The Drift

Tucked along a quiet bend of the French Broad River just outside Newport, this primitive riverside spot delivers a true back-to-nature camping experience. Pitch your tent beneath the canopy of sycamores and oaks, just steps from the water’s edge. Listen to the constant rush of the river, watch herons glide overhead, and fall asleep to the sound of flowing water and tree frogs.

This is primitive camping at its purest—no hookups, no frills, just you, the forest, and the river. The access road pulls right off Highway 25/70 and leads down to a grassy clearing on the riverbank, making it an easy launch or overnight stop for paddlers, anglers, or road-trippers exploring East Tennessee’s back roads.