Fishing, hiking, and OHV riding draw campers into Prentice Cooper State Forest & Wildlife Management Area, a large tract of public land outside Signal Mountain, Tennessee. The forest has two designated campground areas, Davis Pond and Hunter's Check Station Campground - Prentice Cooper State Forest, plus backcountry sites scattered across the property for those willing to hike in. Davis Pond sits in a more open setting beside a small bass pond, while Hunter's Check is set deeper in the woods near a big game check building. Neither site has hookups. Reaching Davis Pond means driving roughly five to seven miles down an unpaved gravel road, and the gates close at dark, so late arrivals are not an option.
The two areas have noticeably different characters. Davis Pond has a gravel lot, multiple fire pits in a fenced grassy area, and hammock-friendly trees nearby. Anglers report catching largemouth bass in the pond with some regularity. One reviewer noted landing four fish in about fifteen minutes. The backcountry options require more searching, as the roads are dense with few obvious pullouts, but those who find a spot tend to have it to themselves.
Weekends bring OHV traffic to the forest's trail network, including ATVs, dirt bikes, and jeeps. Dust from the roads can reach camp on dry days, and one recent camper noted that noise from a nearby gun range and dirt bikes starts early in the morning. No riding is permitted after dark, which cuts down on overnight disturbance at Davis Pond. Cole T. recommends going during the week to avoid crowds. Fall brings color to the tree canopy, and at least one reviewer mentioned interest in returning to swim at a nearby waterfall during warmer months.
The pit toilets at Davis Pond have drawn consistent complaints across multiple reviews. Treat this as a no-facilities site for practical purposes and plan accordingly. Campfires are permitted, pets are allowed, and cell service is listed as available. The forest is also a wildlife management area, so checking Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency season dates before visiting is worth doing if you are not a hunter. TNWoodsman notes that "access was a bit rough" and spotted a copperhead near the pond, a reminder that this is genuine backcountry terrain. Campers looking for a more developed setup can find campgrounds near Signal Mountain with a broader range of amenities.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsPrentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed is located in Tennessee near Signal Mountain
Coordinates
35.15481089 N
85.42724036 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 11/19/25
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 2/6/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/3/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 11/19/25
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 2/6/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 23 min from Chattanooga, TN
- 43 min from Cleveland, TN
- 1 hr 29 min from Rome, GA
- 1 hr 40 min from Huntsville, AL
