Best Tent Camping in Tennessee

Recent Tent Reviews in Tennessee

4051 Reviews of 167 Tennessee Campgrounds

• 

  Laura E.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 21, 2024

  Nolichucky Gorge Campground

  Nolichucky gorge campground fun

  My teen daughter and I had a last minute midweek opportunity to go tent camping and they were so accommodating and friendly here. Beautiful riverfront grassy tent sites are serene and peaceful. Highly recommended

• 

  Ethan K.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 30, 2016

  Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Nashville - CLOSED

  Near Nashville but more catered towards RV's

  A decent campground a short drive outside of Nashville. Most of the space was taking up by RV's but there was a small area for tent camping as well. The tent campsites did have grills which was nice a touch to make dinner. There was a sandlot playground as well which I did not use but would be nice for families camping with children.

• 

  Lori H.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 14, 2019

  Soaring Eagle Campground

  Primitive tent sites

  The primitive tent sites are amazing, I didn’t give it 5 stars only because you can hear a little bit of road noise, as the campground is near the interstate. If you visit in spring, the lake water may not have risen yet, so summer would be better if you want to enjoy lake front camping! We took our rooftop tent and had a perfect corner spot next to the creek. Plenty of room on each site for tent camping. The bath house is pretty far away too. Overall, we love this campground, and the tent sites are the best, can’t wait to camp here this summer!

• T

  Tia M.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 26, 2021

  Rock Island State Park Campground

  Rock Island State Park

  Beautiful state park! Unbelievable waterfalls with many of hiking trails! There is a lot of history in the park! Tent campground was nice and level! Each tent site had a tent pad, lantern pole, fire ring and sturdy table! The bathhouses was clean and warm water! Wood is sold in the near by town or at the park visitor center!

• 

  Tonya B.

  Guide

  

  May. 17, 2017

  Elkmont Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  I love it here

  Polite campers in rvs watched over my tent camp site while I enjoyed a couple of the trails. All in all a wonderful place to stay. Plus you're right by the river.

• B

  Bill E.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 15, 2015

  Fall Creek Falls State Park Campground

  Great place to camp

  Tent camp here with the family. I would recommend the walk in tent sites if you can get them. Campground is spread out well in places and not so much in others. Horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing, and much more. Last time we spent 3 days and could have easily spent another day or two. Plan on returning for some back country camping on the overnight loops.

• K

  K H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 13, 2018

  Obey River Campground

  Not Tent Friendly

  The location of the sprawling campground is beautiful on the popular Dale Hollow Lake. The kids enjoyed the beach. However, the tent sites were limited to the inner circle areas, as opposed to the right on the water with great views for the concrete-heavy RV sites. However, the worst part was the size and placement of the tent sites. they are tiny and I have no idea how anyone would find the space, much less a level spot, for a normal family tent. We didn't actually stay within our site with 2 small 2-person backpacking tents. We considered using an RV site but didn't see one with level grassy areas.

  Edited: We were camped illegally on the grass. Tents are supposed to be on the uneven gravel pads. So 3 tent sites and their parking have a maybe 40 x 50 gravel/asphalt area.

  There has to be better places to tent camp in this beautiful area

• 

  Emily G.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 9, 2020

  Greenbrier Campground

  Amazing bathrooms

  When you’re camping in a tent, that’s is a big plus

• 

  Jimmy C.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 2, 2021

  Tanbark Campground

  Awesome Spot!!

  I pulled in really late to tent camp. Richard, the owner came down and checked me in. Such a chill spot to set up for the night. I’d highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a spot to rest for the night. Not real sure how many tent sites he has but the one I am at right now is super close to the showers and the main office which is cool for a couple reasons. Convenience and safety! Check this place out for sure!

• 

  Andy K.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 13, 2023

  Obey River Park

  Nice campsite with good lakeside sites

  Had a nice week camping in a tent right on the side of the lake. The bathroom facilities were good, plenty of hot water for showers and the place was kept clean. When we stayed it was nice and quiet during the first week of the season.

• 

  CC C.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 8, 2021

  Nashville I-24 Campground

  Lovely stay

  We are RTT campers and chose this place on a whim as the rest of the local tent camping spots closed on October 1st. We were lucky to find they had space available. However, it should be noted that this is more of an RV campground, the traditional tent sites are right by the gate and not very private. The RV slot we were given backed up to a green space that has grazing deer from time to time. The site did not have a fire ring or a picnic table and was a little far from the bathrooms, but it did have power and water available. That being said the bathrooms were extremely tidy, well heated, and the water pressure in the showers was amazing! The other RV’ers were super friendly and the staff was very helpful in our stay and responsive to our request for availability.

