Forest Camping in Tennessee

Discover the best forest camping across Tennessee. Immerse yourself in the forest. Towering trees, dappled sunlight, and the sounds of nature.

20+ Campgrounds4.6★ AverageBest: Year-round

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Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

Indian Boundary

Tellico Plains · Cherokee National Forest

Towering hardwoods and whispering pines form a living cathedral where ancient deer trails wind through wildflower meadows toward mountain overlooks. The dense canopy shelters paddlers gliding past beaver lodges and anglers casting in crystal-clear waters, while a 3.2-mile lakeside trail...

4.7(1130 reviews)

Dale Hollow Damsite

Celina · Dale Hollow Lake

Towering trees create a shaded cathedral along the Obey River, where forested hills rise like natural amphitheater walls around your campsite. Bald eagles soar overhead from late fall through early spring, gliding between the canopy and the crystal-clear waters below.

4.6(372 reviews)

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Lock A

Ashland City · Cheatham Lock and Dam

Towering hardwoods form a living cathedral overhead, filtering sunlight into dancing patterns while abundant wildlife—dawn deer, stalking herons, and melodious songbirds—animates the forest.

4.7(772 reviews)

Verified

About Forest Camping in Tennessee

Forest camping Tennessee offers an extraordinary journey through some of the most diverse and pristine woodland landscapes in the southeastern United States, from the ancient hardwood cathedrals of the Great Smoky Mountains to the towering pine forests of Cherokee National Forest. Tennessee's forest campgrounds span elevations from 400 to over 5,000 feet, encompassing everything from river-bottom hardwood stands to high-elevation spruce-fir forests that create an almost mystical camping atmosphere.

Best Time

The optimal window for forest camping in Tennessee extends from mid-April through early November, with each season offering distinct advantages for woodland enthusiasts. Spring (April-May) brings spectacular wildflower displays across forest floors, with trilliums, bloodroot, and lady slippers carpeting the understory before the canopy fully leafs out, though be prepared for occasional rain and muddy trails.

Scenery Highlights

Towering tree canopies
Shaded, cool campsites
Diverse wildlife viewing
Peaceful woodland atmosphere

More Forest Camping in Tennessee

Discover 17 additional top-rated forest camping in Tennessee

Big Creek Campground (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Gatlinburg · Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Towering hardwoods form a living cathedral above creek-side tent sites, where morning mists cling to ancient mountain ridges and black bears wander through dappled sunlight.

4.5(267)

Harpeth River Bridge Campground (Tn)

Ashland City · Cheatham Lock and Dam

Century-old hardwoods form a soaring natural cathedral above your campsite, their massive branches casting dappled shade patterns that shift from morning mist to golden evening light.

4.7(250)

Backbone Rock Campground

Shady Valley · Cherokee National Forest

Towering hardwoods and evergreens form a natural cathedral above camp, where moss-covered boulders dot the forest floor and Beaverdam Creek's crystal waters provide the soundtrack to your stay.

4.5(186)

Lillydale Campground And Day Use

Allons · Dale Hollow Lake

Towering trees create a verdant canopy that frames stunning views of Dale Hollow Lake's crystal waters below. Bald Eagles soar overhead in winter while Purple Martins dance through the forested sites during migration season.

4.7(524)

Ragland Bottom

Sparta · Center Hill Lake

Towering mixed hardwood forests form a living cathedral overhead, where whitetail deer emerge from morning mist and wild turkeys wander beneath dogwoods that explode into pink and white blooms each spring.

4.7(768)

Bandy Creek

Oneida · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Dense oak, hickory, and pine forests shelter campsites beneath a canopy where black bears roam and white-tailed deer emerge at dawn. Miles of trails wind through the forest to sandstone arches and rock formations, with streams cutting through the shade-dappled wilderness.

4.6(1180)

Chilhowee Campground

Benton · Cherokee National Forest

Towering hardwoods form a living cathedral overhead, filtering sunlight into dappled patterns across campsites nestled deep in Southern Appalachian wilderness.

4.6(705)

Long Branch

Lancaster · Center Hill Lake

Towering hardwoods create a living canopy overhead, filtering sunlight into dappled patches while deer browse at dawn and wild turkeys wander through clearings below.

4.6(608)

Blue Heron Campground

Oneida · Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Towering sandstone cliffs and dense Cumberland Plateau forests create a canopy-sheltered haven where ancient hollows meet pristine streams. Miles of shaded wilderness trails wind through the Big South Fork backcountry, where deer emerge at dusk and songbirds fill the morning air.

4.4(407)

Explore Forest Camping in Tennessee

Browse 20 campgrounds on our interactive map. Filter by amenities, price, ratings, and more.

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Popular Activities

Forest bathing and nature immersion walksHiking through old-growth hardwood standsWildlife observation and bird watchingPhotography of forest landscapes and macro subjectsFishing in forest-lined streams and lakesMountain biking on forest trails

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve forest campgrounds well in advance, especially for fall color season when sites at popular destinations like Indian Boundary and Big Creek book out 6-8 months ahead through recreation.gov or Tennessee State Parks systems.
2Bring layers even in summer, as dense forest canopy and elevation changes can create surprisingly cool conditions, particularly at night in mountain locations like Backbone Rock where temperatures can drop 15-20 degrees below valley floors.
3Pack a quality headlamp or lantern since forest camping means early darkness under thick canopy, and consider bringing extra tarps or rain gear as forest environments tend to hold moisture and create localized weather patterns.
4Study Leave No Trace principles carefully for forest camping—never cut live trees for firewood, keep food secured in vehicles or bear canisters in Smokies locations, and stick to established trails to prevent damage to sensitive forest floor ecosystems.

20 campgrounds ranked

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Curated for Forest Camping in Tennessee

Forest Camping in Tennessee FAQ

We've ranked 20+ forest campgrounds in Tennessee based on tree coverage, wildlife viewing, and hiking access. Top options offer shaded sites and peaceful woodland settings.

Forest campgrounds in Tennessee are home to diverse wildlife including deer, various bird species, and small mammals. Store food properly and follow Leave No Trace principles.

Tennessee offers excellent forest camping with diverse woodland ecosystems, well-maintained trails, and shaded campsites perfect for summer escapes. Many sites offer both developed and primitive options.

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