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Water

Established Camping

Ragland Bottom

Ragland Bottom, near Sparta, Tennessee, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the beauty of Center Hill Lake. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, many of which provide stunning lakefront views and easy access to the water for swimming, fishing, or kayaking.

Campers rave about the clean facilities, including well-kept bathrooms and showers, which make it easy to unwind after a day of outdoor activities. The campground is also equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings. As one visitor noted, “The bathrooms were incredibly clean and the site did not feel crowded,” highlighting the well-maintained environment.

For families, there’s a playground and a sand volleyball court, ensuring that kids have plenty to keep them entertained. Plus, with a market just a mile away, you can grab essentials without much hassle. If you’re up for a little adventure, Burgess Falls is only a short drive away, offering beautiful hiking trails and scenic views.

While some campers mentioned that the sites can feel snug, the friendly atmosphere and helpful hosts make Ragland Bottom a welcoming place to set up camp. Whether you’re here for a weekend escape or a longer stay, this campground has everything you need for a memorable outdoor experience.

Description

US Army Corps of Engineers

Center Hill Lake

Overview

Ragland Bottom Campground is located on the shores of the scenic Center Hill Lake on central Tennessee's Highland Rim. The lake stretches 64 miles up the Caney Fork River, where visitors come to enjoy boating, fishing and water sports. The 415 miles of forested shoreline provide excellent hiking, hunting and camping opportunities.

Recreation

Boating, waterskiing, canoeing and fishing are popular activities on the water. Anglers will find bream, walleye, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass. Below the dam, the Caney Fork River is one of the most productive trout fisheries in the state. Nine miles of hiking trails meander around the lake. The Red Post Trail is a short, but steep, two-mile trail that loops above the campground. Hikers who brave the moderately difficult climb are rewarded with beautiful overlooks of the lake and nearby Sligo Bridge and Marina.

Natural Features

Center Hill Lake is surrounded by lush mixed hardwood forests in the hilly Highland Rim region. Beautiful dogwoods bloom in the campground in springtime. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, squirrels and rabbits roam the wooded hills around the lake.

Nearby Attractions

Burgess Falls State Park is a 25-minute drive from the campground. Here, the Falling Water River drops approximately 250 feet, creating numerous breathtaking waterfalls. Hiking trails and overlooks help visitors enjoy the scenery. The large Native Butterfly Garden is a popular attraction within the park.

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Location

Ragland Bottom is located in Tennessee

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Smithville, Tennessee, take US-70 east for 8 miles. Turn left on Ragland Bottom Road and follow signs to the campground, located one mile from Sligo Bridge.

Address

1410 RAGLAND BOTTOM RD
Sparta, TN 38583

Coordinates

35.9774 N
85.7208667 W

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Access

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

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 2, 2023

Lakefront COE

This campground is another wonderfully affordable COE with gorgeous lakefront sites offering amazing views and water access on Centerville Lake. Electric and water hookups at each site. Large boat trailer parking on site. Bathrooms were clean. There was also a washer/drawer on site.

Site6
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Paul B., October 2, 2023
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Paul B., October 2, 2023
Reviewed Nov. 23, 2022

Wonderful place to camp next to lake.

This little campground is a hidden gem. The hosts are very helpful and friendly and the campground is well kept. Bath houses clean. Playground areas for the kids. Reasonably priced. A market a mile away that has a grill and most Necessities. So convenient.

Site25
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Oct. 25, 2021

Pretty but snug

This would be a great place for boats, fishing and swimming. We just stopped over for 2 nights because we were tired of driving, so we didn’t partake in any water activities. Beautiful lake though. The property is on a hillside with about 5 rows of tiered campsites. It felt a bit snug for me with little space between me and my neighbors. Nice and shaded, and the first 3 rows had lake views. The trees blocked our view but I was happy with the shade. Very nice & helpful hosts that walked us to our (drive through) spot. Bathrooms & showers were clean. Add a quick trip (20 min drive) to Burgess Falls - beautiful!!!

Site37
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Jan K., October 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Jan K., October 25, 2021
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Jan K., October 25, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2021

Great getsway

The drive in and out is rather steep but doable. The sites are great.

Site1 lake
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Bill P., July 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Bill P., July 9, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2021

Campground is okay

The camp host is as sweet as can be. I have nothing but nice things to say about him. The campground however is not as nice. We were at site 33 it was left trashed from I assume previous guests. The bathroom was not clean. People are not respecting this campground. The site was also only shaded during the morning hours. Mid day toward late evening it’s very sunny and no shade.

