goforth Creek Campground G
Backup option
This is an ok option if there are no other sites available. It is just a cleared-out area near the trail but doesn’t have an established fire pit. The only nice feature is that it is further up the trail and more private as well as has easy access to water.
Brandon B.TravelerJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Traffic
There is so much traffic at all times day and night. It gets pretty aggregating other than that they clean the Porta John a cpl times a week it's pet friendly and you can hang stuff from trees and lines
Steve V.Legend
Big Creek Primitive Camping Area
Remote Primitive Camping
This is a great off grid camping spot along a creek. There are about 7 spots here with most of them each able to hold multiple vehicles and set ups. We had 3 vehicles (two with rooftop tents and one with a small teardrop trailer) and we still had room for more set ups in the spot we set up in. All the sites have at least 1 fire ring, most had multiple.
This is primitive camping, so there are no facilities (no bathhouse, no power, no dump station, no trash, ect). It's all pack it in, pack it out. We had no service with Verizon.
This is also bear country, so you need to practice bear safety with your food and trash. We did not see any bears in camp, but did spot one just down the road the morning we were leaving.
There is hiking in the area and there are areas in the creek deep enough for wading and soaking.
This is along Forest Service Road 221 which this section of FS 221 shares driving trails such as the Big Frog Loop, the Georgia Traverse, and the Trans America Trail (TAT), so there could be lots of traffic with overlanders, adventure bikers, and off-roaders.
John B.GuideBi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Great Dispersed Primitive camping
This area is beautiful almost all times of the year! Plenty of wildlife and lots of shady areas. Alcohol is allowed in designated camping areas. Only saw one other camper on our trip this weekend so it was very peaceful. There was no accessible water near by so make sure you bring your own provisions. Haven’t got to explore much around the area by hiking. Found a nice creek a few miles on down the road. Other then that, great area and will most definitely be back soon!
Andrew R.TravelerJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Convenient and pretty
I've read reviews elsewhere of this camping area getting crowded and rowdy. We went during a relatively chilly weekend in early April and had no trouble finding a spot. It was quiet, private, and beautiful. I can see however how that may be very different during warmer months.
The campground is very easily accessible and has no facilities other than garbage bins.
- bbriGuide
Goforth Creek Campground A
Waterfall Parking
Parking lot is very small so be on the lookout for it. Must hike in!!!
- Asher K.Legend
Goforth Creek Campground D
Keep going
This was the smallest and worst site in my opinion along this trail. I would continue on to the next site. However, if you are concerned about crowds this spot will most likely be available. Check out my video below to get a better idea of the space.
- Asher K.Legend
Goforth Creek Campground C
Small site
This is a much smaller site along the trail with enough space for a single tent or a couple of hammocks. My suggestion would be to keep heading further up the trail if the first 2 sites are occupied. This one does have a nice firepit and easy access to water but so do all the other sites along the trail.
- Asher K.Legend
Goforth Creek Campground B
Across the creek
This is another large campsite that sits further up the creek and is pretty easy to find from the main trail. It is more open than site A but also a good option. The photos and videos below will give you a good feel for the space. This is also a good option for anyone who has trouble sleeping with loud water sounds since this site is much quieter than some of the others.
- Asher K.Legend
Goforth Creek Campground A
Closest to parking
This campsite is a backcountry site located along the Goforth Creek trail and is the closest to the parking area. It is also the largest of the sites with room for several tents. The site has really easy access to water for purifying or swimming. There is also a very large established fire pit. The hike up the creek is really beautiful and a much less traveled trail than others in the area. I highly suggest going all the way to the end and taking a little dip. The water feels wonderful on a hot summer day.
- KKimberly P.Scout
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Good when not overcrowded
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. Just not our style of camping. Seems the locals really come out in droves and packs the place. 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.
Jacob T.GuideJackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Closed by TVA
Arrived to find it closed. No one to talk to or call. Just closed. Same with Rhea Springs.
- Tiffany C.Scout
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Very sketchy
Very sketchy park. Vagrants mostly. You wouldn’t be able to leave your site unattended if you want to keep your stuff. Go across to Rhea springs. Nice,safe, free and beautiful.
Cole T.GuidePrentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
Great
Prentice Cooper is an amazing place and offers two campgrounds and several backcountry camping spots. There is a campground not too far after pulling in the gravel road that has some really nice spots. The other campground requires you to drive down a gravel road for approximately 7 miles and then down some trails that require high clearance. This campground is nice and tooked into the woods with a pond nearby. There are several OHV trails in prentice Cooper and the place can get very crowded on the weekends. Definitely recommend going during the week.
- Marguerite S.Traveler
Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
Pond Camping - Long drive
This really wasn’t bad! Other than us not being sure where to go. We drove for what felt like 20 miles down a well kept unpaved road from the entrance but I think it reality was only 5.5 miles. There’s a gravel lot next to the pond which is where we set up our rooftop tent on surprisingly 0° incline on all sides so we had a very level set up. There grassy are is fenced off but has multiple fire pits for dispersed camping. Not much for a weekend trip unless you want to hike and the hikes are pretty mediocre. There’s an overlook somewhere but we were just testing our gear so didn’t go searching for it. Would camp again if we had to but won’t go out of our way to stay here.
Benjamin C.GuidePrentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
We loved this place!
My wife and I are getting into Overlanding and we heard this was a good place for OHV trails and dispersed camping. We came down for just the day to check the Forest out. It was really wet and Sulfur Branch/Braddison was very torn up. We got stuck but was lended a hand. Other than that the place was taken care of and there was plenty of folks out that Saturday. The over looks are beautiful!! If your going to hit the trails either have a winch or wait till it’s dry! Have FUN
- Tyler J.Ranger
Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
Wonderful tn camping
A secluded spot in a protected forest not far from Chattanooga. You can camp at the ranger station, but your best bet is to drive out to the pond and camp in the middle of the forest
Guide to Spring City
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Spring City, Tennessee, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With various options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.
Tips for free and dispersed camping near Spring City, Tennessee
- Always pack out what you pack in to keep the natural environment clean, especially at places like Jackson Island Dispersed Campground, where some visitors have noted trash left behind.
- Be prepared for a lack of facilities; many areas, such as Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA), do not offer drinking water or toilets, so bring your own supplies.
- Arrive early to secure a good spot, as some locations can get crowded, particularly during weekends, like Lost Creek - Cherokee NF.
Scenic views for dispersed campers
- For breathtaking views, consider Citico Creek Area, where many sites are located right by the creek, providing a peaceful backdrop for your camping experience.
- Campers at Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed can enjoy the beauty of the forest while having access to various hiking trails and scenic overlooks.
- The Goforth Creek Campground A offers a picturesque setting with easy access to water for swimming and purifying, making it a great choice for those who appreciate nature's beauty.
Dispersed campers should check out Jackson Island
- Jackson Island Dispersed Campground is known for its spacious sites and privacy, making it an excellent choice for those looking to escape the crowds.
- Visitors have reported enjoying the natural surroundings and wildlife, with plenty of opportunities for fishing and hiking nearby.
- Keep in mind that while the area is beautiful, it's essential to secure your belongings, as some campers have experienced theft when leaving items unattended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Spring City, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Spring City, TN is Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with a 3.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Spring City, TN?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 dispersed camping locations near Spring City, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.