EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING
Free Camping in Tennessee
Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest runs the length of the eastern Tennessee mountain border with North Carolina and Virginia. The Nolichucky, Watauga, and Ocoee/Hiwassee ranger districts all permit dispersed camping on most forest roads. The Citico Creek Wilderness and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock (shared with NC) have backcountry dispersed camping. The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area has dispersed camping in designated backcountry zones.
No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →
Before You Go
Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water
Free Camping Sites in Tennessee
Trail shelter located on the Appalachian Trail.
Dispersed campsites located along Santeetlah Creek. Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table and lantern post. There is a fourteen day stay limit within a …
Shelter on the Appalachian Trail
The Bear Creek Hunt Camp is a three-sided shelter available for free public use. There is a picnic table and fire ring located onsite. There is a fourteen day…
Campground is currently closed due to health and safety issues.
The Deep Creek Hunt Camp is a three-sided shelter available for free public use. There is a picnic table and fire ring located onsite. There is a fourteen day…
Overview Backbone Rock Campground will open for the 2026 season on 4/27/26. The pavilion and vault toilets in the day-use area will open on 3/16/26. Backbone Ro…
Overview Bandy Creek is a spacious and modern campground, situated in The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a vast and scenic expanse of land t…
Overview Bear Creek Horse Camp is located in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Recreation Numerous trails snake through…
Overview Blue Heron Campground is a rustic and spacious campground, situated on the Kentucky side of The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area--a va…
Overview Located near Parksville Lake, Parksville Lake RV Campground offers well-shaded and nicely spaced campsites accommodating larger RVs. Several sites offe…
Overview Rock Creek Campground is located near the Emory River in the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Recreation Whitewater paddling is available seasonally in the …
A.T. BROWN FORK GAP SHELTER (Camping Area)
A.T. RUFUS MORGAN SHELTER (Camping Area)
A.T. SASSAFRAS GAP SHELTER (Camping Area)
CONASAUGA RIVER CAMPGROUND (Campground)
closed until further notice
QUINN SPRINGS RECREATION AREA (Campground)
SYLCO CAMPGROUND
TUMBLING CREEK CG
Overview Alum Ford Campground is located in the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork seven miles west of Whitley City, Kentucky at the end of Highway 700. The cam…
Mountain ranges and pristine streams are the backdrop for your camping adventure in Balsam Mt. At 5,300 feet, Balsam Mtn. provides a moderate climate, character…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Located in the Chilhowee Recreation Area, Chilhowee Campground offers a multitude of camping opportunities for both RV and tent sites, many with electr…
Overview Cottonwood Patch Campground is a multi-use campground focused primarily on equestrian camping, but welcomes traditional "car" camping. The campground i…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Dennis Cove Campground is a secluded campground along Laurel Fork Creek at an elevation of 2,650 feet in Carter County. This remote developed campgroun…
Overview Donley Cabin is a primitive and historic structure in the heart of the Cherokee National Forest, offering visitors a glimpse of the past. The cabin doe…
Meriwether Lewis Camp Site: Milepost 385.9 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. This is a free 32-site NPS campground with a pioneer cemetery, picnic tables, ranger st…
This small campground is located in Cherokee National Forest just northeast of Benton TN. Site number one is usually spoken for but there are 7 others to choose…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Horse Creek Recreation Area is located eight miles from Greeneville, off TN 107 north. This recreation area is nestled into a hardwood cove beside its …
Overview Indian Boundary Recreation Area is the crown jewel of the South Zone of the Cherokee National Forest on the Tellico Ranger District. This family-orient…
Overview PLEASE NOTE: AS THE HURRICANE BANNER DESCRIBES, JACOBS CREEK CAMPGROUND AND DAY-USE AREA IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. READ THE NEED TO KNOW SECTION …
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview McNabb Creek Group Campground is located on the North River in the Tellico River area. Fishing, swimming, hiking and hunting are popular activities. Re…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview Paint Creek Recreation Area (elevation 1760 feet) is located in Greene County in a mountain cove along Paint Creek. A majority of the widely-spaced cam…
Overview Rock Creek Recreation Area is named for the small creek that runs alongside this recreation site. The facilities, creek-fed concrete pond and bathhouse…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…
Overview This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim…