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Best Dispersed Camping near Tallassee, TN

86 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Tallassee, Tennessee centers around the Cherokee National Forest and surrounding Citico Creek area, with several free primitive sites situated along creeks and lakes. The region includes multiple dispersed camping zones in both Tennessee and nearby North Carolina, with notable locations including Citico Creek Area, Calderwood Lake Primitive Campground, Lake Santeetlah, and Long Hungry Road. Most sites are situated on public land with varying levels of seclusion and natural features, particularly along waterways where campers can enjoy creek or lake access.

Access to many dispersed sites requires travel on unpaved forest roads, with several locations needing high-clearance vehicles for optimal access. The Citico Creek area features numbered sites spread along a gravel road, while Lake Santeetlah offers both drive-up and boat-up primitive camping options. Most areas provide basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary significantly between locations. A recent review noted, "These campsites are extremely spread out, allowing for private camping," though some sites may have issues with previous campers not practicing Leave No Trace principles. Visitors should come prepared with all necessary supplies as drinking water is limited or unavailable at most sites.

The camping experience varies across the region, with Lake Santeetlah receiving particularly positive reviews for its views and accessibility. Campers appreciate the natural setting and water access, with one visitor describing Calderwood Lake as "an amazing place to spend 4 nights. Our site was a quarter mile peninsula that we had to ourselves." Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the area, particularly for birds and butterflies. While some sites remain relatively pristine, others face challenges with litter. One camper at Citico Creek mentioned, "we picked up so much trash in and around our site that it was sad," highlighting the importance of proper waste disposal when visiting these free camping areas. Most sites fill quickly during peak seasons, especially weekends, so midweek arrival is recommended.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Tallassee, Tennessee (39)

    1. Citico Creek Area

    6 Reviews
    Tallassee, TN
    7 miles
    Website

    "This campground is great for being right next to great day hikes and easy access to Citico Creek, which was just across the gravel road from our site."

    "No hookups, but a majority of the 14 sites are on the creek itself. Could not recommend Citico Creek more."

    2. Lake Santeetlah Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Croatan National Forest, NC
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 479-6431

    "Campground Review:

    The Nantahala National Forest, due south of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is chock full of free semi-developed campsites – some are drive-up, some are boat-up, and"

    "We got a spot right on the lake. It was nice and quiet. The view was great for watching the sunset. I think there was a pit toilet but we didn’t check it out."

    3. Calderwood Lake Primitive campground

    3 Reviews
    Croatan National Forest, TN
    8 miles

    "You are right in the little slickrock cover with waterfalls as white noise. unlike the other sites this one is also very flat which is best for walking. if you enjoy hiking campsite one is right on the"

    "If you are willing to bring everything with you, pack everything out, and paddle multiple miles on a nonmotorized finger lake, this is this place for you!"

    4. Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    14 Reviews
    Robbinsville, NC
    19 miles

    "Each has a picnic table, fire pit/grill, and level area for 1-2 tents (a few can accommodate more if you’re ambitious), and lake views (most have lake access if you want to put in a kayak or canoe)."

    "The only downside to this campground is that for half of the sites the parking is across the small access road. This would be most ideal for tent camping."

    5. Lake Santeelah Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Robbinsville, NC
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 257-4200

    "I was hoping to car camp a little closer to NOC but not in a campground but this is the closest I could find in February. I would definitely stay here again!"

    "GPS coordinates got me exactly to where I wanted to go. Lots of twists and turns going up the dragon with beautiful scenery of the trees changing colors in late October."

    6. Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry

    1 Review
    Croatan National Forest, NC
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (828) 479-6431

    "The hike in is quite difficult. we boated into slickrock cove off of Calderwood lake and walked from there to the sites. which was only about 1.5 miles. so a lot easier than the whole 13.5 mile hike."

