Top Dispersed Camping in Tennessee
Looking for the best Tennessee dispersed camping? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Best Dispersed Camping Sites in Tennessee (35)
1.
Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
Signal Mountain, Tennessee11 Reviews39 Photos235 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
2.
Lost Creek - Cherokee NF
Reliance, Tennessee9 Reviews18 Photos215 SavesLost Creek Campground is located along the banks of Big Lost Creek. This primitive campground offers remote camping and is surrounded by dense forest and creeks. Lost Creek Campground is open year round. Sites are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. While staying at Lost Creek, campers can enjoy fishing in Big Lost Creek (note: special regulations are in effect for fishing in Big Lost Creek).
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
- Picnic Table
3.
Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
Hilham, Tennessee8 Reviews60 Photos50 SavesOverview
Dale Hollow Lake Primitive Camping is a unique series of 32 locations with a total of over 70 individually designated family campsites dispersed over 620 miles of shoreline. Campsites are located in both the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. Primitive camping offers a unique rustic lake front camping experience. Remote locations along the shoreline offer campers a peaceful nature experience. Most designated tent sites are accessible only by boat; while a few can be reached by country road.__ Campers are advised that these areas are remote, primitive sites. Toilets are vault/pit type outhouses. Campers desiring on-site attendant, security and law enforcement services are encouraged to use developed campgrounds where such services are provided. These services are not provided for primitive camping.
Recreation
Dale Hollow Lake, with its crystal clear water and forested hillsides, is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Dale Hollow is renowned for its fishing opportunities and holds the world record for smallmouth bass and is known as a trophy smallmouth lake. Boating and water skiing are popular activities, and with 27,700 surface acres of water and 620 miles of shoreline, there is plenty of space for campers to explore the lake.
Facilities
Primitive camping sites are remote and accessible by boat; a few have vehicle access. Each location is designated and marked. Each area has a vault or pit type toilet and a ground grill or fire circle. Tent camping is permissible within the designated areas. Cove Creek, Eagle Creek Ferry, Gunnel's Camp, Jones Chapel, Plank Yard, Red Oak Ridge A, and Taylors Ford are the only locations which provide for vehicle access. All areas are considered pack-it-in, pack-it-out locations with minimal services. Campers are expected to bring plenty of water and garbage bags. Cove Creek is the only location with drinking water.__ Camping is limited to a 14-day stay within a 30-consecutive day period.
Natural Features
Dale Hollow Dam and Lake was completed in 1943. Although the dam was built for flood control and power generation, it has now become a recreational oasis for more than 3 million visitors each year. The dam is located on the Obey River, about three miles east of Celina, Tennessee. Surrounded by a thick expanse of forest, the clear blue lake creates a stunning scenic backdrop for a variety of water and land recreational activities. In the late fall through early spring, the American bald eagle can be spotted flying overhead or perched on low-lying limbs. Dale Hollow hosts the second-largest wintering eagle population in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Charges & Cancellations
Full rules and reservation policies for fees associated with changes and cancellations can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies__ There is no fee to make a reservation. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A $10 service fee may be charged to changes made to an existing reservation (see full policies for when this is applicable). A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night___s recreation fee for a campsite. Applicable fees, including service/cancellation fees and change fees, are non-refundable and subject to change. No refunds for recreation use fees may be made locally at the lake.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
$5 / night
4.
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Spring City, Tennessee8 Reviews21 Photos66 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
5.
Citico Creek Area
Tallassee, Tennessee6 Reviews12 Photos130 SavesView of Citico Creek in Cherokee National Forest This area provides opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. You will find ample opportunities for fishing, horseback riding, camping, and hiking. With more than 20,000 acres of Wilderness in Citico Creek and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, this area provides ample opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. Catch both native and stocked trout in Citico Creek and its rugged tributaries, and fish for small-mouth bass and catfish in the creek’s lower reaches. Citico Creek Area Map Citico Creek Area Guide
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
6.
Sourwood Campground
Coker Creek, Tennessee4 Reviews9 Photos242 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Market
- Firewood Available
- Toilets
7.
Calderwood Lake Primitive campground
Croatan National Forest, North Carolina3 Reviews38 Photos178 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
- Alcohol
8.
Bi-Color Campground (Catoosa WMA)
Lancing, Tennessee4 Reviews23 Photos24 Saves82,000 acres of wild land on the upper Cumberland Plateau in both Morgan and Cumberland counties. This area offers some of the best hunting in East Tennessee! This area is home to deer, wild turkey, wild boar, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, ruffed grouse, raccoons, quail, rabbits, and mourning doves. For your fishermen, the game include smallmouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, and muskellunge. Although the area is funded by hunters and fishermen, it is popular with all outdoor enthusiasts! Backpacking is very popular in the area, as well as whitewater rafting! The area has many deep cut canyons created by the rivers and streams, and offers access to beautiful scenery unlike anywhere else. The many trails allow access to the back country, but perhaps the best known path is the Cumberland Trail which passes through the area.
Overnight camping is allowed on designated areas. The area is closed to entry between sunset and sunrise.
Bicolor Entrance N 35.993 W -84.678
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
9.
Neville Bay
Bumpus Mills, Tennessee3 Reviews1 Photo41 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Trash
10.
Goforth Creek Campground A
Reliance, Tennessee2 Reviews15 Photos34 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Drinking Water
- Alcohol
Showing results 1-10 of 35 campgrounds
Popular Camping Styles in Tennessee
Pet-friendly camping in Tennessee
Prentice Cooper State Forest Dispersed
235 Saves
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
Lost Creek - Cherokee NF
215 Saves
Lost Creek Campground is located along the banks of Big Lost Creek. This primitive campground offers remote camping and is surrounded by dense forest and creeks. Lost Creek Campground is open year round. Sites are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. While staying at Lost Creek, campers can enjoy fishing in Big Lost Creek (note: special regulations are in effect for fishing in Big Lost Creek).
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
Dale Hollow Lake - Primitive Camping — Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
50 Saves
Overview
Dale Hollow Lake Primitive Camping is a unique series of 32 locations with a total of over 70 individually designated family campsites dispersed over 620 miles of shoreline. Campsites are located in both the states of Tennessee and Kentucky. Primitive camping offers a unique rustic lake front camping experience. Remote locations along the shoreline offer campers a peaceful nature experience. Most designated tent sites are accessible only by boat; while a few can be reached by country road.__ Campers are advised that these areas are remote, primitive sites. Toilets are vault/pit type outhouses. Campers desiring on-site attendant, security and law enforcement services are encouraged to use developed campgrounds where such services are provided. These services are not provided for primitive camping.
Recreation
Dale Hollow Lake, with its crystal clear water and forested hillsides, is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. Dale Hollow is renowned for its fishing opportunities and holds the world record for smallmouth bass and is known as a trophy smallmouth lake. Boating and water skiing are popular activities, and with 27,700 surface acres of water and 620 miles of shoreline, there is plenty of space for campers to explore the lake.
Facilities
Primitive camping sites are remote and accessible by boat; a few have vehicle access. Each location is designated and marked. Each area has a vault or pit type toilet and a ground grill or fire circle. Tent camping is permissible within the designated areas. Cove Creek, Eagle Creek Ferry, Gunnel's Camp, Jones Chapel, Plank Yard, Red Oak Ridge A, and Taylors Ford are the only locations which provide for vehicle access. All areas are considered pack-it-in, pack-it-out locations with minimal services. Campers are expected to bring plenty of water and garbage bags. Cove Creek is the only location with drinking water.__ Camping is limited to a 14-day stay within a 30-consecutive day period.
Natural Features
Dale Hollow Dam and Lake was completed in 1943. Although the dam was built for flood control and power generation, it has now become a recreational oasis for more than 3 million visitors each year. The dam is located on the Obey River, about three miles east of Celina, Tennessee. Surrounded by a thick expanse of forest, the clear blue lake creates a stunning scenic backdrop for a variety of water and land recreational activities. In the late fall through early spring, the American bald eagle can be spotted flying overhead or perched on low-lying limbs. Dale Hollow hosts the second-largest wintering eagle population in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Charges & Cancellations
Full rules and reservation policies for fees associated with changes and cancellations can be found at https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies__ There is no fee to make a reservation. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A $10 service fee may be charged to changes made to an existing reservation (see full policies for when this is applicable). A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night___s recreation fee for a campsite. Applicable fees, including service/cancellation fees and change fees, are non-refundable and subject to change. No refunds for recreation use fees may be made locally at the lake.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
$5 / night
Jackson Island Dispersed Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
66 Saves
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
Citico Creek Area
130 Saves
View of Citico Creek in Cherokee National Forest This area provides opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. You will find ample opportunities for fishing, horseback riding, camping, and hiking. With more than 20,000 acres of Wilderness in Citico Creek and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, this area provides ample opportunities for solitude and backcountry experiences. Catch both native and stocked trout in Citico Creek and its rugged tributaries, and fish for small-mouth bass and catfish in the creek’s lower reaches. Citico Creek Area Map Citico Creek Area Guide
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Trash
