Gee Creek Campground, near Delano, Tennessee, is a family-friendly destination nestled within the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, complete with picnic tables and fire rings, making it a great place to gather around the fire and enjoy the outdoors.

Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, including well-maintained bathrooms and showers, which are a welcome relief after a day of adventure. The campground also features a playground for kids and easy access to nature trails, perfect for family hikes. One camper noted, “The kids loved the playground, and the fairytale story walk,” highlighting the family-friendly vibe here.

For those seeking outdoor activities, the campground is close to some fantastic kayaking and whitewater rafting spots. The Hiwassee River is known for its thrilling rapids, so if you're into water sports, you're in for a treat. Plus, the surrounding Cherokee National Forest offers even more opportunities for hiking and exploring.

While some campers mentioned that the sites can feel a bit close together, the friendly atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings make Gee Creek Campground a great choice for a weekend getaway or a longer stay. Whether you're here to relax or seek adventure, this campground has something for everyone.

Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Delano. Delano is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Delano camping trip.

Delano

The Best Camping Near Delano, Tennessee

Nice, spacious campsites. Pull through campsites with picnic tables, grills, fire rings and water spigots. Nice bathhouse that is cleaned multiple times a day. 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. The campground also has a playground to keep kids entertained. I definitely recommend if you are looking for a place to stay near the Hiwasee River

Gee Creek

This campground is very well-maintained. The bathrooms are clean with plenty of stalls + showers. The campsites are close together, but with all the trees, there's still a decent amount of privacy. It does get very crowded in the summer, so keep that in mind, but even being completely full, I still found it to be very peaceful and relatively quiet.

The big plus here is the ease of access to the Hiwassee River—perfect for paddling and swimming! It also borders the Gee Creek Wilderness, which has a gorgeous hike (with waterfalls), and Cherokee National Forest (lots of fun forest roads to explore).

Nice Campground + Great River Access

Nice campground with a new playground, hot showers and good river access.  it is, however, a little pricey like so many others.

Nice Campground

Campsites a bit close together. Many light hiking trails nearby. Eponymous creek was nice to sit near and listen. Plenty of shade.

Beautiful but crowded

A must!

This was a great group site for a group of 8 not-too-rowdy adults. Actually, it'd be ok for rowdier campers too. We had neighbors down the road the first night and only a large group of boyscouts out of eye/earshot the second night. There is no water or electricity at the group sites, but there are some porta-lets and water about halfway to the bath house central to the RV sites.

The site is surrounded by trees and connects to the nature trail which goes down to the Hiwasee, so there can be some mild foot traffic nearby. It's simple, with a firepit and maybe picnic tables. It's nice to be here rather than the crowded, active, noisey regular camping area. It's not super secluded, but it can feel like it at times.

At night, the lightning bugs and stars are perfect. It is really a great view. We walked down to the next site (G-8) to get a better view (away from our own lights and fire) and it was really fantastic. The river is no joke, it's fast and cold, but it's only a few minutes down the trail to wade in.

A white park truck rolls through every few hours to check on things.

Starry Group Site

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. We arrived in early December, and while the weather wasn’t warm enough to enjoy the water, it was warm enough for a lovely bike ride along the backroads of Appalachia. You are sure to meet some nice folk, as well as some real characters, in these mountain hollers.

The campground is well-kept and equipped with clean, hot showers and flush toilets in addition to each site having a picnic table, fire pit, and lantern pole. There is also a nice playground for the kiddos. The visitor center is small and the staff have quite a sense of humor with their displays during the Christmas holidays. Evidently the office manager is a seamstress! Check out pictures for what I’m referring to here.

A camping loop set back by itself is designated as a group area, which wasn’t being used when we were there, but looks like a fantastic place for large groups, scout troops, family reunions, etc.

Winter rates were $16 per night, but all the amenities were available to campers. Reservations are available throughout the campground during the main season, but it was nearly empty in early December, so we enjoyed a couple of nights of serious peace and quiet.

Nice & Quiet

Beautiful Creek

Very nice campground with large tent sites with fairly level ground capable of sitting 2 or 3 tents. Most have mature trees to hang hammocks. Very quiet during weekdays. 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. Friendly staff at the park office. Nice place! 

Quiet and safe 

During winter campground is very quiet, no power at sites, it does have hot showers. 

Great campground 

Nice

If you want to ruff it this is the way to go

The ruff way to camping

Geta a little crowded in the summer, but nice place for kids to ride bikes and such.

Nice family camping area, does get crowded in the summer and cost to camp.

Had a great family outing. Bathrooms were clean and site were nice too. 

Great time

Very friendly staff.  Clean facilities and nice playground.  Whippoorwill called through the evening which was cool.

Good quick getaway 

We visited Gee Creek Campground, located in the Hiwassee/ Ocoee Rivers State Park in a Sunday, and there was hardly anyone there. We had our choice of sites! The Hiwassee and Ocoee Rivers are known for great white water rafting, and there’s several outfitters in the area. 

The campground is right on the river, and you can actually hear the river flowing nearby. The sites are fairly wooded, spacious, and all we saw were very level. None of the sites have electric or water hookups. They all have fire rings and picnic tables. The campground is very quiet at night, with just the sounds of the river. 

There’s a group camp area, which looked like a field for dispersed camping. There’s a large playground too. 

I only saw one bathhouse, so if the campground was full, might be an issue, but it was nearly empty when we were there so it was ok. They were very clean and well maintained. 

Nice, quiet spot to camp near the river! 

