Hiking Campgrounds in Tennessee
Discover the best hiking campgrounds across Tennessee. Experience the best of both worlds with camping that puts you right at the heart of incredible hiking opportunities. Direct trail access and stunning mountain vistas.
Hiking Campgrounds in Other States
Featured Campgrounds
Handpicked destinations that define the region
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Trailheads launch directly from camp, offering everything from the relentless 4,200-foot climb up Baxter Creek to Mt. Sterling to the gentler Big Creek route with its cascading waterfall and crystalline swimming holes.
Cherokee National Forest
Twenty-five miles of trails radiate from your campsite, ranging from gentle lakeside strolls to the moderate Benton Falls route where cascading waters plunge through lush forest.
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Step from your campsite directly onto trails that wind through sandstone cliffs and hardwood forests to breathtaking destinations like the massive Twin Arches and cascading Angel Falls.
About Hiking Campgrounds in Tennessee
Hiking camping Tennessee offers unparalleled access to some of the most diverse and spectacular mountain terrain in the southeastern United States, from the iconic peaks of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the dramatic sandstone gorges of Big South Fork and the pristine wilderness of Cherokee National Forest. Tennessee's landscape spans ancient Appalachian ridges, cascading waterfalls, limestone caves, and over 900 miles of maintained trails that wind through hardwood forests ablaze with spring wildflowers and autumn color.
Best Time
Spring (April through May) ranks as the premier season for hiking camping in Tennessee, when wildflower displays peak throughout Cherokee National Forest and the Smokies, temperatures hover in the comfortable 60-75°F range, and waterfalls run at maximum flow from spring rains. Fall (late September through October) offers equally spectacular conditions with brilliant foliage displays, lower humidity, and reduced insect activity, though campgrounds fill quickly on weekends during peak color in mid-October.
Activity Highlights
- Direct trail access
- Mountain and forest settings
- Backpacking base camps
- Scenic wilderness views
Campground Locations
Showing top 20 campgrounds near Hiking Campgrounds in Tennessee
Plan Your Trips
Popular Activities
Tips & Recommendations
- 1Reserve campsites well in advance for Great Smoky Mountains locations, as Big Creek and Cades Cove fill months ahead during peak seasons, while Cherokee National Forest campgrounds often accept reservations just 6 months out through Recreation.gov.
- 2Pack layered clothing regardless of season, as Tennessee mountain weather changes rapidly with elevation—temperatures can drop 20-30 degrees between valley campgrounds and high ridges, and afternoon thunderstorms develop quickly in summer months.
- 3Black bears are active throughout the Smokies and Cherokee National Forest, so bring bear-proof containers or use provided food lockers, never store food in tents, and maintain clean campsites.
- 4Download offline maps and trail guides before arrival, as cell service is unreliable at most hiking campgrounds, and GPS units prove invaluable for navigating the extensive trail networks around Big South Fork and Cherokee National Forest.
Hiking Campgrounds in Tennessee FAQ
Popular Tennessee Campgrounds Book Fast
The best hiking campgrounds in Tennessee book up quickly, especially during peak season. Set up free alerts to catch cancellations.
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Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)
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