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Best Tent Camping near Rickman, TN

772 Reviews

Tent campers visiting Rickman, Tennessee have access to several undeveloped and established campgrounds in the surrounding area. Holleman's Bend Camping Area, located along the Cumberland River near Granville, offers free primitive tent sites with riverside camping options. Tuscarora Glade provides a more secluded tent camping experience with access to dark skies ideal for stargazing, while the Reflection Tree Art Farm features walk-in tent sites with basic amenities including drinking water and picnic tables.

Most tent camping areas near Rickman require campers to bring their own water or have a filtration system. Sites at Holleman's Bend are positioned on mixed terrain with some on gravel surfaces and others on grassy areas along the river's edge. Fires are permitted at most locations, though campers should bring their own firewood or purchase it locally. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many campgrounds, particularly at Holleman's Bend where reviewers note no service is available. A 14-day stay limit is enforced at some locations, with rangers occasionally checking camper information and vehicle plates.

Areas farther from the main camping zones offer increased privacy for tent campers seeking solitude. The dark sky designation in Pickett County makes Tuscarora Glade particularly appealing for tent campers interested in astronomy, with minimal light pollution providing exceptional stargazing opportunities. Many tent sites feature established fire rings and some primitive locations allow camping directly alongside the water. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers appreciate the peaceful riverside settings despite occasional nighttime sounds. According to one visitor at Holleman's Bend, "It was quiet and peaceful. I woke up early enough to see the sunrise and the fog coming off the river. Simply magical."

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Best Tent Sites Near Rickman, Tennessee (28)

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29 Photos of 28 Rickman Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rickman, TN

772 Reviews of 28 Rickman Campgrounds

  • Stephanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2019

    Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground

    Ranger Review: The Dyrt Reservations at Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am occasionally compensated for staying at and reviewing campgrounds. I was given the opportunity to stay at Mountain Glen RV Park and Campground in order to test the new reservation system through The Dyrt. The reservation system works extremely well--it is fast and efficient, and save the trouble of using a third party reservation system after finding a campground you like on The Dyrt. I look forward to more campgrounds joining TD's network!

    Mountain Glen is a new campground, located about an hour northwest of Chattanooga, and it is absolutely beautiful. There are a total of 8 tent sites and 41 RV sites, set next to a lake and a gorgeous view of a farm. Amenities include picnic tables, a playground, fishing, horseshoes, corn hole, a game room, a camp store, and laundry facilities, showers, and flush toilets with electricity (and heat!). It is also a short drive to Fall Creek Falls State Park, for anyone looking to enjoy the hiking near the falls without the overnight crowds the state park brings in. 

    The RV sites occupy most of the campground, and accommodate trailers ranging from 60' to 90'. All sites have electric and water hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and most have small grassy areas for dogs, kids, or even grown ups to stretch out and rest. RVs are also available to rent.

    Tent sites 1-3 are listed as “primitive” sites and have no electricity or water, however it is a short walk to the office where water is available. The road is visible from these sites, however there is a grassy meadow both between the sites and the road, and the sites and the lake, with woods bordering site 3. 

    Sites 4 and 5 are located closest to the picnic shelter, with a clear view of the lake. Sites 6-8 are next to the office/bathrooms. Site 6 is the smallest and 8 is the largest. All tent sites are fairly hilly, and accommodate small tents better than large based on limited flat space—though hammocks would work well!

    There is a trail that winds around the lake, and passes a beautiful spillway on the end opposite the office which is great for getting some shade, and a chance for kids to splash in some water. This end also has a picnic table for day use. I would love to see this area eventually become a walk-in campsite as it is definitely the most beautiful area of the entire campground!

    The owners here are extremely nice. We were greeted warmly on our arrival, and spent some time talking with them our second day. It is obvious they care about the campground and want campers to enjoy themselves and feel comfortable. We are tent campers and I was wary of staying somewhere more geared towards RVs, but what tent camping here lacks in privacy and wilderness, it more than makes up for in beauty, peace, and a feeling of home-away-from-home.

  • Katrin M.
    Apr. 10, 2022

    Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

    Nice little primitive campground on the river

    We camped here for one night on a Saturday. 

    The campsites have a fire ring, picnic bench, and lantern pole. Each campsite has their little parking space except site 9, 10, and 11. It is one parking spot for 3 cars and you have to walk about 100 feet. The campsites are very close together. We were very lucky with campsite 11 bc nobody around us showed up. Probably due to the bad weather the first day. The campsite was very spacious and was right on the creek. 

    There is no electricity or water at the campground. The vault toilet had no flushing water but was clean and didn't have a smell. The Obed area is very inviting for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing. There are trails that start right from the campground. If you need an escape from the daily grind, that's your place.

  • Davina B.
    May. 9, 2019

    Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

    Great Little Hiking and Fishing Spot

    Rock Creek Campground is the only campground for the Obed Wild and Scenic River National Park. It's a primitive campground with 11 sites for tents only. RVs are not allowed. There is a restroom for campers with pit style toilets. No potable water available, but there is plenty that you can treat.

    Each site has a picnic table, lantern hook, bearproof food locker, fire ring with grill, and a tent pad. Bearproof trashcans are located throughout the campground. A section of the Cumberland Trail begins at the campground. The Emory River runs right alongside the campground with easy access. There is no camp store, but the town of Wartburg is about a mile away if you need anything.

    Pros: Good hiking trails and great fishing. Easy access to the river. Restrooms available.

    Cons: The sites are very close together and it gets quite crowded during the summer months and on weekends. A public road runs right next to the campground so there is traffic at times when people are coming and going from work. No camp store or potable water available. Bathrooms are not kept stocked.

  • Christy E.
    Jun. 14, 2018

    Rock Island State Park Campground

    Beautiful area with many activities

    I stayed in the tent-only loop - a small group of 10 sites. It was quiet and had many trees for hammocks. Thus site offers level tent pads, a grill, fire ring, and picnic table. Clean bathrooms and hot showers available. The nearby swimming beach was great for the kids. Many short hiking options available. Make sure to visit the ranger station for a map and safety rules during water releases.

  • Davina B.
    May. 9, 2019

    Cumberland Mountain State Park Campground

    Great for RVs, Ok for Tents

    This campground is located within the Cumberland Mountain State Park. The sites are set up for RVs and it is very popular.

    Pros: There is no camp store, but there are vending machines available. There are restrooms available. Staff is in the office during business hours. There are 2 short hiking trails (less than 1 mile in length each). There are playgrounds, a lake for fishing, and a golf course. Each site has parking for 1 vehicle, a large gravel pad, water and electric hookup, picnic table, and lantern hook.

    Cons: site are very close together. Tents and RVs do not have separate loops. No camp store. No showers.

    Overall, this campground is set up to cater more toward those with RVs than people camping in tents.

  • Lori H.
    Aug. 4, 2019

    Pickett CCC Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful Night Sky, Quiet Camping

    Pickett State Park is a great spot to camp if you like peace and quiet, but don’t want to have to backpack in to a spot. Despite the small campground, it was pretty much empty on the first weekend in August when we stayed. It is near the Big South Fork, and Scott State Forest, so there’s lots of great hiking, horseback riding, river recreation, etc. nearby. From other reviews on The Dyrt, I learned the park is excellent for stargazing, and it is true, you will have amazing views at night, we slept in a tent without a rain fly, just so we could see the stars!

    The campground has several sites with electric and some without. We stayed in B1, which did not have electric. All the sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and the ones on the outside of the loops back up to the woods and trails. All the sites are spacious.

    The restrooms were clean, but they must be pretty old. There were some areas in need of tile repair, but it was just a cosmetic issue, so it didn’t bother me. The showers were nice, and everything was clean.

    The campground also has cabins, and those seemed to have more guests than the campground. They have a set of cabins that were connected, like apartments, and they have some larger, freestanding cabins too. They had a group site as well, but I did not go to it.

    The park has a lake with swimming area, and canoe/kayak/paddle board rentals, a swinging bridge, playground, tennis courts, a gigantic picnic area, and several great trails.

    This was a very pleasant find, and we will definitely return!

  • T
    Aug. 25, 2020

    Bandy Creek Campground — Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

    Very Nice Campground

    We camped two nights last week in Loop A, the tent only, nonelectric section. Being mid-week, there were not many people, meaning it was also nice and quiet. The sites are roomy, with a large tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, lantern hook, and a food storage locker. Yes, this is bear country, but we didn't see any during our visit. The bath houses are as nice as you're likely to find in a national park, with flush toilets, hot showers, and an outside sink for dish washing, etc. There is also a large, wheelchair accessible bathroom with roll-in shower. A water hydrant is available to fill jugs and tanks.

    We drove through the other loops to see what they look like, because Loop A isn't open in winter. Should we decide to camp here in winter, Loop B is the only section open. But, that will let us use an electric heater. 

    Be aware that some things are not open in 2020 due to Covid-19. The park visitors centers are still closed, the swimming pool wasn't open mid-week, and the check-in building was unstaffed when we arrived. There was a sign at the check-in point telling us to reserve and pay for our site using Recreation.gov. We had cell service there, so no problem. It you don't have service, drive across the road to the Camp Store (which is not always open) to use WiFi there. There is a note on the front door with the password. 

    There are so many things to do in Big South Fork and surrounding areas that you really need to just visit the park website and make a list of things to do. Some are easy and roadside, others not so much. For example, to hike the Twin Arches Loop Trail, you'll drive several miles of dirt roads to reach the trailhead and end up hiking about 6 - 6.5 miles. The description says the loop is 4.6 miles, which is true, but you have to add another 1.4 miles for the out-and-back from the parking lot to the start of the loop. The loop trail isn't bad, but the access trail has steep stairs. Anyway, find something you like and enjoy the Cumberland Plateau.

  • Deserrae P.
    Jul. 7, 2018

    Frozen Head State Park Campground

    Unexpectedly Very Nice

    I stayed at this campground for one night this past spring during April. My friends and I went rock climbing at the Obed and originally we were going to stay at the usual climbers campground spot. After checking it out and realizing we were unprepared to set up a tent in a gravel mud puddle we checked out frozen head's campground and it was so nice. The place we set up our tent was relatively dry for the cold, wet weather (about as good as it gets). The fire rings and picnic tables were great and so were the hiking trails. The best part was how big, nice, and clean the bathrooms were. The bathrooms were kept extremely warm for the weather.

    TLDR (Too Long Don't Read)

    • IDEAL location to camp if you are climbing at the obed
    • AMAZING bathrooms especially if you are camping in cold wet weather
    • would 100% return if I am looking for camping in TN
    • GREAT price
  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 25, 2019

    Edgar Evins State Park Campground

    A Campground with Lots to Do but with Interesting Tent Pads

    Edgar Evins State Park is a large park with lots of activities for young and old. However, if you want to stay in the campground, make sure to take a freestanding tent unless you have creative ways to keep your tent up. Most of the sites have wooden platforms, and the fire pits are beside the road. Perhaps most people like that sense of permanence, but I personally prefer solid ground or even gravel pads. Fortunately, the one I used was a free-standing tent. There is another option, and that is to stay in the primitive camping area. Of course, they are walk-in sites, but they are not far from where you park. I would normally choose the primitive camping area for a couple of reasons. There is a little more privacy, and you have soft ground on which to pitch your tent. Obviously, if you are an RV camper, staying in the primitive area does not apply. Unfortunately, it was better this time to choose a site that you don’t have to walk to. Out of all the state park campgrounds I have visited, the bath rooms in this state park are the best. They are modern with tiled floors, and the showers resemble ones you would find at privately owned campgrounds. There are several different activity options—volleyball, horseshoes, playgrounds, hiking trails, etc. There is also an aviary, a marina, a restaurant, and a couple of boat ramps. For the children, there is the“Storybook Trail.” For other overnight options, there are also cabins that you can rent. In retrospect, the primitive area would have been a better choice. It definitely would have been more quiet. No matter whether you stay in the primitive area or the regular camping area, you will encounter hilly terrain. The camp store is fully stocked with most of your camping needs, and there is also a laundry. Overall, Edgar Evins State Park was a good place to spend time, but again, I have my doubts about the wooden platforms.

Guide to Rickman

Tent camping near Rickman, Tennessee offers access to several primitive and undeveloped sites within the Upper Cumberland region. Situated at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, the area features a mix of hardwood forests and limestone outcroppings typical of the Highland Rim geographical area. Summer temperatures average in the mid-80s with high humidity, while fall brings cooler temperatures and less rainfall, making September through October prime camping months.

What to do

Stargazing in Pickett County: Visit Tuscarora Glade for exceptional night sky viewing. "Pickett County Tennessee is one of the few places in the world with a Dark Sky rating, meaning there is little to no light pollution. Tuscarora Glade is so dark at night and the stars are just so brilliant looking up through the opening in the Glade," notes camper Ralph M.

Kayaking on Center Hill Lake: Paddle directly from Horseshoe Bend Marina where you can reach Rock Island State Park within 1.5 miles by water. "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," shares Lori H.

Hiking the Cumberland Trail: Access trail sections directly from camping areas. At Rock Creek Campground, "There are many great hiking trails here, plus some rock climbing/bouldering," according to Lynn G., who notes the campground connects to extensive trail systems through old growth forest areas.

What campers like

Privacy away from crowds: Campers recommend exploring beyond main areas at Holleman's Bend. "Go past the main sites for more private sites. Easy to find, download a map on the way as you loose service 20 minutes out," advises Andrew K., highlighting the 14-day stay limit that rangers monitor.

Morning riverside views: The waterfront locations provide distinctive morning experiences. At Echo Valley Outdoor Oasis, campers can set up tents in more secluded positions away from the parking areas, allowing for waterfront views at sunrise when morning mist often covers the water.

Art-focused experiences: At Reflection Tree Art Farm, visitors appreciate the creative atmosphere. "My favorite thing about the farm is the solitude and peace that comes with the rural nature of the farm. I could sit on the porch forever enjoying listening to the birds, insects, and the buzz of life uninterrupted," shares Sarah G.

What you should know

Limited or no cell service: Most camping areas around Rickman have poor connectivity. At Holleman's Bend, camper Simon B. notes: "No Service (showed me how addicted i am). Other than that as described."

Download maps in advance: Navigation becomes challenging once you're in the area. Andrew K. advises: "Easy to find, download a map on the way as you loose service 20 minutes out."

Noise considerations: Wildlife activity can create nighttime sounds, particularly near water. At Holleman's Bend, one camper mentioned: "The water is BEAUTIFUL, though you'll hear fish splashing all night," indicating light sleepers should bring earplugs.

Limited amenities: Most sites require self-sufficiency. At Rock Creek Campground, Davina B. points out: "No camp store or potable water available. Bathrooms are not kept stocked."

Tips for camping with families

Pack water filtration systems: With limited drinking water at most sites, bring filters. Katrin M. notes at Rock Creek: "There is no electricity or water at the campground. The vault toilet had no flushing water but was clean."

Consider bathroom situations: Facilities vary significantly between sites. "The bathhouse was functional, but really only one person can be in there at a time, even with two toilets, as one is not enclosed," says Lori H. about facilities at Horseshoe Bend.

Bring entertainment options: Limited connectivity means children need offline activities. At Horseshoe Bend, they provide "a game room tent with ping pong, cornhole, jenga, etc. and they host a movie night sometimes!" according to Lori H.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many primitive areas have uneven terrain. At Liberty Oak Oasis, tent platforms provide level surfaces, but RVers face more limitations with only 2 designated sites and primarily walk-in access.

Advance planning required: RV accommodations are limited in the immediate Rickman area. "We are on site 9 and it's not the most leveled spot. We have a 25ft class C. Arrived at night & got lost due to hardly any visible signs," shares one RVer about their Horseshoe Bend experience.

Supply stocking: The remote location requires bringing supplies. "The campground is off the beaten path, so stock up before you get there!" advises Lori H. about Horseshoe Bend, where the nearest full-service stores are 20-30 minutes away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rickman, TN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rickman, TN is Holleman's Bend Camping Area with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rickman, TN?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Rickman, TN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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