Site33
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Marissa G., July 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Marissa G., July 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Marissa G., July 5, 2021
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jun. 2, 2021

Beautiful Scenery and Friendly Staff

We really enjoyed our text stay at Ragland Bottom campground. Even with it being a holiday weekend, the bathrooms were incredibly clean and the site did not feel crowded. We stayed at tent only site 22 and it had power and water. The gravel was on the coarser side and the pad was a bit rocky, but I was able to stale our tent out with a 2lb mini sledge. I did not like that the fire rings were located outside the tent pads, but they did have rock surrounds and a grill. The site also had a charcoal grill and wood railing along one side which came in handy for hanging towels and such to dry. Plenty of shade and the views were very nice.

Site22
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Grant B., June 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Grant B., June 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Grant B., June 2, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2020

Awesome lake

Ragland Bottom is a great lakefront campground. It’s a very popular spot, and you’ll need to book well in advance. The lakefront sites all have water access right from the site, so you can launch a kayak, or throw out a line, or just go for a swim right from your site. Mostly all the non-waterfront sites have a view of the lake. You really can’t get a bad spot here. There’s nice hammock trees in the campground, and at most sites. The sites have fire rings and picnic tables. The bathrooms were clean and practical. The campground has a day use area, and a playground. Great spot for lake camping!

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Nate H., September 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Nate H., September 30, 2020
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Nate H., September 30, 2020
  • (14) View All
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2020

Deep in the Heart or Tennessee!

Snuggle deep in Ragland bottom Tennessee this nice Corps of Engineer campground is nestled. The campground is very well-kept. With plenty of room on the camping pads for all types and sizes of RVs. The area is absolutely stunning and beautiful.  it is also within a close distance of Sparta Tennessee and has many local convenience stores in the area.

  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Amurican L., August 26, 2020
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Amurican L., August 26, 2020
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Amurican L., August 26, 2020
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Apr. 23, 2020

Nice Campground for families or couples

We have camped here many times and have always had a great time.  Clean restrooms and friendly campers and host.  Have this campground booked a few times for this camping season.

Reviewed Jun. 18, 2019

Quiet Campground on the lake!

Ragland Bottoms is such a fun place to camp! The campground is right on Center Hill lake, and the lake is really nice and clean! We stayed on site 10, and had the perfect lake front spot! I know that sites 1-15 are all lakefront sites with electricity and water, and they book up fast, so if you want one of those you need to plan to book well in advance. They have walk in tent sites, as well as lake view electric sites.

There is a playground and sand volleyball court, boat ramp, and a hiking trail. Fishing is allowed in the lake, as well as swimming, kayaking, boating. Really great spot to spend a few days!

  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Lori H., June 18, 2019
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Lori H., June 18, 2019
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Lori H., June 18, 2019
  • (15) View All
Reviewed May. 13, 2018

Hide away

Ragland Bottom Campground is a nice place hid-away between Sparta and Smithville, Tn. Luckily The Dyrt has added a “directions” button that gets you there or you might miss it because there is no sign that I saw.

As with all US Army Corps of Engineers areas it has some rules that a little more strict than most state parks.(one is only 2 dogs allowed in day use/campground) The day use area has a fee which is included in you campground fee if your staying for a few days. There is also an annual fee for the day use area that applies to all the Corps sites. (In TN at least)

The retirees at the front gate are friendly and very informative. The couple I spoke to know the area pretty well too because they let me know where several attractions are. This campground is pretty cool in the way the sites are set up. RV’s are at lake edge, there are several walk in tent sites near the lake too. If you have your watercraft along direct put in is possible but it’s rocky. I didn’t walk the shore so I’m not sure how easy the out in would be. There are RV sites up the hill and then a long loop along the hill top where you can park next to your tent site and have a nice view if the area and excellent shade.

Site 48 and 51 would be the least private they are right on the road near the front gate. Site 55 is very private but the farthest from the showerhouse.

Things to do in the area aside from watersports, Burgess Falls State Park. A little busy but worth the visit. If you don’t mind a technical hike Windows Falls Natural Area is part of Burgess excellent hike with some awesome natural features. No dogs in the natural area.

Site45
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Shelly S., May 13, 2018
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Shelly S., May 13, 2018
  • Review photo of Ragland Bottom by Shelly S., May 13, 2018
  • (12) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Ragland Bottom have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Ragland Bottom has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Ragland Bottom?

    Ragland Bottom allows vehicles up to 125 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Ragland Bottom?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Ragland Bottom, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Ragland Bottom have wifi?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Ragland Bottom does have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Ragland Bottom?

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

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Ragland Bottom?

    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 Ragland Bottom. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Ragland Bottom, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Ragland Bottom?

    There are 57 campsites at Ragland Bottom and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts