The best star host camping in Tennessee

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The geology of the Volunteer State is surprisingly dramatic. The landscape soars from the delta lowlands of the Mississippi River east to the rugged heights of the Cumberland Plateau before climbing the forested slopes of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The varied terrain is well-suited for active campers, from paddlers and rock climbers to fishers and firefly hunters. And hikers? They’re happy everywhere. Tent and RV sites are abundant, and a growing array of glamping options—yurts, retro trailers, and treehouses—keep the camping scene fresh. And in music-loving Tennessee, a live jam is never far away, be it blues, bluegrass, or Bonnaroo.

99% (9.4K) 733 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Tennessee

Ellis Cove

1. Ellis Cove

96%
(138)
5 sites · RVs · Pittman Center, TN
With Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville only a 20 minute drive from this property, you'll have convenient access to many of the area's top attractions; Including, Dollywood, Anakeesta, Ripley's Aquarium, Ober Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Come relax and kick back by the peaceful soothing river, or chat while roasting marshmallows around our oversized campfire and grill. If relaxing isn’t your style, bring your tube to float or pack your fishing pole to take advantage of the regularly stocked Little Pigeon River. The privacy and seclusion of this relaxing riverfront Community of Tiny Homes and 6 RV sites -full hook up- which allows our guests to reconnect with nature while vacationing in luxury
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$54
 / night
South Suckcreek Campground

2. South Suckcreek Campground

96%
(333)
20 sites · Tents, RVs · Chattanooga, TN
Learn more about this land: Enjoy sunset views of the mountains, plus trails for bicycling, motorcycle riding, 4-wheelers nearby. Set on a low traffic road at the foot of the mountain, this property is close to Prentice Cooper State Forest. Find kayak rentals at the foot of the mountain!
Pets
Campfires
from 
$15
 / night
Shackalakin What's Crakin RV Park

3. Shackalakin What's Crakin RV Park

99%
(91)
1 site · Tent, RV · Cleveland, TN
Park your RV on your own private site with 25 acres with wildlife and beautiful sunsets. Site has two 50 amp hookups, high speed fiber internet, a septic system for sewer connection, and on site well water. There is a fire pit, outdoor lights, and patio table and chairs on site. This site is convenient to the city of Chattanooga, Cleveland, and also outdoor activities associated with the Hiawasee River, Ocoee River, and Cherokee National Forest. There is room and hookups for two RV's at this location however I will only allow two RV's if they are from the same party. Please contact me for details and special pricing if this is needed. Learn more about this land: I recently acquired this property that has been in my family for over 100 years and my original home place until around 1980. My wife and I initially made this site for our own RV use, but we want to share it for others to enjoy and also to help finance our constant improvements. The original house that I grew up in is still located on the property but is currently uninhabitable (for now). My fondest memories of the property are of playing and catching crawdads in the creek that located on the property when I was a kid and riding horses and flying kites in the fields. I am working hard to restore this property to the way I remember it and trying to make it enjoyable for those that come to visit. A majority of the property is still being used as a hay field during the summer months and two to three times a year the hay is usually harvested.
Pets
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
$45
 / night
The Rusty Horseshoe

4. The Rusty Horseshoe

1 site · RV · Cottontown, TN
Your Convenient Tennessee Basecamp with Southern Hospitality Escape to our peaceful RV retreat perfectly positioned for exploring Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky! Located just minutes from I-65, our property offers the ideal blend of accessibility and tranquility—whether you're passing through or settling in for an extended stay. The Space Enjoy a spacious RV site with full hookups including your choice of 50 or 30 amp service, water, and sewer connections. Our property features a mix of open fields and wooded areas. Gather around your private fire pit each evening with complimentary firewood included—perfect for roasting marshmallows and sharing stories under the stars. Stay connected with available WiFi, making it easy to share your adventures or catch up on work if needed. Wildlife & Nature Keep your camera ready! Deer and wild turkey frequently roam the property, offering wonderful opportunities for wildlife viewing right from your site. It's not uncommon to wake up to a herd of deer grazing nearby or spot a flock of turkeys making their way through the landscape. Location Highlights We're perfectly situated for day trips and local exploration: 10 minutes to Portland, TN (closest town for essentials) 5 miles to Cross Plains, TN 10 minutes to White House, TN 14 miles to Franklin, KY 30 miles to Nashville, TN (perfect for a day trip to Music City!) 9 miles to The Mint Casino for evening entertainment Dollar General nearby for convenience Perfect For ✓ Road trippers looking for a convenient I-65 stopover ✓ Nature lovers who enjoy wildlife watching ✓ Pet owners—your furry friends are welcome! ✓ Anyone wanting easy access to Nashville without the city crowds ✓ Those seeking a peaceful retreat with modern conveniences Whether you're exploring Nashville's honky-tonks, trying your luck at the casino, or simply unwinding by the fire, our property offers the perfect home base for your Tennessee adventure
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$50
 / night
The Ole Place

5. The Ole Place

100%
(140)
6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Whitwell, TN
35 mostly wooded acres with a 3acre stocked pond (catch and release)for a small group or private getaway. Wildlife viewing, walking, atv riding. Within about 50 miles of Chattanooga, TN. river and other parks, mountains etc.nearby. Will have a couple of camper spots and One cabin with electricity, one camper site with full hookups and one with electricity and water. Dump station,Outhouses onsite, and a shower.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$23
 / night

The geology of the Volunteer State is surprisingly dramatic. The landscape soars from the delta lowlands of the Mississippi River east to the rugged heights of the Cumberland Plateau before climbing the forested slopes of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The varied terrain is well-suited for active campers, from paddlers and rock climbers to fishers and firefly hunters. And hikers? They’re happy everywhere. Tent and RV sites are abundant, and a growing array of glamping options—yurts, retro trailers, and treehouses—keep the camping scene fresh. And in music-loving Tennessee, a live jam is never far away, be it blues, bluegrass, or Bonnaroo.

99% (9.4K) 733 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Tennessee

Ellis Cove

1. Ellis Cove

96%
(138)
5 sites · RVs · Pittman Center, TN
With Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville only a 20 minute drive from this property, you'll have convenient access to many of the area's top attractions; Including, Dollywood, Anakeesta, Ripley's Aquarium, Ober Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Come relax and kick back by the peaceful soothing river, or chat while roasting marshmallows around our oversized campfire and grill. If relaxing isn’t your style, bring your tube to float or pack your fishing pole to take advantage of the regularly stocked Little Pigeon River. The privacy and seclusion of this relaxing riverfront Community of Tiny Homes and 6 RV sites -full hook up- which allows our guests to reconnect with nature while vacationing in luxury
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$54
 / night
South Suckcreek Campground

2. South Suckcreek Campground

96%
(333)
20 sites · Tents, RVs · Chattanooga, TN
Learn more about this land: Enjoy sunset views of the mountains, plus trails for bicycling, motorcycle riding, 4-wheelers nearby. Set on a low traffic road at the foot of the mountain, this property is close to Prentice Cooper State Forest. Find kayak rentals at the foot of the mountain!
Pets
Campfires
from 
$15
 / night
Shackalakin What's Crakin RV Park

3. Shackalakin What's Crakin RV Park

99%
(91)
1 site · Tent, RV · Cleveland, TN
Park your RV on your own private site with 25 acres with wildlife and beautiful sunsets. Site has two 50 amp hookups, high speed fiber internet, a septic system for sewer connection, and on site well water. There is a fire pit, outdoor lights, and patio table and chairs on site. This site is convenient to the city of Chattanooga, Cleveland, and also outdoor activities associated with the Hiawasee River, Ocoee River, and Cherokee National Forest. There is room and hookups for two RV's at this location however I will only allow two RV's if they are from the same party. Please contact me for details and special pricing if this is needed. Learn more about this land: I recently acquired this property that has been in my family for over 100 years and my original home place until around 1980. My wife and I initially made this site for our own RV use, but we want to share it for others to enjoy and also to help finance our constant improvements. The original house that I grew up in is still located on the property but is currently uninhabitable (for now). My fondest memories of the property are of playing and catching crawdads in the creek that located on the property when I was a kid and riding horses and flying kites in the fields. I am working hard to restore this property to the way I remember it and trying to make it enjoyable for those that come to visit. A majority of the property is still being used as a hay field during the summer months and two to three times a year the hay is usually harvested.
Pets
Campfires
Full hookups
from 
$45
 / night
The Rusty Horseshoe