• 

  The Grass F.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 7, 2021

  Lillydale Campground And Day Use

  Perfect Tent Camp Experience

  The tent camp sites on the island were aptly distanced from one another. The other campers seemed to have an unspoken sense of support. Multiple people offered ice, and even campground host offered to air up air mattresses.

  There was plenty of driftwood on site to burn, but if you're going to cook all your meals, I'd bring charcoal or your own wood. Note: they have wood restrictions - heed those.

  There was some noise at night from the boats, but nothing unmanageable or what I would consider a nuisance.

  The island tent area is a park and walk and the campground has 2 carts for people to use.

  The views from the island are unfathomably beautiful.

• V

  Valerie P.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 10, 2018

  Roan Mountain State Park Campground

  Roan Mountain in June

  Sites #1-40 are for tent camping and the rest are for RVs. We camped with tents in the RV section because it was all that was available. It was definitely tough to find places to put our tents in our site (86), but the designated tent sites were large and flat. It was pretty crowded while we were there and campsites are close together.

  The campground has lots of amenities—a pool, amphitheater, camp store with firewood and ice for sale, flush toilets, laundry machines, etc. They put on lots of fun activities like group hikes and educational talks. We went to the see the live music at the amphitheater Saturday night and it was charming. There are lots of hiking trails you can walk to, but we didn‘t have time to check them out.

  The highlight of the trip was hiking the grassy balds starting at Carver’s Gap. Get there early! Parking was tricky when we got there at 9:30am and impossible when we left around 2pm. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. Overall a nice weekend in Roan Mountain State Park!

• 

  Lori H.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 2, 2020

  Cherokee Dam Campground — Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

  Pristine camping

  Cherokee Dam campground is literally one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the area! The grounds are so well-kept, and the lake is just breathtaking. The campground is near town, so you can grab some bbq or hit the local hardware store for anything you need. The campground also had a camp store for essentials. They even delivered firewood to our site.

  The people running the campground were just amazing. So nice and helpful. Most of the sites have lake views. We were in site #36, and we were in our camper. Lots of space, no shade at all in this one. Most of the sites had some shade though. Picnic tables and fire rings at all.

  I’ve noticed the TVA campgrounds don’t have many showers, so I was glad to have that in our camper, just be aware, you might have to wait for one if you are tent camping. The tent sites were awesome, right on the water, and a short walk from the parking lot. If you have a rooftop tent, you won’t be able to park at your site, so you’ll be sleeping in the parking lot, but you could make it work.

  There’s a swimming area, boat launch, and walking trails. This is a great spot to have a great time on the lake!

• 

  Stephanie J.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 27, 2019

  Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground

  Ranger Review: The Dyrt Reservations at Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground

  As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am occasionally compensated for staying at and reviewing campgrounds. I was given the opportunity to stay at Mountain Glen RV Park and Campground in order to test the new reservation system through The Dyrt. The reservation system works extremely well--it is fast and efficient, and save the trouble of using a third party reservation system after finding a campground you like on The Dyrt. I look forward to more campgrounds joining TD's network!

  Mountain Glen is a new campground, located about an hour northwest of Chattanooga, and it is absolutely beautiful. There are a total of 8 tent sites and 41 RV sites, set next to a lake and a gorgeous view of a farm. Amenities include picnic tables, a playground, fishing, horseshoes, corn hole, a game room, a camp store, and laundry facilities, showers, and flush toilets with electricity (and heat!). It is also a short drive to Fall Creek Falls State Park, for anyone looking to enjoy the hiking near the falls without the overnight crowds the state park brings in. 

  The RV sites occupy most of the campground, and accommodate trailers ranging from 60' to 90'. All sites have electric and water hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and most have small grassy areas for dogs, kids, or even grown ups to stretch out and rest. RVs are also available to rent.

  Tent sites 1-3 are listed as “primitive” sites and have no electricity or water, however it is a short walk to the office where water is available. The road is visible from these sites, however there is a grassy meadow both between the sites and the road, and the sites and the lake, with woods bordering site 3. 

