Best Dispersed Camping in Tennessee
Cherokee National Forest contains several free dispersed camping areas in eastern Tennessee, including Lost Creek Campground near Reliance, Citico Creek Area, and Sourwood Campground. These primitive sites typically offer fire rings and some have picnic tables, but most lack drinking water and shower facilities. Vault toilets are available at selected locations like Lost Creek and Citico Creek.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) manages Jackson Island Dispersed Campground near Spring City, which accommodates vehicles including larger rigs. The area features trash collection but no water or toilet facilities. Access is available via drive-in or walk-in routes. Road conditions vary by location, with some areas requiring high-clearance vehicles. "There is so much traffic at all times day and night. It gets pretty aggregating other than that they clean the Porta John a couple times a week," noted one camper about Jackson Island.
Prentice Cooper State Forest and Calderwood Lake offer additional backcountry camping options. Calderwood Lake sites are accessible only by water, requiring paddling approximately 30 minutes from the boat launch. Some areas experience seasonal closures or hunting restrictions, particularly in wildlife management areas like Catoosa WMA where Bi-Color Campground provides primitive sites suitable for tent camping.
