Best Tent Camping in Tennessee

Campers venturing across Tennessee have access to hiking, boating, fishing, biking, rock climbing and picnicking across 56 state parks, enough variety to satisfy any adventurer’s soul. With terrifically high Appalachian peaks and plunging caverns, Tennessee travelers can get a sense of the sublime landscape that inspired music legends from Nashville to Memphis by camping in Tennessee.

East Tennessee is home to a part of the oldest mountain range in the world, the Great Smoky Mountains. As the name suggests, the peaks are often shrouded in fog, but that doesn’t make the view from Clingmans Dome any less spectacular. At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome towers as the highest point in Tennessee and the third highest point east of the Mississippi River. Make sure to say hi to the hardcore hikers, many people hiking the entire Appalachian Trail will stop at this unforgettable lookout.

A clear day at the dome observatory provides views as far as 100 miles. But explorers camping in Tennessee should plan on hiking their way up to the point, the roadway that leads to the observatory closes during inclement weather and from Dec. 1 to March 31 every year.

If you’re camping with the kids and they’re looking for more occupation than your campsite offers, many of the natural attractions in Tennessee are also family friendly. Lookout Mountain is only minutes from Chattanooga and offers several world-famous sites like Rock City and the See Seven States point.

All the mountain peak trails may leave the heights-averse camper less than enthused. But Tennessee has something for everyone. Also at Lookout Mountain, but plummeting beneath ground level, is where you’ll find Ruby Falls, the largest and deepest underground waterfall in the nation.

Scenic views and dramatic natural landscapes are part and parcel for any Tennessee camping adventure, as long as you know where to look. Camping in Tennessee can be done right with The Dyrt to guide you along your trails!

Best Tent Sites in Tennessee (164)

    1. Cosby Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    70 Reviews
    Cosby, TN
    Website
    +1 (423) 487-2683

    $50 / night

    "Cosby is a small town about a 45 minute easy drive from Gatlinburg. Heavily wooded, lends itself nicely to hammock camping."

    "Most of the sites are better suited to tent campers, though a few of them are designated RV sites offering a back-in parking pad."

    2. Foster Falls Campground — South Cumberland State Park

    31 Reviews
    Tracy City, TN
    Website
    +1 (931) 924-2980

    $18 - $21 / night

    "Things to know: $5 reservation fee, $8-45 per site

    Amenities: picnic table, fire ring, restrooms, heated shower

    Drawbacks: no electric or water hook-ups. No gas generators allowed"

    "The campground is great for climbers looking to get an early start on all the routes nearby."

    3. Big Creek Campground — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    14 Reviews
    Hartford, TN
    Website
    +1 (865) 436-1261

    $30 / night

    "Each one has a firepit, picnic table, lantern pole, and a very large tent pad. There are no RV's allowed. Nearby is group camping and horse camping.

    You cannot park your car right on the campsite."

    "Located at the base of the Baxter Creek Trail, which leads to Mount Sterling, this drive-in campground provides a picturesque backdrop for nature enthusiasts."

    4. Rock Creek Campground — Obed Wild and Scenic River

    12 Reviews
    Lancing, TN
    Website
    +1 (423) 346-6294

    $15 / night

    "The campsites have a fire ring, picnic bench, and lantern pole. Each campsite has their little parking space except site 9, 10, and 11."

    "It's a primitive campground with 11 sites for tents only. RVs are not allowed. There is a restroom for campers with pit style toilets."

    5. TVA Public Land- Fork Bend

    11 Reviews
    La Follette, TN
    Website
    +1 (865) 632-2101

    "I recently learned that TVA land is free to camp on, so I sought out some close to me and found Fork Bend. If you want to get away from people, this place is for you."

    "(Disclaimer: I pack heat whenever I am alone.)

    The site was pretty much shaded by the forest canopy throughout the day, with full sun toward the edge of the water."

    6. Mount LeConte Shelter — Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    9 Reviews
    Gatlinburg, TN
    Website

    " Primitive campsite on trail near highest mountain peak. There were several primitive campsites in close proximity. Our campsite had a large metal bear box in which you could store food and packs."

    "The only way to get to the site is to hike in for several hours on one of the many trails that get you up the mountain."

    7. Lost Creek - Cherokee NF

    9 Reviews
    Reliance, TN
    Website

    "It's in the middle of nowhere (7 miles down a gravel forest road), surrounded by forest, with easy creek access (some sites are right beside the creek), and the Benton McKaye trail running directly beside"

    "We chose a spot next to the creek. Was clear and flowing due to a lot of rain the few days before we arrived. Sites had concrete picnic tables and a pad. We had to clean ours when we arrived."

    8. Savage Falls Campground — Savage Gulf State Park

    8 Reviews
    Palmer, TN

    "Backpack in , totally primitive sites. Take your own water or filtration system. Hobbs Cabin is available by reservation, close to the tent sites. Bring an air mattress for the wood bunks."

    "Prefect spot for a short hike-in backcountry camping experience. The hike in is less than two miles and the camp sites are secluded and spread apart. Highly recommend!"

    9. Long Hunter State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    J Percy Priest Lake, TN
    Website
    +1 (615) 885-2422

    "Primitive campsite 1 has 3 long log benches and a grill. It is located directly by the water, so you have a water filtration source at your finger tips."

    "Long Hunter State Park Primitive Campsites are my kinda camping."

    10. Ginger Bay Basic Camping Area

    8 Reviews
    Barkley Lake, TN
    Website

    "This is a car camping site however you will need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get down the steep gravel road to the dispersed camping area. Highly recommend."

    "Ranger Review: Matador Droplet at Ginger Bay Land Between the Lakes, Ky.

    Campground Review:We visited Ginger Bay boat ramp and dispersed camping area while at Land Between the Lakes(LBL) , Ky."

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Showing results 1-10 of 164 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews in Tennessee

4044 Reviews of 164 Tennessee Campgrounds



Guide to Tennessee

Tennessee offers a diverse range of tent camping experiences, from serene forest settings to scenic riverside spots, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Tips for tent camping near the Great Smoky Mountains

  • Cosby Campground provides a peaceful escape with well-maintained sites surrounded by lush forests, ideal for families and solo adventurers.
  • Big Creek Campground is a tent-only site that offers easy access to over 800 miles of hiking trails, including the scenic Big Creek Trail.
  • Alum Gap Campground is accessible via a short hike, making it a great choice for those new to backpacking while offering stunning views and a rustic experience.

Some prices for tent camping range from free to $11

  • Lilly Pad Campground charges $5 per person per night, making it an affordable option for those looking to enjoy a unique camping experience with a brewery on-site.
  • Bells Bend Park offers primitive camping at $10 per night for Davidson County residents, providing a budget-friendly way to enjoy nature close to the city.
  • Holleman's Bend Camping Area is free, allowing campers to enjoy a peaceful riverside experience without any cost.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Rock Creek Campground features picnic tables and fire rings, ensuring a comfortable camping experience right by the Obed River.
  • Lost Creek - Cherokee NF offers concrete tables and fire pits at each site, along with a drop toilet for basic sanitation needs.
  • USA Raft Adventure Resort provides a variety of unique accommodations, including tent sites with riverfront views, along with amenities like a bar and food truck on-site.