  Sites 4 and 5 are located closest to the picnic shelter, with a clear view of the lake. Sites 6-8 are next to the office/bathrooms. Site 6 is the smallest and 8 is the largest. All tent sites are fairly hilly, and accommodate small tents better than large based on limited flat space—though hammocks would work well!

  There is a trail that winds around the lake, and passes a beautiful spillway on the end opposite the office which is great for getting some shade, and a chance for kids to splash in some water. This end also has a picnic table for day use. I would love to see this area eventually become a walk-in campsite as it is definitely the most beautiful area of the entire campground!

  The owners here are extremely nice. We were greeted warmly on our arrival, and spent some time talking with them our second day. It is obvious they care about the campground and want campers to enjoy themselves and feel comfortable. We are tent campers and I was wary of staying somewhere more geared towards RVs, but what tent camping here lacks in privacy and wilderness, it more than makes up for in beauty, peace, and a feeling of home-away-from-home.

• 

  Ryan S.

  Ranger

  

  May. 14, 2020

  Chickasaw State Park Campground

  Totally renovated gem in West TN

  My wife grew up going to Chickasaw State Park as a child and when she wanted to go back with our family we couldn’t get inside because the state of Tennessee was totally redoing the campground. They closed it for one year. When it was reopened, we booked a trip with some friends to see what all had been done. This park was already an outstanding campground, but the addition of sewer in many of the sites and updated hiking trails, ADA access, and the newly updated bridge across the lake were breathtaking.

  We stayed in the primary campground area and had access to sewer 30/50 amp and water. There is a horse camp with newly added 30A electric and newly paved pads. There are tent camp sites on the other side of the lake that are beautiful if that’s your thing. There are several hiking trails and a nature center with owls and a falcon. In warmer months, there is a marina with boat, canoe, kayak rentals and a swimming area that were all being updated. There is also a restaurant in the park, but i was closed for a complete renovation as well. The playground is new for parents interested. The dump station is easily accessible.

  If you are looking for a beautiful spot in West TN with full hookups and plenty of activities for the family, Chickasaw State Park is outstanding. We will definitely be back!

• P

  Peter

  Scout

  

  Aug. 22, 2021

  Joy-O RV Park

  Out of the ordinary in a bad way.

  Two of us with two small tents spent one night passing through on motorcycles. We have been camping on these trips for well over a decade. Although Ann, the proprietor seemed very nice and welcoming over the phone, it became obvious upon our arrival that we should have asked some basic questions. Since the tent camping area had no picnic tables nor shade with very tall grass and weeds, we went with an RV site. She would NOT allow two tents on a single RV site. When we asked why, Ann just said"those are the rules" and continued telling us about her trip to Greece. Not to interrupt her, I waited and then asked again why the one tent per RV site. This time, her answer was that we don't have to stay there if we don't want to. Tired from a day on the road, we stayed and paid the$60.00 instead of the$44.00 that the TWO tents sites would have cost. At least we had a table, water, and power(did not test it) if needed. For RVs, the price is right no matter how big your rig is. Just don't mind the completely run down facilities and the gross showers that were air conditioned only from about 4 pm until 9 pm. They have a pool!

• 

  Dana B.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 12, 2021

  Fort Pillow Historic State Park Campground

  No Privacy

  My husband and I chose this campground because it was in our “Best in Tent Camping Tennessee” guidebook. Not my favorite. The sites are extremely close together and there is absolutely no privacy. We chose an ADA site because my husband is a wheelchair user, but the grassy patch next to the cement was a hill (which made tent camping + wheelchair interesting). There was also zero shade and A LOT of bugs-we got eaten alive. I would only recommend this site for RV users who don’t plan to spend much time outside their rig (or, are camping in cooler months), and don’t care about privacy.

  The bathhouse felt like a sauna-zero ventilation.

  As a an aside the restroom at the visitor’s center is not wheelchair accessible.

• h

  heather M.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 2, 2023

  Spacious Skies Belle Ridge

  FYI Tent sites far from vehicle

  The tent sites are park and walk. The furthest tent site is about a 1/4 mile from where you park. Just an FYI.

• 

  W L.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 31, 2018

  Horse Creek Recreation Area

  Serene and Peaceful

  Having both RV and tent campgrounds, each with large fire pits and lantern stands, this peaceful creekside setting lies just beyond low mountain farms in the northern part of Greene County Tennessee. A thick forest of deciduous trees partially isolates each campground for a relaxed evening of fire provided comfort and repose.

• 

  Lori H.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 14, 2020

  Adventures Unlimited Campground

  Let the good times roll!

