Outbound Collective logo

Tennessee

Looking for the best camping in Tennessee? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Tennessee. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Camping Spots in and near Tennessee

  • Grandview, Tennessee

    Hike to Piney Falls

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 500 ft gain
    The gravel road heading to the trailhead is on the rougher side to take it slow. When you get to the trailhead it’s a small gravel pull off right off the road. There are no maps at the trailhead but there are only a few trails to take and they are marked with a blue marker. To get to the upper fa...
    Read more
  • Jamestown, Tennessee

    Twin Arches Loop

    1.22 mi / 177 ft gain
    The trail starts at the parking lot which has some nice bathrooms and a nice small picnic area that is open year-round. From the trailhead, you will follow the signs that will lead you to a short mostly flat, 7-mile hike to the first arch. Once you get to the first arch there is a small area with...
    Read more
  • Oneida, Tennessee

    Backpack to Angel Falls Overlook in the Big South Fork

    4.0
    6.4 mi / 800 ft gain
    Starting at a very small parking space, you head onto a fairly overgrown trail for half a mile. The trail then begins to thin out and is not as overgrown. Keeping a steady incline, you almost instantly feel the burn in your calves.  At around 2 miles in, there is a single grave from a baby that l...
    Read more
  • Lancing, Tennessee

    Climb The Lilly Bluff Wall

    The Obed Wild and Scenic River is typically not found in the same conversations as Zion or Yosemite, but be assured this hidden gem of Tennessee is one of the East Coast's must climb destinations.There are a number of climbing areas within the Obed worth exploring, ranging from bouldering to mul...
    Read more
  • Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee

    Hike to Suter and Horsepound Falls

    4.0
    6 mi / 1794 ft gain
    Located in South Cumberland State Park in the Savage Gulf section, this is a somewhat difficult 5 mile out-and-back viewing two waterfalls, cascades, creeks, rock shelters, and high bluffs. 2 miles past Suter Falls you'll come to Horsepound Falls, a unique waterfall formation with overlooks and l...
    Read more
  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Backpack to Spence Field

    13.8 mi / 3100 ft gain
    Start your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation 1,800 ft), in the Cade’s Cove area. The trailhead is located at the far end of the day-use picnic area near Cade’s Cove campground. There are a few parking spots right at the trailhead, but note that the picnic area closes at dusk (a gate clos...
    Read more
  • Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee

    Hike the Hogskin Upper and Lower Loop

    5.0
    1.4 mi
    After an easy 25 minute drive from Chattanooga you will reach North Chickamauga Gorge on Montlake Road in Soddy Daisy. Park any where in the gravel loop just make sure other cars can get through. From the Montlake Road Trailhead Kiosk the trail begins on an old mining road. Hogskin Upper Loop Tr...
    Read more
  • Newport, Tennessee

    Explore Halls Top Fire Tower

    4.0
    1 mi / 200 ft gain
    Halls Top Fire Tower is a special untouched spot in the Cherokee National Forest. The road that leads you into the CNF is known as Halls Top Road  just a few miles off of Interstate I-40. This road will take you 4.4 miles to the next turn onto Stone Mountain Road this road is 2.1 miles to the gat...
    Read more
  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Camp at Unaka Mountain Overlook

    4.0
    0.1 mi
    Unaka Mountain Overlook is one of the highest locations in the Cherokee National Forest. Easily accessibly by vehicle, the overlook towers over the surrounding mountains, including Beauty Spot Gap, and is an ideal spot to camp overnight. Take Rock Creek Road until you meet the border of North Car...
    Read more
  • Tellico Plains, Tennessee

    Camp at North River Campground and Dispersed Campsites

    North River Road is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Tellico Plains. To get to North River Campground you can either drive up the Cherohala Skyway about 6 miles then turn when you see the sign for the campground and bald river falls. Another way to get to the campsites along North Ri...
    Read more
  • Del Rio, Tennessee

    Camp at Meadow Creek Fire Tower

    5.0
    Meadow Creek Fire Tower is a great place to spend an afternoon watching the sunset or spend the night gazing at the stars. You can bring a blanket then lay out on the top of the tower and view the entire sky. The tower itself was made back in the early 1920's. Over the years it changed appearance...
    Read more
  • Burns, Tennessee

    Backcountry Camp at the Wildcat Shelter

    2.8 mi
    Start this adventure by retrieving your backcountry camping permit from the park office. There is no option to reserve a campsite online, so give the staff a call and they'll have it ready upon your arrival. From the office, turn left as if you're exiting the park. Before exiting, turn right into...
    Read more
  • Vonore, Tennessee

    Camp at Citico Creek

    5.0
    There are a few options for getting to Citico Creek, you can either go up the windy gravel road from US 411 or get off of the Cherohala Skyway and go down the mountain past the Indian Boundary campground. The Citico Creek campground has about 5 or 6 spots but is rarely full because it is very sec...
    Read more
  • Beersheba Springs, Tennessee

    Hike to Stone Door and Alum Gap Campground

    6.8 mi / 825 ft gain
    This is a fun and easy overnight trip that is good for all ages. Start at the Stone Door Ranger Station which has plenty of parking and public restrooms as well. Follow the signs to the Stone Door Trailhead and in a short 0.8 miles you'll arrive at the edge of the gulf (canyon) and the first sign...
    Read more
  • Wartburg, Tennessee

    Hike to Frozen Head State Park Fire Tower

    4.5
    4.5 mi / 1300 ft gain
    To get to this hike the easiest way is to go up Petros hwy near the closed Brushy Mountain State prison. The trailhead is a large gravel lot on the side of the road. The trail is an old road so it is wide and well taken care of. However, the trail is very steep all the way up. The trail has only ...
    Read more
  • Gatlinburg, Tennessee

    Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop

    5.0
    16.84 mi / 4429 ft gain
    Appalachian Trail: Charlie's Bunion and Kephart Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Cherokee, North Carolina.
    Read more