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GuideJohn C. Campbell Folk School Campground
I'm excited about visiting this place and being secluded by all the greenery and enjoying the sound of silence… I heard it was a wonderful place to visit and stay!
Camping near Turtletown, TN
34 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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The Cherokee National Forest surrounding Turtletown, Tennessee provides a range of camping environments from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites along mountain streams. Thunder Rock Campground and Lost Creek Campground serve as primary camping areas in this Appalachian region, offering both tent and RV accommodations. Most established campgrounds maintain seasonal operations from April through November, though Lost Creek remains open year-round for primitive camping. The nearby Hiawassee/Ocoee State Park's Gee Creek Campground offers additional camping options with picnic tables, fire rings, and access to hiking trails, while Chilhowee Recreation Area provides both RV and tent sites with electric hookups.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many secondary forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall. "This campground is gorgeous and free. There are two sides of the camp, the camp side and the trail side. It is very, very high traffic on the weekends," notes one camper about a nearby free camping area. Most campgrounds in the Turtletown vicinity close during winter months due to weather conditions and limited maintenance, though several dispersed camping areas remain accessible year-round for experienced campers. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many camping locations, particularly those in valleys or remote forest sections. Campers should prepare for temperature fluctuations common in the Southern Appalachians, where elevation changes can create significant weather variations even in summer.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest visitor ratings across the region's mixed-use campgrounds. Several sites along the Ocoee River provide direct water access for swimming and fishing, though they tend to fill quickly during summer weekends. The proximity to whitewater recreation areas makes Thunder Rock particularly popular among paddlers. A visitor noted, "Great waters for whitewater rafters and kayakers to enjoy. For the hiking and biking enthusiasts the Tanasi Trail system that adjoins at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, just a short hike or drive from the campground." Campgrounds farther from main roads generally offer more solitude but fewer amenities. Wildlife sightings are common across all camping areas, with black bears occasionally reported, requiring proper food storage practices at all tent and RV sites.
Best Campgrounds near Turtletown (589)
1. Thunder Rock Campground
"Campsites are close to one another. If you camp at a site near the water, it is really nice, but everyone will walk by your campsite so they can go down the path to the river."
"Easy access off Hwy 64, so close to stores for food and firewood. Well maintained campsite with clean bathrooms and very clean, nice showers. Alcohol prohibited as think county is dry."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $20 / night
2. Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park
"Bath house is relatively nice for a state park campground. 1 mile walking path surrounding the grounds is nice. Safe area for bicycle riding. Great proximity to many outdoor activities."
"This sweet state park campground is tucked into a spot along Gee Creek, which is great for boating, fishing, and swimming in the summertime heat of Tennessee. "
29 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
3. Chilhowee Recreation Area
"My partner and I headed to nearby Chilhowie Campground in the Cherokee National Forest last year to try out our new teardrop camper. We chose site 1 in the A Loop as it had shore power."
"It has clean bathrooms with showers, fire rings with grill grates, lots of hiking, hike to a beautiful waterfall, huge lake to swim or float on a raft, and the lightning bugs were breath taking!!"
26 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $12 - $30 / night
4. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF
"A very well-kept campground given how off the beaten path it is. Most sites had tent pads and a concrete picnic table and were very clean. The garbage bins had been emptied so weren't overfowing."
"Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt."
5. Parksville Lake RV Campground
"Each site is a good distance away from the other and there is the constant sound of the creek flowing right next to it. The bathrooms are clean and right in the middle a perfect spot for a getaway"
"Easy to navigate around sites. Lots of shade. Close by Occoee White Water center where the Atlanta olympics took place. Plan your visit around the water release. There schedule is online. "
5 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $20 - $40 / night
6. Chilhowee
"Scenic views the whole drive up, followed by a safe, cozy campground with clean facilities and a great grouping of trails."
"The campsite was clean, and our site was a good distance from other campers. The campground has a nice hike to Benton Falls which is beautiful."
Check Availabilityfrom $12 - $20 / night
7. Morganton Point Campground
"Camped on lot 14 which was quite spacious with easy access to the water. Tent was located away from the fire pit and picnic table and the restrooms were close by."
"We were right next to the camp host, which was pretty nice – we didn’t have to go far to ask for wood or ice! Plus, there were trails leading right to the lake. "
7 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $30 - $50 / night
8. Persimmon Creek RV Park
"This is a beautiful secluded site just off of Highway 64/74 not too far from the Tennessee border. The campground is very well kept and has wonderful amenities for both RV and tent campers."
"I don't have a huge point of reference, but I can give you details on everything that was smooth
- Location - Just off a 4 lane highway. Convenient with easy access to your site. "
Check Availabilityfrom $55 - $900 / night
9. Top of the World RV
"Close to grocery stores & TONS of mountain goodness."
"As close to heaven as it gets"
2 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $50 - $60 / night
10. Hiwassee River Area
"Our first time here at the Hiwassee Outfitter camping area in Reliance, Tennessee. Most campsites have river view or stream view. One large circle, mostly tent camping. No electric hookup."
"This is a popular location for the regional university students so expect a bit of a hootenanny to surround and welcome you."
Drive Time
- 56 min from Cleveland, TN
- 1 hr 19 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 1 hr 39 min from Knoxville, TN
- 1 hr 44 min from Gainesville, GA
Recent Camping Photos near Turtletown, TN
762 Photos of 589 Turtletown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
WineDrops Creekside Camping Bills RV ParkingV
Winedrops Creekside CampingV
Wine drops Creekside camp & Bills RV ParkingV
Hiwassee River Area
Candy Mountain Goat Farmm
Lost Creek - Cherokee NF
Thunder Rock CampgroundW
Goforth Creek Campground E
Coker Creek Gold Campm
Foxfire of Murphy RV ParkA
Persimmon Creek RV Park
Recent Reviews near Turtletown, TN
1954 Reviews of 589 Turtletown Campgrounds
- MMadison S.
TravelerBlue Ridge Basecamp
Beautiful, small campsite
My family and I stayed here for our first ever family trip since we’ve all been grown - 5 kids, 3 boyfriends/husbands, 2 parents, 1 dog, so much fun. My parents stayed in one of the rentable RVs and my mom booked the 2 campsites next to each other on the little “island” for the kids, which gave us awesome privacy. The running water was amazing to listen to at night. My biggest complaint is the road noise, it’s close to an occasionally busy road for that area. Big 18 wheelers and motorcyclists using the road at times. But the campsite itself was beautiful and had so much open sunshine. They had recently added a bathhouse with 2 toilets and a shower, which was great. I will be back here.
- M
Michelle A.GuidePeachtree Cove RV Park
Little piece of Paradise
Left Pigeon Forge Tn. GPS took us on an adventure, route 129 The Tail of the Dragon 318 curves switchback and hairpins I was nervous but slayed it. Lol. Peachtree Cove RV Park is perfect for quiet camping. Dog run area stream or river at most sites. I had a reservation at Andrew’s Valley Railway Tour highly recommend both of these
- mmaggie V.
ScoutCandy Mountain Goat Farm
Welcoming, well-maintained, and peaceful campsite
I camped here with a friend last weekend and absolutely loved this place! It's a cute little site with a great host, clean bathrooms, free firewood, and super friendly dogs, goats, and people. I would for sure stay here again and recommend.
Jeff C.GuideParksville Lake RV Campground
Great little campground
Parksville Lake RV Campground is an absolute gem! I had a fantastic stay here. The campground is beautifully maintained, and the sites are nice, spacious, and wonderfully shaded by the trees. We loved the layout of the RV loop, especially the outer section where a peaceful creek flows right past the sites—the sound of the water at night was perfect. The restrooms and showers were exceptionally clean and well-kept. I had Starlink connectivity at my site and my WeBoost cell signal booster gave me up to three bars on AT&T. The campground host was incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. It's a wonderful, relaxing spot, and I will definitely be back!
- TTammy F.Guide
Lake Chatuge Dispersed
A sign on the gate says that the area has been closed "due to vandalism and unauthorized activity".