    7. Sourwood Campground

    4 Reviews
    Coker Creek, TN
    18 miles
    Website

    "You could pretty much drive by this place without giving it a second thought. I am glad I didn't. We got there late after 1pm. I was afraid that we were out of luck."

    "Google maps brought me to a spot 30 miles away"

    8. Citico Creek

    Be the first to review!
    Tallassee, TN
    7 miles

    9. Beach Creek Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Croatan National Forest, NC
    11 miles

    10. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

    9 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    35 miles
    Website

    "The lost cove campground can be found deep in the wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest outside of Benton, TN. The campground is operated and maintained by the USFS."

    "We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Tallassee, TN

116 Photos of 39 Tallassee Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Tallassee, TN

86 Reviews of 39 Tallassee Campgrounds

  • Steve V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2022

    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.

  • Kaylee D.
    Apr. 4, 2021

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Absolutely gorgeous!

    Wow! Amazing primitive campsites! Each has a picnic table, fire pit/grill, and level area for 1-2 tents (a few can accommodate more if you’re ambitious), and lake views (most have lake access if you want to put in a kayak or canoe). Sites are so spread out it feels like you’re the only one on the lake! Most parking next to campsites could fit camper van or tiny trailer and at the end of the road there is a turn around space if needed; however every site has steps down to the level area (L9 has the longest straight down hill to the lake), so you won’t be parking right next to the site if that is a problem...it wasn’t for me). Just drive carefully( lots of big potholes and blind curves)! Overall, a beautiful area to set up camp (up to 14 days)! I didn’t want to leave.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Creekside Camp

    Very primitive

    No picnic tables or pit toilets. Flat campsites next to a very nice creek.

  • Natalie R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 9, 2024

    Lake Santeelah Dispersed

    Quiet, nice spaces, and clean!

    Such a great find! I was hoping to car camp a little closer to NOC but not in a campground but this is the closest I could find in February. I would definitely stay here again! Very quiet and clean and the sites are very well laid out and maintained! No hook ups of any kind but it’s worth it! Highway Patrol and Park Rangers patrol pretty frequently so I felt really safe as a solo female. I still took all the safety precautions but didn’t feel as necessary as some.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2021

    Siler Bald Trail Shelter TR 373

    Trail Shelter along the Appalachian Trail

    Siler Bald is not to be confused with Silers Bald, which borders the NC/TN state line in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Siler Bald is actually in the Nantahala National Forest and is close to Wayah Bald along the Appalachian Trail. The shelter is aptly named after the adjacent mountain bald. I first went to Siler Bald many years ago but did not go to the trail shelter. This second time, I did go to the trail shelter, which is about nine-tenths of a mile past the Siler Bald summit if you are hiking north on the Appalachian Trail. If you are hiking from Wayah Bald, it is a little over three and a half miles. Since this is a trail shelter, it does not have electrical hookups. You will need to take a water filtration system for fresh water. Instead of searching for firewood, we used my old Coleman stove for dinner. Surprisingly, there were no other groups in the shelter the night we stayed there. The best things about this trail shelter are its proximity to the Appalachian Trail, the quietness you’ll experience since it is away from major highways, and its proximity to the Siler Bald summit. The summit provides a fantastic 360 degree view since it is a grassy bald, but it is a steep climb from the base to the summit. This is not an RV campground, and you do have to pack everything in(and out). You cannot go to the store to get supplies without hiking a long way, so be prepared. Overall, I loved it because of its peace and solitude.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2022

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Great peaceful spot

    The only downside to this campground is that for half of the sites the parking is across the small access road. This would be most ideal for tent camping.

  • William S.
    Sep. 25, 2021

    Albert Mountain Firetower Dispersed Campsite

    This one's for the hikers

    You can access this campsite by various means, but do your research and save yourself as many steps, because make no mistake, this is a serious hiking trail (a mile to a mile and a half, depending on route) up to the Fire Tower. 