  Adventures Unlimited is located in Ocoee, TN, just outside of Chattanooga, and is one of the coolest river towns I’ve been to. The Ocoee River was the site for the 1996 Olympics whitewater events. There are numerous outfitters for everything you can do on the river, and this place is the best we’ve visited. We did the Classic Middle Ocoee Rafting Adventure, with Leon as our guide. He was awesome! He wore a Viking helmet (which looks really cool in our pics!) and had vast knowledge of the river and area, and said he’s been guiding for 20 years, so yeah, the best! I would highly recommend Leon if you take a trip!

  The campground is HUGE for tent camping. There are hundreds of great tent sites, and the whole place has a great vibe. I wouldn’t really recommend it for children, it feels more like a grown up place, as the area is filled with kayakers, guides, college kids, etc., and these people have FUN! And there’s the Bus Bar, which I’ll cover in a bit. We stayed in site 13 on the rv sites, and it was nice. All the sites are spacious, most have plenty of shade, except for 6,7,8, they are in the middle and not much shade there. The rv sites have water and electric, and they have a dump station. The bath house is at the front entrance, it was very clean, with 4 restrooms and showers. They also have bungalows, and they looked awesome.

  This place has two restaurants, The Cafe was closed, I’m assuming due to covid, I believe they serve breakfast and lunch there. And The Bus Bar- this place is a must! They have literally converted two yellow school busses into a bar! The restrooms are in one of the busses and the other is where the actual bar is. They have live music on weekends, and there is a very eclectic vibe. Great people watching! You will hear music from your campsite until around midnight. We didn’t try the food, but they have pizza and wings on their menu, so what else do you need?!

  The office is where you check in for rafting, they also sell ice, water shoes, t-shirts, etc. and the people in there were super friendly. This is one of my favorite “fun” places we’ve stayed, it truly was an adventure! We will definitely be returning!

• G

  Garren M.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 8, 2021

  Gee Creek Campground — Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park

  Family friendly

  Nice pull in paved spots for every tent site. Playgrounds and bath houses were kept nice and clean. The loops where the tent sites are can’t be quite busy so keep an eye on the kiddos

• 

  Kaitlyn F.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 16, 2020

  Greenbrier Campground

  Not my thing

  So I use this app to find tent camping sites. To me, that’s kinda what a campground is. A good variety of both. This turned out to be mostly RVs and then three tents, one including mine. Needless to say, it was loud. For what it was, it was great. For what I thought it would be, it wasn’t. They have a lot of cool amenities and I will totally come back if I ever get a camper. But I wouldn’t just tent camp there again I don’t think.

• 

  Steve V.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 30, 2021

  Halfmoon Camp Ground

  Mountain Views

  Halfmoon Campground is located near Windrock Off-Road Park and has RV sites, tent sites, and cabins. RV sites have power (up to 50amp) and water, and have decent separation between sites. The RV sites are in a grassy field so minimal shade. The majority of the Tent sites are dry camping (no power or water), however, there are 3 tent sites near the bathhouse that do have power and water. The tents site are in the woods so plenty of shade. The cabins have parking that can accommodate multiple vehicles. Clean and functional bathhouse. Dump station near the bathhouse. Fire wood and ice is available near the bathhouse and has a self pay setup. The campground also includes a vehicle wash station and trailer parking area if you trailered in your off-road vehicles. The nearest grocery store is about 15 minutes away. Beautiful views of the mountains from the RV area.

  Link to my YouTube review: Campground Review: https://youtu.be/ZOEj0QoXqfM

• E

  Eric W.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 17, 2020

  Mountain City Campground

  Hidden Gem

  This campground is run by the city visitors center and like most other things in Mountain City has very little social media presence. Most residents of the city don’t even know of its existence.

  Great little affordable campground with nice accessible trout stream. Has 30 amp and 50 amp service along with tent camping. (Tent camping is currently closed due to recent bear sightings as are the toilet facilities due to COVID-19(Aug 2020))

  Aug 2020 prices for 30 amp full hookups $25 /day $85 /week $300 /month

• B

  Blair F.

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 28, 2019

  West Campground — Norris Dam State Park

  Interesting spot

  Went on a stag tent camping trip. Decent facility for state park. Sites are small wouldn’t recommend large rigs.

• 

  Suzanne O.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 9, 2018

  Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  wonderful. hidden gem.

  great tent sites. clean and big bathrooms.