Best campgrounds in Tennessee
Tennessee

Best Campgrounds in Tennessee

Curated guides to help you find the perfect camping destination in Tennessee. From tent-only sites to full-hookup campgrounds.

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

1
Lock A
Star
4.7
(772)
Lock A
Ashland City
Cheatham Lock and Dam

The Cumberland River flows right past your campsite, offering prime fishing from the banks and easy access to the boat launch for water adventures. Hot showers await after days spent hiking scenic trails, playing volleyball, or watching kids explore the playground between riverside picnics.

Tents
RVs
2
Cades Cove Group
Star
4.5
(713)
Cades Cove Group
Townsend
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This primitive basecamp sits in a pristine mountain valley where black bears roam and morning mist blankets historic homesteads along an 11-mile scenic loop. Groups gather around fire rings beneath towering peaks, then bike quiet roads at dawn or hike trails threading through centuries-old forests.

Tents
3
Ragland Bottom
Star
4.7
(515)
Ragland Bottom
Sparta
Center Hill Lake

Sparkling Center Hill Lake stretches before 40 full-hookup sites and 16 primitive tent spots, where spotless showers and attentive hosts create a welcoming basecamp for water adventures.

Tents
RVs

More Top Campgrounds in Tennessee

Discover 21 additional top-rated campgrounds in Tennessee

Bandy Creek
Star
4.6
(1180)
Bandy Creek
Oneida
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Spacious campsites with spotless bathhouses and bear-proof lockers anchor your wilderness adventures in the heart of Big South Fork's rugged river gorges and sandstone bluffs.

Tents
RVs
Defeated Creek Park
Star
4.6
(1299)
Defeated Creek Park
Carthage
Cordell Hull Lake

Cordell Hull Lake's expansive shoreline transforms this 155-site campground into a water sports paradise, where your boat slips directly from the full-service marina into crystal-clear waters teeming with bass and crappie.

Tents
RVs
Chilhowee Campground
Star
4.4
(309)
Chilhowee Campground
Benton
Cherokee National Forest

Cherokee National Forest surrounds you with towering hardwoods and mountain ridges, while picnic tables and warm showers at your site let you embrace the wilderness without sacrificing comfort.

Tents
RVs
Cades Cove Campground
Star
4.4
(1286)
Cades Cove Campground
Townsend
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Surrounded by misty peaks in the Smokies' most treasured valley, this campground delivers an authentic backcountry experience while keeping flush toilets, drinking water, and a seasonal camp store stocked with firewood.

Tents
RVs
Salt Lick Creek
Star
4.4
(702)
Salt Lick Creek
Gainesboro
Cordell Hull Lake

Spacious, immaculate campsites sprawl along Cordell Hull Lake's shoreline, where families enjoy full hookups, hot showers, and a convenient boat ramp for easy lake access.

Tents
RVs
Poole Knobs
Star
4.2
(485)
Poole Knobs
LaVergne
J Percy Priest Lake

Auto-curated from SEO audit (state match (tennessee))

Tents
RVs
Bear Creek Campground - Ky
Star
3.7
(77)
Bear Creek Campground - Ky
Oneida
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Auto-curated from SEO audit (state match (tennessee))

Tents
RVs
Big Oak Cove Campground
Photo coming soon
Star
4.0
(26)
Big Oak Cove Campground
Tellico Plains
Cherokee National Forest

Auto-curated from SEO audit (state match (tennessee))

Tents
RVs
Deep Creek Campground
Star
3.1
(104)
Deep Creek Campground
Bryson City
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Auto-curated from SEO audit (state match (tennessee))

Tents
RVs

Camping Style

Find campgrounds in Tennessee that match how you love to camp


By Activity

Campgrounds in Tennessee with the best access to your favorite outdoor activities


Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Tennessee

Map Key
1
Lock A
2
Cades Cove Group
3
Ragland Bottom
4
Bandy Creek
5
Defeated Creek Park
6
Chilhowee Campground
7
Cades Cove Campground
8
Salt Lick Creek
9
Poole Knobs
10
Bear Creek Campground - Ky
11
Big Oak Cove Campground
12
Deep Creek Campground
13
Obey River Park
14
Paint Creek Campground
15
Donley Cabin
16
Edgar Evins State Park
17
Savage Gulf State Natural Area
18
Fiery Gizzard State Park
19
T.O. Fuller State Park
20
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park

About Camping in Tennessee

Camping in Tennessee offers an extraordinary blend of diverse landscapes, from the misty peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the sparkling waters of the Cumberland Plateau's pristine lakes. The Volunteer State's campgrounds provide access to some of the Southeast's most spectacular natural scenery, including ancient mountain ranges, winding river gorges, and tranquil valley meadows where wildlife roams freely.

Best Time

Spring and fall represent Tennessee's prime camping seasons, with April through May and September through October offering comfortable temperatures, vibrant scenery, and manageable crowds. Spring brings wildflower explosions in the Smokies, with dogwoods and redbuds painting the forests white and pink, while fall delivers spectacular foliage from late September through early November as hardwoods transform into brilliant reds, oranges, and golds.

Why Camp Here

  • Curated selection of top-rated campgrounds
  • Verified reviews and sentiment analysis
  • Diverse options for every camping style
  • Local insights and seasonal recommendations

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Tent and RV camping with modern amenitiesHiking scenic mountain trails and waterfall routesFishing for bass, trout, and catfish in lakes and streamsBoating and kayaking on pristine lakes and riversSwimming at designated beaches and swimming holesWildlife viewing including black bears, deer, and wild turkeys

Tips & Recommendations

  • 1Reserve campsites early for popular destinations, especially Great Smoky Mountains locations where sites fill up six months in advance for peak seasons.
  • 2Download offline maps before arrival since cell service is unreliable in mountain areas and remote sections of the Cumberland Plateau.
  • 3Pack layers regardless of season, as Tennessee weather can shift dramatically, particularly in mountainous regions where temperatures drop significantly at night even during summer.
  • 4Bring rain gear and tarps since afternoon thunderstorms are common from spring through fall, and ensure your tent has a quality rainfly.
24 campgrounds ranked
Based on real camper reviews
Curated for Camping in Tennessee

How to Book These Campgrounds

The most popular campgrounds for camping in tennessee book up months in advance. Here are the tools to help you get a site.


Tennessee Camping FAQ

Our rankings combine multiple factors including camper reviews, sentiment analysis, amenity quality, location accessibility, and natural setting. We analyze thousands of reviews to identify campgrounds that consistently deliver exceptional experiences across Tennessee.

Tennessee offers diverse camping options including RV camping with full hookups, traditional tent camping, and rustic walk-in sites. Many campgrounds also provide excellent access to activities like fishing, hiking, swimming, and boating.

The ideal camping season in Tennessee varies by region and elevation. Generally, spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer is popular but book early for prime locations. Check individual campground pages for specific seasonal recommendations.

Never Miss a Campsite in Tennessee

Popular Tennessee campgrounds book up fast. Set up free availability alerts and we'll notify you when spots open up.