Relaxing River Camping

This is a quaint little campground right on the Hiwassee River. A number of the sites are less than 15 yards from the river through some thickets. Each site has a cut out with access to the river. My favorite part of this campground is the ability to hear the river from pretty much anywhere in the campground. If you are looking for activities this Campground/Park is awesome for hiking, horseback riding, kayaking/tubing, fishing or just flat out relaxing to the sounds of the Hiwassee River. The restrooms are clean and sites fairly spacious. There is an awesome playground for those wanting to bring their children and the campground overall is extremely family friendly. 

Awesome Campground on the Hiwassee River 

On the Hiwassee River! There are lots of beautiful scenery, fishing, hiking to the Gee Creek falls, and floating down the river! If you get up early, you can walk out into the river, just be sure to watch for the water to rise! They let the dam open and it rises fast! Not far up the road, there are other places to go white water rafting, as well as hiking! The park rangers are awesome and are always eager to teach new things! The campground is great! Most of the sites are spaced apart well, so your not right up against your neighbors!

Peaceful 

Nice spot

There was plenty of porta pottys and lots of wide open flat campground 

Decent spot

This is such a clean campground. There are rangers that come by often, but it’s to make sure everyone is safe and having a good time. The campsites can be big or small. I love that where you park is concrete and your table is on concrete. No electric sites, but the bath house has several showers, running water, toilets, and a place to charge your phone. There is a hiking trail that is very easy. You can also float down the river here.

I love this place!

Had a two night stay reserved, Hurricane Zeta had other plans. We arrived after visitor center had closed, but were able to locate and set up camp before sun went down. We were staying in A-16 just next to the natural trail that takes you off the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park grounds and into Cherokee National Forest. Our site had views of the southern edge of the Appalachian mountains and they were “smokey” all day. It would be beautiful to camp here anytime of year. The less leaves the better the views.

We set our rain shelter porch and tent on the flattest part of the large campsite. All the sites I saw were pull through style. This seemed to be to make allowance for vehicles with trailers towing River recreational gear like canoes/kayaks and the like. It is park of the extensive Tanasi river recreation area. Other reviewers likely have more to say on this. We were there off season during late October.

The next day we went to the visitors center to check on the weather and found out were in the cone of what was becoming a hurricane zeta. At the time it didn’t look like it would be anything more than rain by the time it got there, I asked the staff member to let us know if the forecast changed to a situation where we should breakdown camp. She said of course. Very friendly and very on top it of it. Maps were readily available.

We went for a drive through the National Forest and enjoy the many views of the river. I would recommend downloading a map of the area on google maps before spending time out there as the connection is spotty. We made our way back to and we’re planning to hike a trail as the rain had stopped, when a park ranger cane by to tell us they were predicting a quicker arrival of the storm meaning it would be a lot stronger when it got to our area. He said he didn’t want to leave for the day before letting us know the conditions were not safe. We packed up and left. I very much appreciated this care for their campers. This experience speaks so highly of the Rangers. Every exchange was thoughtful and respectful. Would return anytime. As we are boaters, I think I would probably stick to off season.



Beautiful Primative Riverside Campground/Friendly Caring Rangers

Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park Campground is a quiet campground situated right on the Ocoee. The river has world class whitewater rafting in this area, so don’t think you’re going to be able to wade in the water. You most likely will be able to hear the water flowing from Your campsite, which is awesome. The sites are all spacious and there’s plenty of downed wood around for campfires. We came in on a Sunday, and the nearly had the whole place to ourselves. However, the restrooms could use a good cleaning. There’s so much to do in this area, there are several white water rafting outfitters, kayaking, biking, hiking, plus you’re just a short drive to Chattanooga. The area is such a scenic drive too. This is a great option in this area for family camping.

Really Great Area, Awesome River

The Gee Creek Campground is apart of the Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park. The state park/campground adjoins the Cherokee National Forest and sits on the north bank of the Hiwassee River outside of Benton, TN.  The park has a nice size bath house that is heated during the winter.  The showers are push valve with no temperature control, so you will periodically have to push the valve for water. There is an A and B loop. The sites on the North side of loop A are fairly uneven and would require a significant amount of leveling blocks if using a camper.  There is a nice nature trail that loops around the park. The park also offers a boat launch for river access. At the visitor center, fire wood can be purchased. There is also a bike maintenance stand at the visitors center. Just past the park, lies the  Cherokee National Forest where there are many options for outdoor recreation. Potable water is available from spickets placed around each loop. Each campsite has a concrete picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post.  Verizon service was moderate. 

TN State Park Bordering Cherokee NF 

Nice pull in paved spots for every tent site. Playgrounds and bath houses were kept nice and clean. The loops where the tent sites are can’t be quite busy so keep an eye on the kiddos

Family friendly

Stayed one night and will be back for a longer stay. The kids loved the playground, and the fairytale story walk. We also did a night hike with the ranger. Definitely one of our favorite camps this year. Bathrooms were clean, hiking close to the campground, 
we really recommend.

Great campground for families

Great spot close to some of our favorite kayaking rivers.

Power would make this so much better!

So the campsite is very open, flat and the spaces are pretty small. You can pretty much hear conversations from other campsites at yours. Honestly this is not my kind of camping, Walmart parking lot offers similar ambiance.

Campground itself is kind of lame- there is plenty to do outside of it.

Overall it was nice, but not my favorite place I’ve been to. I thought I chose a campsite right on the water, but we couldn’t actually see the water. However, we did walk around the site to where we could get in the water and it was really pretty there. There was a playground, the bathrooms were in pretty good shape, they had a dump site, and water. So yeah, my husband and I both liked it, but we would just visit some other campsites before coming right back to this one. 

Photos of Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park

Real photos from real campers