Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

Very nice campground. So hard to believe it is free!! All sites clearly marked. Trash bins and vault toilet 🚻

The road in was twisty, and some spots had ruts. I came through when the road in was not muddy. A 2 wheel drive with decent clearance will be fine. Even a Jeep can make it in. ;) I was close enough to the stream that I could hear it babbling all night long. It was wonderful. Some spots were right on the water, but they were taken. Saw mostly car/truck camping with tents. There was one van camper and also two enclosed trailers (trailers were than 18 ft in length). I could easily see this place filling up.

Nice but super crowded on the weekend.

It’s a free campsite so it’s first come first serve and everyone we’ve met so far there have been the friendliest of people. There’s a drop toilet which are pretty still smell though. Each campsite has a concrete table, fire pit, and tent platform. Some have direct access to the creek. Great hikes around and good place to fish and hunt.

I’ve ridden a bike through here several times over the years and finally we got to stay here . Super quiet when we were there in March . Toilet could be cleaner but at least it’s there . Nice creek view through the side of the campground , likely no cell service unless you go one way or another up the mountain . Many places to explore on bike or hiking . Super remote area , ride were in decent shape , I could see them being bad after a heavy storm . Gravel 7 miles to here .

This is a great spot in the river. Picnic tables, fire ring, pit toilet and all you hear is the river at night. No cell service and its first come first served for a spot

This little site was a great get away, except for the dogs. We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived. There are rest rooms and bear proof trash bins, we chose to set up our own restroom. The highlight would definitely be the creek. There are spots that you can swim around in. We apparently went during hunting season. Had to have been a dog sport. Too many dogs running around and barking throughout the night. Other than that we enjoyed our stay.

Small, off the beaten path campground. Nice creek on one side, seems lightly used.

The lost cove campground can be found deep in the wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest outside of Benton, TN. The campground is operated and maintained by the USFS. Once leaving the pavement of the main road and traversing a well maintained gravel road for 7 miles you will reach the Lost Cove Campground. A portion of campground adjoins a small creek. The creek can be used for shallow water wading or fishing. During our visit in Mid January there were no other visitors at the campground. The campground offers concrete picnic tables, lantern post, a pit toilet and bear safe trash receptacles. There is no potable water available from a spicket and no Verizon cell reception.

Your classic primitive campground. No generators, water, or porta potties. How camping in the forest should be!

This campground is incredibly clean + quiet—and completely free. It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest, with easy creek access (some sites are right beside the creek), and the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside it. Sites can accommodate tents and small RVs, complete with concrete picnic tables and a fire ring. The restroom, although primitive (no water—bring along some hand sanitizer), is incredibly clean. Sites are pet friendly and relatively private. Really fantastic place to stay!