Best Tent Camping near Walling, TN
Tent campers visiting Walling, Tennessee have several established campgrounds within South Cumberland State Park and Savage Gulf State Park, offering both walk-in tent sites and primitive backcountry options. Horseshoe Bend Marina provides tent camping with water access, while the Stone Door and Savage Falls areas offer more secluded tent-only experiences. Most sites require advance reservations through the Tennessee State Park website, with many campgrounds situated near scenic waterfalls and hiking trails.
The terrain at most tent sites consists of level gravel or dirt pads with surrounding forest duff. Walk-in tent locations vary in distance from parking areas, ranging from short 50-yard walks at Stone Door to longer 1-2 mile hikes at Alum Gap and Savage Falls. Most primitive tent campgrounds provide fire rings and designated tent pads, though amenities are minimal. A visitor commented, "Alum Gap campground is a perfect choice for those new to backpacking, accessible via a straightforward hike of just over one mile." Potable water is available at some locations like Stone Door and Savage Station, but many backcountry tent sites require campers to filter water from nearby streams or carry in their own supply.
Tent-only camping areas throughout the region offer exceptional access to natural features and hiking trails. Sites at Alum Gap provide tent campers with proximity to multiple waterfalls including Upper and Lower Boardtree Falls and Greeter Falls, all within a short hiking distance. The Stone Door area features spacious, secluded tent sites with nearby access to dramatic overlooks and the Big Creek Gulf Trail. A camper wrote, "The campsites are secluded, but very close to the parking lot. There is an outhouse and drinking water close to the campsites." Summer months bring higher temperatures and more visitors to popular swimming holes beneath waterfalls, making spring and fall ideal for tent camping when temperatures are moderate and crowds are thinner. Most walk-in tent sites offer good separation between campers, providing privacy while maintaining the security of having neighbors nearby.