Camping in Tennessee is a fantastic opportunity to take advantage of the state’s incredible natural beauty.
There’s plenty for campers of all requirements and interests, with a wide range of campsites to select from, including primitive tent sites, RV parks with complete facilities, and free scattered areas.
And according to WGNS radio, from 2015 to 2020, there has been a 52.7% increase in camping reservations made in the state of Tennessee.
So do you want to go tent camping in Tennessee? You may rest confident that you will have lots of choices.
You can find hundreds of tent campgrounds across the state, including those in the mountains, beside rivers and lakes, in the center of deep forests, and more.
Summary
| Guide | Camping In Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Things to bring | Torch, tent, etc. |
| Campgrounds | Cades Cove Campground, and more |
| Best places to visit near | Gatlinburg, and more |
| Situated | U.S.A |
Camping In Tennessee
1. Cades Cove Campground
When visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a stay at Cades Cove Campground is hard to beat.
Cades Cove has 159 year-round campsites and offers some of the greatest front-country camping in the national park.
It can accommodate trailers up to 35 feet long and RVs up to 40 feet long. However, there are no RV connections (a dump station is available).
The primary reason to stay at this Tennessee campsite is to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Cades Cove valley.
Tour historic sites like the John Oliver Cabin and the John Cable Grist Mill, as well as the 11-mile Cades Cove circular road.
Address: 10042 Campground Dr, Townsend, TN 37882
2. Abram’s Creek Campground
Another great Tennessee campsite for camping in the Great Smoky Mountains is Abram’s Creek.
A stay at Abram’s Creek is rather quiet and secluded, as it is in one of the most remote portions of the national park.
This park has only 16 total campsites and only admits RVs up to 12′ in length, in addition to its secluded location.
Despite its rustic appearance, there are modern flush toilets and drinkable water.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Abram’s Creek region is known for its superb fly fishing options.
You can reach the neighboring Abram’s Waterfall via the Little Bottoms Trail’s 8-mile loop, and it is definitely worth a visit.
Address: Abrams Creek Campground Rd, Tallassee, TN 37878
Read: Camping In Arizona
Read: Camping In Arkansas
3. Edgar Evins State Park
The Eastern Highland Rim’s Edgar Evins State Park offers a Tennessee camping experience unlike any other.
The state park on the shores of scenic Center Hill Lake is known for its many outdoor activities, including boating and fishing, as well as camping.
It is a single campsite with 60 sites that can accommodate tents and small trailers/RVs.
There are hookups as well as wooden tent platforms available. Three places across the campsite provide bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers.
Renting one of the 34 contemporary cabins is another alternative for housing.
Also, while the style and arrangement of each room vary significantly, the majority of them have a bathroom, a full kitchen, and a nice sleeping area.
Address: 1630 Edgar Evins State Park Rd, Silver Point, TN 38582
4. Harrison Bay State Park
The Harrison Bay State Park is one of the best places to camp on Chickamauga Lake.
Approximately 60 miles long, Chickamauga Lake is one of Tennessee’s most popular water leisure destinations.
Boating, fishing, paddling, swimming, and other sports are popular. Golfers will enjoy the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course.
Even though there are dozens of campgrounds in the vicinity, Harrison Bay State Park is renowned for its lakefront position.
It stretches over 40 kilometers along the Chickamauga Lake shoreline. Although there are just 27 tent spots in the park, making a reservation is well worth it.
A total of 128 RV spots with full hookups are also available.
Address: 7855 Bay Marina Circle, Harrison, TN 37341
Best Places To Visit Near Tennessee
Gatlinburg
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has three gates in the center of downtown Gatlinburg, making it the most popular attraction in this eastern Tennessee town.
In fact, during peak tourist season, Gatlinburg’s population skyrockets from fewer than 4,000 to more than 40,000 people.
It’s easy to understand why the park is so popular, with miles of hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding paths, as well as historical displays and cabins, and the chance to observe black bears, elk, deer, and other species in their natural setting.
When you’re not enjoying the park’s natural splendors, you’ll most likely be appreciating it from one of Gatlinburg’s finest attractions.
Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee’s third-largest city and the location of the state’s original capital, is sometimes overlooked by visitors.
Still, once they learn about the historical and picturesque city, its accessible downtown, and its closeness to the Great Smoky Mountains, they typically become fans.
The glittering Sunsphere, a 266-foot-tall gold-tinted tower created for the 1982 World’s Fair, is one of Knoxville’s most iconic sights.
It’s now an observatory at World’s Fair Park, and it’s only one of several attractions in the city.
Checklist Before Camping In Tennessee
Whether you’re planning your first camping trip or a yearly family camping excursion, the camping checklist and gear instructions below should help you tackle camping preparation in Tennessee like a pro.
Our list includes everything you’ll need for a camping trip, including tents, equipment, cooking supplies, clothing, personal things, activity materials, and even pet supplies.
Use this checklist to assist you in packing for a well-prepared and enjoyable camping trip.
- Tent
- Sleeping pads
- Mattresses
- Pillow
- Lantern
- Flashlight
- Headlamp
- Rope
- Duct Tape
Read: Camping In Alaska
FAQ
Do we have to pay for camping in Tennessee's State Parks?
No. There is no entrance fee to any state park. Tennessee’s 56 state parks are all free to visit and enjoy.
Some park activities may cost permits or reservations, but hiking and taking in the scenery are always free.
Donations are welcomed in lieu of entrance fees and assist state parks in fulfilling their objective of providing public access to public areas.
Are Tennessee's State Parks open during the winter?
During the winter, all Tennessee State Parks are available for recreational activities.
The majority of the cottages, campgrounds, Lodges, golf courses, and restaurants are open all year.
During the holidays, some employees may have worked fewer hours. Please check with the particular park to see whether specific facilities are available.
Do we have to make a reservation for the campgrounds in Tennessee?
Yes, if you are going to a state park or a private-owned campground, it is highly recommended that you make a reservation.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
ARTICLE SOURCES
The US Workforce has a policy of producing high-quality content that follows industry standards by using primary sources, such as white papers and government data, alongside original reporting from reputable publishers. We also follow an editorial style where appropriate information about the topic can be found with due credit given when applicable.
- https://tnstateparks.com/activities/camping[↩]
- https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/memphis/beautiful-places-in-tennessee-road-trip-ideas[↩]
- https://tnstateparks.com/about/frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=No.,natural%20environment%20is%20always%20free.[↩]
- https://tnstateparks.com/about/frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=No.,natural%20environment%20is%20always%20free.[↩]