    Part of the Appalachian Train, once you park your car or hike in, you'll make your way uphill over crude-cut rocks, tree roots, and muddy, narrow paths. Hiking poles are strongly recommended. The path down is just as treacherous as the path up, as moisture from the mountain drips down over craggy footholds. 

    While the path is popular with hikers, anyone camping should consider using a very small pack, especially since some of the trails have nothing but a chasm on one side. 

    Once you make it to the Fire Tower, however, all is forgiven. The site from the bottom is breathtaking, and you can see, well, forever. Heading up the tower (the very top is closed to visitors and mothballed), you get an almost full 360º panorama of the surrounding valleys and mountains. 

    The camp site itself is very rustic, no amenities other than a rock fire ring, and does not face the vistas. There's a weak LTE signal at the top, but be prepared to lose your signal along the way.

    Side note: I came through the Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory, which has numerous signs posted that you cannot camp there. However, it's part of the larger National Forest and it's not exactly clear where camping begins to be allowed, as there were several rustic sites along the trail at the upper end.

    If you do come driving through the Coweeta Hydrological Laboratory path, be prepared for narrow, steep gravel lanes. And keep in mind that if you do park your car on one of the (few) spaces available, you're going to be very far from it, and the site didn't appear to be patrolled in any way.

  • amanda R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Great site!

    This was such a nice quiet campground. We arrived around 8am and got the first campsite we saw. This is the most established dispersed campsite that I’ve stayed at as it has a fire circle, a grill and a picnic table. It’s very quiet and very few cars passed. There’s a walking/hiking trail across the lake where we saw some hikers and some people on horseback. The site was very clean minus a few pieces of trash that we later picked up. The dogs loved it because our site was right on the lake. We drove down the gravel road to check out the other campsites and they all seem great if you’re tent camping! We car camped and our campsite was perfect because it had a parking space right in front of it whereas the other sites had parking spaces across the road. Overall a great place. I can’t wait to go back!

  • Katie A.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2021

    Long Hungry Road Dispersed Campsites

    Convenient and just as described!

    On a road trip from WV to GA I was so happy to have this free, quiet campsite right on the water! Great option for anyone that wants to paddle around. I opted for site #5, gave good views, and all the sounds of nature into the evening. Picnic bench, fire ring, and flat tent pad are all you get, and all you need. I felt safe as a solo traveler, other sites are a good distance apart. The written driving directions from other reviews are helpful, it's a dirt road, but not too rough. Would recommend!

Guide to Tallassee

Dispersed camping near Tallassee, Tennessee, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these spots are perfect for adventurers seeking solitude and beauty.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Tallassee, Tennessee

  • Many dispersed camping areas, like Citico Creek Area, provide a peaceful environment, but it's essential to pack out what you pack in to maintain the natural beauty.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities; for instance, Sourwood Campground has no drinking water or electric hookups, so bring your supplies.
  • Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially during peak seasons, as sites can fill up quickly, particularly at locations like Calderwood Lake Primitive campground.

Enjoy fishing and swimming while free camping near Tallassee

  • The Citico Creek area is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, with bass and bluegill readily available for anglers.
  • If you're looking for a refreshing swim, the nearby Wolfcat Falls, accessible from Harold Parrish Lower Camp - Backcountry, offers a beautiful swimming hole surrounded by nature.
  • Many sites, such as Lake Santeetlah Dispersed, provide direct access to the water, making it easy to enjoy a day of fishing or swimming right from your campsite.

Dispersed campers should check out Lake Santeetlah

  • Lake Santeetlah Dispersed features stunning views and is perfect for those who enjoy a lakeside experience while camping.
  • This area allows for both drive-in and walk-in access, making it convenient for various camping setups, whether you're in a tent or a vehicle.
  • With amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, sites at Lake Santeetlah offer a comfortable experience while still embracing the essence of dispersed camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Tallassee, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Tallassee, TN is Citico Creek Area with a 3.3-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Tallassee, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 39 dispersed camping locations near Tallassee, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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