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Established Camping

Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

Rock Creek Campground, near Wartburg, Tennessee, is a primitive camping area that offers a peaceful escape right by the Obed Wild and Scenic River. With designated tent sites featuring picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern hooks, it’s a great place to unwind and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Visitors appreciate the easy access to the river and nearby trails, making it perfect for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing. One camper mentioned, “The Obed area is very inviting for fishing, hiking, and rock climbing,” highlighting the outdoor opportunities right at your fingertips.

The campground is known for its quiet atmosphere, even when full, allowing for a comfy evening under the stars. While there are no electric hookups or potable water, the vault toilets are clean and well-maintained, ensuring a decent level of comfort. As one reviewer noted, “The vault toilet had no flushing water but was clean and didn't have a smell.”

If you’re looking to explore, the Cumberland Trail begins right at the campground, offering fantastic hiking options. Just a short drive away, the town of Wartburg has what you need if you run out of supplies. Whether you’re here for a night or a weekend, Rock Creek Campground provides a great base for outdoor adventures.

Description

National Park Service

Obed Wild & Scenic River

Overview

Rock Creek Campground is located near the Emory River in the Obed Wild and Scenic River.

Recreation

Whitewater paddling is available seasonally in the Obed WSR. Rock climbing is another challenging activity, as is boulder climbing. The Obed WSR sports several unique trails for hikers, most notably the Point Trail and a portion of the Cumberland Trail. Those who like to fish will enjoy the Obed WSR, as a variety of bass, bluegill, catfish and other fish populate the river. Birdwatching is also a fun activity, particularly during the migratory seasons.

Natural Features

The Obed River winds through the Cumberland Plateau offering a variety of recreational activities for everyone.

Nearby Attractions

Just a few miles from the park is Frozen Head State Park which encompasses more than 24,000 acres of forest with mountainous terrain at an elevation from 1,340 feet to over 3,000 feet. Catoosa Wildlife Management Area is an 82,000 acre preserve with a focus on hunting and fishing but offering a wealth of other recreational activities as well. Lone Mountain State Forest is 3,600 acres and has 15 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.

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Location

Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River is located in Tennessee

Detail location of campground

Directions

From the East: Take State Route 62 West, then veer to the right onto State Route 27. Make a left onto Kingston Street, and follow the brown Obed road signs to the visitor center on North Maiden Street. To continue on to the campground, stay on North Maiden Street until reaching an intersection. Stay straight on North Maiden Street crossing Main Street/Old Hwy 27 until you reach Spring Street. Turn right onto Spring Street and continue on to the sharp left-handed curve where the road becomes Catoosa Road. Stay on Catoosa Road for approximately 5.5 miles until reaching the entrance of the campground. From the West: Take State Route 62 East, then make a right onto State Route 27 South. Make a right onto Kingston Street, and follow the brown Obed road signs to the visitor center on North Maiden Street. To continue on to the campground, stay on North Maiden Street until reaching an intersection. Stay straight on North Maiden Street crossing Main Street/Old Hwy 27 until you reach Spring Street. Turn right onto Spring Street and continue on to the sharp left-handed curve where the road becomes Catoosa Road. Stay on Catoosa Road for approximately 5.5 miles until reaching the entrance of the campground. From the North: Follow State Route 27 South into Wartburg. Make a right onto Kingston Street, and follow the brown Obed road signs to the visitor center on North Maiden Street. To continue on to the campground, stay on North Maiden Street until reaching an intersection. Stay straight on North Maiden Street crossing Main Street/Old Hwy 27 until you reach Spring Street. Turn right onto Spring Street and continue on to the sharp left-handed curve where the road becomes Catoosa Road. Stay on Catoosa Road for approximately 5.5 miles until reaching the entrance of the campground. From the South: Follow State Route 27 North into Wartburg. Make a left onto Kingston Street, then follow the brown Obed road signs to the visitor center on North Maiden Street. To continue on to the campground, stay on North Maiden Street until reaching an intersection. Stay straight on North Maiden Street crossing Main Street/Old Hwy 27 until you reach Spring Street. Turn right onto Spring Street and continue on to the sharp left-handed curve where the road becomes Catoosa Road. Stay on Catoosa Road for approximately 5.5 miles until reaching the entrance of the campground.

Address

PO Box 429
Wartburg, TN 37887

Coordinates

36.070204 N
84.663308 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups

Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed May. 22, 2023

Tent site only

Overall great. Site 1 is open so a small pull behind can fit in parking area. Tents only on sites. Lots of shade. Toilet is vaulted, no water. Easy access to Obed River and trails. Don’t come in from north east, to bad of rd. Wartburg is paved.

Site1
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Michael W., May 22, 2023
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Michael W., May 22, 2023
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Michael W., May 22, 2023
  • (15) View All
Reviewed May. 3, 2023

One night stay

Comfy evening. Quiet even though it was full. Connected to good trails.

Site7
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Donald W., May 3, 2023
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Donald W., May 3, 2023
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Donald W., May 3, 2023
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Apr. 10, 2022

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.

Site11
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Katrin M., April 10, 2022
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Katrin M., April 10, 2022
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Katrin M., April 10, 2022
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2021

Great location for stargazing

Nice, simple, quiet place. Many things to do from there- Nemo tunnel, Catoosa WMA, several hikes. 

This is a dark sky park, a neat thing to experience.

Reviewed Oct. 12, 2020

Compact place

This campground had about 10 sites all very close together except site #1 which was right near the main parking lot the volt toilets stunk bad worse one I’ve been in we stayed for 2 nights and it wasn’t cleaned at all the iron bridge was pretty though!

  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Melanie , October 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Melanie , October 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Melanie , October 12, 2020
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2019

Great place

Well kept campground. Outhouse available. Easy water access. Cumberland trail access. Good 14+ mile hike to great swimming at Devil's Breakfast Table

Reviewed May. 9, 2019

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.

Site4
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Davina B., May 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Davina B., May 9, 2019
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Davina B., May 9, 2019
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Oct. 10, 2018

Beautiful area

Trash, showers, restrooms. The spaces are pretty close together which isn’t my favorite. But the best part about this campground is the convenient location. Close to the recreation area. Just a short drive is the Obed boulder field and the Obed river.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Kate K., October 10, 2018
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Kate K., October 10, 2018
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Kate K., October 10, 2018
Reviewed Oct. 2, 2018

Remote and beautiful.

Many beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. Bring extra shoes because the trails cross creeks and streams! Much fun. Spend the day or the weekend!

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 18, 2018

Private

Small private campground. Beautiful area. Couldnt ask for a nicer place to camp.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2017

Great access to whitewater and nature

Our friends who are avid whitewater paddlers took us here. It’s a small campground with simple amenities, amazing old growth forest. There are so many great hiking trails here, plus some rock climbing/bouldering. Note that there are some areas with similar names further east near the Appalachian Trail.

Yay: Simple and beautiful camping here! Rangers check in periodically and had great recommendations.

Nay: no potable water but plenty nearby to treat.

Surprise: Make sure to visit Lone Mountain State Forest as well. There are rafting tour companies nearby

  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Lynn G., September 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Lynn G., September 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River by Lynn G., September 30, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River has water hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River?

    Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River allows vehicles up to 20 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River?

    There are 13 campsites at Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts