Campers visiting Whiteside, Tennessee can access a mix of RV-friendly locations and campgrounds in surrounding areas. Whiteside sits at 650 feet elevation near the Tennessee-Georgia border with a moderate climate suitable for year-round camping. Sites in the area typically open earlier in spring and stay open later into fall than higher elevation campgrounds in nearby mountains.
What to Do
Waterfall exploration: 15-minute drive from Greeter Falls Campground. "We only checked out the primitive sites while passing through the area. The sites had picnic tables and fire rings, but they were pretty overgrown," notes one visitor. The campground provides convenient access to multiple cascades. "There are 4 waterfalls according to their map. Unfortunately it was pretty dry so there wasn't much waterfall action. The upper falls was pretty cool," another camper shares.
Hiking trails: Access the Little Cedar Mountain Trail. Located near Shellmound RV Resort & Campground, this moderate trail offers scenic views of Nickajack Lake. "I24 goes right through Jasper, Tn and crosses an epically picturesque section of Nickajack Lake. Nickajack dam is within a few minutes of the I24 Jasper exit," notes one hiker who visited the area.
Water recreation: Swimming and boating options. "They have a swimming area that you can walk to which is nice," reports a visitor to Shellmound RV Resort. The water access points provide relief during warmer months. "You're next to a dock on the TN River, so water activities were easy & fun!" another camper mentions.
What Campers Like
Local attractions: Short drives to regional points of interest from Battlefield Campground & RV Park. "Battlefield Campground is an extremely convenient RV park located right of I-75 about 20 minutes south of Chattanooga. It is very easy to get to," notes one reviewer. Another camper shares, "Very close to Chattanooga, Chickamauga Battlefield, and Ringold/Ft. Oglethorpe."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bath houses. "Clean bath house and grounds. Friendly staff inside small camp store," notes a visitor to Greeter Falls Campground. Another camper at Wills Creek RV Park reports, "Clean, friendly staff, huge spots… great for a last minute stop, not far off the interstate!"
Internet connectivity: Varies significantly by location. "This place is great! The best part is the screaming fast internet! We work from home and the internet was so fast, people were amazed when I told them I was at a campground," reports a camper at 1776 RV And Campground. Others note service is spotty in valley locations throughout the region.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Fall crowds require planning. The popularity of fall colors in the region impacts availability. "We were there for the start of the fall colors changing and the views were awesome!" notes a camper at Wills Creek RV Park. Advance booking becomes essential during peak seasons.
Site spacing: Variable between campgrounds. "The sites aren't bad there's just no shrubs or trees or anything. It's just really good gravel and some grass and a picnic table," explains a visitor to Hawkins Pointe RV Park. Another reviewer notes, "most sites have a slight to moderate slope to them" at Little River RV Park & Campground.
Reservation policies: Not universal across all campgrounds. "They don't do reservations, which I really wish they did. But they will put a cone in your site if you call that morning," explains a camper about Shellmound RV Resort. This contrasts with other rv parks near Whiteside, Tennessee that offer advance booking.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "They have a fenced in dog park area centrally located in area c, seemed of good size with lots of trees. They have a little sand pit area for kids to play in," notes a family who stayed at Greeter Falls Campground. Another family reports, "Great experience for kids. Wonderful views and lots of open space to play in fields and walk. Kids can also zip line!" at Bigfoot Adventure RV park & Campground.
Swimming options: Natural water features accessible to children. "The day use area is very nice, manicured with a swimming area, dock and boat ramp. The water was surprisingly clear and COLD!" shares a visitor to Shellmound RV Resort. This provides family-friendly cooling options during warmer months.
Activity centers: Indoor options for rainy days. "They have an activity room, saw a projector screen in there and a table, they had an area behind the activity room, kind of like an outdoor hangout, lights, fire pit, chairs," describes a family who stayed at Greeter Falls Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain. "The sights weren't particularly level, all gravel and the grass appeared hastily sown over unleveled soil with large clumps of clay and rocks present," warns an RVer about Wills Creek RV Park. Having leveling blocks ready is recommended at most campgrounds in the area.
Navigation challenges: Mountainous driving demands caution. Steep grades and tight turns exist on approach roads to many campgrounds. "We stayed in Area C (sites 41 & 42) which is considered the Main Campus, has the camp office and bath house there. Our rv sites were gravel, required some leveling, had FHUs," notes an RVer at Greeter Falls Campground.
Utility placement: Check hookup locations when selecting sites. "We were placed in the new addition of the park, where the sites were very tight and the utility hookups where in a strange position (the neighbors' utilities actually were under our awning when extended)," warns an RVer about Wills Creek RV Park. This highlights the importance of confirming hookup locations when booking.