Adrian C.GuideNorth River Campground
Peaceful, low cost small campground with some creekside sites
This is one of several USFS campgrounds that are within a few miles of each other. The cost is only $8/night, first come first served. The sites are fairly large with about half of them on a wide, clear creek. There is no running water, but there are bear proof trash cans and vault toilets that were fairly clean, but didn't smell great.
There is free potable water and an RV dump station about a mile away at the North River Game Checking Station on River Road near the Spivey Cove campground..
The campsite was clean with picnic table, fire ring, and a lantern post. The fire ring was almost full of ashes and it appears that campers have to clean them out themselves.
The Green Cove Angler store is a couple miles away and has ice, firewood and other camper things.
Unfortunately, while we were there, it was bear hunting season and another camper had multiple barking and baying dogs that went on and on for hours.
- ssheila B.Scout
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Beautiful 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
Mark 'Tony' Z.TravelerPoteete Creek Campground
Friendly host, crowded camp
Water was very low and poor quality. Host was friendly but don’t buy his wood - it doesn’t burn well. County water tasted funny, probably minimal treatment. We had quite a hike to the restroom, which wasn’t regularly cleaned.
Guide to Turtletown
Turtletown sits in the Cherokee National Forest region of southeast Tennessee, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet. The area experiences mild springs and falls with summer temperatures averaging in the 80s, while winter can bring occasional snow. Campers will find a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping options, with several sites offering direct access to the Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers.
What to do
River activities: The Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers provide excellent options for water recreation. At Thunder Rock Campground, "whitewater kayakers can put on the river right from their campsite," according to Henry F. For rafting enthusiasts, Jennifer S. notes, "I took my son camping, river rafting, and ziplining last Labor Day weekend. We had a great time!"
Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect to campgrounds in the area. At Lost Creek Campground, "the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside it" makes it easy to start your hike right from camp. GoWhereYouAreDraw N. adds that Thunder Rock has "two trailheads in the surrounding area - Thunder Rock Express and Dry Pond Lead with parking available at the Campground entrance."
Fishing spots: Several campgrounds offer fishing access. Katrin S. describes the Hiwassee River Area: "We overlooked the Hiwassee on campsite 43. The river is smooth until 11am. We went fly fishing right from the campsite. The water gets released at 11am, so the current picks up and water levels will rise quickly."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate riverside camping. At Gee Creek Campground, Anna M. notes, "The Rangers check in daily and are very friendly. A trail runs the perimeter of the camp and the Hiwasee River runs next to the campground." Tyler J. simply states that Thunder Rock is "right next to the ocoee river. Wonderful spot."
Privacy between sites: Campsites with adequate separation are valued. Brian P. describes Gee Creek as a "nice campground with a new playground, hot showers and good river access." At Lost Creek, Scott E. mentions, "Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. The highlight would definitely be the creek. There are spots that you can swim around in."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with well-maintained amenities receive high marks. At Chilhowee Recreation Area, Jason L. notes, "This campsite was beautiful. Sites were clean. The bike trails were challenging." Even primitive sites like Lost Creek get praise - Charles H. comments, "This is a great spot in the river. Picnic tables, fire ring, pit toilet and all you hear is the river at night."
What you should know
Campground access: Some campgrounds require driving on forest roads. Lost Creek "can be found deep in the wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest outside of Benton, TN... traversing a well maintained gravel road for 7 miles," according to Gregg G. Similarly, Nathan G. notes about Chilhowee, "There is definitely a long drive (7 Mile) uphill to the campground, but it is definitely worth the drive."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Turtletown, TN?
What camping is available near Turtletown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Turtletown, TN offers a wide range of camping options, with 589 campgrounds and RV parks near Turtletown, TN and 56 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Turtletown, TN?
Which is the most popular campground near Turtletown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Turtletown, TN is Thunder Rock Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 24 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Turtletown, TN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Turtletown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 56 free dispersed camping spots near Turtletown, TN.
What parks are near Turtletown, TN?
What parks are near Turtletown, TN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Turtletown, TN that allow camping, notably Tusquitee National Forest and Croatan National Forest.
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