4. The Rusty Horseshoe

1 site · RV · Cottontown, TN
Your Convenient Tennessee Basecamp with Southern Hospitality Escape to our peaceful RV retreat perfectly positioned for exploring Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky! Located just minutes from I-65, our property offers the ideal blend of accessibility and tranquility—whether you're passing through or settling in for an extended stay. The Space Enjoy a spacious RV site with full hookups including your choice of 50 or 30 amp service, water, and sewer connections. Our property features a mix of open fields and wooded areas. Gather around your private fire pit each evening with complimentary firewood included—perfect for roasting marshmallows and sharing stories under the stars. Stay connected with available WiFi, making it easy to share your adventures or catch up on work if needed. Wildlife & Nature Keep your camera ready! Deer and wild turkey frequently roam the property, offering wonderful opportunities for wildlife viewing right from your site. It's not uncommon to wake up to a herd of deer grazing nearby or spot a flock of turkeys making their way through the landscape. Location Highlights We're perfectly situated for day trips and local exploration: 10 minutes to Portland, TN (closest town for essentials) 5 miles to Cross Plains, TN 10 minutes to White House, TN 14 miles to Franklin, KY 30 miles to Nashville, TN (perfect for a day trip to Music City!) 9 miles to The Mint Casino for evening entertainment Dollar General nearby for convenience Perfect For ✓ Road trippers looking for a convenient I-65 stopover ✓ Nature lovers who enjoy wildlife watching ✓ Pet owners—your furry friends are welcome! ✓ Anyone wanting easy access to Nashville without the city crowds ✓ Those seeking a peaceful retreat with modern conveniences Whether you're exploring Nashville's honky-tonks, trying your luck at the casino, or simply unwinding by the fire, our property offers the perfect home base for your Tennessee adventure
Pets
Full hookups
from 
$50
 / night
The Ole Place

5. The Ole Place

100%
(140)
6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Whitwell, TN
35 mostly wooded acres with a 3acre stocked pond (catch and release)for a small group or private getaway. Wildlife viewing, walking, atv riding. Within about 50 miles of Chattanooga, TN. river and other parks, mountains etc.nearby. Will have a couple of camper spots and One cabin with electricity, one camper site with full hookups and one with electricity and water. Dump station,Outhouses onsite, and a shower.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$23
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best star host camping in Tennessee guide

Where to go

West Tennessee

Bordered by the Mississippi and anchored by Memphis, West Tennessee works best for campers seeking music, history, and low-key outdoor thrills. Tents and RVs are welcome at Pickwick Landing State Park, known for its lake and watersports, while birdwatchers may prefer driving north to Reelfoot Lake State Park, where bald eagles are plentiful. Shiloh National Military Park spotlights a pivotal battle in the Civil War.

Middle Tennessee

Marked by cliffs, waterfalls, wild rivers, dark skies, and lush forests, Middle Tennessee is a geologic drama queen. Packed with state parks along the steep edges of the Cumberland Plateau, it’s also a top destination for camping and active travelers. Visit Nashville, home to honky-tonks, hot chicken, and Vanderbilt, then hit Fall Creek Falls, a deep-green state park loaded with waterfalls. Stay in cabins constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in Cumberland Mountain State Park or CCC Pickett Memorial State Park—where you can go stargazing. The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area draws adventurous paddlers, and campers can even sleep beside the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway, a historic trade route that stretches from the Mississippi River to Nashville.

East Tennessee

Prefer urban adventures? Knoxville and Chattanooga await. Knoxville is best known as the state capital, but mountain bikers love the city’s urban wilderness and its 50-mile network of trails. Chattanooga is a convenient base for rock climbing and whitewater rafting. The craft beer scene in both cities impresses too. For hiking and solitude head north to Frozen Head State Park. Families with varied interests may prefer Big Ridge State Park, which offers trails, lake swimming, and volleyball and basketball courts.

Great Smoky Mountains

The most visited national park in the United StatesGreat Smoky Mountains National Park sprawls across eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail bounces along the boundary line between the two states. The park has nine developed campgrounds and numerous backcountry shelters. Tent sites, RV parks, cabins, and glamping destinations punctuate the foothills region, which is anchored by Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Top regions in and near Tennessee